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FROM THE TIMES.
To the man whose mind is not warped by
hatted or prejudice towards any particular na
tion or seel, tiie present progicsHvc and wine
spreading influence of national benevolence,
r.un be a somce ot genuine satisfaction. And,
on the contrary, lie must feel indignant at those
. wiio wish to see once more prevail inthe world,
the pnivcrmaf war of religious opinions, that not
I>n ‘ since harrassed mankind. The great
tun now begins to operate on.all uiiuds, ..wil
ling to be convinced, that, for an empire to
flourish, and become prosperous in every way,
t ease liable indulgent e should be granted to all
leligious tenets. We cannot but consider as
tlie effect of this truth, the measures ofdiilei
eut governments being marked, of late years
wiili such itici casing mildness, as relating to
various religious denominations ; but especially
that of the Jews. Would the “ Jew bill” have
been brought into a British Parliament an huti
died years ago ? No. Itmay be said, the bill
Was repealed immediately alter being passed;
ti ne, but the cause of that repeal i.> well known.
The majority of the people had their preju
dices against the Jews ; they rai: ed a clamour
in opposition to the measures, and the wiser
pail of the nation thought it most prudent to
give up the point. Lven at the time iam
speaking of, filiy-four years since, that people
were far better off in England, than in any
other part of Europe. 1 grant their privileges
were few, yet their persons were more under
the care of that government; and since, under
that of Eranee, than was ever the case in Gtr
niany, Italy, Russia, Spain, or almost every
other spot, where reigned a Christian ruler.
Then, the United States, in their equitable
v isdom. gave to each religion equal pi it ilegcs ;
to each citizen equal rights. To that land,
where fled the Quakers from their reviltis,
•‘./or fuiicr and conscience take,” the Israelites
Catite for an asylum, and they found one.
Jews and Christians together fought lor lib
erty, and now they together, enjoy the iiuits
of it.
There wc will leave them, and turn our eyes
on modern France, to view their present situa
tion. How gratifying is the change of scene
from what it was, to wlut? it is. Asa glorious
era in the history of that nation, the rod of per
secution, that had long been ut,used, is now
broken to pieces bv its master. It being but
liberal to judge of tilings as they are, I will not
give into the opinion entertained by many, that
llonaparte’s late public conduct w ith respect to
the Jews, is only a piece of state policy—that
lii aim is to concentrate their resources, which
throughout his dominions must lie considerable
tmd then direct them to the advantage of his
empire. Such finesse he need not practice
towards a com/uirutively small body of men,
who overturns kingdoms as children do card
houses. lie could with much more facility
than they, accomplish what former kings of
France have done—give orders for the Jews
first to be plundered of their property and then
banished ; or order forth another “ Edict of
Nantz,” against the Protestants. These were
the works of blind impolicy, and dark supersti
tion, which eventuated in the injury of France,
and the advantage of her neighbors. Os these
historical facts, the prelent Emperor is too well
aware to be guilty of the like error in polities,
lie knows full well, that with some necessary
regulations, the Jews under his government,
may be placed upon an e pial foo'ing with llie
other boUics of the nation ; and ’u. his lineraliy
that prompts him to nuke this attempt —\v hi h
11,raven grant may prove successful! Whatev
er wrongs may be chargeable to bis amb.liou,
lie appears to respect true glory, when lit eman
cipated Poland ; curbed the arrogance Em ope;
cud rescued a once powerful and dignified na
tion from oppression ; a nation once cherished
by the Almighty, and whose present downfall
it th:■ accomplishment of hit word. If Bona
parte's professions of good will towards the
Jews arc sincere, he is entitled to gratitude
1 mi tti.it nation, and approbation from nli w lio
j ofess “ Christian Chari; i,” and benevolence.
