and

principles should be clearly defined; it should contain within itself provisions for periodical alterations or amendments in accordance with the improvements of time; no ruler or legislator should have power to alter, suspend, or abrogate any of its principles, but in accordance with such provisions.

It has been seen, that, for the want of some such precautions, the constitutional principles of our own government have been often set aside, suspended and nullified by unjust rulers and corrupt legislators.

Experience has shown, that the efficiency of government is best promoted by being divided into three great divisions ; entitled the legislative, executive and judicial branches.

The LEGISLATIVE BRANCH is a select deliberative body, to which is entrusted the enactment and amendment of all laws defining the legal rights and duties of individuals; as well as of those laws which are to regulate the affairs of the kingdom, foreign and domestic; the consent of the sovereign power being generally required to render them legal. The legislative may be composed of one or two assemblies, according as the constitution directs. If the two bodies have conjointly but one great interest, (the benefit of the whole people) some little advantage may possibly be gained by measures passing through two assemblies; but if they have separate and opposing interests, and the one seeks to thwart and oppose the just enactments of the other, the having of two assemblies will prove highly inimical to the general welfare.

To the EXECUTIVE BRANCH is entrusted the execution and enforcement of the law; the maintenance of social order and security; and the protection of the country against all invaders. In this country the sole executive authority is invested in the sovereign; and by her intrusted to her ministers, or heads of the chief departments of state. Any

undue authority that might be exercised by this branch (having the whole power of the army, navy, and police at its disposal) is guarded against by the representatives of the people having the voting of the supplies for their support; and by its being necessary that the ministers chosen shall possess their confidence. Public liberty, therefore, will be perfectly secure, as long as the representatives of the people honestly perform their duty.

To the JUDICIAL BRANCH belongs the investigation of all criminal and civil acts in opposition to law; and the administering of justice thereon, according to law and evidence. The constituted authorities of this branch, are the lord and vice-chancellors, the chief justices and judges; together with the subordinate magistrates, sheriffs, coroners, and justices of the peace. The judges are appointed by the sovereign, but, to prevent that power from having any undue control over them, they are appointed for life; nor can they be removed from their office, unless for gross misconduct, and upon an address from both houses of parliament. Being, therefore, thus independant of the crown, there has been no` cause to complain of their fairness in the administration of justice; except on political trials, when too many of them have allowed their party feelings to incline them to the side of power. The coroners are appointed by the freeholders of their respective counties for life. Sheriffs and justices of the peace, are appointed by the sovereign during pleasure.

It is seen then that government (if not a usurpation ruling in defiance of justice,) is a power delegated from the people, for the preservation of right and justice; and that consequently it has no legitimate power to confer or abrogate those principles.

The following requisites are necessary and essential to good government:

It should be effective for securing right, and for preserving order.

Its laws should be brief, just, and clear; so as to be easily understood by those who have to obey them.

Its dispensation of justice should be cheap, prompt, and equitable.

It should seek to prevent crime by the enlightenment of the people.

It should aim to make its people acquainted with its proceedings.

It should strive to create a desire for national improvement, and not lag behind, or seek to retard it.

It should strive to promote peace abroad, and satisfac-. tion and tranquillity at home.

It should more depend on its people's love of home and freedom for its support, and on the cultivation of trade, commerce, and good feelings with foreign nations, than on the strength of its armies and navies.

Its greatest glory should be in seeing its people intelligent, prosperous, and free.

Its revenue should be equitably raised, and wisely and economically applied for promoting the public welfare.

Such being the nature of good government, the people's moral duty towards it may be thus briefly described.

That, government being for the protection and benefit of the whole people, all are bound, according to their means, to contribute towards its support.

That, as justice, security, and liberty, will chiefly depend on the ability and conduct of legislators and rulers; it is every person's duty to exercise his political power and influence with discrimination and honesty, so that wise and trusty persons may be chosen for those offices.

That, if the laws are inefficient or unjust, it is every person's duty to use his power and influence, in a legal

and peaceful manner, to assist in remedying the evil as speedily as possible.

That, as the great object of government is public security and order, it is every person's duty to aid the authorities in the preservation of order; as well as in bringing offenders to justice.

That every man is morally bound, according to his means and capacity, to fill any office, or perform any public duty, by which he may advance the general welfare of his country.

That it is every person's duty to respect the constituted authorities of his country as long as they justly perform their duties; and he is equally bound to use all just and lawful means to compel them to perform their engagements, or to resign their trust.

That every man who evades his public duties acts unjustly; as, by so doing, he endangers his own liberties and those of his neighbours; for the corruption and despotism of rulers take root in public apathy and neglect.

That every person is morally bound to avoid all quarrelling and contention, as well as all trifling and useless litigation, as they serve to create public expense and inconvenience, which others are compelled to bear.

That every man who propagates falsehood on public matters, and who strives to mislead and corrupt the public mind for selfish ends is an enemy to his country's welfare.

DUTIES AS CITIZENS OF THE STATE.

RESPECTING POLITICAL RIGHTS AND DUTIES.

As some writers of great ability have contended that there are "no rights anterior to government," it may be necessary to give my definition of right, as I differ from those authorities.

Right, I conceive, is another term for justice; the perception and desire for which forms a part of the mental organization of man.

It is true that, like all his other faculties, it is originally weak and needs culture; but as the intelligence of man could never have been developed if he had not possessed mental powers or capacities; so we may as reasonably conclude that his notions of right and justice, necessary for the forming of government and the framing of laws, would never have been developed, if he had not possessed moral powers or capacities.

It is also true, that man, anterior to government, or in his savage state, often feels and believes it right to follow his own selfish propensities, regardless of the rights of his fellows; just as men living under a republican government, think it right to pursue their own selfish interests by keeping millions of their fellow men in slavery; or as others, living under our own government, think it right to exclude the chief producers and supporters of their country from all share of political power.

But men's selfish notions, in either case, cannot abrogate that which in itself is positively right and just.

The great principle of right, has its foundation in man's