Newspaper Page Text
THE REVIEW, No. 111.
INSINCERITY in political in
tercourse is the germ of many
evils. It is “bottomed upon en
mity—nourished by inveterate preju
dice—nml matured by deep hostility.—
It is u vice which stains the character
and corrupts the principles of those
who indulge in its exercise.—lt de
grades the mind ; and, when once e
vinced, forever destroys confidence. —
\S hat vice more unworthy of a great
nation than hypocrisy - Deception
which conceals its real sentiments!
and while meditating hostile projects,
avows conciliatory justice !—As soon
as it is discovered, retaliation is gen
erated, and a miserable warfare ol
juggling and tricks occupies the at
tention of those who are unsusceptible
r.f the honor flow ing from an elevated
and dignified policy.*—lt must be sup
ported by low chicane, and all the
winding subterfuge ol” intrigue and
cunning must be rallied to its aid.
Being ashamed or afraid to avow an
open and honorable hostility, it is
cowardice, and is only exercised from
hopes of impunity or success. De
ception t one is accompanied gener
ally by servility to another. It is gov
erned l-v passion, not by reason; is ac
tuated by hostile fear and is devoid of
•honorable candor. Deception eleva
ted the present faction to power, and
insincerity characterises not. only nil
their conduct towards Britain, but
the.ir infernal policy with regard to
ourselves.
Our foreign relations were happi
ly situated when the reins of power
wore placed in the hands of a Theo
rist. The intercourse with Britannia
was under beneficial regulations, but
which had met with invariable oppo
sition from the faction. To preserve
their consistency, the interest of the
country must be sacrificed—and to
gratify their hatred against a foreign
ration, while at the same time an ap
parent regard far decency is preserved,
s hostile hypocrisy is necessarily a
dupted. British influence was a favor
ed instrument in the l auds of unpriu
thiled men; and while voeiNrating
th'/ contemptible and false charge, on
iy proved their own corruption.
The magnanimity of a “Washington,
and the generous liberality of his dis
ciple a. scorned the indulgence and en
couragement of prejudices which
should have been buried with the ter
mination of the occasion which gen
erated them, but which were nourished
by the enemies of our prosperity, to
promote the gratification of sordid and
personal views. After deluding a pa
triotic people by corrupt intrigue and
unprincipled artifice, the first oppor
tunity was embraced to implant in
this free soil foreign predilections,
which have ihk! will prove the heavi
est curse, and may eventuate in total
ruin. Without alluding to the blind
enthusiasm and corrupt partiality in
favor cf-Eranee, through all her san
guinary variety of form, which have
prominently, characterised the artful
leaders and deluded victims of PcflTOe
raev, it is only my intention to review
the official conduct of Mr. Jefferson, in
relation to our connexions with Bri
tain.
To the non-renewal of Jay’s cele
brated treaty ar.d subsequently to the
rejection of Monroe*:-, may in a great
measure be attributed the disasters <k
disgrace which the country has expe
rienced under she direction <;f a Visio
nary. These two striking instances
of marked hostility to enc nation, al
though disguised with hypocritical
professions of conciliatory friendship,
were accompanied by the most servile
demeanor to France, ami ere the buds
which have blossomed into discord and
difficulty. A sincere regard for our
prosperity weald restore harmony, bat,
which docs not exist in our present ni-
Isrs. It were unnecessary to develop
the national importance of these in
struments: Experience las proved
the one and time has confirmed it. and
the other would produce happy effects
if an arbitrary exercise of power Lad
sot prevented.
Let us suppose the motives which
induced the extraordinary conduct re
lative to the treaties were just and
honorable, it will then exhibit incapa
city and imbecility, is deserving of the
highest censure, and operates as a
powerful incitement to execrate, the
disasterous consequences pouring from
a weak and lamentable inability. It
is principally, and during the opera
tion of the Tyrannical piracy cf
France, entirely, with England, her
possessions and allies, that any profit
able and advantageous commerce can
be carried on, and it is highly condu
cive to the prosperity of this impor
tant branch of political economy, that
this intercourse should be regulated
by fixed and known principles, by de
termined and positiverules to guide the
enterprizing merchant, & consequently
a neglect or positive refusal to secure
these regulations by means of an equi
table Treaty, evinces either the most
stupid ignorance or dangerous eorrup
tion arising from foreign or local cau
ses, and perhaps from a combination
of both. Ibe moment commerce is
not only left without a specific and re
gular guide, but fettered, restricted, &
vitally affected by the wavering breath
of caprice, then industry is paralised
ami prosperity w ithers apace. A trea
ty is nothing more than a mutual com
pact to abide by its provisions, and
w ould not prevent similar connexion
with another power ; when experience
had demonstrated the effects of such an
instrument and proved them useful, ne
cessary, and highly conducive to the
national welfare, wilfully to refuse to
renew or destroy such an advantageous
and amicable bond, augurs a strange
visionary mania, o, curious theoretic
philosophy. t\ iihnut n navy to pro
tect commerce, to refuse it the support
it would receive from the pledged faith
of an honorable nation, evinces to
wards it blind prejudice or determined
hatred, yet such is the prevailing poli
ry, and if even we allow motives to be
perfectly pure, is it worthy of confi
dence f Is it correct to confide the
most important concerns to men who.
