Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-08-15

our federal constitution, it was not the "tedea'-
ISM of party or federalism as used IN a party
sense. This genuine federalism, MIR. adams
charges those who assumed the name OF !ede-
raLists as abandoning at the time OF the Embar-
go and subsequent thereto.
To show the ,rhen and ghere and Uho were
the real deseriers and aposfates from the genuine
federalism of our constitution, the only federal-
ism, Mr.. Adams erer professed or advocated. we
o;ve his own words from that admirable de-
fence OF his country published in the Boston Pa
triot in 1909, entitled "Review OF the works
of Fisher Ames"in six papers.
1--WE are told by the learned biographer (oi
Mr.. Ames) and it is known ,oevery man whose
memory can trace so far back the progress oil
our history, that in all these discussions, Mr..
Ames took an active and conspicuous par:. Yet
of all the speeches which he delivered OIL these
occasions, the compilers Of this volume, have
not thought one worthy Of preservation, until
they come to that upon Mr.. Madison's Com,
mercial Resolutions. Why all these omissions?
And why this selection? 'rhe ,chy is plain as
the way to the parish church," The compilers
hold that the federalism ,chich founded the nation
alconsfifufion acaS MANIFEsTLY FOUNDED ON
MISTAKE They have renowned heprncpies
of their better days, and Withheld from the public
every thing which would revive their influence
or recall their recollection. This degeneracy
from the honorable principles which they once
maintained, is not new phenomenon In the
history cf parties In all free countries II is an
event BY no means uncommon, and calls Tor the
most waichful attention of the genuine patriot.
Ii is BY similar dereletons Of their principles that
legitimate parties degenerate by degrees into IN
triguing, factious and reasonable conspiracies.
Again Mr. Adams says, "The letter OF Mr..
Ames) was written TO member OF Congress,
who, as it appears from subsequent passage
IN it, was then on the side Of his country upon this
great question, (the colonial trade.) lie has
since changed bis side, and the publication OF this
letter was doubtless intended 10 answer the dou-
bic purpose of giving countenance to him, and
other opostafes from the Rmericau principle. and
| of propagating among the people of this conn-
try, the opinion that the British doctrine in that
controversy was the correct one, and that our
claim had not the solid foundation ofjushee -
This question ofour right to the Colonial trade;
is next TO that respecting impressments, the
| most important Of any which has been agitated
between Great Britain and us, since the peace
of independence. 1t would even take the lead
prior in the nature and duties Of government,
| to anv possible question relating to property
Again, sit was, however, again assumed in
substance, by the far famed orders Of Council
Of IL November 1907. The prospect OF war
with England was now rendered much more
probable As it advanced and the dangers OF
our country increased. the worshippers OF Sri-
tain saw a dawn Of hope, that with the aid OF
British doctrines, they might hwl from po,rer
The then administration, and can't into their seats
Themselves. They renowned all pre,ence TO any
claim Of right against Great Britain. and imme
dia,ely after The outrage upon the Chesapeake
formally undertook to Justify IN a public news
pansr Of Boston, the ao, Of the British admiral
Berkelv, upon a pretended right of rhe British
~ take sramen from ar A rue rio n .inn-l
h> Co.
Again. "The people were alarmed by the
near prospect Of war with England. The
peools were distressed by the operation of he
Fmbargo The people were partially deludel
by the mposture of a pretended mission to a.
lone for the attack on the Chesapeake. Aothis
critical moment, one Of these very Senator'S
(Mr Pickering) who in February, 1906, had
,oled that the British pretension TO exclude rs
from the colonial trade in time Of war, was a
Viz. ,pcr IF our rights and an enc roachment Up
on our independence, came out in printed pam.
pl'2. as the champion Tor that very British pre-
| tension. The argument Of MIR. Ames' letters
doubtless had concerted him from The american
error of his rays, and although Mr.. Ames when
writing these letters, had felt it to he the duty
Of "a good citizen 10 be silent WhiLe our side DSs
argued" YET his friends have not taonght It in,
decor Gus, at the very noment when OUR SIDE
was in most Imminent, jeopardy, to summon
him from the silence Of the grave, TO bear his
testimony in favor of our adversary"
We think we have now shown clearly, Dhert
and ,ohsn the change and apostacy from the &C.
nune principles Of federalism took place, and
who were the apostates. In our next we shall
give some further evidence on this subject.
SIDNEY.
| To the Editors ofthc Constitutional Wing.
| Coo+Ia,pen. I with Won that Genera