r;5V:y>---_-r,-.-.-.-v... ,.,.. niC X '■'■■ Glass Book .j^.^ — ^ — \ Y3A3HINGTON Ms^L TO THE ^^%'^ PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATE8 ON THE CHOICE OF A PRESIDENT. ^ "* Our Country must look for salvation from men whose liberal and es.- allecl views go beyond the mere present convenience of the moment^ and are not confined even to the period of their own existence, but wiio look with a providential affection to tiie independence and liappmessof ages yet unborn. Pjtt BOSTON : TBIXTEU FOn THE AUTHOIJ. 1812. 3An \f^l \ WASHINGTON TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UJ^^^-^ED STATES. ** Great is the character of that soul," says a celebra- ted ancient, " which no danger, no temptations of gain, no allurements of power, can drive from the interest it has once espoused, and the principles it has once embraced." There is a bold and manly course of conduct from which gi-eat minds never depart : and there is a weak, contemptible, rep- tile policy, into which weak and wicked men incessantly fall. The truly great man studies the permanent interests of his countr}^ and disregards temporary advantages that are purchased at the sacrifice of honour. He never jmr- sues those false lights of popularity which dazzle the am- bitious and undeserving, and which lead them from error to apostacy, and from apostacy to perdition. To the hou.st politician there is but one path to be followed — the path of integrity. When the leaders of different parties, contract po- liticid marriages from sympathv of ambition, the moment that band is severed, ihe union is dissolved, and its mem- v 4 bers disgraced and ruined. A conjunction so monstroic, and unnatural never has, and never can be permanent; for it is founded on an abandonment of principle, it is cement- ed by intrigue, and can only be presen-ed for a tim& through the fear of being supplanted by a rival faction. Statesmen of principle can never pursue an erratic course i it is weak, impolitic and ruinous. Men of this stamp form the very axis of society. • The great mass of mankind rests upon a few self-poised and independent spirit : if thcse- falter, all is irresolute, timid and wavering : it unhinges common minds ; they know not where to look for support when their leaders desert them. It introduces into a party distrust and confusion, and impresses the world with an opinion that all politicians are equally regardless of consis- tency and principle. It bursts asunder those bonds which connect individuals to intcgi-ity and honour, and impels them to shift their sails to every varying breeze of interest and passion. By sliding so frequently from one set of opi- nions and associations to another, the mind loses that vir* luous dignity, that high-spirited pride and manly indt pen- dcnce which are the main pillars of a nation's strength anH prosperity. Thr writer of these remarks has long been an inactive though not an unconcerned spectator of public events. He has dcploretl in silcn':e the degradation of his countrymen. 3 He lias beheld that disastrous torrent of unhappy events^ which has swept away the barriers of law, religion and in- dependence of the old world, bear down with irresistible force upon the happy institutions of our own, and threaten the destruction of all that is valuable to freemen. Whilst the multiplied aggressions and unprovoked injustice of foreign powers has met with his most unqualified dis- approbation, he has not been slow to condemn that waver- ing imbecillity of timid statesmen, whose only hope of con- tinuing in power is founded on the excitement of popular prejudices, and the misdirection of public sentiment. There are scenes in the history of our country on which the mind of the patriot delights to dwell, on which it can rest with complacency and enthusiasm. But these days of ho- nour and prosperity are exchanged for a night of calamity and disgrace. Foreign influence has insinuated itself inta the councils of the nation ; and since the poison has been in- troduced, the blood of the American people has coursed more sluggishly through their veins. To redeem our na- tional character requires more exertion, more patriotism, more unanimitv, more self-respect, than at the present mo- ment, can easily be brought into concert. Although he has witnessed \-;^^|||expressible regret that feeble system oi measures, conceived in weakness, and nurtured and brought forth by folly; although he Ixas often turned with an avert- & cd front from those scones of moi al proflij^acy unci politi- cal turpitude, which pollute the very lountain ol uiir re- publican system, he has at no period despaired of the re- public. There is a radical buundncss, and a manly vigour of character pervading the country, which must eveniuiuiy regenerate and redeem it. The Cimmerian gloom of democracy which has so long ahadowed the prosperity of our country, is giving