Daily National Intelligencer

THE ESSEX JUNTO.

FROM THE FARMERS' REPOSITORY.

Out of thine own mouth shalt thou be judged.

Some years ago, nothing could be more criminal in the estimation of some folks, than to doubt Executive infallibility: and in order effectually to silence every question on that head, the memorable Gag law was brought into existence, by and with the approbation of the very men who lately framed and adopted the clamorous memorial of the Legislature of Massachusetts—a memorial justly denounced by the minority of that state as "treasonable in its origin, reprehensible in its language, erroneous in its facts and principles, and pernicious in its effects." Yet it was nevertheless adopted by men who were quite overburdened with "religion and morality," and who, until lately, abhorred sedition—or (what was with them the same thing) opposition!

In the golden days of federalism, opposition was held to be little short of treason: It was dividing the people from their government: It was (as Mr. Pickering said) "A DETESTABLE AND NEFARIOUS CONSPIRACY."

Can it be possible that these pious and self-styled disciples of Washington should have forgotten their own doings? If so, let us refresh their memories.

On the 16th May, '97, President Adams delivered his first speech to both houses of Congress. On the 24th of the same month, the Senate returned an answer, from which the following is a short extract: "We learn," say they, "with sincere concern, that attempts are in operation to alienate the affections of our citizens from their government. Attempts so wicked, wherever they exist, cannot fail to excite OUR UTMOST ABHORRENCE." Such was the language of a federal Senate, although nothing had ever appeared amongst us, at that day, which could be compared, in point of turbulence, to the memorial above mentioned. Still the yell was kept up, as will be seen by what follows. On the 7th August, '97, the President dined at Faneuil Hall, in Boston, with 250 "friends of order and good government." An address was presented to him, which contains the following passage; "When domestic faction appears to have conspired with foreign intrigue to destroy the peace of our country: When our constituted authorities are reviled and insulted: and when the most daring attempts to separate the people from their government, are openly made and avowed; at such a crisis, we are excited no less by our inclination, than our duty to reprobate," &c. &c. Here, we at once recognise Otis, Quincy, Bigelow and others—the very men who, with a consistency peculiar to themselves, could at the present day, when our country is at war, draft and adopt a disorganizing memorial, calculated to separate the people from their government, and at the same time, encourage, if not aid and comfort the enemy!

And however abortive all such efforts are likely to prove, still the intention was not the less criminal: For which (as they now stand self convicted) may they receive that reward—that measure, which they were once so ready to mete to others—the "abhorrence and reprobation" of honest men of every party.

PIKE.