I
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war was the last bitter drop which made the cup of affliction to overflow ; for, from
secret murmurs, the people soon passed on to open remonstrances, and personal invectives,
against the agents of oppression.
But, alas! of all the evils which infest a state, idleness, the concomitant of vice and
profligacy, co-operated most forcibly to inspire in the bosom of a people, whose passions
were inflamed as their activity was suppressed, cruel and bitter reflexions on
their wretched situation, which were in reality but too well founded ; so that, immediately
after the conclusion of the peace with America, tlie nation at large, tired of
restraint and humiliation, waiting only for a favourable opportunity of shaking off tlielr
shackles, and chiefs to lead them on, felt themselves, as it were, instantaneously
electrified by the sparks of liberty imported by their companions, and eagerly enlisted
under the banners of freedom, in the hopes of reaping its blessings.
How greatly it is to be lamented, that, instead of having realised that prospect of
happiness they so ardently desired, and indeed expected, by the change which has been
operated in their government, they should, for such a length of time, have met nothing
but a succession of calamities, falling alternately innocent victims to the cruel and
rapacious, who, elated by false ambition and the private pique of a few individuals,
have, like a japid torrent, precipitated that unfortunate nation into an abyss of horror,
too dreadful to dwell on, and over which I wish to draw a veil, in order to conceal
deeds which ought to be obliterated from the memory of man !—deeds which must for
ever tarnish the page of history !
I leave to others the unpleasant task of recapitulating the afflictive scenes and cruel
events which have accompanied what at first appeared a glorious revolution,—it not
being for me to determine whether it may be either necessary or politic to Inform
posterity of all the horrors with which it has been disgraced, though we cannot
overlook the great moral causes which have doubtless accelerated it.
Being fiilly persuaded that the degeneracy and vices of nations proceed most commonly
from a defect or abuse in their form of government, I shall conclude by using
the language of Beiisariiis, who, in his observations on governments in general, says,
that " Political society can neither exist nor maintain itself without a great share of
virtue and morality in the members which compose it : that a depravity of morals ; an
effrontery in the pursuit of vice and profligacy ; a contempt for virtue, and, of course,
for those who respect it; unfair dealings in trade; perjury, perfidy, sordid selfish
interest, instead of love for the general or public good; are the sure and certain
forerunners of the fall of states, and overthrow of empires : for, as soon as the ideas of
good and evil are blended together, there can no longer exist either blame, praise,
reward, or punishment."
And, assuredly, we cannot feel any hesitation in admitting the Roman general's
assertion : for universal history confirms the fact, that nations rise, fall, and revive, by the
operation of those very causes which he enumerates j that they flourish or sink into
decay and misery In proportion as public virtue is encouraged or suppressed.—Make
a people emulous of virtue, and they will rise; but if they foster vice, they cherish
what must destroy them.