Gazette Of The United States

The public good is the supreme law—this is the basis of a republican government—the grand difficulty always has been, how this shall be most effectually secured and promoted. Different patriots, of equal worth and abilities, have differed as to the means—but this consideration weighs nothing with Chronus, who says, every man who does not adopt his plan, is a fool or a knave.

It is a silent though persuasive eulogium on the operation of the measures of the general government, that they have produced throughout the union as great a degree of tranquility and apparent prosperity, as ever were enjoyed by the people of this country at any period since its first settlement—and as an happy indication that the people are generally satisfied with the conduct of their civil rulers, it may be noticed with satisfaction, that in respect to the truly republican state of Connecticut, the freemen thereof have placed on their nomination-list of members of Congress, every one of the representatives who have served them in the present and preceding Congress.

Those eagle-eyed politicians who see blemishes in the sun, say they are determined to have a change of men and measures; but the above circumstance does not do much credit to their spirit of prophecy at least.

Beware of that man who pretends to infallibility—you will find such an one a slave to his own opinions, and a tyrant in respect to those of persons who differ from him.

Times of confusion and anarchy afford the only opportunities to men of no industry, property or principles, in which they stand any chance of mending their condition. The United States have happily passed through this period of degradation and distress—but certain writers appear extremely solicitous to set us afloat again, that they may enjoy the pleasure of wrecking the public tranquility preparatory to a scramble among the ruins which their storms shall have made.

If a majority of the Legislature of the United States, through four succeeding sessions, have uniformly been opposed in their measures by the wisest and best members, it follows that the people are totally unqualified to exercise the most important of all republican rights, that of election.

What measure of government has not met with opposition? It is as evident as any object of sense can be, that however wise, honest and patriotic, the minority is now, always was, and always will be, that the perfection of their system was to do nothing. This is certainly the surest way to escape censure; it is something more, for the negative qualities of the minority are always positive virtues, till they are unfolded in action.