The New Hampshire Gazette

RICHMOND, (Virg.) July 24.

Wythe Court-House Virginia,

July 4, 1794.

The Democratic Society met according to adjournment, Citizen William Neely, chosen chairman of the sitting, Citizen John Montgomery, chosen Secretary.

On motion of Citizen Alexander Smyth.

Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to prepare an address to the people of the United States: and a Committee was accordingly appointed, of Citizens Alexander Smyth, Daniel Sheffy, Jehu Stephens, Jesse Evans, Joseph Crocket, William Drope, and William Hay.

Citizen Alexander Smyth, from the Committee appointed, reported an Address, which being read, was unanimously agreed to.

Ordered, That the said Address be signed by the Chairman and published.

ADDRESS,

Of the DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY in

Wythe County, Virginia, to the People of

the United States.

FELLOW CITIZENS,

It is a right of the people peaceably to

assemble and deliberate—it is a right of

the people to publish their sentiments.

These rights we exercise, and esteem in-

valuable.

A war raging in Europe; a war of ty-

rants against liberty, cannot be unfelt by

the people of the United States; it has

roused our feelings. We have rejoiced

when victory followed the standards of li-

berty. When despots were successful,

we have experienced the deepest anxiety.

We have lamented that our good wishes

were the only aid we could give the

French.

Among the different powers combined

against the rights of man, we have mar-

ked the British nation, the champion of

despotism. With indignation we have

heard their insolent dictates to the small

neutral powers of Europe, to join in the

subjugation of France. With sorrow we

have seen every principle of liberty,

hitherto retained by the people of Britain,

violated by its present corrupt govern-

ment, and their most virtuous inhabi-

tants transported to foreign lands, or going

into voluntary exile: But we hope these

things will ultimately produce good, and

that there is still a latent spark, which by

excessive friction, will kindle to a flame.

and will consume the rotten edifice of the

British government, on the ruins of which

another may arise, the basis whereof shall

be justice; liberty and equality.

While with anxious expectation we con-

template the affairs of Europe, it will be

criminal to forget our own country. A

session of Congress having just passed, the

first in which the people were equally re-

presented, it is a fit time to take a retro-

spective view of the proceedings of govern-

ment.—We have watched each motion of

those in power, but are sorry we cannot

exclaim "well done thou good and faith-

ful servant." We have seen the nation

insulted, our rights violated, our com-

merce ruined—and what has been the

conduct of government? Under the cor-

rupt influence of the paper system, it has

uniformly crouched to Britain; while on

the contrary our allies, the French, to

whom we owe our political existence, have

been treated unfriendly; denied any ad-

vantages from their treaties with us; their

Minister abused; and those individuals

among us, who desired to aid their arms,

prosecuted as traitors—blush Americans

for the conduct of your government.

Citizens,

Shall we Americans, who have kindled

the spark of liberty, stand aloof and see

it extinguished, when burning a bright

flame in France, which hath caught it

from us? Do you not see if despots pre-

vail, you must have a despot like the rest

of the nations? If all tyrants unite against

free people, should not all free people u-

nite against tyrants? Yes! Let us unite

with France, and stand or fall together.

We lament that a man who hath so

long possessed the public confidence, as

the head of the executive department hath

possessed it, should put it to so severe a trial.

as he hath by a late appointment. The

constitution hath been trampled on, and

your rights have no security.

Citizens! What is despotism? Is it

not a union of executive, legislative and

judicial authorities in the same hands?

This union, then, has been effected. Your

chief justice has been appointed to an ex-

ecutive office, by the head of that branch

of government: In that capacity he is to

make Treaties: Those treaties are your

Supreme law; and of this supreme law he is

supreme judge!! What has become of your

constitution and liberties?

Fellow Citizens,

We hope the misconduct of the execu-

tive may have proceeded from bad advice;

but we can only look to the immediate

cause of the mischief. To us it seems a

radical change of measures is necessary.

How shall this be effected? Citizens! It

is to be effected by a change of men.

Deny the continuance of your confidence

to such members of the legislative body

as have an interest distinct from that of

the people. To trust yourselves to stock-

holders, what is it, but like the Romans,

to deliver the poor debtor to his creditor,

as his absolute property. To trust your-

selves to speculators, what is it, but to

commit the lamb to the wolf to be de-

voured.

It was recommended by the conven-

tions of some of the states, so to amend

the constitution, as to incapacitate any

man to serve as president more than eight

years successively. Consider well this ex-

periment. 'Tis probably the most certain

way to purge the different departments,

and produce a new state of things.

Believe us, fellow-citizens, the public

welfare is our only motive.

WILLIAM NEELY, Chairman.

Attest,

JOHN MONTGOMERY, Sec'y.

The Republican Printers throughout

the Union, are requested to publish this ad-

dress.