A Guide to National Improvement; Or, Dissertation on Our Public Regulations Showing Their Egregious Errours, Their Fatal Tendency, and Effectual Plans for Their Remedy (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1823. Excerpt: ... such characters, bear a conclusive testimony of their patriotism; for all their exertions for the public cause, may be the effect of selfishness under overbearing temptation, as was evinced by the instances of Ca: sar, Cromwell and Napoleon. If our country in her trial for independence, had yielded to British domination, there had been degradation, and impoverishment, among all descriptions of our people; and our leading men would have failed in that power, influence, wealthy and grandeur, which they foresaw as their prize, in the event of our national emancipation. Third. Another source of error in the adoption of rulers, is the ascription of merit to civil officers for the mere circumstance of their having perpetuated wholesome laws and institutions, to the substantial good of the public; as is alleged; and for this reason, those rubers are continued in office. Even if this proposition was true, that rulers had continued wise regulations, it would be a ridiculous motive for their reappointment. Officers forhaving perpetuated the wise establishments of their predecessors, are no more entitled to praise tlian " the servant who laid his master's talent in the napkin." But if they neglect to expunge such political evils as are under their power or influence (as is constantly the case) they are worse than unprofitable servants. Fourth. The last source of error in the appointment of rulers, under this head, is the choice of aged men from a faith in the ripened state of their abilities; a policy which is capable of the grossest deception. Though it must be granted that it requires considerable age to bring human genius to maturity, yet the progress and decline of genius in different men varies exceedingly, in regard to different periods of life. The declension ...