Jenks' Portland Gazette

TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLICANS

throughout the District of MAINE.

FELLOW CITIZENS!

ON Monday, the Fifth day of November next, a great question between the two parties in this State will be decided. You have been presented with two lists of Electors for your approbation; one composed of men, who revere the memory of Washington, and honor the patriotism of Adams: the other, of those who admire the character and conduct of Jefferson, and applaud all his doings.

Your decision on this appeal, will determine the political character of this Commonwealth. The line of division is strong and obvious. The system of policy favoured and pursued by the two parties is different from that adopted by the last, as are the personal qualities of the men.

The policy of Washington was broad, liberal and national: that of Jefferson is narrow, selfish and local. The former consulted the good of the people, without flattering them; the latter flatters the people without promoting their interest.

Washington and his successor presided over a nation, and sought the happiness of all; Jefferson presides over party and devotes himself to its views.

Washington and Adams were frank, open, and sincere; their professions were always supported by their actions.

Jefferson commenced his career with hypocrisy, and has pursued it with oppression.

He hired a venal pen to defame the beloved Washington, and to dishonour the venerated Adams.

He dismissed to poverty the friends of Washington and soldiers of the revolution.

He has appointed to office, foreign adventurers & enemies to our independence.

He has sanctioned a salary to these officers, which was refused to their more worthy predecessors.

He has encouraged a spirit of party rancour and malice which threatens to overwhelm our country in ruin.

He has degraded the nation, by inviting into its bosom that viper Paine, who scoffs at all religion, and traduced and vilified Washington.

He has talked to the people of economy, and has wasted their money profusely and unwarrantably.

He has mortgaged the faith and revenues of the country to the amount of fifteen millions of dollars, for a province which has already shown symptoms of rebellion, and which will cause the downfall of New-England influence and prosperity.

He has already sown the seeds of war with a nation which under the former administrations was always pacific and amicable.

He has through his favourites proposed, and himself has sanctioned a law, vesting himself with absolute and uncontrollable power over the province purchased with the people's money.

He has violated the constitution, by remitting fines to convicts, and arresting the trial of offenders.

He has exercised an undue influence in elections where he had no right to interfere.

He has established a system of corruption, and encouraged a horde of informers, to the destruction of that confidence so necessary to the existence of society.

In fine, his four years administration have exhibited a disposition to overthrow that fair fabric of freedom which his predecessors established, and nothing but time was wanted to complete its destruction.

What then have the democrats to say in his behalf? They say with triumph, Is not the country in prosperity? Are not the people at ease? Is any oppression yet felt? Miserable defenders! To boast that he has not destroyed in four short years, that system of public happiness which twelve years of federal policy were required to establish! Do you demand the people's thanks, because you have not yet had time to accomplish your schemes of destruction? How do you degrade that people, you hypocritically affect to adore! Do you believe they cannot foresee what will be done, by contemplating what has been attempted?

Think on times past, when the people of this great nation seized the sword of defense and then claimed their independence, urged principally by an apprehension of evils to come. Alarmed by abstract claims of authority, they demanded a recognition of rights, which being refused, they established them by conquest.

Will they now wait till ruined, before they attempt redress?

Fellow citizens! A solemn day is approaching; let it be met with the fortitude and constancy of freemen! Review the conduct of your rulers; judge it with candour if you please, but with truth. Be not duped by the flattering language, which they expect will decoy you. Exercise your reason and understanding.

You are told by the President's favourites and others who live upon his bounty, that he has reduced your burthens; but behold he has only shifted them--And you and your posterity are burthened with an enormous debt, for the purchase of a wilderness which is fit only to drain your purses and embroil you in quarrels.

Approach then the altar of freedom on the fifth of November; deposit there your sense of the wrongs done and attempted to be done you--Show on that day by your decisive support of the subjoined list, that notwithstanding the preponderance of southern interest may render your voice ineffectual, you still have the manliness and independence to express an honest opinion.

FEDERAL CONSTITUTIONAL LIST

CANDIDATES for ELECTORS, for 1804.

To be voted for the First of November.

At Large.

Hon. David Cobb, esq. of Gouldsborough.

Hon. Oliver Wendell, esq. of Boston.

Suffolk District.

Hon. John Coffin Jones, esq. of Boston.

Essex South District.

Hon. Benjamin Goodhue, esq. of Salem.

Essex North District.

Hon. Bailey Bartlett, esq. of Haverhill.

Middlesex District.

Hon. Eleazer Brooks, esq. of Lincoln.

Hampshire South District.

Hon. William Shepard, esq. of Westfield.

Hampshire North District.

Hon. Ebenezer Mattoon, jun. esq. of Amherst.

Plymouth District.

Hon. William Sever, esq. of Kingston.

Barnstable District.

Ebenezer Bacon, esq. of Barnstable.

Bristol District.

Hon. George Leonard, esq. of Norton.

Worcester South District.

Joseph Allen, esq. of Worcester.

Worcester North District.

Hon. Josiah Stearns, esq. of Lunenburg.

Berkshire District.

Hon. David Rosseter, esq. of Richmond.

Dukes County District.

York District.

Hon. John Lord, esq. of Berwick.

Cumberland District.

Hon. Isaac Parker, esq. of Portland.

Lincoln District.

Hon. Thomas Rice, esq. of Wiscasset.

Kennebec District.

Samuel S. Wilde, esq. of Hallowell.