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With suitable acknowledgments for the compliment , I beg leave to observe , that in this part of the world we have more correct ideas of democracy . It is a fundamental principle , solemnly
recognized both by our general and state constitutions . But we do not carry it to extremes . We qualify it by representation , because we know that however proper it might be in an abstract view for every individual to
decide in person upon whatever is to affect his interests as a member of the community , in a large one , this is impossible . Not so in a smaller , where upon proper and important occasions the principle may be resorted to in its simple
and unrestricted form . The con . stitution of our society contemplates several cases of this kind , that now under consideration among others ; and then , every individual ( legally qualified ) h * is his vote . This is the utmost
point to which , as I have always understood , a matter of this sort can be carried . But your intelligencer , in the profundity of his
wisdom , has discovered that our proceedings go a length even beyond this . I might with equal propriety speak of nonsense overdoing nonsense itself . '
But the whole * of this isolated passage is in as direct hostility to the principles of rational religion and liberty , as it is with justice and candor . The clergy are held
up as a superior order , while the people , even the best'informed of
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646 Mv » Eddozvcs , on the Unitarian Society , Philadelphia .
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them , are supposed to be a herd of vulgar , ignorant wretches , made to be governed and directed
by the nod of their ghostly father , or else continually on the watch , that they may have whereof to accuse him , and the committee the medium through which their
malignant purposes are to be car ., ried into effect . I will not , sir , for a moment doubt of your disposition to repair the injury you have ( inadvertently , as I am willing to believe ) done our society with the public , by a mutilated quotation from our Constitution . I have
therefore to request that you will do us justice to an equal extent , by publishing the instrument it-, self entire * . We are not infallible—We may have committed errors , and we cheerfully submit to the judgment of our fellow Christians ; but let us not be condemned upon ex parte evidence .
I cannot conclude without observing that the writer of the private letter you mention , as he has mistaken the circumstance relative to the country of the person alluded to , so he may have
misinterpreted the motives which appear to him to have governed his conduct . As a private letter however , it is evident it was not intended for publication , and it is to be regretted that such an use was made of it .
I remain , Sir , Your ' s respectfully , RA . EDDOWES .
* The Constitution" entire will be found in our Intelligence Department , the first Article , Edit . i
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Dec. 2, 1808, page 646, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2399/page/10/
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