osition, that morality can be maintained without
religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined
education on minds of peculiar structure; reason and experience
both forbid us to expect, that national morality can prevail in
exclusion of religious principle. It is substantially true, that
virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The
rule, indeeds, extends with more or less force to every species of
free government. Who that is a sincere friend to it, can look with
indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric?

"Promote, then, as an object of primary importance, institutions
for the general diffusion of knowledge. In proportion as the
structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is
essential that public opinion should be enlightened. As a very
important source of strength and security, cherish public credit.
One method of preserving it is, to use it as sparingly as possible;
avoiding occasions of expense by cultivating peace, but
remembering, also, that timely disbursements to prepare for danger,
frequently prevent much greater disbursements to repel it;
avoiding, likewise, the accumulations of debt, not only by shunning
occasions of expense, but by vigorous exertions in time of peace to
discharge the debts, which unavoidable wars may have occasioned,
not ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burthen, which we
ourselves ought to bear. The execution of these maxims belongs to
your representatives, but it is necessary that public opinion
should co-operate. To facilitate to them the performance of their
duty, it is essential you should practically bear in mind, that
toward the payment of debts there must be Revenue; that to have
Revenue there must be taxes; that no taxes can be devised which are
not more or less inconvenient and unpleasant; that the intrinsic
embarrassments inseparable from the selection of the proper object
(which is always a choice of difficulties), ought to be a decisive
motive for a candid construction of the conduct of the government
in making it, and for a spirit of acquiescence in the measures for
obtaining revenue, which the public exigencies may at any time
dictate.

"Observe good faith and justice towards all Nations; cultivate
peace and harmony