Page:An address to the thinking independent part of the community.djvu/24

( 24 ) weakened this enthusiastic feeling. Finally, in the war which succeeded, the cause of monarchy and republicanism was put at once to issue, (infatuated surely they were who provoked the hazardous trial) and the triumph of republicanism has been complete. When I say its triumph, I do not mean that of its principles in the eye of sober judgment, but that triumph only which arises from the splendour of successful contest. I am very far from being convinced, that a pure, unmixed form of republican government, on the whole provides the best for the various wants of society. This is a conclusion which we are not warranted in forming from our experience of the paid, and which we must therefore leave to be decided by the experience of the future. The happiness of mankind is certainly not promoted by great military achievements; nor does it depend on the talents or institutions by which there are accomplished.

But while, from a variety of causes, this new system daily extends its influence, it appears to me to be less alarming in these than in any country where it has. been propagated, if its progress were guarded against by a prudent choice of measures. In other countries, if the existing structure of government become ruinous, the people have nothing at home on which their affections may rest.—No part of their antient domestic system pre- sents