00000354 |
Previous | 354 of 534 | Next |
|
small (250x250 max)
medium (500x500 max)
Large
Extra Large
large ( > 500x500)
Full Resolution
All (PDF)
|
TO THE PEOPLE OF NEW YORK. 319
as a band of brothers ; and to have confidence in
themselves and in one another ; and, since all cannot
see with the same eyes, at least to give the proposed
Constitution a fair trial, and to mend it as time, occasion, and experience may dictate. It would little
become us to verify the predictions of those who
ventured to prophesy that peace, instead of blessing
us with happiness and tranquillity, would serve only
as the signal for factions, discord, and civil contentions to rage in our land, and overwhelm it with
misery and distress.
Let us all be mindful that the cause of freedom
depends on the use we make of the singular opportunities we enjoy of governing ourselves wisely ; for,
if the event should prove that the people of this
country either cannot or will not govern themselves,
who will hereafter be advocates for systems which,
however charming in theory and prospect, are not
reducible to practice ? If the people of our nation,
instead of consenting to be governed by laws of their
own making and rulers of their own choosing, should
let licentiousness, disorder, and confusion reign over
them, the minds of men everywhere will insensibly
become alienated from republican forms, and prepared to prefer and acquiesce in governments which,
though less friendly to liberty, afford more peace and
security.
Receive this address with the same candour with
which it is written; and may the spirit of wisdom
and patriotism direct and distinguish your councils
and your conduct.
A Citizen of New York,
| Title | The correspondence and public papers of John Jay - 3 |
| Creator | Jay, John |
| Publisher | G.P. Putnam's Sons |
| Place of Publication | New York, London |
| Date | [1890-93] |
| Language | eng |
| Type | Books/Pamphlets |
| Title | 00000354 |
| Type | Books/Pamphlets |
| Transcript | TO THE PEOPLE OF NEW YORK. 319 as a band of brothers ; and to have confidence in themselves and in one another ; and, since all cannot see with the same eyes, at least to give the proposed Constitution a fair trial, and to mend it as time, occasion, and experience may dictate. It would little become us to verify the predictions of those who ventured to prophesy that peace, instead of blessing us with happiness and tranquillity, would serve only as the signal for factions, discord, and civil contentions to rage in our land, and overwhelm it with misery and distress. Let us all be mindful that the cause of freedom depends on the use we make of the singular opportunities we enjoy of governing ourselves wisely ; for, if the event should prove that the people of this country either cannot or will not govern themselves, who will hereafter be advocates for systems which, however charming in theory and prospect, are not reducible to practice ? If the people of our nation, instead of consenting to be governed by laws of their own making and rulers of their own choosing, should let licentiousness, disorder, and confusion reign over them, the minds of men everywhere will insensibly become alienated from republican forms, and prepared to prefer and acquiesce in governments which, though less friendly to liberty, afford more peace and security. Receive this address with the same candour with which it is written; and may the spirit of wisdom and patriotism direct and distinguish your councils and your conduct. A Citizen of New York, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| B |
|
| C |
|
| G |
|
| H |
|
| M |
|
| T |
|
| U |
|
| Y |
|
|
|