although they may be actuated by sin
cerity, yet by not appreciating or dis
cerning the national interests, and by
resorting to visionary projects and im
becile expedients, entail upon the na
tion humiliation, shame and ruin ?
But the whole tenor of the actions of
this faction, confirmed by their own
professions, prove their extraordinary
conduct in relation to the treaties, to
spring from animosity and hatred a
gainst one nation, with a correspond
ing servility and baseness to another.
The resources of language and the la
bors of invention cannot produce terms
sufficiently expressive to convey the
boundless enmity of Democracy to
Britain. The constitution of Eng
land which lias passed the ordeal of
trying times, confirming on an immor
tal basis its extensive usefulness and
beneficent principles—a constitution
which secures to every branch of soci
ety indiscriminate justice ; the princi
ples of which are recognized in cur
own jurisprudence—which has reared
a eollossal power setting at defiance
the world in arms, and elevated the
nation enjoying its nourishing influence
to the highest eminence and extensive
benefits—such a constitution only ex
cites in the bosoms of American Dem
agogues inextinguishable hatred, which
prompts them to blasphemously de
sire to hurl the “ red artillery of Hea
ven” and wield the dread thunderbolt
of Jove, not only to annihilate its ra
dient light, but to “ drive the fast an
chored isle from her moorings,” and
savagely to plunge into eternity mil
lions of our fellow creatures who re
semble 11s in language, in habit, prin
ciples of liberty, and to whom we are
allied by descent. It seems as if the
patriotism of these wordy warri
ors lies deep hid in the bosom, ‘till
the blustering vociferations against
England unfold it to the view, wliieh
in a manner, account for the astonish
ing competition and rivnlship, in their
malignant anathemas, only heard,how
ever, like the barkings of a pup at a
very respectable disiar.ee. TANARUS! o con-
sequences of this policy, cr mad grati
fication of interest and prejudve, are
sadly developed, agreeably to repeated
predictions. The long train of disa
greeable nnd lamented events which
have siuce occurred with that country,
oiay l,e attributed to this factious pre
prejudice, or interminable hatred,
which is the real origin of the preseut
crisis, and the true cause of the na
tional humiliation ar.d distress. It is
the essential interest of both nations to
maintain a good understanding and
amicable relation with each other, and
sincerely accompanied cu our part by
a policy towards France corresponding
with her outrageous conduct, would
immediately accomplish them.
The greatest advantages would
have been derived from u commercial
treaty such as was rejected, with an
extensive maratime nation, as had al
ready been experienced in every point
of view, but more especially in a po
litical light. It would more readily
enable the detection of encroachments
on our rights by appealing to a recog
nized standard, instead of vague inter
pretations of public law,moulded by di
plomatic chicanery into any form to
suit a temporary purpose. It would
remove the necessity of deceitful and
endless negotiation, by establishing a
positive rule by which to test pretend
ed grievances. It would elevate the
national character by obviating toe
shameful stigma, which wordy mena
ces and miserable threats affix upon it,
grow ing out of the same contemptible
disposition which produced its impoli
tic rejection. And when these benefits
are wilfully spurned with a full know
ledge of the anticipated consequences,
to promote the interested views of in
dividuals, is such a policy pure ? When
the prejudices of the people are artfully
fomented against a foreign nation, na
turally and politically in the present
state of the world, our friend, and arc
made subservient to self-aggrandising
views at the expense of the national
interests, should not the men who thus
abuse the confidence of their deluded
constituents be banished from all con
fidence ? When deception and fraud
are called into requisition to inflame
artificial complaint and unfounded
grievances to increase the fermentation
of faction, in order to continue a few in
capable men upon the political surface,
ought not the public voice to unhesita
tingly condemn them and hurl from
stations which they have disgraced ?
