Jenks's Portland Gazette

Politics.

BURLEIGH.—No. IV.

TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES

I am now to establish the last part of the final proposition, viz. That Mr. Jefferson, and his party, have long endeavored to destroy our Federal Constitution. And here I shall remark once for all, that I consider every effort which has been made, every plan which has been pursued, by the democratic party, as being directly, or indirectly, chargeable to Mr. Jefferson. He is so perfectly their chief, that we might as well impute measures to feet without heads, as to ascribe conduct to any of his subordinates, without presupposing his consent and approbation.

Having, as I think, shown Mr. Jefferson's hostile spirit towards the constitution, it will not be surprising, that he should be found on the side of its enemies. Accordingly, the moment the government begins to operate, we find him at the head of a party organized to frustrate its measures, and to check its progress. From the establishment of the funding system, to the end of the last session of congress, the party has pursued one course, viz. to oppose the government. The Funding system, the Bank, the Proclamation of Neutrality, the Treaty with Great Britain, the raising of Troops, the establishment of a Navy, the Direct Tax, the Alien and Sedition Laws, the annulling the French Treaty, stopping the intercourse with the French, &c. &c. have each in their turn, been opposed by the democratic party, with the utmost vehemence.

Now, if it could be reasonably supposed that this party were friends to the Constitution, and only disliked certain measures of the government, there would be some apology for them. But, let me ask, if this was their disposition, would they not have proposed other measures, as substitutes for those which have been adopted, and in this way have offered a choice. Instead of that, I think I may say, without danger of contradiction, that the democratic party, has never proposed, or brought forward in congress, one important original measure for the consideration of the legislature, since the establishment of the government, Mr. Madison's, (or rather Mr. Jefferson's) celebrated Commercial Resolutions excepted. But, is a government to be administered without measures, or is a constitution a blessing which stands a useless monument, only to be gazed at?

This has not proceeded from incapacity in the party. Such men as Burr, Madison, Gallatin, &c. are capable of proposing measures, of forming plans of some sort or other. Yet nothing of this kind takes place. The only scheme has been, to oppose whatever measure has been proposed by the federalists, and to use every possible exertion to frustrate; in short, to adopt the language of one of the leaders of the party, 'to lop the wheels of government.' I am sensible it is said by them, that it is all done from pure affection to the constitution, that their motives are patriotic, that the members of the party are the friends of the people, the exclusive guardians of their rights. These gentlemen seem to forget, that honesty and sincerity, rarely make many professions. They show their goodness by their works. Is it a mark of strong affection to the constitution, in the democratic party, that they can oppose the government?

If our funding system is bad, what is to be substituted in its place? The federalists did what they thought best; the democrats say it is vile; but none of them is good enough to propose something better. Such conduct argues neither genius, integrity, nor virtue. Indeed, it proves strongly the want of them all.

Another very forcible body of evidence, that the democratic party are endeavoring to destroy our government, arises from the unceasing strain of calumny, which has been poured out upon every friend to its administration. As soon as the federal government began its operations, and its course was in some degree marked out, the most prominent, and influential characters were designated for destruction. Mr. Hamilton was the author of the financial system. Accordingly he was subjected to the vilest abuse, the foulest opprobrium, which could be called upon him, by the vilest, and foulest wretches, which the dens of mischief could furnish. This practice was pursued without any cessation, until he retired from office. Mr. Jay was appointed Chief Justice. A life of unsullied integrity, a long devotion of his great talents to his country's cause, and the most eminent and distinguished services, were overlooked, and a torrent of calumny for years, was poured upon him, from every Jacobin society, until he sought for peace in a situation, which was less obnoxious to the foes of our government. Mr. Ellsworth, one of the ablest, and most virtuous men, which this, or any other country can boast of, has had the hardihood to render great services to his country, to do his duty. His reward has been detraction. Mr. Pickering, honest, plain, virtuous, dignified, and able, in an eminent degree, in office, is vilified and defamed; out of office, is pursued to the solitude of the wilderness, to the log-hut in the desert, with a hue and cry of slander, falsehood and villainy. It is not necessary to add further names, except the present, and former President of the United States. Mr. Adams, in pursuing those measures which have been esteemed federal, has suffered more foul reproaches, than the depraved inhabitants of Billingsgate bestow upon each other. Common decency—that plain vulgar civility which is paid to the world in general, by the most unpolished members of society, has been denied to the Chief Magistrate of the United States: and conduct more vile, than is practised by thieves and robbers, has been often ascribed to him, by the democratic party. As long as General Washington was at the head of the government, he was the object of their highest vengeance. Aware that his influence operated throughout the country, as an irresistible charm, which gave to government a sovereign energy, to lessen, to undermine, to destroy his great weight, his uncontrollable influence, every art was practised, every falsehood circulated. When he retired to humble life, on the very day on which that afflicting event took place, the audacious wretch who superintended the vilest newspaper that ever disgraced a free country—the Aurora, proclaimed the day as a Jubilee, a day of thanksgiving, that the man who had done more mischief to the United States, than all others, was stripped of the robes of office, and reduced to a simple citizen!*

Are not these measures directly calculated to destroy our government? Can we expect, that men of fair and virtuous characters, of upright and patriotic intentions, of estimable manners, and eminent talents, will quit their homes, their families, and their business, to waste their days in supporting a government which is falling a prey to falsehood, to a system of lying; that they will leave situations in which they are independent, respected, and beloved, to encounter evils like those I have been enumerating? It is not to be expected. The democrats know that they shall finally wear out the friends of government; that one after another they will retire from the storm which beats upon every head, and leave the constitutional barque adrift in that 'tempestuous sea of liberty,' which Mr. Jefferson and his party so much admire.

BURLEIGH.
The following character of Gen. Washington appeared in the Aurora of March 6, 1797.

'Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation,' was the pious ejaculation of a man who beheld a flood of happiness rushing in upon mankind.—If ever there was a time that would license the reiteration of the exclamation, that time is now arrived; for the man who is the source of all the misfortunes of our country, is this day reduced to a level with his fellow citizens, and is no longer possessed of power to multiply evils upon the United States. If ever there was a period for rejoicing, this is the moment—every heart in unison with the freedom and happiness of the people, ought to beat high with exultation that the name of Washington from this day ceases to give a currency to political iniquity; and to legalize corruption—a new era is now opening upon us, a new era which promises much to the people; for public measures must now stand upon their own merits, and nefarious projects can no longer be supported by a name.*

When a retrospective is taken of the Washingtonian administration for eight years, it is a subject of the greatest astonishment that a single individual should have so far concealed the principles of republicanism in an enlightened people, just emerged from the gulph of despotism, and should have carried his designs against the public liberty so far, as to have put in jeopardy its very existence:—such however, are the facts, and with them staring us in the face, this day ought to be a Jubilee in the United States.'