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Editorial
November 2, 1786
Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
Editorial emphasizes that virtue is essential for the existence and preservation of republics, drawing on Montesquieu's maxim and historical examples from Greece, Rome, and Switzerland to urge American States to maintain it against despotism.
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OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
SENTIMENTS.
Says a late writer, "It is a maxim with Montesquieu," and a maxim too which has never been disputed. "That Virtue is necessary to the very existence of a Republick." Virtue was the main pillar of the Grecian popular governments: Had they preserved their virtue, and in this way enforced the wise laws of Solon and Lycurgus, Athens and Lacedemon might have continued to this day in all their republican simplicity and glory. But their virtue being lost, their government suffered a necessary change, and they have long experienced all the horrors of despotism.
It was this that supported the Roman Republic for a long succession of years, until by a concurrence of circumstances her Virtue received a fatal wound, and lingering, died. Ambition and avarice succeeding to the place of virtue, and the government of consequence became despotic.
This maintains that noble spirit of freedom which actuates the popular government of Switzerland, and renders it subservient to the interest of that happy people.
In short, Virtue alone Can preserve the American States from an unhappy, not to say destructive revolution in government.
Says a late writer, "It is a maxim with Montesquieu," and a maxim too which has never been disputed. "That Virtue is necessary to the very existence of a Republick." Virtue was the main pillar of the Grecian popular governments: Had they preserved their virtue, and in this way enforced the wise laws of Solon and Lycurgus, Athens and Lacedemon might have continued to this day in all their republican simplicity and glory. But their virtue being lost, their government suffered a necessary change, and they have long experienced all the horrors of despotism.
It was this that supported the Roman Republic for a long succession of years, until by a concurrence of circumstances her Virtue received a fatal wound, and lingering, died. Ambition and avarice succeeding to the place of virtue, and the government of consequence became despotic.
This maintains that noble spirit of freedom which actuates the popular government of Switzerland, and renders it subservient to the interest of that happy people.
In short, Virtue alone Can preserve the American States from an unhappy, not to say destructive revolution in government.
What sub-type of article is it?
Moral Or Religious
Constitutional
What keywords are associated?
Virtue In Republics
Montesquieu Maxim
Greek Governments
Roman Republic
Swiss Freedom
American States
What entities or persons were involved?
Montesquieu
Solon
Lycurgus
Athens
Lacedaemon
Roman Republic
Switzerland
American States
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Virtue As Essential To Republics
Stance / Tone
Advocacy For Preserving Virtue In Governments
Key Figures
Montesquieu
Solon
Lycurgus
Athens
Lacedaemon
Roman Republic
Switzerland
American States
Key Arguments
Virtue Is Necessary For The Existence Of A Republic, Per Montesquieu.
Grecian Governments Like Athens And Lacedaemon Fell To Despotism Due To Loss Of Virtue.
Roman Republic Endured Through Virtue But Collapsed When Ambition And Avarice Replaced It.
Virtue Sustains Switzerland's Popular Government And Freedom.
Only Virtue Can Prevent Destructive Revolution In American States.