Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1840-12-10
THE LINCOLN TELEGRAPH.
3 AT H M E /:
THURSDAY MORNING, DEC. 10.
Federalism !'"'GhOStS !.

One would suppose that after so much sense
less clatter about old federalism" as has been
resorted to by the loco fooo press, during the late
elections, and the condemnation with which their
folly has been universally visited, that this
over-ridden topic of fools and knaves, mipht now,
for season at least sink back to its rightful re-
pose. But such is not the case.
We do not allude TO this matter because we pre-
sumo that the smallest Importance is to be attach
suppose, that the majority of our intelligent and
enlightened fellow citizens care two straws for
oceans of such empty bombast. The people, that
is, the mass, have learned to estimate the charac-
ter of parties by the measures and principles they
profess, and stand pledged to adopt and enforce.
The adhesion of the masses of our citizens to any
party, will be in exact proportion to the faithful
ness, which that party eyinces, in redeeming its
pledges, and securing the "greaest good of the
greatest number" There can be-aud should be
no other standard. This old cry about 'Jeder-
dii5m'' has no rightful connection with the qnes-
ton Of parties or the measures of parties at the
present day, other than a general indefinite
connection ucduclple only from the acluai meas
ures carried into practice by that party This
must be the conclusion of every honest, ineuiring
mindfree from the shackles ofparty bias
Disclaimers against "federalism," would rom
der themselves lasting benefit, and perhaps save
their credit with the people they would impose
upon, in nine cases out of ten, if they would store
their minds with trile of correct information
respecting the true history of this subject of old
federalism = so much talked against, and yet so
miseraby comprehended. But as "evcry she
ceedng generation grows wiser perhaps we
ought not complain if our sapent patent demo-
Gratis should esteem themselves trhe more pro-
found than the sages and patriots of the Revolu-
ton The sterling truth that our public men used
TO be upright, dwindles sadly into the shade, with
politicians Of the present day, when erpedients,
humbugs ana intentions of all sorts, have become
so prevalent, as to supercede almost entirely, the
exercise of those high and enobling faculties, with
which our noble sires were endowed.
But, to be moro serious, let us return to the
main question What are the grounds for styling
the present Wing party, the fedcraI party Must
we suppose, that all the democracy of this great
nation belongs erciusire'y to the Office holders
and their handful ofretaners' 1t would seem SO
from the unblushing impudence of their organs
and yet this is not according to the good old JEFF
fersonian rule This, then, cannot be the ground
for such conclusion.
But where shall we find the clue Shall We
look at the recent expression Of the popular will
throughout the country? But here we find the
Wing party completely sustained, and triumph
antly exonerated from this miserable charge -
What has been the solemn decision of the free
men of Maine twice expressed IN the space Of Il
month ?-nf Massachusetts of Vermont, Rhode
Island and Connecticut of New York, Penn
sylvonia and New Jersey of Ohio and Tennes-
see of North Carolina and Michigan = of Ma
ryland and Delaware of Indiana and Ken.
lucky - of Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi
Yes, what is the sum Of the solemn verdict Of the
people Of these nineteen out Of the twenty six
States of the Union? The fact alone, furnishes a
ready reply. TWO HUNDRED and THIRTY
FOUR out of 294 Electoral votes, with a popular
majority of ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY
THOUSAND, ought forever to silence the un-
natural and enormous cravings OF condemned
and fallen party, that has for so long time abus-
ed the confidence Of the people.
The loco focos charging the Wings with "old
federalism! The idea is absolutely preposterous
coming as it does from the remnants of mere
faction of broken-down politicians. The bare
faced impudence of the charge, is exceeded only
by its utter falsIty,