ainst the
tyranny of kings, but not against their own passions, and ignorance, and
delusions."

The necessity of relying on some other power than the people is
therefore enforced:

"Such facts have induced nations to abandon the practice of electing
their chief magistrate; preferring to receive that officer by hereditary
succession. Men have found that the chances of having a good chief
magistrate by _birth_, are about equal to the chances of obtaining one
by _popular election_. And, boast as we will, that the superior
intelligence of our citizens may render this government an exception,
time will show that this is a mistake. No nation can be an exception,
till the Almighty shall change the whole character of man.

"It is a solemn truth, that when executive officers are dependent for
their offices on _annual or frequent elections_, there will be no
impartial or efficient administration of the laws.

"It is in vain that men attempt to disguise the truth; the fact, beyond
all debate, is that the disorders in our political affairs are the
genuine and natural consequences of _defects in the Constitution_, and
of the false and visionary opinions which Mr Jefferson and his
disciples have been proclaiming for forty years.

"The _mass of the people_ seem not to consider that the affairs of a
great commercial nation require for their correct management talents of
the first order.

"Of all this, _the mass of our population_ appear to know little or
nothing.

"The _mass of the people_, seduced and disciplined by their leaders, are
still farther deceived, by being taught that our public disorders are to
be ascribed to other causes than the ignorance and perversity of their
party.

"And yet our citizens are constantly boasting of the _intelligence of
the people_! Intelligence! The history of nations cannot present an
example of such total _want of intelligence_ as _our country_ now
exhibit: and what is more, a _want of integrity_ is equally surprising."

This is strong language to use in a republic, but let us examine a
little.

The great desideratum to be attended to in the formation of a government
is to guard against man preying upon his fellow-creature. Call a
government by any name you will, prescribe what forms you may, the one
great point to be adhered to, is such a code of laws as will put it out
of the power of any one individual, or any one party, from oppressing
another. The despot may trifle with the