Page:An address to the thinking independent part of the community.djvu/3



T a time so pregnant with calamity as the present, any attempt, however feeble, to avert the impending danger, can scarcely need an apology. At such a time, it is the duty of every good citizen to use his best exertions to save his country; and it is not to weak effort, but to careless and desponding inactivity, that blame justly attaches.

It may indeed be thought by some, that argument and exhortation come now too late; that the idea of tranquillizing this country by such means, is a vain expectation; that the last resource, the appeal to arms, must now be tried; and that it is but waste of time to write, when all parties are preparing for the combat. If this be the real state of the general sentiment, I am sorry for it. I will not however hastily adopt the opinion. I am a sincere and ardent lover of peace: I abhor all violent contests between countrymen: and I will still indulge the flattering hope, that our unfortunate dissentions may be terminated without the aid of any weapon more formidable than the pen. When