540
Interpreting and Preserving the Constitution
exposes to perpetual change, from the endless variety of hypothesis and
opinion: and remember, especially, that for the efficient management of
your common interests, in a country so extensive as ours, a government
of as much vigor as is consistent with the perfect security of liberty is indispensable. Liberty itself will find in such a government, with powers
properly distributed and adjusted, its surest guardian. It is, indeed, little
else than a name, where the government is too feeble to withstand the
enterprise of faction, to confine each member of the society within the
limits prescribed by the laws, and to maintain all in the secure and tranquil enjoyment of the rights of person and property.
I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the state, with
particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in
the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party,
generally.
This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its
root in the strong