Page:An address to the thinking independent part of the community.djvu/25

( 25 ) a firm foundation for any future edifice. They will therefore natural!; r turn their eyes to that captivating model which is now the prevailing fashion. But we have a constitution which has long been an object of veneration to the people; it contains in it too all the valuable principles of a Republic, which require only to be unfolded and fully displayed, to appear in perfect vigour. And it seems impossible that this confutation should ever lose the affection of the people in general, unless the unchecked progress of corruption, vitiating its entire frame, should wholly obscure and deface its native beauties. If our government, instead of being feared by the name of Republicanism into harsh and restrictive measures, which serve but to rouse and irritate its sturdy spirit, were frankly to meet it half way, and go along with its wishes, so far as a regard to the essential principles of the constitution would admit, it would probably take the mod effectual means of damping that ardour, which it is very difficult to extinguish. The easiest and least hazardous method of securing the monarchy and guarding our sovereign's throne, would seem to consist in gratifying the temper of the times with a voluntary surrender of all that surplus of power and influence, which can be spared without wounding the vitals, or crippling any of the members of the constitution. If it be said,