Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1803-05-06
[WHoLE No. al4.l

CaH PVooASay oSeSttUCs 1uS WINK was tuC
consequences! Scarcely was Mr.. ]. seat-,
ed in the Presidential chair. Scarcely
had he assumed those reins which he Has
SINCE 90 slamefnlly managed, than The
counterpart okeyery thing he had pro-
missed, tool nee. Themask was soon
thrown OF and the torch Of unrelentingl
vengeance vas to be seeh blazing UNDER
the assumed veil of political plilanthro-
phys Fed9ralists were removed from
Office; fed4alists who had fought ourre-
evolutionary battles; whose swords were
drawn in tle sacred cause Of freedom -
who had encountered dangers from which
the heart oi Jefferson would have shrink
with abiesttrepidation. These men, tn
foremost u their counry's cause, In the
hour Of danger and alarm, were banished
rom executive patronage; andthe disor.
ganizing foreigner, and iamacnlafe To-
sry, elevated to those stations from which
The vindictiye hand Of arbitrary power
had driven the friends Of America. Such
was the FIRST outset of Mr.. JeAerson's
presidential career. 4 paused, Z was
about to censdfc, but passion sileneed the
dictates Of. sober Judgment. To those
who engage with aFdor in the pursuit of
any darling plan, this apathy; this indif.
ference to the suggestions ofreason win
not appear extraordinary. Ifits influence
Is experienced in the most advanced stag.
es Of human life, how much more power.
fully must It operate on the young and
inexperienced mind on q youth who
was still warm with the Intoxicating
ldraught Of democracy, and painted for
that moment when the genuine principles
Of q free government shouldbe reduced to
practice. ] sometimes reasoned on this
part Of Mr.. Jefferson's conduct; but my
arguments were answered by an appealto
my passions these were alarmed; and
the right Of reason became dim and OBJ
scure. Had reflected upon this subject
rs ! have since done; had viewed IL
with the eye ofcandor and impartiality.1
think, nay, am sure I should have coma
demned It thrn - ! reprobate itnosD.--
The despot I.have always detested my
principles of government are republican,
and these principles lead me to hold in
sovereign Neonternpt the artfhl dema.
gogues, who by Aattery and other base
articles, obtained an ascendant over the
people only to trample on their rights.--.'
But il has been asked, since I disapproye
Of this part Of Mr.. Jefferson's administra.
ton, why did not abandon him az the
very moment when he unfolded such II.
ranical principles. To this I answer,
that 1t that time l did not decidedly con.
demnthis partof Mr.. Jefferson conduct,
Impelled BY an enthusiastic alteration Of
his character, Ieould not harbour an idea
derogatory 70 it; but banished il from
my mind q IN obtrusiye yisiter. Il 10
true l began to suspect the sincerity Of
his professions, I began to doubt whether :
he possessed those genuine republican
which his advocates ascribe 70
him; but II it should be said, that upon
mere suspicion, ought to have abandon
ed him: should the mere conjecture of
the erroneousness of . theory, induce its
advocates to abandon il without allowing
that time for its operation which would
warrant its rejectionf Certainly not
Upon the same ground then, contend
for the Propriety Of my adherence to Mr..
Jefferson, while ] believed him TO be re.
publican; while believed him really AZ. c.
tached to the interest Of our country, I
was among his most strenuous supporters.
But when from certain parts Of his nd.
ministrations / was led to alter my opini-
on ofhis character, became his decided
opponent. ] did not skulk in the dark.
Z did not soneeai my opinions even from
the malignant eye Of democracy. act.
Cd, thank God! with candor; Icame
and inthe public prints Iepenly
vowed my conversion to Federalism
Some may have condemned this step
rs imprude Mt; others know think Il
presumptuous, but every one must admit
my conduct TO have been candid.
iseSzA-= Me- TIT" EEE- r.