God, would not fall, though unsupported by the arm of flesh, and happy would it be for mankind, if that opinion prevailed more generally.
But let it be remembered, that whatever marks of wisdom, experience and patriotism there may be in your Constitution, yet, like the beautiful symmetry, the just proportions, and elegant forms of our first parent, before their Maker breathed into them the breath of life, it is yet to be animated, and till then, may indeed excite admiration, but will be of no use. From the people it must receive its spirit, and by them be quickened. Let virtue, honor, the love of liberty and of science be, and remain, the soul of this Constitution, and it will become the source of great and extensive happiness to this and future generations. Vice, ignorance, and want of vigilance, will be the only enemies able to destroy it. Against these provide, and, of these, be forever jealous. Every member of the state, ought diligently to read and study the Constitution of his country, and teach the rising generation to be free. By knowing their rights, they will sooner perceive when they are violated, and be the better prepared to defend and assert them.
This, gentlemen, is the first court held under the authority of our Constitution, and I hope its proceedings will be such, as to merit the approbation of the friends, and avoid giving cause of censure to the enemies, of the present establishment.
It is proper to observe, that no person in this state, however exalted or low his rank, however dignified or humble his station, but has a right to the protection of, and is amenable to the laws of the land; and that if those laws be wisely made, and duly executed, innocence will be defended, oppression punished, and vice restrained. Hence it becomes the common duty, and indeed the common interest, of every subject of the state, and particularly of those concerned in the distribution of justice, to unite in repressing the licentious, in supporting the laws, and thereby diffusing the blessings of peace, security, order, and good government, through all degrees and ranks of men among us.
I presume it will be unnecessary to remind you, that neither fear, favor, resentment, or other personal and partial considerations, should influence your conduct. Calm, deliberate reason, candor, moderation, a dispassionate, and yet a determined resolution to do your duty, will, I am persuaded, be the principles by which you will be directed.
You will be pleased to observe, that all offences committed in this county against the peace of the people of this state, from treason to trespass, are proper objects of your attention and inquiry.
You will pay particular attention to the practice of counterfeiting the bills of credit, emitted by the general Congress, or other of the American States, and of knowingly passing such counterfeits. Practices no less criminal in themselves, than injurious to the interest of that great cause, on the success of which the happiness of Americaso essentially depends.
