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 and veneration for the Clergy, and respect