The Patowmac Guardian, And Berkeley Advertiser

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 27.

The advocates of the present government, before it was adopted by the people, were thought to be very sanguine in their anticipation of the blessings which would result from its establishment. It has turned out on the trial, however, that the event has exceeded the expectation-more is perhaps fulfilled than was promised : But many who allow that our situation was deplorable before the union was secured by the new government, and that it is at present more prosperous than the most sanguine could then have expected, yet will not give all the change to the new Constitution. But a correspondent thinks it useful to remark, that there is one point in which all parties may agree, which is, that whether the surprising prosperity of the country is, or is not, in any degree, the work of the national government, it is plain, that nothing can secure the continuance of that prosperity but the preservation of the government : Weakening the government, or overthrowing it, would immediately change the condition and prospects of the people. While we enjoy so much, and hope so much more than we enjoy, we should reverence our government, and consider any attempts to excite the people to destroy it, as more injurious to our wealth, than the Hessian fly in our wheat-fields. That insect attacks but one grain, and not every species of that : But anarchy and civil discord spare nothing. The insect takes the seed--violence would seize the crop. The adoption of the Constitution saved us from these evils: By supporting it we may hope in future to avoid them.

Before the Constitution was adopted, it was charged with oppression and tyranny : A man who believed all that he had heard against it, must have expected in 1791, to wear wooden shoes, and to want spirit to say that his soul was his own.--How things are changed !--the government has been tried : And what is said against it now ?--That it does injustice !--No : But that it does more than justice exacts of it.--It pays debts, which says the accusers, it did not owe; but which are allowed to be honestly due-which on settling the accounts, this government stood bound to pay, and which the worthy creditors would have been likely to lose, if it had not consented to admit, without delay.--So much for its tyranny, and treading on men's rights and property.--Now for its oppression : Why ; that its revenue is so ample, that new taxes are superfluous ---Americans, you have tried your government : You have tried to do without one : Which do you like best ?