Chap. IV.]

DUTIES OF PATRIOTISM.

119

When tried by the preceding principles, it cannot be neces-sary to do more than advert to several practices, which in casesof contested elections, are too common both in England and inthis country, to insure their unqualified reprobation in the mindof every good man. The practices to which I refer, are calcu-lated to corrupt and poison the political institutions of a coun-try at their ultimate sources. Among the devices resorted to,in order to strengthen the interest of candidates and promotetheir success, are festive entertainments and supplies of spirituousliquors furnished at their expense to all who choose to partakeof them ; reciprocal abuse and vilification of the candidates, andof all others who take a conspicuous part in elections ; menacesof violence and even actual violence at the polls ; imposing onthe opposite party by the artifices and stratagems so well knownto practised partisans ; prostituting the dignity and influence ofofficial station to the success of party arrangements and combina-tions ; invoking the whole host of sectional, national, and per-sonal prejudices, to give fresh virulence to party warfare ; theorganization of affiliated societies, (clubs and unions,) underparty names, pervading every nook and corner of the country,and, by profligate emissaries, instituting an inquisition in everyneighbourhood and family ; and, lastly, the bringing the electivefranchise, by the undisguised sale and purchase of votes, intopublic market in the broad light of day.

CHAPTER IV.

THE DUTY OF THE CITIZENS TO CULTIVATE A PATRIOTIC SPIRITAND THE PATRIOTIC VIRTUES.

The duty of the citizens to cultivate a patriotic spirit and thepatriotic virtues comes next to be stated and illustrated. In thefirst stages of society, before the passions were curbed by edu-cation and discipline, before agriculture was advanced, com-merce and manufactures introduced, the arts and sciences in-vented, or the true religion made known, the great body of the