place to a brighter and a happier prospect. Federalism has slum- bered, it is true, but its slumbers, like the rest of the eagle, has enabled it to awake with renovated vigour. Every patriot starts from the languor of inaction to the great arena of |)olitical contention. He views the rival combatants eagerly engaged in a struggle for victor\ . He contemplates them both a\ ith indignation ; fur their contest is not lor honest fame ; not to scatter blessings through the land ; not to save, but to degrade, dishonour and ruin their country. Wc should disclaim an\' connection with the leaders of democrac}- ; their alliance is dishonour, tluir touch corruption. If any preference however does exist, it nuist be in fa\-our of that candidate who relies upon the suffrages of his own party for suj)j)ort ; lie ma\ be Jio- nest; but he who deserts his own ranks, and flies t(j an enemy for protection, must be unprincipled. The f r;:ier viaij be respected, the latter can only be execrated ; iht one Viay be deluded, the other seeks oaiy to liciudv. r Be not deceived, federalists, with the hollow professions of a systematic intriguer : lean upon yourselves tor support. Nominate a federal candidate for the presidency ; it is your only hope of salvation. The party has sufficient virtue, in- telligence and patriotism to fill every department of the ad- ministration with splendour and dignity. The people can- not longer continue insensible to its merits. If federalists * succeed by their own strength, they will nobly triumph : but if they become united with Clinton, they will be con- nected to their niin. Notwithstanding the reiterated assertions of Mr. Clin- ton's dependants (for friends he has none) that his eleva- tion to the presidency will save the country'' from further humiliation, and be the means of introducing the federal party to power, there is not a parasite in his livery that be- lieves his own declarations. The hope which undiscerning credulity embraces, is founded in a total ignorance of Mr. Clinton's character, of the complexion of his politics, or the perverseness of his heart. If from facts we arc able to de- duce consequences ; if from what has been we may conjec- ture what may be, I shall most incontestibly prove that n© opinion ever had a deeper foundation in error. Out of his own moutli will I condemn him. His crooked schemes of policy, his malignity, his inconsistencies and his in- trigues, shall be exposed in all their naked deformity. s I entertain no hostility to Mr. Clinton apart from politi- cal opposition. In unravelling the iniquity of his political lite, I am conscious of no improper bias influencing my conduct, no eastern predilections warping my judgment. I respect Mr. Clinton as a gentleman, and esteem him as a miagistrate. I have known him long and intimately. I have been associated with him in the councils of the Bation. Had not hi? unjustifiable ambition led him to seek an alliance with the federal party, his errors should have passed in silence — his political sins for- given. But when apostacy makes overtures to rectitude, when pollution courts the embrace of honour, I will ever be among the foremost to trample on those forms which civility prescribes, and break down those barriers, behind which ambition meanly skulks, and meditates its complicated plans of mischief, and its airy schemes of aggrandizement. Since his overweening ambition has compelled me to re- sist his pretensions and expose his errors, I shall (real him with no afl'ected delicacy, no ceremonious regard. His character, his history and his intrigues shall be presented to the public in the unadorned language of impartial truth. '^ There is a species of character destined for obscurity, but which is sometimes rendered conspicuous b\- fortuitous circumstances; which though it cannot command respect by bold and decisive iniquity bids defiance to contempt :" 9 i such IS Mr. Clinton's. His relationship to the late VicC' President procured him notice to which he was never enti- tled from his merits, and elevated him to stations beyond hi.> power to dignify. No man's character has been more grossly misunderstood, or artmlly misrepresented, than that of this flexible and designing politician. The devoted pen of adulation, has framed his panegyric. It has diz- zened him out in all the gaudy embellishments of poetical invention. It has burlesqued the hero it intended to cele- brate. It has invented virtues where it could find none. It has presumed talents where none ever existed. It has imagined services which were never rendered. It has transformed intrigue into political wisdom, duplicity into fair dealing, intemperate rage into spirit. It has palliated those faults it could not excuse, and has sought to lendt charms even to deformity. Yet Mr. Clinton, bad as he is, is not totally debased. He possesses pride, which is some- times a substitute