Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1822-09-21
POXAYKCAXl.
From the Washington Republican.
TO THE PEOPLE.-No. 8.

destiny ofiree states as the political COM
bina,ions, or parties, TO the growth of
which they are SO subject; and few con-
seQuently, ought to claim more strong
ly your attention, particularly while in a
state offormation. Then they may be con-
trolled or expelled; but if neglected
until they are completely formed and Or
ganized, it often becomes impossible, at
least without long and doubtful sirug-
gle, to subduc them. More than TWEEN
,y years have passed, since the republi-
can party gained an ascendancy in the
council Of the nation, during which time
it has passed through periods of the
greatest difficulty, both in our foreign
and domestic relations. The impede
ments, however, which opposedits march
only served to strengthen it in the atfec-
lion OF the people. The late war, which
seemed to endanger its very existence,
greatly consolidated its power. Those
who did not duly appreciate its princi-
pies, and the strong hold by which it
attached TO it the affections ofthe people,
confidently believing that the war, which
was commenced and carried through I'M
der the greatest difficulties, would, with
the country, forever PROSTATE the party.
Out OF that arduous struggle, however,
it rose with Its strength unimpaired,
while the federal opposition, SO distin-
guished for talents, wealth and union,
shared the fate which it anticipated for
its rival. The peace which followed APP
peared TO elevate the republican party
beyond the reach of adversely. Victory
had crowned its efforts, and it was placed
under the guidance of wise and ex-
perienced statesmen, who, commenc-
ing their political course in the revolu-
ton, and passing through all the politi-
cal conditions OF the government, from
lis commencement, were deeply versed
in its principles and policy. That they
have been thus long spared, the living ex-
amples of the virtuous and heroic race
who proclaimed independence, and es-
tabiished our liberty, we owe to kind
Providence, which has in SO many in
stances, signa!ly favored our country.
May they long continue the light and
ornament of the age ! In this wish, how
ever, those cannot concur, who have so
indnstrous'y endeavored to weaken
your confidence in the present admins
tration. They can only hope 10 succeed
by proving the present chief magistrate,
notwithstanding his long services, to
have degenera,ed from the purity of re-
publican principles. Their whole sys-
ten OF opposition must fail, if you con-
tinue your confidence in him.-Con-
scious of this, they have accordingly d.
recled their main efforts 10 weaken this
confidence, and to induce you to believe,
| that he, with the whole administration,
at least with the exception of one, has
ceased TO deserve your support They
have proclaimed a rctormati to be ne
cessary, and have undertaken to be the
| retormers. Let US then examine the
charges by which the hope to establish
their accusation, and the claims they set
up to exercise the high functions OF re-
! formers.
The charges which they have brought
against the administration are MANY and
various; but, for the most part, they are
so vague as neither to admit of investi.
CATION nor refu,ation. We shall there
tore pass such by, and confne ourselves
to those which are susceptible of being
distinctly stated and met, confident that
il these are refuted, all the vague and
uniounded charges about etiquette, the
style OF living, and every other of the
same kind, will have but little weight.
OF the charges which have been
| hronerhr H. Il
have been reiterated more frequently, or
with greater effect, than the want of eco
nomy-eXtravagance and neglect oil. en-.
forcing responsibility in the settlement
OF aeconnis- Thu, jealousy which you
have at all times, evinced in relation to
the disbursements Of the governments,
has been greatly augmented by the EN-.
barrassed state of the Treasury, which
presented, TO those who wish to rouse
your suspicious against the administra-
ton, an opportunity too favorable to be
omitted. They have accordingly di-
~rected their principal attack to this point.
and have carried on their operations
with SO much zeal, that no inconsidera-
Bile impression has been made on the
public opinion.--Many are disposed to
believe these charges, with all their ex-
aggerations while still greater num-
Der, though increduous as to the exis-
tence OF giaring abuses, are still inclined
to the opinion that the administration is
reprehensible, to very considerable ex-
tent. In this state of the public mind,
we may perhaps hazard something in as
sorting, that no administration, since the
commencement of the government, has