Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1817-10-21

ing the alarm at every infringement OF the
rights ofihe people. committed by the nation
al government, constitutional or secret societies,
or jacobin clubs, both which appellatons were
bestowed upon them by their founders, were
established in almost every part OF the count
ry. When society of this kind was first es-
tablshed in Portland, one of whose principal
members was foreigner, the writer was So
licited TO join it. Upon enquiring the views
which governed its members, he was INFORM
cd their object was TO prevent the abuse OF
the powe. the government had received from
the majesty Of the people. The writer IN
CURED, whether any ground for doubling the
virtue and integrity OF the administration ex-
isted The reply given to this inquiry was
in the negative. Where, then, was the ne
cessity of combining together for the purpose
OF remedying evils, which had not even the
smallest shadow Of existence The meetings
Of these societies were secretly held an in
junction of secrecy was laid upon every men,
Der at his admission. Hence in allusion to
this established rule Of these fraternities, the
ingenious author Of the Jacobiniad introduces
one of the most distinguished leaders ex-
claiming in one Of bis speeches,
9 The federal wits assert, we shun the hight,
Like demons meeting in the gloom ofnight;
" And call us, in the rage of malice hearty,
The owls OF faction, and the tools of party"
On this account, they were decidedly disap-
proved of, and emphatically denounced by
Washington. Of these nightly fraternties,
some OF the most distinguished characters be-
longing 10 the democratick party, were mem
bers. The arch incendiary Genet, man
sent by the Directory of France, TO promote
its views in this country, and who had open
~ lnsulted our government, was received by
them, with open arms, admitted an honorary
member OF, and was ever welcome guest at
these nocturnal conferences and leader of
the democratick party. The late Vice-Pres-
ident Clinton, probably as mark Of esteem,
gave him his daughter in marriage.
Innocent, however, as were the pretended
views of these societies, e systematick opposi-
tlon" to the administration resulted from them
which was manifested by their first and most
distinguished leaders. This opposition, not
to mention almost innumerable other instan-
ces, Ito pass unnoticed the resistance to the
treaty of Mr.. Jay was exhibited in the insur-
rection at Pittsburgh on account Of the tax on
whisky, than which, democratick print of
high reputation, has acknowledged, g more
legitimate object of taxation could not have
existed These insurgents at meeting of
which Col. John Canon was moderator, and
Albert Galatin, Esq. native Of Geneva,
clerk, declared their intention TO withhold
from the officers of government, every neces-
sary OF life and even the common Offices of |
humanity. An Englishman, by the name of
Calender, was employed by one OF the lea
ders OF that party to assail the characters of
w ashIngton, OF Adams and of almost every
sage and hero ofthe revolution. Many in :
stances of similar nature we pass by I'M |
noticed. Such was the nature Of this opposi-
ton to government, so ashamed Of it, are most
OF It's leaders and fomenters at the present day.
SO conscious are they of its criminaIity. and |
that not the smallest necessity existed for It |
that they wish to bury the remembrance of il |
In oblivion, and are unable TO advance the |
smallest excuse 10 justify or palliate their con-
duct at that period. Recrimination is far
from being pleasant task. Had thew seen
TIT TO accept the truce which has been offered |
them, to lend their aid, influence, and coon. |
Grafton IN affecting an object which every re-
al trend TO the happiness and welfare Of his |
country, wishes success and prosperity. they
would not be 50 frequently reminded of the
base and dlshonourable cause they espoused |
IN opposing the wise and successful admins
tration OF the father of his country What
could have been their motive for this opposi-
tlon was It from conviction that the meas
ures OF the government were impoltick and
imprudent lfthey really believe this TO
nave been the case, their past conduct Is a
tacit acknowledgment that they laboured un- |
der the gfossest and the most GORGEOUS mis- |
takes. For though that party, after obtaining
the relns OF government, entirely abandoned |
the policy Of their predecessors, and fcrsook
Inc old and beaten track, through which the |
nation had been conducted to wealth and |
prosperity, and like Drake and Columbus, al
most sailed forth in quest of new worlds, vet
time tested their theories, and the experience
oil their warmest advocates loudly and explic.
ltly condemned them. The measures thew |
had 50 vigorously, SO warmly opposed under
washington, and Adams, they were at last
Obliged to adopt under Madison, either thro'
necessity, or conviction Of their excellency
and OF the superficial and mistaken construc-
tion, and formation Of their own sef-inyened |
and new trangled theories and systems. Thus