Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger

THE REAL AND THE APOSTATE FEDERALISTS.

Never did federalism, even during the administration of the man who now slumbers in the paternal shades of Mount Vernon, hallowed by his country's love and gratitude, shine with such resplendent lustre as it does at the present hour. -Under the presidency of Washington, the opposition to the principles which he professed, had to contend with a popularity earned by long tried and painful services in the field, with the glittering prosperity of a rising republic, with all the influence of character and talents with which public offices were then invested. Opposition was not at that time organized in all its members. Incredibly as it may appear in the eyes of the defenders of Madison and of democracy, it was then deemed dishonorable to be detected in a falsehood or calumny, even though they were told for electioneering purposes. The people were not then refined enough to distinguish electioneering lies, from other lies. They did not know then that falsehood and deception were strictly honorable, if a man could by such arts pay his debts at the public expense.

They thought that if a man meanly renounced his party for an office. that he was the most grovelling and contemptible of all animals -that honor and conscience, and faith and integrity, were all unsaleable articles. They thought that such instances of depravity, so far from shewing that a man was entitled to office as the reward of his infamy, were plain indications that he ought to receive confidence from none they thought that a man who would bring his conscience to market, would bring his country to market also. if he could only find a purchaser. The people of America had then to learn that such sacrifices of honor and probity were the plainest of all proof of. public patriotism We have been taught these lessons since, and it was reserved for democracy to become our school master. To be then a federalist was only to stand in the full blaze of our country's prosperity, and quietly to enjoy the beams. Since that time, we have learnt that it is the height of criminality to be auxiliary to the prosperity of our native land that commerce floating on every sea-agriculture, happy and contented in turning up the bosom of the earth to the sun--industry plying the hammer and the anvil, are proofs, not of the prosperity of our country, but of our attachment for monarchy : that to be even suspected of belonging to the party of Washington, was decided proof of our having handled British guineas.-- For a federalist now to avow his political sentiments, requires the exercise of fortitude; it is but the watch word for him to be hunted down, and the yelping bands of the cabinet are let loose for his destruction; it is the signal not only of his exit from public office, but likewise for an invasion of all the sanctities of private life.- He has no right to enjoy, much less to express opinions different from those of the cabinet. and extermination against that party. forms the order of the day. Porcupine's presses in both hemispheres are to be put in requisition for the destruction of this party, and our administration slanders are to be bawled across the Atlantic, and to be rebellowed back to us. We therefore repeat the assertion, that it requires some nerve to remain a federalist now ; all the temptations to public office and emolument lie the other way. -Our administration stand ready either to slander or to bribe, as the urgency of the case may require. Justly may, therefore, the members of that party, pride themselves on the consistency and constancy of their political faith.

They were principles formed during the administration of Washington--they have been tried in prosperity, and they have been tried in adversity, and both in prosperity and in adversity. they have been found the same. The federal party, though abandoned by their country, have never abandoned her. When in power, undismayed by all the clamor of opposition, they pursued their own plans of policy, and when out of power, they have exerted every argument, every remonstrance, and every entreaty to persuade their political opponents to adopt the same system of measures. In the midst of all their unexampled persecutions, they have done nothing more--when they could not prevent our headlong administration from rushing into political misery-they have labored in every way to mitigate its effects in defiance of persecution, slander and calumny in every shape. This is the head and the front of their offending. We repeat, therefore, the observation, that never did federalism, even during the day of Washington, shine with such transcendent radiance as it does at the present hour; it had not then to encounter such falsehood, such slander, such persecution, such political extermination. As a further evidence of the justice of these remarks, we will state the notorious fact, that the very party who have been so long employed in the extermination of federalism, are now following the broad outlines of federal policy. They encourage a navy; they encourage commerce ; they have voted against, and now for a national bank--they are projecting means for a national defence. They have become the tame, docile and humble followers of the very party which they have abused, calumniated and slandered so long. The steady and constant federalists now beholds this very party proselytes and converts to his own principles; beholds them in the degrading attitude of alternately slandering him and following his policy. --What then shall we say to an apostate federalist ! to a man who renounces and calumniates his own party, at the very hour when his political opponents are made the involuntary converts to federalism! What shall be said to a man whose love of office and of money is so superior to his love of honor! who is compelled at one, and at the same moment, even to comply with the wishes of our administration, to renounce federalism in words, while he practices it in actions ! to follow through all the depths of democratic degradation : to renounce the splendid opportunity afforded by his enemies, of witnessing the homage which they are compelled, however reluctantly, to pay to their political opponents. What can they say worse of such a character, than that he is a fit person at all points to enjoy the confidence of our administration!

If such a mean apostate should have chosen a time to put the seal of infamy to his own character, he would have selected the present; it is a time when the democrats are ashamed of their own men, when they are compelled to pay homage to Washington; a time when they inwardly and heartily despise the leaders of their own party--They would avow themselves federalists to-morrow, if there was no hope of obtaining office by remaining democrats. How different from such a disgusting specimen of depravity, shines the character of John Jay! the orb of his glory majestic, luminous and serene. declines in the political firmanent--that sobriety of splendor which seems but the harbinger of immortal day. now gathers and mantles around his declining disk, and the clouds of approaching night, only serve to reflect his glory.

Ibid.