se fingió entre nosotros, fue desmentida por los acontecimientos.
It was belied too by the preceding expe- rience of our fifter ftates, feveral of whom had grappled through greater difficulties without abandoning their forms of government.
When the proportion was firft made, MafTachufets had found even the government of committees fufficient to carry them through an invafion. But we at the time of that propofition were under no invafion.
When the fecond was made, there had been added to this example thofe of Rhode-lfland, New-York, New-Jer- fey, and Pennfylvania, in all of which the republican form had been found equal to the tafK of carrying tiiem through the fevereft trials.
In this flate alone did I 245 J there exift fo little virtue, that fear was to be fixed in the hearts of the people, and to become the motive of their exer- tions, and principle of their government?
The very thought alone was trea- fon againft the people ; was treafon againft mankind in general ; as rivetting for ever the chains which bow down their necks, by giving to their oppreflbrs a proof, which they would have trumpeted through the univerfe, of the imbecility of repubUcan government, in times of prefling danger, to fhield them from harm.