Alexandria Advertiser And Commercial Intelligencer

"Men that make
Heavy and crooked malice nourishment
Dare bite the best."

Parties.—The most envenomed shaft from the quiver of democracy has been aimed with malignant rancour against the characters of our most distinguished and virtuous statesmen. From the bold calumnies of the "mouth-piece of the party," down to the little retailers of petty scandal; from the high wrought invectives of Mr. Jefferson's immaculate friend, down to the miserable productions of his humble admirers, the Grub-street pages of democracy have been abundantly supplied.

This was nourishment to the depraved disciples of modern republicanism, it was doubtless a delicious repast to the benevolent professors of universal philanthropy. Envy and crooked malice were powerful ingredients in this dish of democratic calumny. But it was served up to effect a very important purpose, and must be considered, as a very honorable mean of securing a desirable end. Power was the object, virtue, patriotism, distinguished integrity, and superior talents were powerful obstacles to its attainment. The overwhelming torrent of calumny was in its course to involve in one undistinguished ruin, the venerable authors of our independence, the wise supporters of our constitution, the virtuous adherents to Washington and his administration. The friend of religion and of Thomas Paine: the munificent benefactor of the amiable Callender: the liberal rewarder of the patriotic Duane; the correspondent of Mazzei; the sincere and ardent friend of Washington was to be raised to the elevated height of power.

For this purpose the character of Washington was to be assailed, a bulwark of alarming strength against the party; the citadel of federalism, behind the rampart, which his virtues had raised, was secure from the invasion of insidious foes; Duane and his myrmidons, well disciplined in the "arts of able editors," with the ability of active partisans, directed their whole force to the destruction of this powerful fortress—they were honored with a proud triumph. Yes, it was known that the first and best man in America, was a federalist: that the leading features of the federal government, were finished from his designs; that he had universally, and in the most public manner, sanctioned the important measures of the administration of his successor. It was known, that for his well tried patriotism, wisdom and integrity, a grateful nation placed implicit confidence in his opinions. Democracy therefore was destitute of hope, while federal principles were supported by so powerful an advocate. To weaken the confidence of our citizens, therefore in such a character, was obviously necessary to effect the designs of the party. Paine's inimitable letter to president Washington, in which he has the goodness, to accuse him of hypocrisy, of pusillanimity, of weakness of unmilitary conduct, of ingratitude, or deceit; The letter of Jasper Dwight, written by Duane, a paragraph in the Aurora, in which the portrait of the venerable statesman was so justly delineated; in which, the friend and companion of Mr. Jefferson, has taken the liberty to denounce the benefactor of his country as a man who was the source of its misfortunes, as a multiplier of evils, as giving currency to political iniquity and legalizing corruption, as a supporter of nefarious projects, as having cankered the principles of republicanism, as having designs against the public liberty; Callender's "prospect before us," pregnant with the most precious morals of Jacobinic truth; these productions must be esteemed as standing monuments of the prowess of these virtuous partisans in the cause of democracy.

For their important services these men have had their reward, and with one exception at this day stand high in the estimation of our beloved president. Yes, these base assassins of character; these foreigners, who with hellish malevolence, exerted their prostituted talents to blast the fair fame of the great & good Washington, are in presidential confidence and share the beneficent smiles of the mild and serene Jefferson. This speaks a language not difficult to be understood; this shews at least that gratitude is a virtue conspicuous in the character of the chief magistrate of our nation. This is a subject on which democracy must delight to dwell. Some of its disciples seriously profess to revere the principles, the character and conduct of Washington; it must indeed afford them ineffable delight when they reflect that the unsullied purity of their beloved president, has sanctioned their opinions by taking to his bosom the intemperate revilers of virtue and goodness.

There is however a class of citizens in the United States who yet revere with unaffected sincerity the character of president Washington: who adhere to his systems and principles, and, who view with indignation the pointed marks of attention that have been bestowed on his calumniating enemies. The real friends of their country venerate a character who was so conspicuous in securing its independence; they tenaciously adhere to the sound principles that guided his administration, and notwithstanding the base attempts to traduce and vilify him, they have full confidence in the measures and general policy of his government.