Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1811-03-25
To the honest and m0derate o. al
Parties in the District Of Maine.

To the honest and nddeTate Of al
Parties in the District Of Maine.
FELLow.CITIzENs,
IT has for many years been the prac-
tice, as the appointed day OF our annual
election approaches, for writer's IN our
Newspapers, on both sides 9th ques-
ton, 10 crowd their columns With pro-
auctions of various descriptions some
addressed to your understanding; some
TO your feeling and passions some dl-
rectcd to the investigation ofmeasHre' )
some consisting of attacks on the char
acter of individuals, and an lmPeach-
mcnt OF their motives, ~ mischicyous
and Observation-Disclosures and philip
pics Of the latter kind, seldom answer
any valuable purpose they rouse the
passions still higher, and instead OF
confutng and convincing man Of his
error, only confirm him in the wrong.
l am nosSaisposed to denounce svery
man as IS rant or wicked, because he
differs frof he in political questions
or who zesH:znsly pursues measures
which deem hostile to the best inter-
terests of society he may De sincere
as we'll as myself. Nor am l ever IN
the habit Of personal nvectve and a
buse, or given to the practice OF inham-
ing the passions, which Con knows
are too much inflsmed already for the
peace and reputation Of our country
Though we are soon TO assemble for
the choice OF our Rulers for the ensu
ing year; still let US not play the fool
with oyrSetveS, or the fyTGnt over GCch
other.
Permit me TO solicit your attention
for lew moments, and Lot me hope
you will believe me to be as much your
friend, and the friend of the tteoftie, as
If should boast the fondest attach
ment. We have too many boosters
every day shews us how sclf-interested
mankind sre-how certainty you may
fnd them consulting their own hrtvafe
good, While they are exclaiming In fa-
veur of liberty, and protesting the most
Itvsfy affection for her and all her family
Of blessings. My object is only to call
your attention hoMe 10 yourselves, and
to our country and without stigma
thing any man as villain or a traitor,
to cntreat of you to examine tor your
selves, the sad and gloomy prospect
which lies before US.
The scripture rule by which we are
taught TO Judge of our fellow men, is
short, simple and iniallible By their
fruits ye shall know them" Under
the guidance of this rule, let us look
back and see what we once were, and
who governed Us and then see who
govern Us row, and what are We ne7v !:
Until the administration Of Mr.. Jeffer-
son commenced, our country was stea-
Oily and rapidly advancing in prosperi-
- and reputation. Our commerce was
extensiYe--our revenue large aad in
creasing--our flag respected, and our
Treasury was full. Let me now desire
you 10 attend TO a series of measures.
by which we are reduced 10 our present
torlorn and depressed situation and
then ask yourselves, can our rulers be
competent TO discharge the duties o!
their high station, even if their motives
be correct, and their patriotism real ?
AS soon as Mr.. Jefferson took the Pre-
sldential chair, the work of change. DE-
8frncHon, and delusion began. A series
OF measures, calculated 10 deceive the
good people OF this country, were a.
dopted popularity was Courted in a
thousand wsys--our national strength
gradually diminished, and our Treasury
drained by foolish expenditures, with.
OCT the possibility OF profit to the ma
ton. But | forbear TO dwell on these
subjects :--Se many evils of monstrous
magnitude, have afflicted and distrcssed
our country within toe last tour vroy,
that the mind, anxious for the fut,rf
destinies OF this great people, naturally
eroods over this period Of our history
Why was the Embargo imposed =
We nov knesv it was done at he ins,i
saiion OF france, 70 assist The tyrant