Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-07-01

eralism whipt into us, IT went we confess against
the grain; and we were probably quite TOO old 10
learn it we'll: so that Gen. CAss, with his superior
advantages, may easily have unlearnt more Fede-
ralism than was taught US, and forgotten more
than we ever knew. For that side of the inyesti-
CATION, then, he is better qualified than we But,
when il comes 10 the other sde--to the stating
what Repubcanism was and is--we have just an
equal advantage over him. Perhaps, even, we can
speak quite as fairly of Federalism as its deseriers,
quite soberly Of Democracy as its converts; and
without the new zeal of the one as without the old
rancor of the other.
Now, how are we TO ascertain what the doctrines
of the Federaists were! Why, it will be no easy
matter if they were never better settled than are at
this moment, many Of those of pretended Demo-
cracy. However, the old Federal creed had but
two aspects-one, that which its own declarations
gave it the other, that which the dislike of its OPP
ponents lent it. BY which Of these are we to take
tl Perhaps not safely by either: in times of sharp
public contest land this one was exceedingly bitter
partes painted by themselves, appear angels paint
ed by their adyersaries. they look to be devils. The
Federalists were probably neither, but men. Now,
what manner of men we're they! Here, perhaps,
no filter testimony can be resorted to than that
which, even in the present discussion, truth or ne
cessity has, apparently, forced out of an enemy.
We met, few days since, in the columns of our
notwithstanding neghbor, the Union, the following
defence Of Gen. CAss from the charge of having
once been Federalist 1t is from the Uela,Oare
Gazette and, by the by, as a defence, would 60
far, had we not decisive proof of the fact to
make US suspect that there no little ground for
the mputation Of Black-cockadism, from which it
essays to relieve Gen. Cas-:
DELAWARE GAZETTE JUNE &c.
severe it true that he (Gen CAss) started Fedeals
time when hreefourths of all the in the Union
of that party, would be objection him now, for the
Federasts hgh-minded and honorable party in the
man and would probably have maintained their ascendency
the present time had been for the conduct of their
leaders, under the elder Adams passing the alien and sed
ton laws AS to wearing the black cockade, was, the
time worn, part of the national UNIFORM and
ndlerenty by all military and many Others whether
democrats Fedeasts. No disgrace could attach the
wearing it, it was the badge of patriotism. 1t
by the father Of Gen. Cass who officer the army
and resided in this city with his Lewis-a boy Of seven
teen-in the year l799."
As men, then, and as citizens, scho were the Fe-
deralists They were, unquestionably, large
part of the men who had most strenuously in coun-
ell and brayely in the field wrought out our national
freedom, through the bloody and unequal contest lf
any contest led by such patriots can be unequal of
the Revolution. They were WASHINGTON, and the
chief of those who with him had as unpractised
statesmen and unframed commanders, vanqushed
the British veterans of policy and arms. They
were, above ALL men who, as triumphant, all-pow-
erful, and yet unpaid army, could have given this
country almost any government they pleased. 1t
is well known that while they lay, after the peace,
at Newburg. they were instigated, by certain SAD
dresses /" made TO them there to overawe Congress
and right themselves; part of the scheme being,
undoubtedly, to place Gen. WASHINGTON at the head
of Government to be established by them. That
brothers in to rely on the ultimate Justice of
their country, and foed the conspirators. When.
once more, from 1888 to 1887, the Government
was rapidly tending to its dissolution, and would
presently have fallen of its own accord and upon
their own terms into his and their hands, il was
chiefly by their and his influence and efforts that
such an event averied, and the adoption of the
present Constitution brought about. But how was
that Constitution brought IA thing Of consummate
difficulty into successful action Only las all adj
mit) by the aid of the moral authority Of WASHING
TON, not less boundless than it was deserved, his
matchless civil wisdom and courage, and the FIRM
and able cooperation Of the admirable men who
stood by him in the difficulties of peace as they had
stood by him through the dangers Of war; Who
pluckedus out Of the confusion the gloom the pub
lie bankruptcy Of that day, the Reorganization Of
the State Governments, the imbeeihty of the Con-
federation Who gave Ms, in the midst Of general
insolvency, BY bold and happy system, THAI first
OF necessities, well-ordered Treasury, mastery
Finance Z Who, into the mere inanimate limbs of
our bare project of Government, pat vigoroas and
intelligent life, soul within its ribs, an actsn that
Obeyed that soul into every subordinate member and
muscle : TWAS he and they. Who provided at once
for the liquidation Of our great Revolutionary debt
and all our public wants, redeemed confidence in us
at home and abroad, established for US firm yet
peaceful system Of Foreign Relations, founded for
-us Navy and an Army, created ior us by the neu-
trail policy thai great Commerce which has risen
out Of the carrying trade repressed without blood