For all who call themseves the followers of the
Father of mercies, should recollect the saying
f Lord Littleton—“ He who hates another man
f’• >:■ being a Christian, is himself not a Chris
tian”
file above reflections occurred to me, on
reading the following curious paragraph from
ten Envii ih paper, said to bo part of an Eccle
siastical denunciation against Bonaparte, tcad
in „1! i hu chestli: oughout liussia—‘And now,
to complete the outrages wiili which he has
“ overwhelmed the Christian Church, lie has
“ called into Prance the Synagogues ; he lias
“ ordered public honour to lie shewn to the
‘‘ Jewish Rabbis ; he has established the grand
• 11 ■* brew Sanhedrim, this infamous tribunal,
** w no, ol old times, dared condemn to the ago
*• nv of the Cross, our Saviour, Jesus Christ ;
“ he no v strives to le-imitc the Jew s, whom
“ the wrath of God lias dispersed over the face
“ of the earth ; to arm their rage against the
*• Christian Church ; and, to fill up the nieu
“ ,urc of his iniquities, by an impiety which
*• surp.uses all others, to get himself acknow
‘* h Iged as the Messiah expected by this
; rosciibed people.” It is not to be wonder
ed it, that such denunciations p.s the above
sh >l.l lie made, when the intention is to cx
, . detestation. Alas! the Russians, like the
o'ln a :<.i multitudes of Europe, believe all
’h.-v a v told. ’ bis plain, that the thunder of
Vi the 11.1, being directed in this particular
t ■ .rte • with sucii violence, will hurl on the
.o’ lunate Jew sos that country, worse treat
- .it than they have ever experienced. And
•vhat reason ? Because the emperor Na|>o
. wishes to tolerate them in the :• religion,
•-Uuw lUctu p.ii ilegcs lie thinks tlicy arc
entitled to. Hour this measure con shake thu
b-i.c: Chilsiiaiiity, 1 leave the author of this
l.ussiu/i manifesto to prove. Should Bona
parte pi opcse to ovciturii the Christian Reli
gion, at the head of a l iench army, their bay
onets would soon be turned on the apostaie
bin.seif. They aio Roman Catholics ; arid
are, a: and ought to lie, the liist in expressing
their aversion to any thing injurious to their
religion. If Christianity was even in danger m
France, it was while the revolution raged, as
the nation and its opinions floated on the sea of
uncertainty and confusion. Then, every ap
jiCuiui *CC of teligion was mocked at. But these
limes ai c passed. The church is held most
sacred, and its members are supported and res
pected by the government.
This precious denunciation very reverently
calls the Hebrew Sanhedrim, of Put is, tnja
mous ; because, in Sacted Writ it is recorded,
that the author of the Christian Religion, eigh
teen hundred liars ago, was sentenced to dcatli
for a clime alledged against him by a council
of Hebrews. It some certain old men, em
powered by legal authority, did at that remote
period of time pass an unjust sentence, in the
inline of justice, let not some innocent French
citizens, who happen to profess Judaism, be
thus vilely abused for the cnor ot their lore
fathers. It is in these things we observe, and
fearfully observe, how unappeaseabie is reli
gious fanaticism ; and when indulged, how iar
it 1 urrics us from ourselves. Wisdom tens us
to fix no hasty decision on religious matters ;
but let our com moil father be tne judge, aim
the only judge. The Russians think ouiervvise.
With regard to the hint, oi rather direct as
sertion, of this barbarous denunciator, that Lio
nupune intends to declare himscll tne Aiesst
ah, lie may think what he pleases ; L Leiieve
lunatics arc never remarkable lor the excellen
cy ol their logic. However, an who agree
with this Hussi 11, may he assured, mat Hie
French emptier must worn otaer miracles
tnan conquering the rotten nionaici.ies of Lu
rope, before we give him credit tor bupcruaUv
iv. Power 1
Em. si , like Spain, has still hanging over her
the darkness ol ignorance aim supersUtlion.
Peter the Great ai.d Catharine the second,
v. rcught a great deal lor Russia, in endeavour
ing, through the mild influence of the arts and
sciences, to infuse a genial warmth into her
cold bosom, lint much more remains for the
labours ol future emperors, to accomplish. 1 he
principal pait of that vast empne, still exlimits
cMi-niivc but chtei less regions; and her in
habitants, unfortunately, keep pat e with their
native soil, in the cultivations of their minds.
