Gazette Of The United States

NATIONAL MONITOR.
No. XXX.

"In every age and clime we see,"
The restless sons of Anarchy;
For let who will or fall or stand,
The cards are bad, till I've a hand,

THERE are characters in the world of so wretched a cast, that the least disappointment in their pursuits, inspires them with chagrin and vexation—and when precipitated into despair of ever effecting their designs, in any degree, they are hurried by the impulse of malignant passions, into the most unwarrantable excesses: With such persons the happiness or misery of mankind are words without a meaning: Some of this stamp, while they felt their consequence in times which required, in one direction or another, every species of talents, or degree of abilities, however inferior, conducted in such manner, as to impress favorable sentiments of their honesty; but when the hour of cool discussion arrived, and a selection of the best endowments for important public purposes became necessary, and in consequence thereof they were neglected, an indifferent, uninformed spectator, to hear their dismal ravings, would think the world was coming to an end—that on our prospects rested horror and despair—and that the persons, to whom the management of public affairs is committed, are the most unprincipled of mankind. As "Sol's blest beams turn vinegar more sour," these persons appear to have a deeper tinge, and a stronger bitterness added to the gall of their envy, at the pleasing prospects which attend our country: A more perfect union of the States—a happier blending of their interests—the annihilation of local prejudices—and our rising to real, solid independence, and importance, in the scale of Empire, as a nation, appear to fill their minds with a horrid group of spectres, monarchy, aristocracy, and despotism: That Constitution, which is the rich reward of all our conflicts in the field, and the result of the deliberations in the cabinet, of our best, and most enlightened Statesmen and Heroes, is a rock of offence to these troublers of our Israel—and to depreciate its excellences—to embarrass its operation, and to vilify its administration, are the precious employment of a knot (a small one however) of uneasy, self-opinionated, disappointed men: Such characters, in greater or less proportions, are to be found in every country; but if properly watched by a wise and vigilant people, their machinations, so far from producing the mischief they intend, may serve as a stimulus to keep up the vital circulations in the body politic.

The wisdom and magnanimity of the United States discovered in their peaceably adopting a free and efficient system of Federal Government, hath contributed more to exalt the American character in the view of the civilized and refined nations of Europe, than all our unparalleled exertions in effecting the late revolution; for the impulses of wisdom, in deliberate reflection, touch the finest springs in the human mind, while the influence of oppression rouses only the passions to momentary resentment: From this circumstance, more than from all others, combined, the wise and virtuous anticipate our rising glory, as a nation; but while the friends of our country exult in this prospect, so absurd and inconsistent are others, that they take delight in contemplating a picture, created by their own gloomy fancies, in which darkness and shades so predominate, that scarce a gleam of light appears: This they are continually holding up to view, that they may, if possible, degrade the people in their own estimation; but this "leaven of iniquity will not work"—peace and tranquility are so justly preferable on their own account, to tumult and insecurity—and we have suffered so much from following the advice and counsel of those who now seek to disturb the public mind, that our National Government, possessing the general confidence, shall continue to appreciate, and gather strength, till rooted and grounded in the affections of the people, all the powers of darkness shall not be able to shake it.