for virtue. Though a slave to his re- sentments, he is a still greater slave to popularitv : whilst public opinion therefore is correct, his vices may have bounds ; but if the public should ever become corrupted, and corrupted too by his own example and that of his satel- lites, what hope would remain of his acting with integrity J what prospect of his future amendment ? Distinguished for all those little artifices of little minds : B 10 for all that contemptible evasion and petty sophistry which narrow intellects substitute for a sound, correct, and con- sistent course of policy, he was only formed to be at the head of an undisctrning faction. He contaminates every thing he touches, and must eventually degrade the dignity, relax the virtues, and corrupt the principles of any party, to which his interest may attach him. Sullen without dig- nity, and pompous without ease, he could never conciliate esteem, or slide into the affections of mankind. A paucity of understanding in the democratic party made INIr. Clin- ton's talents, humble as they were, appear imposing and splendid. Men itiore ignorant than himself were dazzled at their splendour. Men more enlightened, seldom trou- bled themselves to give a public expression of their con- teinpt. The Mayoralty of the city of New-York should be the boundary of his ambition. His activity and vigi- lance, the austerity of his manners, aud his plodding indus- try, happily qnaliiy him for tlu^ station. INIr. Clinton's talents could certainly never have raised him from obscu- rity without the aid of family and fortune. He has never presenticl lo the public a solitary composition distin- guished for drpth of argument, boldness of imagination or correctness of taste. His anniversary orations possess some vigour, l)ut more corpulence. They are an indiges- ted maso of dcsuilor\- remarks aiul common place observa- 11 uons. Now and then, indeed, a tolerably bright thought does burst forth, but only to make the surrounding gloom more apparent. His charges to the Grand Jury are, for the most part composed with labour, yet in a st)'le at once harsh, clumsy and un grammatical. His speeches in the Senate are not above the level of common newspaper essay's, as the extracts which I shall have occasion to make will abun- dantly demonstrate. They possess no superiority either in point of manner or matter, for depth of political re- search, copiousness of language, accuracy of phrase, or soundness of reasoning. His talents as a writer have only been overrated because they have never been rigidly scruti- nized. His fancied eminence instantly disappears at the touch of investigation. The whole force of his genius was never able to lift him into dignity of expression, and his most celebrated productions, are but the •ffbrts of an ordi- nary mind, improved by ordinary cultivation. A patron of the fine arts without taste, and an encourager of the learned without science, he has contrived by this interested union, to palm himself upon the world as a man of erudi- tion and science. The debt which patronage creates, is discharged by the incense of flattery ; and science her- self stoops to adulation. Mr. Clinton is a speculative friend of libcrtv, a practical supporter of aristocracy ; the professed admirer of a Con- 12 btitution wiiose principles he daily violates, and an advocate for the liberty of the press which he manacles. Clinton from boyhood was remarkable for *•* that dark and ambiguous course of policy which always affords maitcr of ingenious illustration." At College, he was emment for duplicity and stratagem. He was the author of almost every piece of mischief committed within its walls, without ever being detected. He always possessed that cunning and gravity, mistaken for prudence and wis- dom, which sheltered liim from suspicion and exposure. He was the sower of the seeds of mischief, whilst others reaped the whole harvest of punishment. Such was the character of Dc Witt Clinton at College, and such is his character at this moment. Covered with that impenetrable caution which seldom deserts him, he transacts his business by needy dependants, and buzzing emissaries, who assume all the responsibility of his negociations and intrigues. If unsuccessful, his satellites are disgraced, whilst their in\ isible author pursues his career of triumphant deception with impunity. Col. Burr, among others, has been the hapless victim of his madiinations. To gratify his ambi- tion and tliirst of revenge, he compromitted the honour anil di^niiiy of his parly. Finding his coalition with the Bun lies unpopular, wi.h his accustomed duplicity, he de- .iied a pailici^'ativn in the crime. Governor Lewis, by si- 13 inilar arts, vas thrust from office, and a subservient tool placed in the chair ot scate. Amid ali ihese bickcrmgs and dissensions among the jacobins ot New- York, let it be indelibh- impressed