Jenks' Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1803-1805, 1804-05-05

man. When we contemplate the favorite
ipot, where our eyes frlt opened on the
light, emotions OF tenderness are !ponta-
neous, and irreliItible. Memory reviews
with fondnels her earliea creatures, and
interweaves a thoufand delightful reAec-
tons while fancy implants a p!eafing
luare to objects, already nellowed by diff
| lance, and ioftened by time. Whether it
arilc from remembrance of the pleaiures
of childhood, and the unningled Joys of
earlier days, thar we are delighted with
every Object, that nhe viiions of
pait happinefS or whether it be wife
provlion ofprovidence to iecure the rights
of nations, by an initinttive attachment
in all to the place of their nativity, pre-
tend not to determine. Certain it is, that
thele early and laaing feaiations gradually
ripen, iato patriotilm, and form char
a6ter, which has ever been the theme of
admiration and appaule.
No word in our language has been more
abufed than patriotifm. SO much is it
perverted from its original purity, and 70
often hasit been protiiuted to the vileit
purpoleS, that true friend 10 his country
would lhrirk from the appellation. In
! the mouths of turbulent denagogues, it
has long been the watchword Of Gedition.
outrage and murder. This name has
been confidently affirmed by thofe wretch.
es, 'swho wear their patriotiim for a cloak,
cut for all ciimes and countries under hea-
ven"-wto, like the locuRs of Egypt,
!warm in all our COATS, and fourth under
the mild reign of that philofophy which
while it prevents the growth of genuine
liberty, fupports in rank Insurance, un-
brided licentioulneis.
Among mott nations, and under every
form of government, belides the lupport-.
ers OF Standardization, aud their opponents,
there has generally been found third
iet, conGiting of luke warm temporizers,
who, having neither frnnefs to aaert
right, nor the courage to oPpoie wrong,
lheltsr themlelves under the impoiing
names, of moderation, and impartiality
Otthis defcription OF prudent and accom-.
n.odating characters, was Atticus, man,
who appears to have i'll deisrved the elabo-
rate encomiums, he has 70 often received.
The friendihip aud Partially of Cicero,
have preierved him from oblivion, and
borne him down to US with fuch devotion,
as he could never have attained, indepen-
IDENTIFY Of the praife of his luxurious CO.
temporary.
The predominating PATTON of Atticus,
was love of cafe, to which he willingly
hcrificed tn. du.i.s of a citizen and
the dignity of independence and while
he could indulge himielf in the ingIorious
delights of epicurin, he little cared whs-
Their his country groaned beneath the
fcourge OF ufurpation, or rejoiced under
the fceptre of legitimate authority. Not
withdrawing the appiaules which have
been laviihed on him, for that impartiality
which rendered him equally the friend of
all parties, his conduct layors more Of the
! meannefs of temporidng policy. than
diiintcrefed love Of jufice more of fel-
fith regard to his private interet, than of
, generous concern for the welfare of his
country.
Much has been faid in praife of candor
and moderation in our political conduct.
But let us not be deceived by words, to
WHICH no meaning is attached. There is,
and ever has been, right and wrong
Gde, between which there is no medium
SO lenfble was Scion, the Athenian legii-
lator of this truth, that he forbad any CT
lizen remaining neuterin political dlIen-
lions. There are in every contelt limits,
WHICH if we pats, candor becomes puiilla-
nimity, and confederation degenerates in
to coNardice.
Unrefiting acquielcence in the triumphs
of faction, is of incalculable di1ervice to
the caule of jue, and squitoble govern
ment. Moderation emboldens the friends