He Who Is Void Of Virtuous Attachments

If Ever A Time Should Come, When Vain And Aspiring Men Shall Possess The Highest Seats In Government, Our Country Will Stand In Need Of Its Experienced Patriots To Prevent Its Ruin.

[m]en Will Be Free No Longer Then While They Remain Virtuous.

In A State Of Tranquility, Wealth, And Luxury, Our Descendants Would Forget The Arts Of War And The Noble Activity And Zeal Which Made Their Ancestors Invincible. Every Art Of Corruption Would Be Employed To Loosen The Bond Of Union Which Renders Our Resistance Formidable. When The Spirit Of Liberty Which Now Animates Our Hearts And Gives Success To Our Arms Is Extinct, Our Numbers Will Accelerate Our Ruin And Render Us Easier Victims To Tyranny.

Were The Talents And Virtues, Which Heaven Has Bestowed On Men, Given Merely To Make Then More Obedient Drudges, To Be Sacrificed To The Follies And Ambition Of A Few? Or, Were Not The Noble Gifts So Equally Dispensed With A Divine Purpose And Law, That They Should As Nearly As Possible Be Equally Exerted, And The Blessings Of Providence Be Equally Enjoyed By All?

It Is A Very Great Mistake To Imagine That The Object Of Loyalty Is The Authority And Interest Of One Individual Man, However Dignified By The Applause Or Enriched By The Success Of Popular Actions.