upon the public mind, that Mr. Clin- ton was during the whole of this period, the most active^ malignant and infuriate opponent of the followers of Washington. Every thing amiable and dignified, every thing honest and intelligent was the object of his hatred and denunciation. Morals, talents, luid revolutionary ser- vices were indiscriminately proscribed : not onlv proscri- bed, but traduced, insulted and hunted down by the blood- hounds of calumny. These covenanted foes of genius and worth, respected not even the sanctuary of the grave ; and yet the leader of this factious combination seeks an al- liance with Federalists ; with those very men whom he has so wantonly slandered and irreparably injured. A man who could act thus inconsistently, never possessed a generous sentiment or a lofty feeling. If he were thus destitute of policy and honour, as well as humanity in an inferior station, is it a rational expectation that he will add lustre to the first office in the gift of the nation ? It were a vain, a futile, a presumptuous hope. Mr. ClintOi- has no political principles, but those bottom.ed on mterest. Nothing great, nothing magnanimous, ever marked a single trar action of his public or private life. \ 14 My blood is chilled with horror whenever I thinV of the disgrace and mischief which such un alhance must inevita- bly entail on the Federal party. Even were Mr. Clinton a Statesman of integritv, what pledge have we that he will resuscitate the spirit, and raise the sinking character of the country ? On what data, do we proceed? From whence do we draw our deductions? what assurance of co-operation has he given us, that can for a single moment be relied upon ? None. What then is the course which common sense and common prudence dictate. That we should trust solely to our own strength, and elevate a man of our own principles to power. If that be impossible, let us be patient, resolute, and prepared. The time cannot be far distant, when imbecillity must give place to energy, and fanciful speculations, yield to reason and experience. Wiicn that period arrives, we shall re- sume the reins of government with pure hands and uncor- rupled he;u-ts. We shall not be contaminated, dishonour- ed and despised. But will feel in office a manly cheerful- ness and high-toned pride, the result of conscious rectitude and undeviating integrity. A pride the more proper to be indulged, as it will have in it, no alloy of cringing base- ness. Wc f.hall by such a course of policy secure the confidence of our partj-, and command the respect of the Mforld. 1^ Since Mr. Clinton has not chosen to discover the grounds on which he intends to act if elected to the presi- dency, it may be useful to inquire into the principles which hare heretofore guided his public conduct. The opi- nions which Mr. C. promulgated in 1809, he either still cherishes or has abandoned. If he still preserve them, it is easy to prove him a malignant and factious demagogue. If he has renounced them through motives of interest or ambition, he is only entitled to our contempt and execra- tions. In either case he is totally undeserving the support 3nd confidence of honest men. The circumstances under which his famous speech was delivered, are peculiar and characteristic. Mr. Clinton previous to the election of Mr. Madison for the presidency, had repeatedly and pointedly condemned the embargo policy as the offspring of imbecil- lity and originating in Gallic influence. Seeking to render it unpopular and odious, he inveighed against it with un- common zeal and acrimony. If he could succeed in bring- ing the Administration into disrepute, he entertained a hope of his uncle succeeding Mr. Jefferson to the Presi- dency — But when he found that the cun-ent of popular opinion had set strongly in its favour, he instantly shifted his grounds and became one of its most active and clamor- ous supporters. Fearfid of losing the confidence of hi-, native state he thought something was necessary to redeerr 10 his decHninij popularity. He accordingly came forth with that speech in the Senate, of infamous celebrirv, which has done more for his political damnation than all the other de- merits of his public life put together. By this it appears tliat Mr. C. in 1809, was a violent and determined sup- porter of the Administration, and a savage persecutor of federalism. In this intemperate address, he displaved all that rancour of hate, all that insolence of malice, and all lliat extravagancy of falsehood, which could onlv have been expected from the worst of demagogues. jNIr. Clinton, after having offered a few cursorv remarks on the subject of his address, introduces a most inflamma- tory and indecent invective on the federal party, represent- ing them as an unprincipled faction, devoted to the views and interests of Great Britain, and destitute of every moral and patriotic sentiment. •" W'lun