Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1811-03-22
FROM THE FEDERAL REpuBLIcA
Mr.. Pickering's address
TO III
PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES
NO. /.
INTRODUCTION.

INIKODOLI1ONs
FeNow Citizens,
Before | present to you a view of the
past and present condition of our country,
and exhibit the characters Of men who have
produced, or greatly Influenced that con-
dition, it is proper that should place be-
fore you a plain representation of my own.
For you ought to be satisfied that the wri-
ter who asks your attention, possessed the
means of acquiring an adequate knowledge
OF his subject, and integrity to present ii
with truth.
My name has for so many years, been
the theme of reproach with NY enemies
and their publications having been in fact,
though not in form, addressed to you, as
the proper tribunal to decide on the merit
or demerit of my conduct in public life,
justice would require that, prior to a final
Judgment, | should be heard in my own
defence. This right, however, | should
waive, were my personal interest or repu-
tation alone at stake. Content with the es.
TEEN of men of the first distinction among
my countrymen, for their d~iscernment,
virtue and patriotism, and with an approx
ing conscience, | would not again. on my
own account, take the trouble TO repel the
SANDERS with which bad men continue to
assall me. As 1t respects myself, these H.
bellers miss their aim. Far from wound.
ing my feelings, their m~alevolent reproach.
es bear witness that | am not destitute OF
merit. The unwearied, malignant efforts
of these men to destroy my reputation, de.
monstrate that the truths l have heretofore
exhibited, have annoyed them aud their
employers; while, perhaps, they an1ici-
pate a display of more truths, the proper
effects of which, by reviving their ISLANDERS,
they may hope to defeat.
Indeed, fellow. citizens, I have gone but
a little way, in spreading before you the
errors of your rulers; would to God they
were chargeable with no more than errors.
Certain it is, they have plunged our coun.
try into a state of degradation and disgrace,
and brought upon it calamities never before
experienced. 1t is time they were stripped
of their DISCUSSES, and exhibited in their
naked characters to your view. This is
one great object in my present undertaking.
For no hope can be entertained of an adj.
vantageous change in the condition of our
country, until you shall be convinced that
the leaders of the party, which for ten years
past have governed it, are not worthy OF
your confidence. embark 10 1t with re-
luctance because Ito say nothing OF the
time and labor | must bestow upon I'D in
exposing them, I shall unavoidably expose
the nakedness of my country ; when, if
compatible with truth, | would infinitely
rather speak the praises of both. But to
authorize even a distant hope of producing
general conviction, plain truths, however
Notifying, must be told and the .belief
of them can alone rescue our county from
impending ruin. Perhaps for entertaining
this apparently forlorn hope, | may be charg-
ed with vanity. But if truth is, before
hand, to be presumed unavailing, why
then the cause of our country is to be CIV
en- up in despair. But until ruin actually
overwhelm US, I viii not despair.
In the prosecution of the work, ! will