The New Hampshire Gazette

COMMUNICATION
Observations on Mr. Webster's Oration,
concluded from 8th ult.

"The disciples of Washington
(says the Orator) are neither tyrants
in power, nor rebels out of it." This will
be admitted as fact by those that are
real disciples of Washington.
But
if the Orator wishes to force a belief
on his readers, that the members of
the Washington Benevolent Societies
are less tyrannical and less rebellious
than the citizens in general, the hypothesis
will be denied. The Orator
would have a hard task to defend the
fitness and policy of some of his
leading brethren as being superior to
the generality of the people in that
important article. I am inclined to
believe they cannot fairly be raised to
the standard of equality. However,
as the gentleman has thought proper
to hold them up to public view, and
eulogize their characters, it may not
be amiss to tell their merits. Assertions
without proofs will not be admitted
as conclusive arguments; they
will neither occasion conversion or
conviction. The Orator has thought
best (at least for the present) not to
prove their claims to the encomium,
he may suppose "this is a point not
to be disputed." The citizens have a
constitutional right peaceably to assemble
and take into consideration
any acts of the government, and if
unauthorized and oppressive, to endeavor
a remedy of those evils by legal
modes. But this privilege will not justify
combinations, whose intention
is to oppose government, aid
the enemy, and endanger the constitution.
Have we not reason to fear
the late establishment of the Washington
Benevolent Societies, in the
several parts of the United States
tends to this effect? Many of the
leading members in those societies
ambitious of power avow their hostile
intentions to oppose the administration.
And have not their treasonable
resolutions, in town and county
conventions proved their disaffection
to the constituted authorities? Their
dislike to prosecute the war with vigor?
And also an encouragement and
support to the plans and views of the
enemy, whose intentions are to excite
rebellion, civil war, and the final destruction
of our excellent constitution?
Perhaps it will be said; the Washington
Benevolent Society in Portsmouth
is more praiseworthy (or rather less
criminal) than the Orator founded his
assertion on their patriotic conduct.
A slight attention will prove this remark
but a sandy foundation, a broken
reed at best. Many of the influential
members have discovered greater partiality
for the British government
than for their own, by justifying
the conduct of the one, and criminating
that of the other. Have they
not invariably expressed their disapprobation
of all the acts of Congress,
without one solitary instance to the
contrary? Is not the title of their
institution contrary to their practice,
and their political sentiments, diverse
from those of Washington? Have
they not tyrannically exercised power,
and refused benevolence, by denying
the right of suffrage to citizens
within their control, and cruelly
withdrawn the hand of charity, as a
punishment to those who have differed
from them in political questions?
Do they not oppose toleration in political
sentiments--encourage legal
distress--and practice oppression, for
no other crime than a difference of
political opinion? And may it not
be easily proved, that the federalists
have impeded the execution of the
laws, by indecent and vulgar expressions,
and by their disobedient and
rebellious conduct, caused the present
war with England? The above particulars
are some of the peccadillos,
imputed as applicable to members of
the Washington Benevolent Society
in Portsmouth: Should those imputed
charges be erroneous, the Orator
is requested to prove their innocence
by their dispositions and practice in
supporting the laws of the union. It
may not be improper to observe, that
while in America, British ministers,
British agents, and spies, associated
with, and were very partial to those
men, termed federalists, particularly
one leading characters in those combinations
alluded to. And those gentlemen
are no doubt highly gratified
by the honorable mention made in the
London papers by the British administration,
of their great confidence and
expectation from their aid in Ireland, in America.
Were the principal characters
of all the Washington Benevolent
Societies to undergo a strict scrutiny,
and those expelled who wish a separation
of the States, an alliance with
Britain, and whose principles are the
reverse of Washington and benevolence,
there remaining few would be astonished
at the smallness of their numbers,
or the influence of ambition, and
the deception and wickedness of the
human heart. The Orator has injured
himself and his associates, by his
uncalled for commendation. There are
periods when truth is not to be disclosed,
suspicion not roused into action,
and when force is wisdom. Perhaps
even the Orator may improve by experience
and be more cautious in
future of vain boasting. To this is
a consummation devoutly to be wished."
Such an event would add to his fame
and happiness, and promote the prosperity
of his country. American patriots,
who are his best friends, would
hail him welcome to their fraternity
and real Americans will join in the
exclamation of
AMEN.

* The world's last hope, as expressed by
one of her fast anchored friends is now at
hand. The glory of Great Britain has
departed. Like ancient devoted kingdoms,
for crimes and injustice, she is suffering ignominy
and calamities, and within a few
years her boasted power will be reduced
to harmless imbecility. Poor deluded federalists.
Leave your friendship for
England plunge you in ruin.

It is possible he may be converted from
his political heresy, and become a real republican.