The New Hampshire Gazette

From the Political Observatory.

To the Freemen of Vermont.

CITIZENS,

AT this momentous crisis- while we survey the struggles and collisions of contending Europe,- while we see devastation, slaughter, and ruin, yawning with their expanded jaws, to swallow both civil and religious liberty---while we see the mighty torrent of oppression which sweeps o'er her land-her fields crimsoned with the carnage of fallen victims; dwellings levelled with the earth -and liberty, driven by the tempest, an exile, riding upon the billows of commotion-fleeing before the urges of the imperious whirlwind in search of a retreat in the breasts of freemen,-- we are invariably led to revert to the policy of OUR happy country, and contrast its excellencies with that which dooms millions to servitude, slavery, and oppression!

In observing the progress of civil liberty-in retracing the objects for which it was established, and in searching for events which conduced to the adoption of a system of government on principles of liberty, reciprocity and equal rights; we are led from labyrinths of intrigue and corruption, into the broad theatre of free enquiry, open discussion, debate, and investigation of subjects, which imperial authority and lordly power would endeavor to suppress-to which guilt and villainy should recoil at the recital.

THIS, THEN, is a day of danger. And while you with horror view the awful tragedy, concentrate all your energies to oppose that gorgon monster which would trample on your liberties and independence -Preserve your chartered liberties from the dread contagion!

Alas! its infectious poison has already crossed the Atlantic!-Even now our liberty is assailed-action rears its hideous front-selfish ambition that unbounded lust for power--that right of uncontrollable authority by prerogative of birth,-challenges your integrity, your patriotism, your virtue! and sounds the trump of discord, to call you forth in formidable array against your country's law!!

Therefore, it is evident, that there are two parties and "he who is not for us is against us." -The one struggling to preserve your rights, against a disorganizing, insidious faction,-in opposition to British influence and the enemies of your country!

The other, striving to upturn your liberty--leagued with a perfidious nation in that damnable confederacy of slander, treason and rebellion! backed by the rear guard of foreign traitors, emissaries, outlaws--labouring to promote sedition, discord and disunion!

—"Tribute money""insurgency," "French influence!" are their tune strings, while they aim at the vitals of your liberty -to unnerve the arm of government--to wrest from you all that is worth possessing-all that is dear to man-your freedom!

If you doubt the existence of such a party--if you believe Columbia is not thus. polluted with corruption— search for yourselves.

With jealous eyes view the gall of Gardenier! read Pickering's letter!- search the vocabulary of federal idols! hear their congratulations on the success of Britain!-hear them justify her outrageous insults upon our neutrality and independence!--and, ask, why private service-money is distributed from one end of the Union to the other, by those servile hirelings of Britain!!

Those, those are the men who claim your confidence-those are the men who claim all science, dignity and worth-who alone have pretensions to nobility and grandeur-who secretly greet you with the endearing appellatives of mob, herd, swinish multitude!! and THOSE are the men who strike at the root of your liberty.

Yes, 'tis that traitorous horde who declare to Britain, "that the British party is growing numerous--the best blood of our country is in her interest. -that the judiciary is with them, that treason is secure from the indignation of an injured people--that you are upon the verge of rebellion and civil war!-and, that, if Britain persevere in her orders, she has but a step to take and we again become colonies or subjects subservient to her mandate!!"

"O tempora! O mores!"

"Quam cæca avaritia est!"

When such principles are sanctioned by influential men when they so far disgrace their character and violate their sacred oath as to be the voluntary heralds of perfidy and arbiters of calumny-when honor is no longer respected, and licentiousness has no bounds-when character is unprotected and the lash of slander inflicted with impunity—when treason is unpunished, and murderers go unhung;-every profligate scoundrel is at liberty to trample on the fair fame of honesty acquired respectability--every abandoned wretch will meet you with a dagger in his hand!

Forbear, tormenting thought, for while I speak my country groans!- This must not be-we see its baleful consequence--we see its dangerous aim--we hear the cries of murdered citizens on Champlain's Shore!-fallen by the bloody hands of domestic traitors! Support not that principle, -advocate it not--for if it be established, its demon form will walk with rapid strides to highway robbery-to the assassin's dagger-unto murder, sacrilege and crimes which human nature shudders to relate!

This, while you contemplate the overwhelming miseries of Europe- the corrupt workers of iniquity in OUR land-and the happiness which is in your power to preserve to your country-you are to determine whether you will support your independence and LIVE freemen; or surrender your rights and liberties and DIE slaves!

Say, are you prepared to surrender to a tyrant, your dear bought liberties without a struggle Shall duplicity and intrigue---shall electioneering phantoms shall novelty with her thousand whims be readily palmed upon your mind-and slander and detraction urge your voice against the now salutary existing laws and government?

Shall your voices be in union with that hydra-demon which asserts that you are "incapable of governing yourselves"-that valor no longer flows in the veins of the Green Mountain patriots-that the amer patrie. that patriotic fire which so conspicuously marked your former conduct, is extinct--and, that you would freely surrender those rights for which your brethren and your fathers bled! Is it so?-Forbid it Heaven!--Arouse, heavenly genius of our fathers, animate your country!

Is he a fit subject for legislation, who evinces in his conduct, so abominably corrupt, so illiberal sentiments towards his own country, and evident partiality to Britain NO

Rather than nourish the poisonous viper, spurn the odious hireling from the land of liberty--let him seek refuge under the authority of his sovereign master -and no longer tread this hallowed ground, bathed with the blood of freemen!

Arise. FREEMEN, rise! Blast the monster who would subvert your liberty-let your weapons of defence be ready—be prepared to wrest the blow which is now pointed at your independence! be prepared to meet the conflict of monarchy, aristocracy, and the rights of MAN. Determine for yourselves—support your independence, or submit to slavery.

Your constitutional elective franchise is now at hand-fly then to its standard-let not your voices vary from the principles for which our fathers fought-tarnish not the memory of those veterans who sacrificed their lives in its defence!

This is no ordinary contest-it is not who shall be legislators-or who shall fill the executive chair? but, it is, what PRINCIPLE, whether despotism or freedom—whether you will entail slavery to posterity or the sweets of liberty!

The question is-will you subject your property, your liberty, your LIFE! to the mandate of Nobles or a King-or will you like freemen support your rights in defiance of the intrigues and arts of faction? THIS on the first Tuesday of September, you must answer.--If the former, corruption is too deeply rooted in your minds —if the latter, be not remiss in your exertions in the cause-cherish the flame now kindled in your bosoms— exert yourselves-"UNITE, LIVE FREE OR DIE!"

PUBLICOLA.

Windham Co. Vt. Aug. 22.