alliances with none.,.. the support of the state governments in all their rights, as the most com- petent administrations for our domestic concerns, and the surest bulwarks against ati-republican ten- dencies, . . . the preservation of the general government in its whole constitutional vigor ^ as the sheet anchor of our peace at home., and safety abroad,... a jealous C 54 ] care of the tight of election by the people, ...a mild and safe corrective of abuses, %vhich are lopped by the sword of revolution, where peaceable remedies are unprovided.... absolute acquiescence in the deci- :sions of the majority., the vital principle of repub- lics., from which is no appeal but to force., the vital principle and immediate parent of despotism. ...a •well disciplined militia, our best reliance in peace, and for the first moments of war, till regulars mc^ relieve them. ...the supremacy of the civil over the military authority... economy in the public ex- pence, that labor may be lightly burdened„,.the honest payment of our debts., and sacred preser- vation ofpublic faith...,encouragement of agricul- ture, and of com?nerce., as its handmaid... .the diffusion of information, and arrangement of all abuses at the bar of the public reason ...freedom &f religion.. ..freedom of the press. ...andfreedom of person., under the protection of the habeas corpus^ and trials by juries impartially selected. These prin- ciples form the bright constellation., which has gone before us, and guided our steps through an age qf revolution and reformation. The wisdom of our sages, and blood of our heroes., have been devoted so their attainment. They should be the creed of our political faith. ...the text of civic instruction....
the touchstone by which to try the services of those we trust; and should we wander from them, in mo- ments of error or alarm, let us hasten to retrace our steps., and to regain the road which alone leads to peace, liberty, and safety.
[ 55 :\ I repair^ tben, fellow citizens, to the post you hwoe assigned me. With experience enough in subordinate offices^ to hai^e seen the difficulties of this, the greatest of all^ I hanje learned to expect, that it will