Virginia Argus

NEW YORK, June, 25.
FASHIONABLE FEDERALISM.

Not long since several zealous federalists were in company together, when they began to examine the political character of several absent individuals. One man was named as a sound federalist, & was objected to by another as not quite so firm in the faith. The friend of the doubtful character replied, that he knew him to be good —that he was a good federalist in seventy five. Reader how could this be? The truth is, he was a tory at that time. Yes, the tories make the best federalists-the men who opposed our liberties in seventy five, do the same now-the Ethiopian is still black, and the Leopard retains his spots. The British half-pay officers who slaughtered our citizens, stand on high ground amongst the federalists; conscience and modesty should point them to some sequestered spot, thankful that they are permitted to breathe the air they basely pollute, by the abuse of a government too good for men so bad. The British factors lately imported, and now enriching themselves on the liberality of this country—they make spruce federalists : these birds of passage, who are here to-day and gone to-morrow—men who have none but momentary ties; of such it is to be expected, if they have the imprudence to act at all, they will act with the opposers of our national happiness. The French royalists are great admirers of federalists as most congenial with the exhibition of stars and garters. The German monarchists make excellent federal stuff—they admire a strong energetic government, where the king can cut the throat of his subject, and glory in his right and power to do so. The Scotch royalists are all born federalists, and when they oppose the republicans, it is because in this wheat country they cannot get a naggon of burgue or an oat-meal cuke. We give this as food to our horses. I will tell these gentlemen that 20 years reign of federalism would accommodate their appetite, and turn these happy states into a New-Scotland, and taking them home without crossing the water. These gentlemen are not like the honest Scotchman, who said, "Send me any where, even to h**l, rather than to Scotland ; for I can never bear after wearing breeches, to shew my - again." The apostate republicans, commonly called quids, are superlative federalists. The federalists, every body knows, affect to despise the republicans as being ignorant, poor, and disorganizers. One Renegado is worse than ten Turks, and the apostate more vindictive than the child of education; hence we have seen a precious union of honest men, and the federalist rejoice over one convert with an excess of glee that indicates their want of principle and of force.—Were captains Whitby and Love to reside in New-York, I have no doubt they would prove choice federal spirits, and afford, like many of that party, to his majesty, all the aid in their power. It is worthy of remark, that every man, let him come from what place he may, and who is an inveterate enemy of public liberty, immediately finds that federalism is his congenial element: there he finds himself at home, and he cordially unites his strength with the common foe of man, to demolish in this country the last vestige of liberty now on the face of the globe.*

These plain remarks shall be continued by your old friend and humble servant.
FRANKLIN.

* Such are the materials, resources and auxiliaries of federalism; and we hereby see with how little propriety they call themselves the American party.—N. Y. Aurora.