Gazette Of The United States And Daily Evening Advertiser

For the Gazette of the United States.

Mr. FENNO,

ALL observing discerning statesmen ought to support the Democratic Society; instead of attempting to suppress them. It cannot be denied that they afford a comfortable rendezvous for those who have been disappointed at elections, or in their attempts to climb into office; to ambitious antifederalists who have lost the confidence of the people, to self-important demagogues, displaced assemblymen, young coxcombs whose merit has been overlooked, and to foreigners whose crimes or poverty made it necessary to seek for office, fortune and fame among us. In this city of refuge they can all meet and rail against the government, abuse their successful neighbours, whose merit has united to themselves the suffrage of the society, invent electioneering lies to displace them, and if this should be hopeless, they will at all events render them uneasy. The old men can brood over their sorrows, & draw a pleasing consolation from the misfortunes of each other. The sprightly young fellows and hungry foreigners may declaim upon speculative subjects, exhibit their degraded talents to advantage without much information, and give their names a celebrity with the partial audience. It may be considered as a legislative school where political tactics are to be learned gratis. The disciplined veterans preside, and when the young dogs take a false scent the leaders of the pack draw them off, and point towards the game which must be run down; the docile little whelpers take the hint and spring forward, old and young raise a hideous yell, the sport is excellent. If the pursued victim turn to defend himself, all drop their tails immediately, beg pardon, say they meant no harm, and declare that it is proper they should exercise their talents in this way, lest they might become rusty and unfit for service upon a proper occasion. If all the ill humour and malignity of heart which is vented in these clubs should be indulged in taverns, coffee-houses, or beer-houses, we should have riots and broken heads every week; but from these laudable institutions there will be nothing more than an insurrection once in two or three years. Besides we have bright examples in Congress, who wisely declare that an opposition, even to proper measures is extremely laudable; for it would otherwise be forgotten that we have liberty of speech, unless ill natured things were constantly said and done. Hence we see every day certain patriotic members blustering, and abusing their opponents, when they have not been previously consulted, and even declaring solemnly that liberty is in danger—but leave the management of the same business to themselves and they presently admit that its old shape may do well enough. This is all said to be right, because it elicits genius, hardens modest men and gives unblushing ignorant impudence the semblance of blunt patriotism. It is to be hoped that all future legislators of the General and State Governments will take lessons in these political academies. Here they will be taught how to manage the people to their own purposes, they can be properly drilled, and all emotions of sensibility effectually extinguished before they enter upon public life. They may then and not before, expect to match the palm of disorganization from those noble patrons of the Societies, who eminently possess it at present.

A DEMOCRAT.