Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1811-08-23


ment, she enjoyed the good wishes of all the
people Of the U. States Men of all parties
joined in bidding her Gods speod-Some few
there were, indeed who, wise by the lessons
of history, or in their own profound reilec-
tons, saw nothing in the French revolution
which could lead to so happy conclusion
They foretold, and we see their prediction
verified, that it scoaid end IN military
dsspotism. These wise men wished to cheek
the extravagant enthusiasm of the people,
so far as to keep the U. States safe from the
whirlwind OF that revolution. And under the
powerful influence of Washington this was
happily effected Our state of neutrality was
proclaimed, and by our government its duties
were then impartially performed. This ncu-
trail system, justified by our rights as an in
dependent nation, and called for by our inte-
rests, proved obnoxious to a multitude of our
citizens, whose violent prejudices rendering
them blind to all the enormites of the actors
in the French revolution, they clamored "a
gainst their own government because it was
not infected with enthusiasm wild as their
own and its members and supporters were
reviled as monarchists, aristocrats, and enc
mics to republican government. These un-
founded reproaches artfully raised and indus
triously circulated by ambitious demagogues,
were used as powerful means to undermine
and overturn the federal administration
Hitherto, the opposes of government had
been known as anti, federalists, because
from the beginning they had opposed, and
endeavored to prevent the adoption of the
present federal constitution ofthe u. States,
which now they profess SO much to admire
Exposed to ust reproach as anti .federd!ists,
that is, as enemies to that bond of Nni0n by
means of which, under the administration of
federalists, our country had risen from po-
verify and insignificance, to wealth, impor-
lance and dignity those men artfully rid them
selves of that unpopular name, and assumed
that of Republicans !; and falling in with and
tiattering the people in their eXtravagant adj
miration Of the new " Sister Republic Of
France, succeeded in making them believe
that they zrere ercsnsiUIy patriots and
staunch friends to Republican Go0enment:
and with this cant they continue to deceive
the people That this deception should con
tinue while France continued to call itself a
Republic, is not very wonderful-for names,
mistaken for realities influence a large por-
ton of mankind. But under that imposing
name, France was governed by succession
of ruthless tyrants, naughty, unprineipled, I'M
just, tramplng on the rights OF independent
| nations, violating treaties, and committing a.
trocious piracies on the high seas. Their
conduct towards the u. States more espe-
cially in the years 1896, '97 and '98 furnish
ed but too abundant proofs of the truth OF
this change. Yet France was still the favor
lite of our exclusive patriots and republicans ;
her Rulers boosted of them as her partizans
and friends and it is certain that among
them, amidst her unexamped insults and in
juries to the U. States, she always found a
biologists and advocates. Sill she called her
self Republic and in that name over
turned all the Republics on earth-except
our own, which was saved wholly by our dis
lance beyond the reach of her arm-The ty-
ranny at home of these Republican Rulers,
has been surpassed only by the iron despotsm
of the arch enemy of mankind, the imperial
Napoleon Yet in this height of their tyran-
ny, these Republican Rulers protested like
some of their American brethren, to adore
the people g The sovereign people" was for
ever in their mouths and the people, dupes
to this flattery, fancied they were free. What
was their " sovereignty" and their g free
dom" may be understood by the following
fact. Mr. Monroe (now Sec. of State) on his
return from France, where as American min
lister he had resided about two years, came to
Philadelphia. In conversing with him ON the
state of France and the condition of the peo-
pie, he made me this striking remark The
people are asothing-and the government
every thing. If the French people land Mr..
Monroe had the best opportunities to know
and judge of their condition. were at that
time " nothing'-how much G less than no.
thing are they now? Then the magic charm
of the word Republic, a name SO dear to Anne
rcans, though in France an empty shade, fur
nished some apology for their attachment to
that country But now, when even the name
is banished-when nothing is more odious,
nothing more detestable in the eyes of her