Gazette Of The United States

The Legislators in all ages of the world, have intimately associated the principles of virtue with the principles of government, and whether it is an effect, flowing from its proper cause—or whether it is to be attributed to the special favor of the Deity, experience demonstrates, that public virtue, and public happiness, have always been found to flourish together: There is no security for the general tranquility—for a steady and uniform obedience to the laws, on the part of the people, or for the fidelity and honor of those who administer the government, like a principle of reverence for the Deity: How highly favored then is our country, at the present auspicious period, in having those to govern, who recommend by precept and Example, a devout acknowledgement of our dependence upon the Creator and Lord of all, for every private, social, and public blessing!

Look to the European world, there meagre famine stalks thro the land, while civil discord follows close in the rear—the Dogs of War spread havoc wide, in other ill fated realms, to sate the lust of ambition, and give a false lustre to the Diadem of despotism—The wretched peasantry are dragged from their peaceful abodes, and have their mangled corpses strewed o'er the extended field of battle, or piled like rubbish in the yawning ditch—the fields disrobed of their verdure lie uncultivated and barren, while universal ruin forms one horrid scene: There the revolutions in government produce proscriptions and massacres, while the cause of Freedom hangs suspended on the vibration of opinion.—Contrast the above with the situation of the United States, and say if we have not reason to admire and adore—Peace and plenty crown our toils—an exuberance of the rich gifts of Providence is ours—Freedom pervades our country, and laws and government give the rich blessing permanency and security—we have found the art of making revolutions without confusion, and of establishing the rights of humanity without disturbing the public tranquility—Happy America—May'st thou still be wise to discern the things that belong to thy peace—and be grateful to the giver of every good gift.

Tho under a despotic and arbitrary government informers may be odious, as they are generally actuated by the most mercenary motives—yet under a free government, the support of which depends upon the Revenue, every good and honest man will think it HONORABLE and PRAISEWORTHY to detect those frauds and impositions, which have eventually, no tendency to lessen public burdens, but to increase their weight and pressure on the fair and upright trader: Philadelphia has set a laudable example in this respect, for guarding the conscientious and strictly honest dealer from the effects of those shameful evasions of the laws which the unprincipled practice, is protecting those who prop the government Every government depends on its own inherent energy for its efficacy and respectability: It will be a long time before many of mankind will think that they cannot promote their own interest by violating the laws.

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Should it ever come to pass that corruption, like a dark and low hung mist, should spread from man to man, and cover these lands—Should a general dissolution of manners prevail Should vice be countenanced, and communicated by the leaders of fashion—Should it come to be propagated by ministers among legislators, and by the legislators among their constituents—Should guilt lift up its head without fear of reproach, and avow itself in the face of the sun, and laugh virtue out of countenance by force of numbers—Should public duty turn public trumpet—Should shops come to be advertised, where men may dispose of their honor and honesty at so much per ell—Should public markets be opened for the purchase of consciences, with an O yes! we bid most to those who set themselves, their trusts, and their country to sale! If such a day, I say, should ever arrive, it will be Dooms-day, indeed, to the virtue, the liberties, and the Constitution of these States. It would be the same to America as it would happen to the Universe should the laws of co-hesion cease to operate, and all the parts be dissipated, whose orderly connection now forms the beauty and COMMONWEALTH OF NATURE: Want of goodness in the materials can never be supplied by any art in the building: A constitution of PUBLIC FREEMEN can never consist of PRIVATE TOOLS OF PROSTITUTION.