the channels of party passions. Thus, the policy and the will of one country, are subjected to the policy and will of another.]62

There is an opinion that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the Administration of the Government, and serve to keep alive the Spirit of Liberty. -This within certain limits is probably true and in Governments of a Monarchical cast, Patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favour, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in Governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged.-From their natural tendency, it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose, and there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be, by force of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it.-A fire not to be quenched; it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, [instead of warming, it should] consume.

63

It is important, likewise, that the habits of thinking in a free country should inspire caution in those entrusted with its administration, to confine themselves within their respective constitutional spheres; avoiding in the exercise of the powers of one department to encroach upon another. - The spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate the powers of all the departments in one, and thus to create, [64] whatever (the form of government, a real] 65 despotism. - A just estimate of that love of power, and [66] proneness to abuse it, which predominates in the human heart, is sufficient to satisfy us of the truth of this position. - The necessity of reciprocal checks in the exercise of political power, by dividing and distributing it into different

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depositories, and constituting each the Guardian of the Public Weal [against] 67 invasions by the others, has been evinced by experiments ancient and modern; some of them in our country and under our own eyes. -To preserve them must be as necessary as to institute them. If in the opinion of the People, the distribution or modification of the Constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment in the way which the Constitution designates. But let there be no change by usurpation; for though this, in one instance, may be the instrument of good, it is the [customary] 68 weapon by which free governments are destroyed. -The precedent [69] must always greatly overbalance in permanent evil any partial or [transient] benefit which the use [1] can at any time yield.

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Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labour to subvert these great Pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens. The mere Politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. - A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in Courts of Justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. - Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure-reason and experience both forbid us

to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.

'Tis substantially true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. - The rule indeed extends with more or less force to every species of Free Government. - Who that is a sincere friend to it, can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric?

[Promote then as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge.In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened.]-72

As a very important source of strength and security, cherish public credit. - One method of preserving it is to use it as [sparingly]73 as possible:-avoiding occasions of expense by cultivating peace, but remembering also that timely disbursements to prepare for danger frequently prevent much greater disbursements to repel it-avoiding likewise the accumulation of debt, not only by [shunning]74 occasions of expense, but by vigorous exertions in time of Peace to discharge the debts which unavoidable wars may have occasioned, not ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burthen which we ourselves ought to bear. The execution of these maxims belongs to your Representatives, but it is necessary that public opinion should [co-operate.]75 To facilitate to them the performance of their duty, it is essential that you should practically bear in mind, that towards the payment of debts there must be Revenue-that to have Revenue there must be taxesthat no taxes can be devised which are not more or less inconvenient and unpleasant that the intrinsic embarrassment inseparable from the selection of the proper objects (which is always a choice of difficulties) ought to be a decisive motive for a candid construction of the conduct of the Government in making it, and for a spirit of acquiescence in the measures for obtaining Revenue which the public exigencies may at any time dictate.

Observe good faith and justice towards all Nations. [76] Cultivate peace and harmony with all. - Religion and morality enjoin this conduct; and can it be that good policy does not equally enjoin it? - It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and, at no distant period, a great nation, to give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a People always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence. - Who can doubt that in the course of time and things, the fruits of such a plan would richly repay any temporary advantages which might be lost by a steady adherence to it? Can it be, that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a Nation with its virtue? The experiment, at least, is recommended by every sentiment which ennobles human nature. - Alas! is it rendered impossible by its vices?

In the execution of such a plan nothing is more essential than that [permanent, inveterate]" antipathies against particular nations and passionate attachments for others should be excluded; and that in place of them just and amicable feelings towards all should be cultivated. The Nation, which indulges towards another [an]78 habitual hatred or [an] habitual fondness, is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest.-Anti

pathy in one Nation against another [0] disposes each more readily to offer insult and injury, to lay hold of slight causes of umbrage, and to be haughty and intractable, when accidental or trifling occasions of dispute occur. Hence frequent collisions, obstinate, envenomed and bloody contests. - The Nation prompted by ill-will and resentment sometimes impels to War the Government, contrary to [the best] 81 calculations of policy. The Government sometimes participates in the [national] propensity, and adopts through passion what reason would reject; - at other times, it makes the animosity of the Nation subservient to projects of hostility instigated by pride, ambition, and other sinister and pernicious motives. - The peace often, sometimes perhaps the Liberty, of Nations has been the victim.

So likewise a passionate attachment of one Nation for another produces a variety of evils. - Sympathy for the favourite nation, facilitating the illusion of an imaginary common interest in cases where no real common interest exists, and infusing into one [ 83 ] the enmities of the other, betrays the former into a participation in the quarrels and wars of the latter, without adequate inducement or justification : It leads also to concessions to the favourite Nation of privileges denied to others, which is apt doubly to injure the Nation making the concessions; (84) by unnecessarily parting with what ought to have been retained, [85] and by exciting jealousy, ill-will, and a disposition to retaliate, in the parties from whom equal privileges are withheld; and it gives to ambitious, corrupted, or deluded citizens (who devote themselves to the favourite Nation) facility to betray, or sacrifice the interests of their own country,