^6 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



painful to remark, how often and how easily in. 

 fianimatory passions deceive those on whom they 

 operate ; how insensibly they put themselves 

 off for moral principles, and how unfortunately 

 they misguide private and public conduct. B)' 

 makin^^ opinions and sentiments respecting par- 

 ticular administrations the standard of political 

 orthodoxy, or the necessary qualification for a 

 civil office, the assembly were opening the way 

 to a corrupting and oppressive scene of political 

 intolerance, persecution, and dismission from 

 office. If federalism scrupled not to introduce 

 such measures of polic}'-, to avow, to justify, 

 and to practice them; the same kind and mea- 

 sures of proceeding, vv'ouid b& as right, fit, and 

 proper, whenever the administration should flill 

 into the hands of the democrats. And thus a 

 system of political . oppression and persecutiou 

 would commence, depending altogether on a 

 majority of votes, and the power oi the prevail- 

 ing faction ; but wholly unconnected with moral 

 principles or character ; with justice, equity^ the 

 necessary qualifications, or a faithful discharge 

 of the duties of office. 



It might be proper and useful at that period, 

 to announce a determined opposition to the 

 principles and proceedings of the French ; but 

 the policy of doing this by a formal address to 

 the president of tha United States, was not with- 

 out risk and danger. By introducing a custom 

 till then unknown, and unexpected from the 

 state, it was not improbable that a precedent 

 was established, and a foundation laid, for an 

 .^ndless scene of expensive intrigue, flattery, and 

 compliment. The precedent would unayoid- 



