The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1822-12-17


same branch Of sovereignty Take the contest
in the late war, between the Republican party
which held the rcins of the Federal Government,
! and the Fcderalists of Massachusetts what was
Government by the former and denial OF the
| same powers BY the latter
The present administration is determined TO
support the authority of the Supreme Court of
the United States this administration is Re
publican, and is supported by an immense ma
lorty Of the Republican party. And although a
small number of discontented AM disappointed
| individuals, amongst whom stands confessed
the WArcHMAN, would take away the
jurisdiction Of this Court, yet so insignificant
Is their number that they scarcely dare avow
their principles. Accordingly younevcr hear
these principles distinctly asserted they are
whispered, and insinpated with great circum-
locution, and pomp of language; like man
who wishes to hide the deformty of his person
under the quantity and magni6cence Of his cloth
ing.
And although the Federalists have uniformly
and zealously supported The power of the Su-
Preme Court, yet this does not distinguish them
from Republicans, vast majority Of whom are
not Tess Jealous TO maintain thi. important branch
OF Irrational power upon the existence of which
all the others depend, and the destruction Of
which will necessarily involve the dissolution of
our government.
The present National Bank owes its existenc
to the implied powers conferred by the Consti-
tuition yet the National Bank was recormen-
| ded by Republican was incorporated by Re-
Publicans was owned by Republicans and
vast majority of its officers are and have been
| Republicans.
The bill for Internal improvements was brought
forward in Congress by Republicans and has
been there zealously supported by.Republicans
and 1t Is fayorite measure with the most De-
mocratic sections of the country. Yet this Bill
is founded upon these implied powers; il car
mes them to greater extent than any other
position or measure ever proposed. This Bill
was opposed by the FedeYuLists Of .Eassacbusetts.
on tins very ground, and was rejected by Presi-
dent MADISON for the same reason.
These instances are enough to shew. that the
| Republican party has claimed as large powers
Tor the General Government as the Federaists
ever did f; and that Federalists have opposed the
assumption of power by the General Govern
rnent, in cases wherein Republicans asserted if
They are enough to shew, that ON whatever
points Federalists and Republicans differ. the
construction of the Constitution is not one of
! them.
The remaining propositions of the WATCH
MAN shall be discussed with all due breyitv !.
mean while | would remark en- pasant, that these
essays are said TO be the Joint production of sew
eral individuals, high in standing and in power
IN the State of Maine. And request them to
inform me how it has happened, that viewing
federalists IN this odious light as unfit to live
under Republican form of Government. they
nave conrted them, sought their society request
ed their influence, and appointed them to the
highest Offices they could command ?-Why
was PRENTIss MELLEN, one Of the Oldest and
evering Fedcralists in Maine. made
90 OsTrcE Of the Supreme Judicial Court
Why was EZEKIEL WHITMAN, another eouallv
decided Federalist, appointed Chief Justice of
the Court Of Common Pleas ITO say nothing
OF the Judge of Probate and Justices Of the
Peace.
The present rulers of Maine, for among them
II Is useless TO deny, are found writers of the
Watchman, are reduced to the following
troublesome dilemma They either believe in
the existence of sound distinction between
the Republicans and Federalists of the present
day; or they do not.
If they do believe in this distinction. then
have they shamefully betrayed the trust confid-
ed to them, and are traitors to their party, if
not their country, by appointing decided FEEDER
alists TO the most important Offices in the State
government.
Ii they do not believe in this distinction. if
| they consider the grounds of party distinctions
to have totally vanished, land BY no other reas-
ons can their conduct be justifed) then they
have attempted to inculcate doctrines which
they know 10 be false.
leave the writers of the I" Watch,nan" to
! choose either horn OF this dilemma which they
think will be least trouble some.
Toths Editor Of the Portsmouth, Journal.
was pleased 20 observe, last week, your
notice oil The sale OF The Canterbury Cider