JTucax unions.
From a .XciU-YorJcpaper.
THOMAS PAINE TO MORGAN LEWIS,
On hia prosecution <f Mr. Ta::;.ie.&,
roll ON IS HUN II HID THOUSAND DOLLARS
DAMAGES 1
r l he proud iulegrety of conscious rectitude
ic..rs no reproach, and disdains the mcrccuary
idea ol damages. It is not the sound,’ but the
ulcerated ilesn, that flinches from the touch,
A man must feel his character exceedingly
vulnerable, who can suppose that any tiling
said about him, or against liiin, cad endamage
him an hundred thousand dollars : yet this is
the sum Morgan Lewis has laid Ins damages
at, in his prosecution of Mr. Farmer, as chair
man of a meeting of republican citizens. This
is a case, abstiaru’d fiom am idea ol’ damages,
that ought to be brought Indore tiie represen
tatives ol the people assembled in Legislature.
It is an attempted vi.muon ol the rights of ci
tizenship, by a man whose official duty it was
to protect them.
Mr. Farmer was in the exert ise of a legal
and constitutional right, lie vv.es chairman of
a meeting of citizens, peaceably assembled to
consider on a matter that concerned them
selves, the nomination of a / ro[i r person lobe
voted for as governor at the ensuing election.
Had the meeting thought Morgvu Lewis a
proper person, they would have said so, and
would have had a t ight to say so—but the mee
ting thought otherwise, and they had a tight to
say otherwise. But what has Morgan Lev is,
as governor, to do with either of these cases,
lie is not govern or jure liivino, by di.fiic ti. lit.
nor is he coveted with the magical mantle
which covers a king ol England, that he cun do
no wrong; nor is the governorship, of the state
his property, or the ptopertv oi his fondly con
nexions.
11 Morgan Lewi could be so unwise and
vain as to suppose lie could prosecute for what
he calls damages, he should prosecute every
man who composed that nieciing, excefit he
chairman; for in the office of chairman Mr.
Farmer was a silent man on any matter discus
sed or decided there. He could not even give
a vote on any subject, utile s it was a tie vote,
which was not the case. Flic utmost use M".
Lewis could have made of Mr. Farmer would
have been to have subpoend him to prove that
such resolves were voted by the meeting ; for
Mr. Farmer’s signature to those resolves, as
chairman of that meeting, was no other than
an attestation that such resolves were then
passed.
Morgan Lewis, in this prosecution, has com
mitted the same kind of error that a man would
commit who should prosecute a witness for
proving a fact done-by a third person, instead
of prosecuting the third person on whom the
fact was proved ; Morgan Lewis is, in mv es
timation of character, a poor lavwer, and a
worse politician. He cannot maintain this pro
secution-; but I think - Mr. Farmer might
maintain a prosecution against him. False
prosecution ought to be punished ; and this is
a false prosecution, because it is a wilful pro
secution cf •’.c wrong person. If Morgan
Lewis lias sustained any uamage, or any inju
ry, which I do r.r.t believe he lias, it is by tne
members composing the meeting, and not bv
the chairman. Ihe resolves ot a meeting uiv
not the act of the chairman.
But in what manner will Morgan Lewis
prove damages Damages must lie proved by
facts; they cannot Le pioved by opinion—opin
ions prove nothing. Damages given by opin
ion, are not damages in fact, and a jury is tied
down to fact, and cannot take cognizance of
opinion. Morgan Lewis must prove that be
tween the time those lesoivts were passed,
and the time he commenced his prosecution,
he sustained damages to the amount of one
hundred thousand dollars, and he must pro
duce facts in proof of it. He must also piove
that those damages were in consequence ol those
resolves, and could he prove all this, it would
not reach Mr. Farmer, because as before said,
the resolves of a meeting arc not the act of the
chairman.
This is not a case merely before a jury of
twelve men. The whole public is a jury m a
case like this, for it concerns their public lights
as citizens, and it is for the purpose of freeing
it from the quibiing chicanery of law, and to
place it in a clear intelligible point of view be
fore the people, that I have taken it up.
