American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1822-12-17
ron IKE AMERIcAN wArcHMAN.

II was TO have been expected, that the late gene
raj election in Delaware would have drawn from our
own, and other editors and their correspondents
remarks upon the political character Of our state
Some little exultation the part OF those TO whom
defeat had been so long familiar could not but have
been anticipated; and if not too vehement and bols
ferrous, might, surely, have been overlooked par
doned. On the other hand, those who had been, sc
unex pectedly routed and oserthrown, might, safely
have been allowed to console themselves with the
remembrance OF ancient prowess; and TO talk some
what largely OF former achievements. The spirit
that is enough, in the FIRST reverse OF fortune
10 brook unconditional submission; and that which
is so unfeeling as to indulge in cruel and bitter con
sumely, at the expense of those who have iaen,
equally nndeserving OF success, and united TO com
Tnand. Such is the rule, by which all The worIt
judges of The conduct of public enemies toward:
each other. But among brelhren-among those
who belong TO the same common family-who have
all the same interest 10 The common welfare, ough
not a dfel ent and kinder sentiment to goyern
Surely the great body Of the people, OF all parties
cannot be other than sincere friends Of their coun
try. From that portion Of the people who are cal
led Federaliss; who have heretofore valued them,
selves upon their high mndedness-upon their love
Of count, y--upon their devotion to honest prInc
ples-and who are increasingly complaining Of the
political intolerance which shuts them out every
employment5 from them, most especially, have
we right to expect something of moderation and
nagnaoimity. Let that portion Of our fellow clt
gems ponder well the course theJ are now pursuing
and inquire, in time, how far the exclusion they
complain Of il it does exist, may not ha &c proceed
ed precisely, from the same sort OF conduct they
or CERTAIN leading characters among them are now
permitting to themselves in Delaware. When the
public voice is heard, it ought-t must be obeyed
Those in whose IAvor it at last, raised have
had against them with exception to the period
our revolutionary war lasted) beyond the me- ory
OF man. Ought not this single fact to speak vo
lumes to both parties? Let those who have from ge
neraton to generation possessed, and who have now
lost the public favor, inquire among themselves
how this has happened; and let those too from
whom, until lately, it has been withheld take ccun
SCI from their own former and present condition
and not permit themselves to be dshonored, by all
u1worthy imitation of the examples Of violence and
Intolerance now set them by certain restless and
iHdomahle Spirits on the other side. When Mr.
Collins, the late republican governor, came into
office, the First commission he signed was that OF
respectable iederallst, and near connexion OF the
present governor. There was but one other Office
in his gift Of any importance ia the county where
he resided. With unexampled liberalty he con
erred this likewise upon distinguished federslist
But this to gain their favor, 10 enlist their af-
fectons /, was, at least done to soohs disappoint-
ment, or to win the plaudits of the people," Be il
even so-but it is still bad symptom of the times
when men in power, are led, either by the pure and
unauthorized feelings OF genuine liberaty, by a
prudent reg ard TO their character for modera-
ton, and their own substantial interests, to pay
some respect TO the rights and feelings OF mino-
Tty Mr.. Collins died. greatly lamen,ed, and was
succeeded in Office oy the Speaker of the Senate
tederali>;, upon whom had been conferred, by his
opponents, the post which entitled him to exercise
the office OF governor. This gentleman has, in no
instance appointed any other than his own political
friends to Office. In the county where he resides
lhere three tr1ing Offices, of no sort of emo
iument, held at the pleasure OF the governor, the
incumbents OF which belonged to the party of hi.
opponents, and were OF the first respeGtabiy
These gentlemen were, Immediately, all whrleC
from their posts although the situations which they
held were really so unmportant that the governor
has in vain called upon several gentlemen OF hi.
own party to fill them; and the commissions which
he has sent out, to fill these vacancies, all come
back with refusals and apologies. We here indulge
ourselves IN no comments. We content ourselve.
with stating facts Indeed we make no reference
to these matters with view to dshonor The fedora
pary for il is, in strict Justice, duet to them to say
that this conduct has been with an exception oil
certain master spirits who advsedi it to be adopted
universally condemned by the party. We go, how
ever, aside OF our purpose.
The object Of the present remarks is to bring in
10 view and if possible into disrepute and into dis
Tepute, 100, with all liberal ard respectable fedora
lists, the attempts which making in the Della
ware Gazette to keep open tine political campaign
and to wage unceasng war. Who is it, that is wor
Thy ofthe public confidence, and tires not with al
election, even before its tolls are over? The Vul
lure hovers over the field of battle and feasts upor
the slain: but the midnight robber and murderer
his only fellow laborers. We would not scar
with too much exactness what happens in the yer,
midst and heat of battle: but we are among thos,
who think there laws of war as we'll as of peace
and who lament the too general Tendency amid hlcl