Alexandria Advertiser And Commercial Intelligencer

Federalism, has been the constant theme of obloquy and abuse by the tools of a party, ever since the government which originated in its principles, was put in operation: All the arts of able editors have been exercised with the utmost assiduity, not to delineate a true likeness. but to present an hideous caricature ; to distort the features, and paint in the most disgusting colours, a picture ; not for admiration, but one from which the affrighted eye would turn with horror.

Was federalism really the deform'd object represented by the daubings of democracy, our admiration would be withheld, and we should cease to speak her praises. But this is not the case. A correct picture of federalism, has been given us by a celebrated artist ; where beauty of feature, symmetry. of form, and elegance of attitude, presents an image striking to the eye, and which warms to admiration, Mounted on an elevated pedestal, whose base is the constitution, she stands a splendid monument of the talents and wisdom of those sages of our country, who form'd her as the bond of union and strength : as the bulwark of rational liberty.

The constitution of our country, upon which federalists rely, as the rock of our political salvation, is the basis of federalism. In the form of government established by this instrument, are portrayed those principles of civil and religious liberty, and adherence to which is evidential of federalism, is evidential of real patriotism. The framers of this constitution were federalists. The collected wisdom and talents of our country were exerted to form a system of government that should be federal, that should unite the several states in the strong bond of union. The political principles to which federalists adhere, and which are denominated federalism, have emanated from, and are the essence and spirit of the constitution.-- They contend for a strict adherence to the letter and spirit of this instrument, as the paramount law of the land. They contend for an administration of the government, guided by this law ; and they would bar every avenue that should lead to a breach of a single article:

They contend for a government administered in the true spirit of the principles of this constitution;--as distant from a monarchy, as a democracy, and as sovereign from both, as an aristocracy; but a government possessing the principles of each, so blended in its composition, so guarded by checks and counter checks, in the distribution of its powers, that neither shall prevail; but that each shall operate to produce strength, energy, harmony and union, that peace, liberty and happiness may prevail. That our national character may be a security against national insult ; that the dignity and stability of our government, may render us respected by foreign powers and awe the turbulent and disaffected at home. In short they contend for the existence of a free, elective, republican government; where the purity of elections, Shall ensure an unbiased declaration of the public will ; where moral and religious institutions shall abound. that virtue, as the soul of the republic, may ensure its existence.

Where delegated powers shall not be the effect of the violence of party : but where office and the honors of the country, shall be a prize for talents and a reward for merit. These are the striking features of federalism pourtrayed by a 12 years faithful administration. And if there was ever a government under heaven, administered with a direct and sole view to the interest and happiness of a people, where talents virtue, and integrity exerted their united efforts, to effect the object, the character may be justly claimed by this administration ; was there a time when we enjoyed national prosperity and individual happiness in the quiet possession of civil and religious liberty, this was the period.

[Patriot.]