Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser

FROM THE
Anchor Club.
No. I.

They bawl for freedom in their senseless mode,
Yet still revolt when truth would set them free.
Licence they mean, when they cry LIBERTY,
For who loves that must first be wise and good.
Milton.

If rational liberty was ever dear, and anarchy horrible and destructive; if the sacred religion and pure morality of our fathers, was ever revered for its divine authority and benign effects; if laws and customs produced by the accumulated experience of ages, have ever been useful to mankind; if domestic comfort and social order was ever enjoyed and duly estimated; if private virtue and public integrity were ever just and honorable; if, in short, all that can render life amiable and desirable, all that can adorn and exalt civilized humanity, have ever been duly appreciated, how great should be the alarm, when danger threatens in every shape, and from every quarter? If ever one period of time was more exigent and momentous than another, it is surely the present; when sedition, in the garb of patriotism, walks abroad, profusely throwing on every side the seeds of discontent and discord; when faction openly rears his unblushing front; when, like the giant Antaeus, it seems to have recovered fresh strength from having been once beaten to the ground, and now proudly hurls defiance in our teeth: if the present important crisis will not arouse sluggish indifference, and invigorate torpid apathy, we may conclude our fellow citizens to possess little more than vegetable existence, and rank them with those baleful weeds, whose destructive fecundity chokes up the useful grain.

This is not poetic fiction, nor empty declamation, the danger of our situation cannot be exaggerated, nor is it necessary to multiply terrors to excite unnecessary alarm, let any one seriously survey the conduct of Jacobins, and say if it is possible for preparation to be too prompt, and caution too keen and vigilant; let him look at the machinations of the faction in Virginia, and some adjoining states; mark their progress, the mode by which they have indefatigably prosecuted their purposes; and tremble at the alarming height at which they have arrived. They have dared, yes, the majority of a single state assembly has openly dared to condemn one of the first of all constitutional functions in a representative government, the passing of laws by a majority; they have censured the chosen executive of the people for carrying those laws into effect; and they have in terms not to be misunderstood, invited the people to resistance, by sophistical reasoning, imposed upon their judgment by artful misrepresentation, affected humility, and the cant of public love, have inflamed their passions and left no means untried to excite rebellion. It is true the minority have expressed their abhorrence and indignation at such proceedings, and in their most excellent and judicious counter-Address, by the fairest reasoning, and most powerful argument, given a complete refutation to the creed of sedition. But erroneous principles and moral depravity are seldom eradicated by argument: the experience of the world may convince us, that nothing but coercive measures can curb sedition, and tear up the roots of anarchy.

What can a virtuous and enlightened minority do against a partial and interested majority, with a turbulent, blind, licentious populace at their command? What shadow of reason can be given for supposing they will stop here, and what preparation is there now actually organized to oppose them, should they go on? Has any other state formally expressed their disapprobation, and is there any appearance of general indignation discovered in the people? no, it has passed by as the common report of a day, the course of exchange, or the price of flour. To convince would be sufficient, if mankind were generally virtuous; but the mass of men are neither virtuous nor rational, they had rather adopt any opinion, than be at the trouble of thinking for themselves; and as reason has no influence in the choice, the preference is generally given to what accords with their strongest passions and favorite propensities.

This we all know, and every day offers instances; yet if a man fancies he is right himself, he is content to recline on the idle couch of mere speculative principle regardless of his neighbor, and taking no pains to practice or propagate, what can only be rendered effectual by energy and activity. "Go to the ant, thou sluggard, and be wise" said Solomon; and the politician may as justly say to the negligent people, go to the manufacturers of treason, and the artificers of rebellion, and learn to be industrious; it is not by their virtue or their argument that they can conquer us, it is by their superior exertions, their energy, unanimity and perseverance; surely then, it is time to wake and shake off the dreams of false security—to use that judgment which truth induces—that courage which a good cause inspires—and that vigilance and exertion which alone can render abortive the intrigues and menaces of our enemies.

CORIOLANUS.

(to be continued)