Such are our rulers, and such should be
their fate.
PERICLES.
|C7” SEE THIS AMERICANS.
NEVER was the confidence of a
people more shamefully abused than
ours has been by the present adminis
tration—Measures of the most injuri
ous tendency are adopted and adhered
to w ith obstinacy peculiar to little and
weak minds; national good has been
rendered a mere empty term, and a base
illigitimate popularity is assiduously
cultivated, in opposition to honor, rec
titude and principle. It has been the
policy of our cabinet for a few years
past to fret the spirit and feel the pulse
of the people, by plunging us into dif
ficulties and then sneaking out by mean
and unmanly artifices. One would
have supposed that the pulse of the
country was sufficiently felt by the first
great restrictive measure, without a
dopting a second; let these juggling
politicians, however, take good heed
how f r they proceed with their in
trigues, for if we are net finally extri
cated this time, they must inevitably
be ruined. Good heavens 1 have we
not virtue enough left to make one ef
fort for cur liberties ? In what spell
has Faction bound this people, that
they thus stand w ith their arms folded
and see their substance wasted on for
eigners, cr perishing on their hands.
Onr administration does not appear
to think of posterity, and are as indif
ferent to the decision of their tribunal
as they are to the opinions of present
men. Duplicity and cunning are en
grafted on all their proceedings, and
French politics and perfidy, like French
laws and sinecures, have the
Common Fluce Book of Mr. Mad,son.
If this people will allow themselves to
be thus abused and blinded, liberty
must seek some more congenial soil and
erect her altars ainonget same more
honest people.
The National Intelligencer, that
ambiguous type of an ambiguous cab
inet, keeps pace with the will of our
President, and as the one intrigues, the
other justifies.
“ The Georgia papers, [says this
insidious print,] state that the agency
of government in the late enterprise a
gainst Amelia Island, and in East
Florida, has been disavowed by the
Executive of the United States.—We
have no information of the subject.”—
Ciiap. I*.
This is ona of the most impudent
and glaring fetches that ever insulted
onr common sense. Has the Editor
the Folly to suppose, that we have for
gotten what the ministerial print has
before stated on this subject ? 11l the
Intelligencer of April 7, he introduces
an account of the transactions at Ame
lia, by some prefaratory remarks, from
which the following is an extract.
“ lathe absence es any other in
formation on this head, than what is
afforded by the public prints, we should
imagine that the commotion in that
country has not received the least aid
or countenance from the government of
the United States, although some of
its citizens appear to have been en
gaged in it.”
Now is it to be presumed that Mr.
Madison had not seen such articles
in manuscript, if indeed they were not
his own suggestions ?
Here then we perceive in these
two extracts a flat contradiction.
Here is a loop hole left open for retreat
it is true, and such precaution is con
sistent with our policy, the Editor may
say that he asserted to the best of his
knowledge or some thing of this kind,
and it may be taken as a satisfactory
excuse by ignorant men. but there is a
portion of the Union from whose eyes
the scales are falling much faster than
the government wish. What are we
to believe, when our ministerial print
is detected in such barefaced contra
diction ?—Even its usual cunning ap
pears to have forsaken it, and it gives
us a specimen of plain old fashioned
contradiction ?
The fact is, the administration
seem dete -mined to plunge us into a
war, or ruin our commerce by restric
tions. They are driving the country
to ruin and nothing less than a mira
ele will save them from the arm of
vengeance should they reduce us to
despair. Header, an American citizen
bequests you to ponder on these things
and reflect well before you act.—He
reminds you of the treachery of onr
rulers, and assures yeu that but a few
weeks will have elapsed before the A
merican government attempt in the
face of day to seize Florida, even at
the hazzard of hurrying us intow-war
with Great Britain.
ARATUS.
On GENIUS.
WHAT is geuius ? who can de
fine it ? who can pretend to describe or
delineate that fermenting animation,
that irresistible impetuosity—that con
vulsive energy, which invigorates,
nerves and strengthens the mind—
which bursts the feeble fetters that
restrain it, and tramples upon the igno
ble chains of prejudice ? Who can de
pict that more than mortal faculty,
which dives through nature, penetrates
her deep recesses, unfolds her mazy
windings, and developcs her various
phenomena? A ain is the task of him
who pretends it—-yet what is genius ?