Rut as people do not read long pieces on the
approach of an election, and as it is probable I
may give a second piece on the subject of da
mages, I will stop where I am for the present.
THOMAS PAINE
’ From the Virginia Argus.
TO TIIE PUBLIC.
SO much has been said upon the practice of
duelling, that it may appear little less than lost
labor to renew the subject; since it would be
uitticutt to Saj any thing upon it, w hich has not
been frequently said already. As, however, it
is connected with the most important concerns
ot lile, and appears to be daily extending its
banetul influence,; it is the duty of every man,
desirous for the prosperity and happiness of
of his fellow-creatures, to lift his voice against
it; and although the arguments which he uses,
be merely a repetition of those used by others,
they may not be without their effect.
Duelling has prevailed more or less in every
civilised country, ol which we hav c any account.
In Spain, it was once the practice, and perhaps
it continues to be, the practice in some coun
tries, when a man is insulted, to watch for his
adversary, m an alley, or some other private
place, and dispatch him without the possibility
ol resistance. And it might be worth the en
quiry oi a duellist whether this method be less
honorable, than that practised with us; which
1 believe gives tiie aggressor or challenged the
right to choose the weapons, and to control
most of the arrangements respecting the com
bat, \\ hen a man is injured, he has unqes
tionably a right to redress; ths autlier of the
injuy should receive punishment in some way.
Rut a duel is certainly not calculated to inflict
this punishment, because, independent of the
advantages the aggrersor has, it is at ar.y rate
an equal chance, whether he or the party injur
ed fall.
Murder I believe is looked upon by all men
with the same eyes ; it is without doubt the
greatest crime that can be committed; and yet
when perpetrated in the shape of a duel, it is
considered honorable. I say honorable, be
cause it does not appear that those who have
committed it, are the less esteemed on that ac
count. It fashion can thus reconcile us to the
most enormous crime in one instance, niaf we
not tear its influence in others.
A sense ot a shame, it is said, is so much
torture; and this torture will admit no relief
but by tiie death of the adversary:—What
then l A want of money is also so much tor
ture ; and perhaps a man might persuade liirn
seh that this torture admitted no relief but by
removing a lile that stood between him and an
inheritance. The motives in both these cases
are t e same ; the tfleets too are the same,
and tiie actions themselves must there fore
partake of the same degree of guilt, yet how
cilflei ehtlv are they viewed by the community.
\ cry few have any hesitation in condemning
this intunious practice ; and it often happens,
that the most discreet and reflecting, express
one day, their pointed disapprobation, and the
next engage in it. So much for the power of
fashion and the inconsistency of man.
‘Fhe legislature of this state, and I believe
of several other states in the union, have made
this offence punishable with death. This,
however, as might have been expected, has
had no effect ; for the fashions of the times,
which influence alike the legislator, the juror,
and the judge, would not permit a law of this
kind to be carried into effect : and it has been
so oiten violated with impunity, that it would
now be cruelty to enforce it. lienee the ne
cessity of a repeal, and whenever this repeal
takes place, 1 hope the wisdom of the legisla
ture will lead them to substitute some punish
ment, which by being less terrible, will be
more certainly carried into effect. What this
punishment shall be, it is not easy to suggest.
There have been several instances lately, of the
most distinguished characters in England, re
sorting to courts of justice for redress of inju
ries ; and the damages have been exemplary.
It is however doubtful whether this would lie
tire case here. When a man has received an
insult, it would he but an aggravation of that
insult, to receive a verdict for the paltry sum
of five pounds in damages. Perhaps the most
effectual check would be totally to disfranchise
all parties concerned ; which is the punish
ment for this ciinie in the state of New-York.
A. Citizen.
The Rose without a Them.
I met her in the rosy vale,
Sweet and luxurant as the gale
That breathes at early morn
With looks expressive of her mind,
She archly Said —“ Pray can youjuii
“ .1 rose without a thorn t”
And if I And the flower, its hues
Glowing, &nu bath’d in heav’nly dews,
What shall the deed adorn?
