Gazette Of The United States

THE NATIONAL MONITOR.
-No. XXIII.

"As all men are tyrants by nature, all prone to covet and grasp at the rights of others; the great law of SAFETY TO ALL, can no otherwise be assured than BY THE RESTRAINT OF EACH FROM DOING INJURY TO ANY."

We are apt to entertain an idea that man in a savage state is wholly relieved from the forms and burthens of society: But this arises from a very curory view of animal existence. Where life is, there society exists, from the insect of a summer's day, to the being that is formed for immortality. It is evident that had the world in its original formation, been stocked with inhabitants at once, who were destitute of the social principle, the globe would long since have been depopulated, and become a useless mass in creation. From the imperfection of the reasoning powers of man in his uncultivated state, he is in the first instance doubtless impelled from necessity to adopt rules and orders for that subordinate species of society in which he finds himself placed. But this by no means proves that rules and orders would be unnecessary were mankind exempted from the dominion of those passions which disturb the peace and happiness of life: For order is as essential to enjoyment, as it is to the harmony, and beauty of the Creation.

It has long been a prevailing opinion that the necessity of government arises from the weakness and folly of mankind: That it is not calculated by its effects to increase the pleasures of life; but in its very nature is designed to abridge the natural privileges and to lessen the joys of existence. This sentiment has produced much mischief to society, by giving a pernicious bias to the human mind; it has weakened the powers of government by strengthening the innate principle of opposition to all legal restraints, and if carried to excess or into extensive operation, will never fail to subvert the Constitution and the laws of the country where it prevails.

Mankind are prone to extremes. When the infamous and degrading doctrines of the divine right of Kings, of passive obedience, and non resistance, were exploded, and driven out of every free State. This discovery succeeded; that the institution of civil government is not in itself eligible, but must be submitted to as a measure of necessity. The Experience of the United States under their new Constitution, will if they are wise, refute this doctrine: For while under a wise and just administration of government, they realize higher degrees of felicity, than the society of uncultivated minds can possibly afford, though exempted from the hostile passions. they will be led to acknowledge, that so great, so rich a source of happiness, as a wise, free, and energetic government always proves to mankind, must constitute part of that system which has for its author, the GOD OF HARMONY And ORDER.