Gazette Of The United States

No. XXXIII.

"Jealousy of others is an index to our own conduct or disposition."

JEALOUSY is called a republican virtue: Grant that it is.—Is it not notorious that under the guise of this virtue, there often lurks the most base and unworthy species of low suspicion: Suspicions, that at one period of our affairs, so unhinged the public mind, and so lessened all confidence even in our best patriots, that it was next to a miracle we were saved from anarchy, and the fatal consequences that always result from a want of that honesty, which an overweening jealousy takes it for granted never does exist. Indiscriminate suspicion is the parent of those very evils, it pretends to detect, and expose to the public indignation; for so long as society exists, delegated power is the necessary consequence: And if men do not receive approbation for their integrity, the temptation to deviate from the paths of honor and honesty, is greatly increased: A generous confidence confirms the servants of the public in just sentiments—while a mean suspicion, sanctions, in their own minds, the knavery of knaves. There is a much better safeguard to the liberties of the people pointed out in our excellent Constitution than jealousy, and that is the eligibility of every citizen, of every rank, to every office of honor or profit in the United States. Besides the spring to laudable ambition, which is so intimately connected with this truly republican idea, every citizen is hereby formed into a Centinel, or Watchman, over the administration of our political concerns—and every patriotic, and personal consideration is excited to detect, point out, and expose to public censure, the malversation of men in office: Having such an effectual security for the fidelity of characters in power, insinuations, or open and explicit declamations against government, so far as they are founded on mere suspicion, must be considered as the ebullitions of envy, or a malignancy of disposition.

The rectitude of those who have invariably supported the Constitution of the United States, is abundantly verified in all their conduct subsequent to the organization of the system. Opposition has been starved; and even envy itself, that immortal enemy to human happiness, has scarcely lisped her repinings; here and there some of her blotches have soiled the press, but the disapprobation of the people has immediately checked the inflammation, and the immature productions have died as soon as born.

Immature productions have a situation, and contrasting it with that of the whole world besides, The people of the United States in contemplating their present must observe with gratitude to Heaven, their superior advantages; and while they feel that they are free, secure, independent and happy, those restless, turbulent characters who would disturb the tranquility of the States, by depreciating their government, or its administration—who by fomenting schisms, distrusts and jealousies, would throw us back into that humiliating, degrading and distressful state we have so recently extricated ourselves from, must, and will be considered as inveterate enemies to the United States. There are many things in government, about which wise and good men will disagree; however, the abandoned and unprincipled only will ever advocate measures of confusion, when they see they are carrying a favorite point.—This criterion of conduct is an unfailing index to ascertain characters. It is happy for our country that cold water has been thrown upon the few instances of inveterate antifederalism that have occurred.

The steps of the first session of Congress were marked with wisdom, patriotism and independence, and received the general approbation of their constituents.—If any errors were committed they can be rectified; but the recess has demonstrated that the people are satisfied. The approaching session will therefore commence under the highest auspices of public confidence: and while the objects that are to come into public discussion, are confessedly important, complex, and of arduous investigation, our civil Fathers must feel inspired to prosecute their duty upon the principles of the constitution with zeal, promptitude and independency: For they may with the fullest assurance rely on the support of the people in every measure they may adopt, to strengthen the government, extend the commerce, encourage the agriculture, AND RETRIEVE AND ESTABLISH THE CREDIT OF THE UNITED STATES.