“ ‘fhe best reward I can impart,
“ I’d vow to twine around your heart,
“ This rose without a thorn.”
On wings oflovc my fancy sped,
To gain the prize—to gain the maid,
Who’d long my bosom torn ;
With rapture sparkling in each eye,
I soon triumphantly descry,
A rose without a thorn.
A female form, void of false pride,
With truth and goodness for her guide,
On virtue’s wings upborne ;
Where no rude passions storm the breastfe
She is—let beauty add a zest—
A rose without a thorn :
i The rose I’ve found in Mary’s charms;
The gem I’ll cherish in niy arms,
And ever bless the mom,
When she consented to be mine, *
And vow’d around my heart to twine.
The rose without a thorn.
In the 54th Bulletin of the Grand French
army appear the following paragraph and
note:—
“An old man, 117 years of age, has been
presented to the Emperor, who has granted
him a pension of 50 Napoleons, and lias order
ed him a twelve month’s allowance in advance,
‘fhe annexed note gives some account of this
extraordinary man:—
“ Francis Ignatius Narocki, born at Wild,
near Wilna, is the son of Joseph and Anno
Naroki.—He is of a noble family, and in his
youth bore arms. He was otic cf the Confe
deration of Bar, was taken by the Russians and
sent to Kasan. Having lost the small fortune
he possessed, he took to agriculture, and was
employed as a farmer to a Curate. lie mar
ried for the first time, at the age of 70 years,
and had four children by that marriage. At
86 he married a second w ife, and had by her
six children, who are all dead ; there remains
to him only the last son of the first wife. The
king of Prussia, in consideration of his great
age had granted to him a pension of 24 Polish
florins per month, making 14 livers 8 sous
French. lie is subject to no infirmity, enjoys
still a good memory, and speaks Latin with ex
treme facility ; lie cites the classics with spirit,
and to the pu: pose. The Petition of which the
following is a translation, was entirely written
with his own hand. The characters are very
firm and legible :
pttrrriov.
“ Sinn—My baptismal extract is dated 1650,
therefore lam at presant 117 years old. I
recal yet to my mind the battle of Vienna, and
the limes of John Sobieski. I thought they
would not be reproduced; but assuredly I ex
pected still less to see again the age of Alex
ander. My old age has procured (or me tlio
benefactions of all sovereigns who have been
here, and I ask those of the Great hapoleon,
being at my age, more than secular, incapable
of work.
“ Live, sire .as long as I have ; voitr glory
needs it not; bill the happiness of the human
race demands it. “ NAROCKI.”
From a Paris Paper.
The following anecdote merits preservation,
it is a trait of the bravery and filial piety of the
soil of Mr. Bourgoing ,'formerly ambassador
in Spain, Denmaik and Sweden.
T his young man is a second lieutenant in a
regiment; several times his regiment, in a Lte
battle, had in Vain attempted to ovei through a
party ot Russians; the colonel expressed some
dissatisfaction at his ill success, young Bour
going said to him, ‘* It wc mean to conquer,
“ such a manoeuvre is necessary; charge me
“ with the execution of it, 1 shall fall without
“ doubt, but you will say to the emperor that
“ my father being in disgrace, 1 wish to regain
“ the esteem of his majesty for the author of
a my days, and 1 will die willingly for mv coun
“ try & for my father.” Immediately the voting
man was permitted to follow his plan ; be
over-threvv the Russians, took their cannon and
baggage, and had the good fortune to survive.
His colonel gave an account of bis conduct to
the emperor, who immediately named Mr.
Bourgoing as his ambassador to the king of
Saxony, and advanced the heroic young sol
dier.
V. and W. The habit which some have>
of sounding v as w and w as v, is hit off’ in tho
following dialogue between a London ciiizeti
and his servant—
Citizen. Villiam, I rant my vig.
Scrvaut. Vitch vig sir ?
Citizen. Vy, the vite vig in the voolen vig
box, vitch I vote last Vcdnesday at the wc stays
Servant, YVery vel, sir.