more cheerfully met danger—­no state hath more readily or effectually resisted foreign aggression.  Washington while living was a witness to this fact, and tho’ dead he yet speaketh.  While plots, insurrections and rebellions have distressed many states and nations, Connecticut hath enjoyed an internal peace and tranquility, which forcibly demonstrates the wisdom and equity of her Government.—­Such a Government, administered by men of virtue and talents, has produced the most benign effects, and our prosperity is calculated to excite the warmest expressions of gratitude rather than the murmurs of disaffection.

4.  Our Treasury exhibits the truth of these remarks.  It is clear from the statement in the Appendix, to which every reader will advert with pleasure, that the people of Connecticut annually receive thirty seven thousand four hundred and fifty-five dollars and seventy six cents more from the Treasury than they pay into it by taxes and duties.—­At the close of the late war such had been our exertions, we were encumbered with a debt of nearly two millions of dollars.  Now that debt is paid and we have nearly that sum in advance.  Where is the state which can justly boast of greater prosperity?

Notwithstanding this enviable situation a clamour is excited, the people are agitated, and discord, with its train of evils, is prevailing.  Some of our citizens, in the height of political prosperity, are seeking to destroy an order of things which has prevailed an hundred and fifty years, and throw themselves into the arms of projectors and reformers.  Is there nothing unaccountable in such conduct?  Is there nothing calculated to excite indignation?  My fellow citizens, shall any considerable portion of the people of Connecticut subject themselves to the reproach which rested on an ancient people?  “The ox knoweth his owner and the ass his master’s crib, but my people do not know, Israel doth not consider.”

Secondly.  Let us examine some of the plans and projects proposed for our adoption and estimate the probably cost attending them.– Here we must speak with less certainty—­What the present condition of Connecticut is we know—­respecting its future destiny we can only judge by arguing from cause to effect.  Why a man who regards the happiness of his fellow men, should attempt a change here, is too wonderful for an ordinary capacity.  No prudent farmer ever pulled up a hill of corn, which was flourishing, to see if there was not a worm at the root.

One of these projects is the repeal of all laws for the support of religious institutions.  The language of those who favor the measure is, that religion will take care of itself—­that no external aid is necessary—­that all legislative interference is impious.  Many, and it is believed by far the greater part, of those who make these declarations, intend to throw down all the barriers which christianity has erected against vice.  They are obstinately determined to banish from the public mind all affection