Independent Journal, Or, The General Advertiser

From the Pennsylvania Packet.

Messrs. PRINTERS,

WHAT has been, will be, while men continue to be men, and there is nothing new under the sun. Some people seem alarmed at the opposition of a few weak and deluded men to the Federal Government; but if we look into the histories of our own and foreign countries, we shall find that there never was a revolution brought about in any country in favor of liberty or government, that was not opposed by ignorant or interested men.

The revolution that brought King William to the throne of England was effected by a majority of only three votes. Thousands opposed the accession of the Hanover family to the same throne some years afterwards. In 1715 and 1745 attempts were made to depose them, by an appeal to arms, which ended in the destruction of the leaders of the minority, and in the defeat of those brave and hardy mountaineers, who were seduced by those leaders into a rebellion, against the voice and interests of a majority of the people.

The union of the parliaments of England and Scotland was opposed by a strong majority of Scotland: recourse was had to arms by a few deluded men in the west of Scotland to prevent it. But they were soon prevailed upon to return in peace to their habitations, and in a few years afterwards joined with the majority of the nation, in praising the happy effects of the union.

The declaration of independence was opposed by a wealthy and powerful party, a whole state, and many counties in every state refused to concur in supporting it: and yet the independence of our country finally triumphed over all opposition.

I shall conclude, by repeating my first observation. What has been, will be, and there is nothing new under the sun. The present enemies of the federal government will ere long be its most zealous friends, and some of them, who are most prudent and silent about it or most clamorous against it, will probably soon fill its highest or most profitable offices.