Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-11-19

two old parties, the Federal and the Republican,
whose paternity and character may be clearly traced
in the features of the modern hig and Democratic
parties of this country Many reminisc ences are
brought up of little value in the study of parties
The administration of the elder Adams, the writer
shows commenced most inauspiciously-be char
acterized throughout by series of high handed
and tyrranical measures that appeared intended for
the destruction-the entire annhilation-of the Re-
publican party and the suppression of every Eber-
al sentiment. 1t is not to be denied that the action
of the government was controlled through Mr.. Adj
ANS administration by Anglo-American party,
who were equally hostile to liberty here and to
France. This party was composed OF British mer-
chants and their factors and agents the Cities and
by those who from conviction were in favor of mon
archy in preference to republicanism, and their et
forts especially energetic and their wits sharp
ened by the state of hostility the open war; existing
between France and England.
With the advent of Mr. Adams Administration,
truly says the Pennsylvania had increased the aris
tocratic form and ceremony in the Government,
which the good sense of Washington had in some
mann err checked or in which he was at least most
unwilling actor. Imposing terees, conducted with
royal ceremony, had become common. The Presl-
dent delivered his speech from the throne at each
session of Congress, and, composed of generaiities
after the manner of the Kings speech, in opening
Parliament it England. 1t expected to be an
swered in humble submission and fattering terms.
For the two first sessions of Congress, at the COM
mencement of his administration in May, 1897, at a
special session, and in November of the same year,
fourteen fifteen days at each time were use
lessly spent in drawing up suitable answer to the
Presidents speech. -Four of the republican memb-
ers boldly protested against the absurdity and the
expense incurred to the nation by establishing Gus
tom of debating fortnight about the wording OF an
answer, in vague generalities, which appeared to
have legitimate object OF legislation attached to
it. Their answers appeared merely intended to COM
plment and Ratter the President, and were mere
echoes of what the President had said and concelv-
cd andsexpressed in the most abject spirit. Such
thing honest difference of opinion did not APP
pear to be dreamed of. AS specimen of the kind of
trash used such occasions, select from the an
of the Senate to the Presidents Speech at the
session commencing in Nov 1877 1t says:
''SIR: The communications you have thought pro-
per to make in your speech to both Houses of Con-
gress the opening of the present session, afford
additional proofs of the attention. integrity and firm
ness which have marked your official character.
The commencement of the next paragraph is,
owe cannot but approve of the measures you have
taken, &c.
Of the next-"It would have given as much plea
sure to have received, " &c.
The next-"We learn with satisfaction" &c.
The next-'We think, sir, with you, that the com
ofthe United States is essential to the growth
conduct and prosperity of our country. And so
on The address concludes in this fulsome strain
"And, sir, we beg leave to assure you, that we
derive singular consolation from the reflection that
at such time the executive part of our government
has been committed to your hands; for in your in
tegrity, talents and fitness, VIC place entire conf
dcncc.
To such state of humble submission the
Scante OF the OnNeQ SIaIeS, Douy llaC OuSnI 10
have retained some appearance of dignity and self
respect, reduced during this administration.
To this obsequious address the President plea
scd to give few words in reply, compimenting them
in his turn upon their wisdom, their penetration, and
their INDEPENDENT SPIRIT !!
These fulsome addresses delivered by the
members of each house, walking in procession to the
Presidents house for that purpose. On occasion
MATHEW Lyon, of Vermont was the only member who
had the firmness to refuse to attend the procession.
These Objectionable ceremonies had been originally
introduced during Gen. WaShingtOnS administra
tion by Gen knox, whom Mr.. Jefferson styles ga
man of pride, and Col. Humphreys, who had resi-
ded some time at foreign court. Washington said
to Mr.. Jefferson on one occasion, "they were the
authors of the present regulations and that others
were proposed so highly sustained that he absolute
ly rejected them. 5" Gen. Washington attentive to
difference of opinion the subject, when the time
of his second election arrived, called the Heads of
Departments together obs rved to them the situation
in which he had been placed at the commencement
of the government the advice he had taken, and the
course he had taken in compliance with it; that
proper occasion had how arrived for revising that
course and he desired them to consult together agree
to any changes they should think for the better and
that he would willingly con form to what they should
advise. The Cabinet divided, the influence of
Knox prevailed, no advice was given, and change
was made.
These things were soon taken to indicate change
of principle not at all in character with the
simplicity of republican government and were mere
limitations of the tiunmcry and nonsense of Europe
Courts
So strongly Mr.. Jefferson impressed with the
folly and absurdity, and in fact their danger to the
liberties of the country that he wrote to his friend
Mazzei, a resident of Tuscany, from Monticello, I'M
der date of April 24 1895 his dsapprobation in the
following emphatic terms
The aspect of our politics has wonderfully
changed since you left us. In place of that noble
love of liberty and republican government which
carried us triumphantly through the war; an angli-
can, monarchia, and aristocratcal party has sprung
up, whose avowed object is to draw over us the sub
Sance they have already the forms of the British
government. Nevertheless the principal body of our
citizens remain faithful to republican principles All
our proprietors of lands friendly to those prinei
pies as also the mass of men of talents. We have a.
galnst us the executive power, all the officers of gov
eminent, all who seeking Offices, and all timd
men who prefer the Gains of despotism to tn e tenn
Pestuous sea of liberty; the British merchants and
Americans who trade British capital the specua-
tors persons nterestedin the banks and pubic funds
continuance invented for the purposes of corrup-
tlon and for assmilating in all things in the rot
ten as well as the sound parts of the British model
should give you fever if should name the apos-
tates who have embraced these heresies those who
were SOomons in council and Samsons in combat
but who have had their heads shorn by the harlot
England"
MIR. Jefferson afterwards in referring to this letter
to MaZZel in his correspondence with Mr.. Van Bu-
rem under date of June Goth, 1924, complains that
1t having been published in Paris and Florence and
then re-transated from the French and Italian into
English, the sense of some portions of it had been
changed by the time it thus appeared before the
American public. He says the forms here meant
fha