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description, by which it was marked many centuries ago

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What a very different spirit animates and pervades her American sons! Indeed it is proper that it should do so. The insulated policy of the British nation would as ill befit the expansive genius of our institutions, as the hills, the ponds, and the rivulets, which are scattered over their island, would adequately represent the mountains, and rivers, and lakes of the United States. "In the new world"—I speak now from one of the finest writers of Britain"in the new world nature seems to have carried on her operations with a bolder hand, and to have distinguished the features of the country by a peculiar magnificence. The mountains of America are much superiour in height to those in the other divisions of the globe. From those lofty mountains descend rivers proportionably large. Its lakes are no less conspicuous for grandeur, than its mountains and rivers." We imitate, for we ought to imitate, the operations of nature; and the features of our policy, like those of our country, are distinguished by a peculiar magnificence.

In a former lecture, we have seen how easily the essential rights of citizenship can be acquired in the United States, and in every state of the Union. Let us now see, how liberally the doors are thrown open for admission to the publick trusts and honours, as well as to the private rights and privileges, of our country.

At the end of two years from the time, at which a foreigner "of good character"-for numbers without

y 2. Rob. Amer. 3. 4,

Ante. p. 132. et. seq.

b

a

virtue are not our object-a former mode of "better peopling his majesty's plantations" is now fallen into disrepute at the end of two years from the time, at which a foreigner of good character sets his foot in this land of generosity as well as freedom, he is entitled to become, if he chooses, a citizen of our national government. At the end of seven years, a term not longer than that which is frequently required for an apprenticeship to the plainest trade, the citizen may become legislator; for he is eligible as a representative in the congress of the United States. After having, in that capacity, undergone the honourable but short probationship of two years, the doors even of our national senate are opened as far as to receive him, d

e

In Pennsylvania, the citizen may become a representative at the end of three, a senator, f at the end of four, and governour of the commonwealth, at the end of seven years.

g

It would be tedious, and it is unnecessary, to multiply particulars, by going through all the sister states. In this, as in other respects, in which we have viewed them, we are still pleased with the

facies, qualis decet esse sororum.

The rights and the disabilities of aliens with regard to property, especially with regard to landed property,

a By the law now in force, a residence of five years is required. Laws U. S. 7. cong. 1. sess. c. 28. Ed.

b Laws U. S. 1. cong. 2. sess. c. 3.

d Cons. U. S. art. 1. s. 3.

f Cons. Penn. art. 1. s. 8.

C

Cons. U. S. art. 1. s. 2.

e Cons. Penn. art. 1. s. 3.

g Art. 2. s. 4.

forms a subject of investigation both interesting and nice. But, according to my uniform method, I postpone it until I arrive at the second great division of my system. The examination of general principles should precede that of particular rules.

One opinion, however, I will now mention it seems to be founded on the authority of Sir Henry Spelman and the Grand Custumier of Normandy. The opinion is, that the law, by which an alien is prohibited from holding lands, is an original branch of the feudal system; because, by that system, no one could purchase lands, unless he did fealty to the lords, of whom they were holden; and because an alien, who owed a previous faith to another prince, could not take an oath of fidelity in a second sovereign's dominions.

h 1. Bac. 76. Tit. Alien.

CHAPTER XII.

OF THE NATURAL RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS.

WE have now viewed the whole structure of government; we have now ranged over its numerous apartments and divisions; and we have examined the materials of which it is formed. For what has this magnificent palace been erected? For the residence and accommodation of the sovereign, Man.

purpose

Does man exist for the sake of government? Or is government instituted for the sake of man?

Is it possible, that these questions were ever seriously proposed? Is it possible, that they have been long seriously debated? Is it possible, that a resolution, diametrically opposite to principle, has been frequently and generally given of them in theory? Is it possible, that a decision, diametrically opposite to justice, has been still more frequently and still more generally given concerning them in practice? All this is possible: and

I must add, all this is true. It is true in the dark; it is true even in the enlightened portions of the globe.

At, and nearly at the commencement of these lectures, a sense of duty obliged me to enter into a controversial discussion concerning the rights of society: the same sense of duty now obliges me to enter into a similar discussion concerning the rights of the constituent parts of society-concerning the rights of men. To enter upon a discussion of this nature, is neither the most pleasant nor the most easy part of my business. But when the voice of obligation is heard, ease and pleasure must preserve the respectful silence, and show the cheerful acquiescence, which become them.

What was the primary and the principal object in the institution of government? Was it-I speak of the primary and principal object—was it to acquire new rights by a human establishment? Or was it, by a human establishment, to acquire a new security for the possession or the recovery of those rights, to the enjoyment or acquisition of which we were previously entitled by the immediate gift, or by the unerring law, of our all-wise and all-beneficent Creator?

The latter, I presume, was the case: and yet we are told, that, in order to acquire the latter, we must surrender the former; in other words, in order to acquire the security, we must surrender the great objects to be secured. That man may secure some liberty, he makes a surrender in trust of the whole of it."-These expressions are copied literally from the late publication of Mr. Burke. a

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a Refl. on Fr. Rev. 47.

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