Alexandria Daily Advertiser

The only difference that appears to exist between the Democrats and Federalists relative to the late Presidential Message is simply this, that the Democrats are prepared to daub and bedizen every thing that comes from Mr. Jefferson or any of his active and influential partizans; whereas the federalists, on every occasion, have examined the merits of his political conduct, and though they have found little to be praised, that little has not gone unrewarded by their approbation; nor ought their investigation of his errors, however severe it may in some instances have been have proved unprofitable to him. The federalists, are indeed, his true friends; they have uniformly pointed out the road in which he should walk, and recommended a course of conduct that would not fail of leading him to that proud and lofty eminence, from which the treachery of no Callender or Duane could possibly hurl him They have in the present instance, frankly acknowledged, that his language and his views appear to brighten, and to approach nearer and nearer to the principles and tenets of the Washington and Adams administration; still, however, they contend that he approaches the hallowed temple of federalism, either with fear or reluctance; that on points wherein the feelings of the whole nation are alive, and on which the interest of a very large and perhaps the wealthiest part of the community are materially concerned, he is indistinct, indefinite and lukewarm. The injuries and insults which the country have endured, in almost every possible shape, have aroused to have inspired the chief of a nation of freemen, with language, bold, decisive and energetic; a language, that while it barely enumerated our country's wrongs, and recommended redress, should by the peculiar potency of feeling and intellect have commanded the applause and concurrence of all parties.
[Boston Repertory]