American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1823-09-19

"at~' - iaFoDCu tue country ana piun0efeU
tnelr former neighbors. Others remained with the
enemy, operating against US in other ways. There
were, likewise, some who did not leave their coun.
try but yet secretly aided the common enemy. On
Inc other hand, among the friends of the revolutions
there were individuals calling themselves whigs so
transported by furious spirit as to trample under
loot the rights oil those who were, supposed
70 be, doubtful Of or unfriendly to the cause and
there were others who availed themselves of the
high excitement of the times, to let loose an unli-
censed war upon their own fellow citizens-consd-
erlng and treating them as the common enemy !;
and, as such, plunderlng and laying waste as they
pleased. Taking then this statement TO be strictly
true, we appeal to the good sense of our readers,
whether It is falr to brand every man who doubted,
and upon the best principles, whether the Declare.
ton Of Independence was not premature, as torn
and trditor--merely because some individuals fed
to the enemy-took part with them against their
own country-and others turned refugees and if it
is not, we ask how can it be fair to brand every man
who was Whig and friend to his country, as
ruian and plunderer? Who is it, among those
who now take the people secretly into corners, to
tear open these old fostering sores, who dare openly
ayow that he thinks the term tchiG dshonor and
reproach! Nay, who among these secret incenda-
ries, who values his character will venture TO say
in the face OF the people OF America, that the term
uOt uUuoT 10 man, 10 WnOtn II talf1y
belongs: Besides, can you affront man moroccan
lyou do greater violence TO his eelings-can you in
his opinion, nay, in the opinion of all honest men
comnii. greater breach of good manners, than to
call him tory even if his father refugee, or
la tory? Suppose his father was SUCH may his son
not be good citizen-is he to be punished for his
fathers misdeeds This is the very thing we are
arguing aSalEst-yet not precisely what we are ar
gulng aganst-it is more cruel and crying injus
uce that we are complaining oi--not that which is
confined TO the robber and plunderer-or the rob
Der and puDderer's son--but which extends ilse
to the whole body of patriots who achieved our in
dependence. Half century has passed by, since
that glorious event took place. We are become
free and independent people. Our empire stretch
es over this great continent. The mighty forests
are hewed down; and what was, but few years
back, bowling wilderness, has become the habita
ton OF civilized mans the theatre Of thriving
towns and potent and flourishing states. Truly in
deed does "the desert rejoice and blossom as
rose" "Our march is over the mountain wave,
too " Every sea is whtened with our commerce
and our Z" star spanglcd banner" floats in ever,
harbor Our gallant soldiers conquer by land on
brave tars triumph by but our noblest achieve
men, our proudest boast is, that we have accelera
ted the march Of the human mind-hat We hav
been the means, under Divine Providence, Of wide
ty HlSSCulHdtlll5 lHl'uSu iuC SHiistidu NV'iN' vi
deep-rooted love of civil liberty. And exhibiting
as we now do, this MAGNIFICENT spectacle to the ma
tons of the earth who is It that dares TO go among
our people, and Islander the fathers Of their country
who planned out and accomplished this grea
scheme Of glory and independence? Who is 1t tina
dares talk OF keeping their children in vassalage
l booming them forever to be hewers OF wood an
carriers Of water? Who is it that ventures to prov
about at night, and under the roofs of freemen an
| in such country as this, and deiame men VIII
reared up this fair fabric of human liberty-t
preach up an discriminating war against their oh
spring from generation to generation: We imitat
not the example of our adyersarles, or we woul
drag the cuprits by name to Tie bar of the public
We would place there, instead of the innocent an
the wantonly nlured-thc guiy-but we deligt
not in such inllicons-and we are willing TO max
I allowances for what men do while laboring undo
This political delirium. 1t is the disease which "
j desire to administer unto. We would rather re
lore the patient to health than exhibit him TO tn
!. public eye, with the fit upon him. But 1t is ever
mans solemn duty, however, to put the people uG
on their guard against these characters We cor
n lure our fellow citizens to let the torch oil civil az
sention be extnguished. Let them regard as the
:, worst, their buerest enemies, those who impede ii
> progress of spirit OF harmony Let men, eye'
i, where be encouraged to throw oil the trammes
i, par,y-to learn TO think for themsclves-and
j vote without terror or reproach, freely and ind
pen,ently. We shall then soon see called to othc
n the best men of our country-and have afforded
i US the safest security for wise administration
= our government. We have the choice, then, D
=, of two alternatives--to foster and encourage Il
= mild and liberal spirit Of Union. or to excite al
ID keep in full action the most furious party passio
ito be as neighbors and friends-to act as ire
men, fcaressly and independently or to rule VIII
e our power lasts, with rod OF iron; and wnen o
: turn comes. to be ruled in like manner lin wor
y, to be- all our lives and our children after us, eth
,e slaves despots.
We have but remark more, and we shall ha
80 done. We think no religious society should be c
-, cnded from power. We think the men to RI