The Kentucky Gazette

As the members who are to compose the ensuing convention, are to be delegated for the truly important purpose of securing the liberty and happiness, of millions of the unborn, by the formation of a well organized system of government, they will not therefore be indifferent towards the interposition of proper barriers between, the legislative, executive and judiciary departments — as this is a principle in politics, so universally admitted since the general civilization of mankind, it would be almost needless to mention it here, were we not apprehensive of some partial bias, some hasty prejudice or prepossession, in favor of former precedents—Man

is an imitative animal, whether he acts in a private or public sphere. And both communities and individuals are found to be alike swayed by example. We therefore hope that our convention will with manly abhorrence and detestation avoid the example of the Virginian government, in this respect, at least, as one of the greatest evils— For it is notorious that, in that government the legislature may assume whatever powers it pleases—

Nay, I will not scruple to say, that there have been already in that
State, some unconstitutional assumptions of authority which without descending to the odious task of pouring them out, will serve to shew, how much reason we have, to wish an escape, from such evils, by avoiding the causes from which their infelicity is or may be derived. No government under the sun, can be safe without checks--. That thirst after power so naturally inherent in the human breast, loudly proclaims its necessity --For if any one class, of men, have it in their power to depress and usurp on the rest, it will doubtless be done, and none but their own interests in exclusion of all others will ever predominate--Therefore if the government be so arranged as to cause the several departments to be composed of different orders of men. it will naturally and consequently introduce, the strongest and safest checks and barriers: Which with the addition of a constitutional line drawn to prevent interferences, will operate as a very great preservative against all tyrannic usurpations-- The great and inestimable rights of mankind, will likely very probably be secured and established by it. It might not be improper to have them guarded in the plainest and most unequivocal manner by provision of a bill of rights. It is to what the subject produces which ever occurred or any other nation hath produced institution this subject--alluding to the conduct of the people of Virginia, his words are as follows. She has most cautiously and guardedly secured and preserved those inestimable, invaluable rights and privileges, which no people inspired with the real glow of the patriotic love of freedom, ever did or ever will abandon.

The Disinterested Citizen.

The disinterested Citizen will in a future paper, shew the necessity of a bill of rights, in our hereafter to be constructed government, by an endeavouring at refutation of the principles urged by those who were opposed to the insertion of that provision, in the federal constitution.

IV. Abstract Conclusion.