Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser

Communication.
FOR THE GAZETTE.

MR. PRINTER,

IT is high time, that the people of this country should have a distinct, comparative view of the uniform conduct of Federal Republicans, properly so called, and that of Democrats, self styled Republicans. A concise history of the opposition to the Federal Constitution from the time of its formation, and to the whole system of measures during the federal administrations, would develope the character and views of those men, who led that opposition, and by their gross deceptions and vile impositions on the people, wormed themselves into power.

Let the venerable and ever precious name of WASHINGTON stand first on the catalogue of true Federal Republicans, followed by the names of those Heroes, who fought by his side, and gave independence to our country. Add to these the names of those illustrious statesmen, who during federal times advocated our Constitution, and those measures, which, under the smiles of Heaven, raised the United States from weakness and poverty, to wealth & strength, and placed this nation on a conspicuous elevation among the nations of the earth.—

Let the names, the characters, the services and the measures of these men be known, contemplated and fully understood. Let it be sacredly remembered, too, that the system of the Federal administrations was the system of Washington; that he decidedly approved of the measures of his successor, and under his administration accepted the appointment of Lieutenant General of the armies of the United States.

When I speak of federal measures, I mean the general plan or system of administration, not of every individual act since federalists may err, and democrats may do right, in particular instances. Let it be stated and understood, that every true federalist is an unequivocal friend to the federal constitution, as it was in the days of the former administrations, and a sincere disciple of the father of his country, whose invaluable legacy contains the very essence of the political creed of all real federal republicans. Let the result of the policy pursued by the former administrations be clearly pointed out; let the state of the country at the close of those administrations be opened to view, and the light, in which foreign nations then beheld the U. States, be clearly shown.

Let the picture be reversed. Let the names, the characters and conduct of those persons, who early commenced an opposition to the federal administration, even in the hands of Washington, be brought forward. Let it be known, who employed Duane and Callender, to vilify and calumniate that disinterested lover of his country; by what means the reins of government were obtained; and what measures have been systematically pursued by the present administration for nearly eight years. Let the result of all these measures, as it affects the strength, the wealth, the respectability of the United States, be contrasted with the state of the country at the close of the Federal administration. Then let every American of candor and honesty, whether he have been called a federalist or a democrat, sincerely ask himself, under which of these opposite administrations his country has flourished; under which it has languished. Let it again be distinctly considered, that these administrations cannot be harmonized, and that the attempt of democrats to unite the names of Washington and Jefferson is utterly ridiculous, since we know, that the intermediate administration of Adams was hateful to that party, and that Washington approved of it. Of course, the union of the names of Washington and Jefferson, to the exclusion of Adams, must be a weak contrivance, to give authority and weight to the present administration by which forced and unnatural alliance of that venerable statesman, whose views and policy were as wide from those of the present holders of power, as the southern is from the northern pole.

Did Washington, or his successor, let it be asked, turn out of office men, who had no other fault, than a difference of political opinion ? Has this been the case, since the change of administration has taken place? Have, or have not, men distinguished by their services in the revolutionary war, and of tried integrity, been removed from office, merely because they were federalists? Let it be also asked, whether under the former administrations, any federalists can be found, who were defaulters in the settlement of their accounts with the public, or were accused of high crimes and misdemeanors? Let it be inquired, of what party are those men, who have within a few years past, cost the United States immense sums of money by their suspicious practices, not to say any thing worse, some of them high in office in the civil and military departments? In fine, let it be seriously asked, on which side lie the talents, virtue, and real love of country : and on which side are to be found selfish ambition, lust of power, and wicked intrigue? I speak here of parties generally ; for on both sides doubtless good men and sincere friends to their country are to be seen. If after a fair, open view of men and measures on both sides, it shall appear, that the federalists are the enemies of their country, with Washington at their head: let them and their cause be abandoned, and the name of him, who was once thought the father of his country, become a word of reproach. If, on the other hand, it shall appear, that to the rule of democracy, so called, are to be ascribed the heavy and increasing calamities of the country; if, under the pretence of republicanism, the most arbitrary despotism is exercised over a deceived and abused people : if the most important measures are adopted by our rulers in the midst of darkness and secrecy, even by those very men, who in former days clamoured violently against the government for withholding from the people any proceeding of Congress, though the nature of the transaction absolutely required secrecy, under the pretence, that "republics ought to have no secrets " if wicked men, who are despised in private life, are exalted to high and responsible offices ; if aliens of profligate character, even the revilers of Washington, are entrusted with the command of natural Americans ; if, in one word, while the forms of republicanism are in some degree preserved, the essence, and life and soul of republicanism be banished from our country: then the only question will be, shall this state of things be continued, without condition be rendered hopeless? or shall all the American people, by an exercise of their sovereignty, quick and powerful as the electric spark, hurl from their offices, the present abusers of their confidence, and save their country from destruction?

Let men of talents and leisure; who realize the dreadful state of their country at this dark hour, attend to this subject, and show their countrymen the precipice, on which their independence totters to its fall.

AN AMERICAN.