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Show 448 INAUGURATJ AND FAREWELL ADDRESSE~. Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosprrity, religion and mornlity arc iudispcnsablo, upports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of pntri oli:rn, who should labor to subvert the, c great pillars of human hnppiness, these firmest props of tho duties of mon and citizens. The mere politician, equally with tho pious mnn I ourrht to respect and. to cherish them. A volume coultlnot t.rncc all their connections with private and public felici ty. Let it simply be asked, where is the security for properly, for reputation, for life, if the seusc of religious obligation de, ert the oaths which nrc the instruments of investigntion in courts of justice? And let. ns with caution indulg-e the suppo ition, that morality can be maintained wilhou l rPligion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morali ty cn11 prevail in exclusion of religious principles. It is substantially trne, that virtne or morality iH a necessary spring of popular gov 'rnmcnt. ~rhe rul e, indcrc1, extends with more or less force to every species of free government. vVho, that is a sincere friend to it, can look with in<liffcrcncc upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric? Promote, then, as an object of primary i mporiance, institutions for the general diJl'usion of knowledge. In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened. As n. very important source of strength and security, chcri h public credit. One method of preserving it is to nsc it as sparingly as pos ihle; avoiding occnsions of cxpcn, e by cultivating peace, but remembering also that tilllcly di bnrsemen ts to prepm·c for danger, fl'equen tly prevent much greater disbursements to repel it; avoiding, likewise, ihc nccumulation of debt, not orlly hy sllllnning occasions INAUGURAL AND F ARl~W.IJ:LL ADDRESSES. 449 of expense, but by vigorous exertions in time of peace to discharge the debts which unn.voidablc wars may have occasioned; not ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burden which we ourselves ought to bear. The execution of these maxims bclonfrs to your rcpresentativ '', but it it:~ ncce. sary that public opinion should co-operate. To fnt:ilitate to them the pcrformn.nce of their duty, it is es ·eutial that yon sho uhl practically bear in miud, that towurus tho payment of debts there muHt be revenue; that to have revenue there must be taxes; that no taxes can be devised, which arc not more or less inconvcuieut and unplcnsn.nt ; that the intrinsic cmbal'l'assruent in1-; parable from the selection of the proper obj 'Ct , (which is always a choice of dirricultics,) ought to be a dcci ·ivc motive for a candid construction of the conduct of the Oovcrmnent iu making it, and fur a spirit of acquiescence in the measures for obtaiuing re ven ue, which the pub I ic exigencies may at any time dictate. Observe good faith and justice towards ail nalious ; cultivate peace and harmony with all; religion and morality e11join this conduct; and cun it be that good pulicy <lues not equally enjoin it? It will be worthy of 11 free, enlightened, and, n.t no di tan t period, a great nation, to give to mankind the magnanimons and too novel c:xamplc of a people always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence. Who can doubt that, in the course of time and things, the fruits of such a pln.n would richly repay any temporary auvar ~ tnges which might be lost by o. steady adbcrcncc to it? Can it be that Providence has rrot connected the permanent felicity of o. nation with its virtue? 'rhe experimeut, at least) is recommended by every sentiment which ennobles human nature. .Alas I is it rendered impossible by ils vices? In the execution of such a plan, nothing is more essential than that permanent invctcrn.te antipathies against particular uations, and passional e attach mcnts for others, should bt: 2!) |
