Gazette Of The United States

The late grand federative association of the French Nation at Paris, was one of the most interesting, solemn and dignified transactions, ever exhibited on the Theatre of this lower creation.

If ever the celestials bend with delight to view the triumphs of reason, humanity and freedom, it must be on such an occasion.

To see the Representatives of a mighty Empire, with the Sovereign at their head, emerging from the depths of slavery and darkness, to light, liberty and happiness, impresses feelings on every philanthropic mind, too great for utterance.

Some modern innovations in government do not merit the name of improvements—they are only the old story over again, which was told a thousand years ago—and have not advanced mankind one step higher in the scale of happiness—the truth is—knowledge is the only foundation of liberty: The United States enjoy the greatest advantages for the acquisition of science of any people on the globe—and therefore they enjoy superior degrees of freedom—for as Mr. Adams observes, in his Defence of the American Constitutions, "In a free government, knowledge must be general, and ought to be universal."

The ancient republics are often referred to as models for modern imitation—but what sort of Republicans were the Romans, who often dragged men at their chariot wheels, and made miserable slaves of innumerable multitudes of as good, if not better men than themselves?—And the often celebrated Athenian Republicans, had so little idea of the true principles of liberty, that ten thousand citizens of Athens only, owned four hundred thousand slaves.

There is a strange idea that prevails in the world, that wars are necessary at the return of different periods in the age of a nation; and on this principle there are those who justify a pleasing anticipation of this most capital of all misfortunes: It will however be generally found on examination, that this insensibility to the misery of our species, arises from an unprincipled love of gain—for what are wars in general, but robbery and murder on an extensive plan?—The two principal inducements to all the wars which have deluged the world in blood, have been avarice and ambition. The first has given rise to predatory excursions, and extending the limits of particular States and Kingdoms: The latter has led to that species of war, which, while it diverted the attention of the people from contemplating their domestic misery, enabled the tyrants of the earth to rivet the chains of slavery—and extend the limits of their despotism: Hence wars, however successful, and however advantageous to individuals, are always a losing business to the people.