The New Hampshire Gazette

For the N. H. Gazette.

The state of the public sentiment at this eventful period of time forcibly proclaims to the citizens of United America, the necessity there is of attending to the voice of wisdom, and join with the poet, who says:

"Embrace my foes, be foes no more, Nor stain your country with her childrens gore."

Of all political evils, perhaps the divisions of the citizens is the worst, when carried to an extreme; hence civil wars, assassinations, and sometimes parricidal-crimes. Divisions and animosities, in a less degree, will produce detraction falsehood, calumny and at times partial administration of the laws. It drives from the human breast good nature, compassion and philanthropy—it excites spleen, envy, rancour and malevolence; such divisions invites the secret attacks of enemies, and exposes society to destruction by foreign or domestic desperadoes. When party-spirit actuates the well informed and otherwise good man, it sours his disposition, renders him distrustful, and alienates his confidence and affections from those whom he formerly respected for their integrity and other virtues—A well informed, virtuous, good man of another political opinion is degraded far, very far, below the vicious swaggering libertine of his own sentiments!

In fact, even a discerning man, when under the operation of party zeal, is nearly or quite incapable of discriminating between real beauties or blemishes. He sees the deeds of his opponent through two mediums, and beholds virtuous as vicious acts, like the man who puts a straight and entire stick into the water, and views it distorted or broken, not heeding the reason.

I am led into this train of writing to caution my fellow citizens against admitting this destructive poison into their minds and to beseech them when its effects are operating in them to drive the intruder out with possible celerity. This evil has increased rapidly within a few years, and threatens in a little time to annihilate all we now hold dear, as it "increases with our growth and strengthens with our years." There are periods in almost all governments when this baneful weed shows its luxuriant head; the richer, by freedom, the soil the more numerous and rank its Shoots. Italy was distracted by the Guelphs and Ghibellines—Poland is extinguished as a nation by it. See its effects in the British nation during the contests of the houses of York and Lancaster? France has lately been torn into factions and bled at every pore—At one time the constitutionalists and republicans were moved by the infuriated zeal of party spirit; then the dominant party divided into moderates and jacobins, till finally an usurper has riveted the iron yoke of despotism on the nation, and party spirit has fled or is choaked by the malevolence of tyrannical espionage. -North America that highly favored country has felt and still is experiencing the dire effects of this fell monster.

During her infant struggles for those rights, which the God of nature intended should be enjoyed by all his creatures, that spirit entered into the minds of some who became inimical to and opposed the cause; but the virtues of a large majority under the divine blessing, effected the glorious plan and emancipated the nation -We next behold this foe of tranquility trying its prowess under the guise of federalism and anti federalism, on the adoption of the present national constitution; but here likewise the foul fiend was curbed by the wisdom and integrity of a majority of States. This horrid spirit next shews itself in the friends of monarchy, under the name of constitutionalists, federalists, or well wishers of a firm, energetic government, and republicans, who were called democrats jacobins, French partizans, &c. Here that spirit has as yet free scope to distract the minds of the citizens and infuriate those of the leaders of parties. Hence party names are indiscriminately applied, and the animal passions are enlisted to degrade the prominent men of the nation. The enemies of United America rejoice at such appearances and secretly foment the heart burnings and bickerings of parties. All our associations, even learned societies, churches and mechanic associations suffer under the gripe of this destroyer of peace and happiness. Men who are an honor to this, and would be to any nation, by distinguished talents and virtues are depicted by the political zealots as notorious scoundrels. And even the public prints are made vehicles for spreading the malicious slander. By a species of sophistry, vices the most scandalous are imputed to candidates for, or possessors of public offices, that are believed, if not actually known to be false even by the promulgators themselves. The chief magistrate of the nation has been held to public view, like vice personified! Where will this shameless practice lead our MORALS and LIBERTIES? Will praise and reproach be motives of action? Will real virtue be respected and vice despised? This tyrant riots in the breast of ambitious, artful men, who by sly insinuations or false assertions, sow distrust and discord into the minds of the well meaning, peaceable and quiet citizens, to fill them with uncharitable and barbarous notions of their political opponents.

Our great and good Washington had a portion of such curious abuse—the learned Adams is not exempted—the scientific, patriotic and wise Jefferson has been inundated by its efforts, and our amiable and worthy Madison is reaping the fruits of his services and virtues, by venomous effusions of the victims to party zeal. If this disposition is encouraged, or this spirit suffered to spread its ravages; it is greatly to be feared the barbarous age will be renewed in this genial clime, and soon, very soon, civil war will desolate our now peaceful habitations and utterly efface from the earth the only existing asylum for oppressed humanity FREEDOM'S LAST HOPE!

Fellow citizens of the United States, it behoves you to unite in discountenancing every kind of falsehood and scurrility "to speak of candidates or public officers as they are, nothing extenuate or set down aught in malice" To detect vice and punish it, to seek and reward virtue, to aid assert and support the government in its constitutional measures, even if you are not fully satisfied as to their wisdom. Do no unfair or unjust means to blast the reputation of any political character. Let measures and their tendency be fairly canvassed, and if a major part approve, cordially join to carry it into complete effect. Thus by union your national government will be respected by foreign powers, and all your people wise and happy- The liberty of good men expand to transmit blessings to the unfortunate child of want and affliction, and the liberty of bad men kept in due subjection or restraint by the public sentiment and virtue as well as by the terrors of the laws.

Then virtue and talents will be the only criterion in electing candidates for office, and political calumniators, liars, and swindlers will cease from among us, having no prospect to gain by political deception.