Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser

Portland,
Monday, April 4, 1808.

The Spirit of Freemen.

On Saturday last, notice was given to the Federal Republicans of Portland, requesting them to meet at the Court-House at 7 o'clock in the Evening. At the hour appointed, the largest number assembled ever witnessed on a similar occasion.

The Hon. Samuel Freeman, was called to the Chair and J. D. Hopkins Esq. appointed Secretary.

After some remarks were made on the alarming and distressing situation of the country and the importance of supporting the Federal American Ticket, in order to effect a restoration of our once flourishing but now ruined Commerce; which is all important in promoting the best interests of the Mariner, the Mechanic, the Farmer, and the Country generally ; the following spirited Resolutions were offered. On being read from the Chair, a motion was made to accept them, which passed UNANIMOUSLY:-

1. Resolved, as the sense of this meeting, that the Peace of our country is in imminent danger—its Prosperity in ruins, and its Honor in the dust.

2. That these calamities, at this moment spreading distress and desolation far and wide, are all occasioned by ignorance and misconduct in our public Councils—by a blind partiality to France, and a mortal hatred to England : and we fear by too little respect to our interest and Independence as a nation.

3. Resolved that at this alarming and all important moment, the only Hope of the People is their strength : their only constitutional strength, the right of suffrage : and that the present crisis calls on every honest man to escape for his life from approaching destruction and fly to the Altar of our Liberties for safety.

4. Resolved, that in as much as our administration have by their late conduct thus humbled and depressed us : tarnished our public reputation : destroyed our Commerce : turned our seamen ashore in poverty and idleness : impoverished our farmers : ruined thousands of useful merchants : spread clouds and thick darkness on all our bright prospects and denied to the people at large all knowledge of the reasons why they are thus doomed to suffer ; our duty as Citizens, as Husbands and Fathers, demands all our legal exertions to effect an immediate change of our Rulers : so that power may be placed in the hands of the most enlightened and deserving :- the ancient and the honorable—the true Lovers of their country : the Patriots without reproach.

5. Resolved, that under a deep conviction of these solemn truths, we will stand firm and united : and on Monday next prove our faith by our works in supporting as Candidates

For Governor,
Hon. Christopher Gore, Esq.
Lieut. Governor,
Hon. David Cobb, Esq.

SENATORIAL CANDIDATES
Cumberland and Oxford.
Ammi R. Mitchell, Esq. and
Lothrop Lewis, Esq.

6. Resolved, that should we fail in accomplishing the great objects in view, we will like good citizens submit to the voice of the majority.

Citizens of Portland!

RALLY round the standard of your country, THIS DAY. Turn out to a man, and give your vote for the Federal Ticket : the friends of Peace, Commerce, and Free Trade. The democrats are, and ever have been the enemies of your commercial rights and privileges. They have destroyed its protection and persist in putting a stop to all Trade. They seek to mount themselves into power on the ruins of the State, and the destruction of your liberties, and the sacrifice of your independence.

Will you commit the best interests of your country and your families, to men who refuse to let you defend the one, or provide for the other? Will you permit the leaders of the democratic party who care not how much you suffer, if they can enjoy the loaves and fishes, longer to lead you blindfold to destruction? Such a course they are determined to pursue, rather than relinquish their unmerited eminence.

Will you permit an unprincipled set to gull you into a belief that they are the "people's friends," when they destroy the people's rights ? Justice to yourselves and your country forbids the idea.

Federalists! To your posts! Show to the world that you are not to be the sport of a faction, who strive to rob you of every thing you hold dear and valuable.

Federal Americans! your cause is just—The means of success are in your own hands—show by activity and unanimity; that you are not only sensible of the danger which surrounds you on every side ; but that you are determined to CHECK its PROGRESS with vigor and effect.

Where is Governor Sullivan? We are inclined to believe that Mr. Pickering's last letter has completely silenced him. He shews his wisdom in not attempting to answer it—and he would have shewn his sense of justice and decorum by reading his first letter and communicating it to the legislature as he was desired to. But no—our Counsellor says the Governor considered the letter as an electioneering thing—and therefore he would not give it circulation. Reader! Reader! mark this! Why did he fear to circulate the information it contained?—For this plainest of all reasons. It contained truths too solemn for the people to know, and which if known would send him back to private life again. Every day is giving proof of this—every honest man is inquiring for that letter and reading it, and he that reads it with honest motives, will quit the ranks of democracy and vote for the federal ticket this day, so that iniquity may no more abound.