Whence the brjlliant flashes of a
Shakespeare—the vast, the sublime,
the majestic conceptions cf a Milton ;
the pleasing, the rapid, the elev ated
invention of an Ariosto—the grand il
luminating light generated by a Ho
mer—the elegant philosophic strains
of a Virgil ? Did not an heavenly
flame illume their souls, shed a radi
ant lustre upon their minds, clarifying
their perceptions, banishing misty pre
judices and enlihtgening their views ?
Did Got a kind office which -J
nirnatos, inflames—which burn, J
dissolves, arm them with Ull "]
omnipotent power, and enable, J
wield thunderbolts which wit!,.,]
totmd, destroy or eurapt ? ]>■,) ]
“ arti| le r y f heaven,”
become subservient to their v , iq ]
vivid flashes fill the mind wit!,]
create a fearful tremor, and ..-]
trembling admiration, which ]
forth in every form, scorning a]
tine of rule, but yet within th,. u .l
one great system ? It is impossi]
say, what genius is, except from I*9
minons effects in others. \\\ I
that some great and splendid f i]
ters possessed that div ne faculty!
yet cannot describe it. It i s , av ";l
and is seen; it is a spirit, vet )!
body strong and vigorous; ut!i r ,l
the most splendid dress, possess',!!,l
most engaging graces, dignified. n J
tie, fascinating, yet is incoporcai.l
cr thah thin air. Where is <r Chi !
he attained? What ages of toil.!
oceans of jewels can purchase I
Whence can this approximation :J
angelic nature be acquired? Jil
gift cf heaven; a gift mere v! J
than kingdoms, more precious than!
itself. I
Genius is not confined to fhepl
regions—every department and p,J
es life are open to it. It is of v a J
Shades and nature. It exists indeJ
dent of collateral circumstances, I
favorable state of Affairs call it fj
and nourish it. The American J
lution produced generals, statrj
and orators, while in a tyranny ill
dormant, silent, crushed. A eo!>!?B
a tinker may possess genius ofthjf
est grade, while a legislator maß
perfectly dull and stupid. Genius*
peculiar nature is an indispensable*
quisite in legislation and govrrttitß
There bodies are destitute of it. ’
the folly and contempt of their ]
suits—if they were filled Ly men t]
immediately from the lowest will.]
Die, we would have then more let]
live genius than at present exists. ]
capacity appears to he an imsk]
recommendation. Congress is all
without a soul—now stupitT. *u.ui ,1
ing—sometimes wild, always fmilll
Genius enlightened a Piths*
and a New ten, illuminated a V*
ington and a Hamilton, animat‘l
Burke and a Chatham, stimulat]
Turenc and a Frederick, and rend*
them resplendent luminaries, ; I
guides, and brilliant oruamcntsl
their age. How many melanehoiv*
lections of men of every deserintio*
Statesmen, Generals. Philosopher*
cts, who have acted their busy s*
flittered their little moment upot*
stage, enjoyed their little honor<B
were (lien swept into the con*
gulpli officii \ ion, from a deficit:*
genius! How many puny eharac*
are there* at this moment candid*
for Fame, who think themselves uirl
dv enrolled in her immortal temple.!
who suppose they have acquired !
heavenly honor by their heroic dr*
whilst the Goddess of Fame iai*
them into scorn,beholds them wilhjl
ty,and banishes them to infamy!-!
Alas! that the Heroes of Montpe*
and Montiecllo should be an;!
them—but there is no averting i“!
rious fate. I
RINALIXII
His Excellency Gov. Tompkins, of v l
York, lias succeeded So well in const! ■’ I
the people of that state on the propriv; 1
his prorogation of the assembly, that he 1
doubtless feel much inclined to try ip j
By the returns, the next. House of I
ser.tatives trill have a considerable {edu’altl
jority. An increase has also been raad £ J
the federal part of the Senate—we - |
enough to make a federal majot ity on a .’vl
vote of the two Houses, which will gi ve .1
federalists the choice of electors of Pi -wj
and Vice-President. Next spring, the
people must be cousulted again on •. :r l
interesting question to his Etcelleucy—l
Who MU be Covsrm- of that V.ca fl'i
enr:an g three yeur* ? Pcrhsps upon conei“|
them on that occasion, his F.xccMenc’ 1
find, that as lies happened in the present |
stance, tliov will refuse to ti-eir ‘ I
Pao-Robce. _ I
Cou. Cour .
BLANKS
Far Sale at tliis Or .* ICEj
