vils which flow from these
distinctions, could be excited in Europe only, where the dignity of man
is lost in arbitrary distinctions, where the human species is classed
into several stages of degradation, where the many are crouched under
the weight of the few, and where the order established can present to
the contemplation of a thinking being, no other picture, than that
of God Almighty and his angels, trampling under foot the host of the
damned. No wonder, then, that the institution of the Cincinnati should
be innocently conceived by one order of American citizens, should raise
in the other orders, only a slow, temperate, and rational opposition,
and should be viewed in Europe as a detestable parricide.

The second and third branches of this subject, nobody can better execute
than M. de Meusnier. Perhaps it may be curious to him to see how they
strike an American mind at present. He shall, therefore, have the ideas
of one, who was an enemy to the institution from the first moment of
its conception, but who was always sensible, that the officers neither
foresaw nor intended the injury they were doing to their country.

As to the question, then, whether any evil can proceed from the
institution, as it stands at present, I am of opinion there may. 1.
From the meetings. These will keep the officers formed into a body; will
continue a distinction between the civil and military, which, it would
be for the good of the whole to obliterate, as soon as possible; and
military assemblies will not only keep alive the jealousies and fears of
the civil government, but give ground for these fears and jealousies. For
when men meet together, they will make business, if they have none; they
will collate their grievances, some real, some imaginary, all highly
painted; they will communicate to each other the sparks of discontent;
and these may engender a flame, which will consume their particular, as
well as the general happiness. 2. The charitable part of the institution
is still more likely to do mischief, as it perpetuates the dangers
apprehended in the preceding clause. For here is a fund provided, of
permanent existence. To whom will it belong? To the descendants of
American officers, of a certain description. These descendants, then,
will form a body, having a sufficient interest to keep up an attention
to their description, to continue meetings, and perhaps, in some moment,
when the political eye shall be slumbering, or the firmne