AT this important crisis, GEORGE WASHINGTON having declined to serve as President of the United States, after the 4th of March next, and JOHN ADAMS having been held up as a candidate to succeed him in that office, it is conceived a duty to submit to the consideration of the citizens of the United States, sundry political doctrines and opinions on government, written by Mr. ADAMS, whilst Minister at the court of London, in his book, entitled, "A Defence of the American Constitution."
Let the independent Citizens of America, now determine how far Mr. ADAMS has apostatized from all his former sentiments in favor of American liberty and independence, by writing this Eulogium of Monarchy and the British Constitution, and consequently, how far he is to be regarded as a fit person to be elected President of the United States.
- [Page]Page 8. A limited Monarchy may be justly denominated a Republic.
- 110. Wealth, Birth, Family Pride respected by all people.
- 116. Wealth, Birth and Virtue, form the best men.
- 159. A Commonwealth can no more consist of a people without gentry, than of a gentry without people.
- 206. Kingly government best, Tyranny worst: No city is more wretched than that under Tyranny, nor any more happy than that under regal power.
- 294. If the power of negotiation and of treaty be in one man, there can be no intrigue.
- 321. Had Epaminandos lived to display his talents as a Legislator, the world might have been blessed with an English Constitution, two or three thousand years sooner than it was.
- 324. Limited Monarchy the best government; superior to Republicanism.
- 360. Distinctions of Poor and Rich, as necessary as labor and good government: Poor are destined to labor; the Rich, by advantages of education, independence and leisure, to superior stations.
- 373. Men of property and family, fittest for pubic service.
- 375. Rich, well born, well educated, must be preferred to OFFICE, otherwise the people themselves will despise them.
- 379. Ministers of the Executive, only ought to be responsible.