1791' ON AMERICA. 9^ 



the important revolution accomplifhed in the fyftem of 

 their united government, the tranquil deliberation, and 

 the voluntary confent of fo many diftinft communities, 

 from which the event has rel'ultcd, cannot be compar- 

 ed with the means by which moil governments have 

 been eftabliihed, without returns of pious gratitude, 

 along with an humble anticipation of the future bleilings 

 which the pall feem to prelage." The illullrious pre- 

 lident, in the fame admirable addrefs to Congrefs, when 

 he bellows a juft tribute on the talents, the re£litude, 

 and the patriotifm which adorned the fenators, feledled 

 to devife and adopt the fyftem of the prefent conftitu- 

 tion, proceeds in a ftrain of fubiime eloquence, adorn- 

 ed with wifdom and forefight, to adjure the legiflative 

 body of the nation, that no ieparate vie vs, no party 

 animofities may mifdirecl the comprehenlive and equal 

 eye which ought to watch over the great aflemblage 

 of communities and interefts ; that the foundations of 

 the national policy may be laid in the pure and immu- 

 table principles of private morality ; and the pre-emi- 

 nence of free government be exemplified by all the at- 

 tributes which can won the afFe£lions of its citizens, and 

 command the refpeft of the world. 



I dwell, fays that divine hero and legiflator, on this 

 hope, on this profpeft, with every fatisfaftion which 

 an ardfent love for my country can infpire -^Jince there is no 

 truth ?tiore thoroughly ejiablyhedy than that there exijls in 

 the economy and courje of nature, an indijfoluhle union be- 

 tween virtue and happinefs, between duty and advantage, 

 between the genuine maxims of an honeft and magna- 

 nimous people, and the folid rewards of public pro- 

 fperity and happinefs ; fince we ought to be no lefs 

 perfuaded that the propitious fmiles of heaven can ne- 

 ver be expected on a nation that difregards the eternal 

 rules of order and right, which heaven itfelf has or- 

 dained ; and fince the prefervation of the facred fire 

 of liberty, and the deftiny of the republican form of 

 government, are juitjy confidered as deeply, perhaps 

 Vol. III. f N 



