The New Hampshire Gazette

FOR THE N.H. GAZETTE.

While pondering upon the weighty concerns of our public affairs and noticing with deep interest the unhappy division of the public will, the writer of this communication feels an uncommon desire to invite the consideration of his fellow-citizens to the fatherly admonitions of our beloved Washington, in whose address to the people of the United States, the following passage is found. " All obstructions to the execution of the laws, all combinations and associations, under whatever plausible character, with the real design to direct, control counteract or awe the regular deliberation and action of the constituted authorities, are destructive of this fundamental principle. and of fatal tendency." The fundamental principle to which this passage alludes, is expressed in the preceding words of the address, which read thus. " The very idea of the power and the right of the people to establish government, presupposes the duty of every individual to obey the established government."

In the arguments out of which the above particular is quoted, the political father of his country disallows no individual the right of thinking differently, on the political affairs of his country, from the majority ; nor does he disallow the liberty of free discussion of such differences ; but against all combinations and associations with the real design to direct; control, counteract or awe the regular deliberation and action of the constituted authorities, he directs the force of his very just observations, and declares all such combinations, under whatever plausible character,of fatal tendency.

The writer of this. feels too candid to wish to raise any unjustifiable prejudice against the designs of any portion of his fellow citizens, but at the same time feels too deeply interested in their happiness. and that of his country , not to desire a fair and candid avowal of the designs and motives, which are embraced as the main objects of the newly formed society in this town, by the name of the Washington Benevolent Society.-

There are a few facts of notoriety which are naturally calculated to excite inquiry, if not suspicion, which facts seem to be attached to the society here alluded to. 1. It appears to be a society of similar character and features with the many of the same name, which have recently made their appearance in this country. This naturally leads the candid to inquire, if these societies are not so constituted as to stand in such a relation one to another, as to form what may be justly called a combination ? 2d. Their not admitting any into membership, who are professed friends of our present administration of government, seems to force the candid mind to inquire, if these societies be not formed and combined with a design-to oppose in some efficient way the constituted authorities ? 3d. The secrecy in which they transact their business, irresistibly proves, that they do not wish the world at large should know their proceedings. This, by the most candid person in the world, must be considered of a suspicious character, and to require the friends of government to be watchful. 4th. The-appearing of these societies in the present particular situation of our public affairs, when it has just been proved, beyond all doubt, that the British government have taken measures designed to effect a control over our national councils, or to divide the states ; when it is well known that administration is determined to appeal to the God of armies and to the sword in defence of our national rights ; when it is well known that the characters who join these Societies are in the political sentiments of those who condemn administration and palliate the wrongs of England, is enough to excite inquiries in the mind of the most un-suspicious and charitable christian in our enlightened land.

5th. The name of these societies is PLAUSIBLE. This word PLAUSIBLE, is a word which the venerable and loving father of his country chose to make use of as particularly expressive of the character which those dangerous combinations would avail themselves of. The name of Washington is aromatic to the true friend of his country and the word BENEVOLENCE, to the wretched, is an elixir of joy. This name and this word combined, form one of the most PLAUSIBLE characters of which we could be made. But would it not be stupidity in the room of candor which should be led by this combination of a name and a word, to take it for granted, that the intentions of the society which calls itself by such a name, are correspondent either with the politics of Washington, or the virtues of benevolence ? Washington saw no necessity of warning us against combinations and associations openly formed for the avowed purpose of undermining our republican institutions and government ; against such he knew the people would be ready to oppose all their indignation, patriotism and valor ; but he directed caution to the dangerous sort. He well knew that virtuous and truly religious people, from their little acquaintance with the arts of intrigue, are too subject to imposition ; having no evil designs themselves are loth to mistrust any in others. He therefore directs our watchful eyes to the imposition of plausible appearances ; but could it ever have entered into the mind of that sagacious statesman that his own name, which by every virtue which adorns human nature, he had rendered dear to his country would one day cover a combination whose object would be to blast the tree of liberty which he with so much care had planted and with so many tears had watered. But there is one ponderous argument which operates powerfully to designate any suspicions growing out of the subjects of the foregoing remarks, which candor ought to acknowledge, and caution make the best use of. The argument is this, there are gentlemen of respectability,of wholesome morals, and christian profession, who belong to, and take an active part in this society. Such characters are an honor. to any association in the world. Here we have gone as far as candor requires ; caution now urges several things: I These characters who are thus respectable may not know all the designs of the combination, they may be made the same use'as is the name which renders the society precious in the public eye -2. From a strong political prejudice these characters may be so much deluded as to think, in their hearts, that a combination designed to direct the suffrages of freemen and control the public councils of the nation may be justifiable; not observing that such a precedent would lead to a total subversion of the constituted authorities, and produce anarchy.-- But 3. Caution, being acquainted with the imperfections of human nature suggests the possibility of a corruption of heart, even in those characters which are of acknowledged integrity ; and therefore urges them to take immediate measures to unfold the truth to the public eye, which may justify their motives in the combination to which they have joined themselves.

A Citizen of Portsmouth.