Gazette Of The United States

THE NATIONAL MONITOR.
-No. XIX.

"Curs'd be the verse how smooth soe'er it flow,"
Where lies and scandal mark the patriot's foe.

SCANDAL is the most powerful agent in the cause of anarchy and confusion. It is to be regretted that too many characters who are abandoned in principle and conduct, possess at the same time so competent an acquaintance with human nature, that they know where to assail it with the greatest advantage. It must be acknowledged that we are so constituted that the most improbable conjectures arrest our attention and make an impression upon our minds. Our passive natures are vulnerable to the slightest external influence; but when, under the guise of a compliment the bold front of calumny comes forward with confident tale of defamation against a competitor, it is almost universally the case, that a fatal credence is the result—When the sons of disorder and misrule succeed in their aims—the bulwarks of the constitution may be shaken—Those, whom the sober dictates of reason and reflection the people to honor and respect as their best patriots become the objects of envy and jealousy. Their opinions are disregarded and their usefulness is destroyed.

The object of the worst of men in their innuendoes and slanders against public characters, is not the public good: It is first to supplant them in the affections of the people that the way may be open to supplant them in the places they hold. Sometimes they may be actuated by a humbler grade of mischief:-And if they can effect the ruin of characters which stand firm on the basis of integrity and independent principles, are discouraged in men a private station. The people bewildered by blind and wicked counsel laudable exertions to serve their country. The loss of honor becomes tyrannized over by demagogues, they find their dernier resort is in the arms of a despot.

Published by JOHN FENNO, No. 9, MAIDEN-LANE, near the Oswego-Market, New-York.—[3dol. pr.an.]