Martinsburgh Gazette

FOR THE MARTINSBURGH GAZETTE.

Mr. Alburtis,

A hand-bill, of which the following is a copy, according to the best of my recollection, was published in Martinsburgh on the day of the late election, Dec. 28th:

"TO FEDERALISTS.

MR. TUCKER'S DEFINITION OF

FEDERALISM

"The spirit of federalism considers the

"many as made for the few—government

"as a job, and is never so true to itself as

"when false to the nation." Admitting that

"the latter clause of this definition is rather

"harsh, it must be confessed that the

"character of federalism is pretty accurately

"hit off."

This is a quotation, substantially correct from the printed sketch of Mr. Tucker's address to the people of Frederick, delivered at Winchester.

Can any federalist consistently vote for a gentleman who thinks thus of the federal party.

A VOTER."

I cannot procure a copy of the hand-bill, but I believe the above to be a correct recital of it.

My object in addressing you at present, is to do Mr. Tucker justice, by publishing in your paper, an extract from the printed sketch of his speech, which I have since obtained. It will be observed that the phraseology of his definition of federalism is rather different from the recital of it made in the hand-bill, from recollection, and that qualifications are added (beside that contained in the hand-bill) which considerably vary the sense. I solemnly declare that I did not recollect those additional qualifications of his definition when I wrote the hand-bill; and that I thought, at that time, that I had quoted his speech fairly. For the good or ill opinion of those who doubt the truth of this assertion, I care not.

I entertain for Mr. Tucker great respect and regard, and the mistake into which I have unwittingly fallen, has been to me a source of the most serious regret. I hope that this voluntary act will in some measure repair the injury I have done him.

A VOTER.

EXTRACT.

"It is by no means my inclination to excite irritation by indulging myself too freely

"in drawing the character of federalism:

But the situation in which I am placed demands that I should exhibit to you my idea of its outlines, that you may perceive how far—how essentially it varies from the sentiments I entertain. Many years past it was said by a gentleman nearly connected with myself, and at that time highly in the estimate of the republican party, that the spirit of federalism was that "which considers

"the many are made for the few.

"which sees in government nothing but a

"Job, which is never so true to itself as

"when false to the nation." Admitting, as I am willing to do the alledged harshness of the latter part of the description, it must be confessed that the features of federalism are accurately hit off in the former. I speak not of the federalism which we see within the bosom of our own state, where federalism exists in its mildest form: I speak of it as professed and practised by the great leaders of the party."