Page:Essays on the Constitution of the United States, published during its discussion by the people 1787-1788.djvu/240

 228 A COUNTRYMAN. Philosophy may mislead you. Ask experience. Are not the liberties of the people of England as safe as yours? — They are not as free as yours, because much of their government is in the hands of hereditary majesty and nobility. But is not that part of the government which is under the control of the commons ex- ceedingly well guarded? But still the house of commons is only a third branch — the only branch who are appointed by the people — and they are chosen but once in seven years. Is there then any danger to be apprehended from the length of time that your rul- ers are to serve? when none are to serve more than six years one whole house but two years, and your President but four. The great power and influence of an hereditary monarch of Britain has spread many alarms, from an apprehension that the commons would sacrifice the liberties of the people to the money or influence of the crown : but the influence of a powerful here- ditary monarch, with the national Treasury — Army — and fleet at his command — and the whole executive government and one-third of the legislative in his hands constantly operating on a house of commons, whose duration is never less than seven years, unless this same monarch should end it, (which he can do in an hour,) has never yet been sufficient to obtain one vote of the house of commons which has taken from the people the liberty of the press, - - - trial by jury, - - - the rights of conscience, or of pri- vate property. Can you then apprehend danger of oppression and tyranny from the too great duration of the power oi your rulers ? (228)