The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

From the Political Calendar

FEDERAL OPPOSITION.

We would appeal to the good and candid men, why this continued peal of declamation is kept up against the constituted authorities. If there are real grievances, let us remonstrate as men possessing sufficient greatness of soul duly to appreciate the blessings of freedom, with discernment and magnanimity to secure the invaluable boon without an appeal to the passions and prejudices of the designing demagogue, or the futile reasoning of the pampered coxcomb. Instead of investigating the merits or demerits of those who administer the arduous and complicated concerns of the national government, do we not find the most disingenuous motives imputed to their charge? Are we not loaded with the vilest slander from the most unprincipled portion of the community, who fatten on their own us a bad corrupt system of misrule, and detraction against Mr. Jefferson and those in his confidence? Of what consequence can it be to the great body of the community, whether John or Thomas fills the executive department, if our official functions are but conducted according to the letter and spirit of our admirable constitution? Who but fools or knaves would spend their hours and days in attempts at satire on a cheese, a Mammoth, or a salt mountain? Yet we have seen whole columns taken up, with this puny and ridiculous subject, by men who profess to have nine tenths of all the virtue and understanding in the country! yet substitute this method to vent their envy on the President, for the want of more plausible grounds of complaint.

It is certainly full time that all good men should step forward to discountenance that in those who call themselves gentlemen, which would undoubtedly subject the most stupid schoolboy to a severe castigation.

In a republican government, the voice of the people ought and will most undoubtedly preponderate. Those who are now in the minority, when their system of government was "in the full tide of successful experiment," laid great emphasis on this established principle: and why will they not practice now, that which was then most near their heart: why will they not observe that forbearance towards their political opponents, which they once recommended to those whom they pleased to style the deluded multitude. If the people were ever competent to the investigation and practice of moral duties; has that competency since diminished? or have their habits become more corrupt and unreined? No person, we presume, will have the hardihood to utter so preposterous an idea, as that the people are moving in a retrograde motion to the dark ages of bigotry and superstition; on the contrary, perhaps there never was a period in the history of civilization, when a people progressed in an equal degree to a state of perfect ability. Let us then unite in discountenancing that narrow and dangerous policy of imputing every action of our rulers as founded on fraud, and promoted by hypocrisy! Cannibals would blush at such impolicy and ingratitude. Let us rather argue the case as becomes men in the pursuit of the immutable principles of truth; whose magnanimity would not deign to withhold the grateful plaudits of their approbation to public functionaries, whose prominent acts appear to have been intended, and have since been demonstrative of the greatest national blessings.

If at some period very far remote, the people should find themselves too free, enlightened, and too happy; let us court every and despotism; close up the lap of ignorance, and call upon chill penury and wretchedness to overwhelm us. But while we enjoy equal privileges; while every member who composes our great federative compact is protected in the blessings of life, liberty and property, and the most obscure individual may raise himself to the highest honors by his own superior merit; let us discountenance this vile spirit of distrust and declamation which has been too long suffered to diffuse its baneful influence on social intercourse, and to contaminate the morals of the rising generation.