An oration, delivered in Trinity-Church, in Newport, on the Fourth of July, 1801

An oration, delivered in Trinity-Church, in Newport, on the Fourth of July, 1801

Newport (Rhode-Island) : Printed at the office of the Newport Mercury, 1801.

32 p. ; 21 cm.

L2011F175 1801

(OCoLC)17188307

Delivered before the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Rhode Island and published according to a resolution of their meeting.
Author asks questions: "If it be true, that all mankind are created equal ... Why do the Southern States, exclude from the exercise of every right their Negroes, forming the largest portion of their population? --- Why do we, in this State, insist on certain qualifications, to bestow the right of suffrage? --- Why do all the States, and all the world, exclude the other sex from all share in government? They are the fairest, the most amiable, and in general not the least intelligent part of mankind." But he concludes: "The truth is (whatever may be pretended to the contrary) utility and expediency are the only vital principles of good government ... Look to nature, she no where presents the image of equality. Her operations and productions are infinitely diversified & Destroy these gradations and inequalities and you violate the law, invert the plan, and annihilate the system of of nature." He goes on to compare the ideology of the American and French Revolutions, and of the Federalists with the recently elected Jefferson administration.
Includes bibliographical references.
Ms. inscriptions on p. [3] & 32: Harriett M. Foulke ... 1894.

Shaw & Shoemaker 685
Sabin 33934

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