Page:Essays on the Constitution of the United States, published during its discussion by the people 1787-1788.djvu/230

 (Number 40)

It is fortunate that you have been but little distressed with that torrent of impertinence and folly, with which the newspaper politicians have over whelmed [sic] many parts of our country.

It is enough that you should have heard, that one party has seriously urged, that we should adopt the New Constitution because it has been approved by Washington and Franklin: and the other, with all the solemnity of apostolic address to Men, Brethren, Fathers, Friends and Countryman, have urged that we should reject, as dangerous, every clause thereof, because that Washington is more used to command as a soldier, than to reason as a politician — Franklin is old, others are young— and Wilson is haughty You are too well informed to decide by the opinion of others, and too independent to need a caution against undue influence.

Of a very different nature, tho' [sic] only one degree better than the other reasoning, is all that sublimity of nonsense and alarm, that has been thundered against it in every shape of metaphoric terror, on the subject of a bill of rights, the liberty of the press, rights of conscience, rights of taxation and election, trials in the vicinity, freedom, of speech, trial by jury, and a standing army. These last are (218)