I can plainlv perceive, sa\s Mr. C. a spirit of faction and sedition exhibiting itself in the most odious light, and evidently acting in obedience to the nod of a foreign government, and that government at the same time assailim; our rights and trampling upon our honour, I think it Is our duty to declare our sentiments to the world, in a voice that can be lieard and understood.'' He next represent;, the British people as devoid of justice, honour and good faiih, and little Iietter than a band of rob- bers, and a nation ol j)ir:ues. Not satisfied with general invective and wanton, abuse against the nation he descends to personal scandal. He assails the patriotism and slanders the talents of men, compared to the least of whom, the ca- lumniator is a mere novice in politics and a child in under- standing. The following is the scurrillous language in which they are traduced : " The present ministry is com- posed of the understrappers and disciples of Pitt, Dundas and Ji^nkins, men as humble in talents as they are destitute of integrity." In the very next page he speaks of Mr. Rose, the Envoy Extraordinary to this country, in terms equally rude, inde- licate and unmanly, and at the same time attacks the friends of Washington and of the Constitution with infuriated ma- lice. ** Mr. Rose (says the honorable Mr. Clinton) is the 3on of old George Rose, the unblushing advocate of corrup- tion, and tl^ ready instrument of any Ministrv, that would employ him in any work, however dirty or despicable. The conduct of the Envoy was correspondent with the character and the views of his Constituents. It demon- strates that he was not sent here to furnish redress and maintain peace, but that he was commissioned to disgrace our Government by his Machiavelian arts, to embarrass the operations of our Administration, to foster the spirit of dis- content, to dispense the aliment offartion^ to cherish aBri- tisii partif in this '.-ountry^ and to spy out the nakedness of C 18 the land." Yet this is the bawling demagogue and canting hvpocrite that Federalists are called upon to support, — not for a petty Town Office, nor the Governorship of a State; but for the Chief Magistracy of a great, powerful and free people. How can it be expected that a man of such violent and ungovernable passions, should in his intercourse with- foreign powers, be restrained within the bounds of modera- tion and common decencv, when with fewer inducements and provocations, than would fri quentlv offer themselves in a higher station, he laimches into all the bold and unfounded invective which malice can invent or falsehood supply ? From the unmerited abuse of a foreign power, he returns with renewed acrimonv to a pointed condemnation of the measures of the most intelligent, virtuous and patriotic state Ml the union. Massachusetts, from which he now expects his principal support, is assailed with malignant lury. ** The Legislature of Massachusetts, of Massachusetts, the cradle of the Revolution (says this new ally of Federalism) have come forward, and have condescended to array iluni- tjclves in fa\ our of a foreign government, in opposition to that of their own country." Throughout the whole of this celebrated speech, the in- fallibility of iJU' Ailministraiion, and the doctrine of pas- sive obedience and non-resistance are uniformly advanced with zeal and supported with intemperance. That the Ad- 19 ministration can do no wrong, is the creed of every jaco- bin. Such was that of Mr. Clinton before he openly aspi- red to the Presidency. But when he finds resistance bet- ter adapted to promote his ambitious projects than servile obedience and fulsome adulation, he does not for a mo- ment hesitate to raise the standard of insurrection against his immaculate party. Speaking of the attack on the Cht:- sapeake, Mr. Clinton thus vindicates the integrity of the administration. " If our government were actuated by that hostility to Great Britain and partiality to France which have been so mijustly ascribed to them, this would have been a period peculiarly favourable to promote their views to wreak their vengeance and to gratify their prepos- sessions : but the President, desirous of maintaining a friendly position with Great Britain, and averse to close the door to conciliation, preferred the path of negociation." Here we perceive a most unqualified approbation of those very measures which have led us to the brink of ruin, and the grave of dishonour, and which he and his partizans arc now the loudest to condemn. But Mr. C not satisfied witli eulogizing the Administration for their dignified impartia- lity in their intercourse with foreign governments, pro- ceeds to justify and applaud the embargo, which he seems to cherish with the same fond delight as if it had been the bantling of his own brain. " The embargo," says Mr. 90 Llinton '• was recommended to Congiess, and immediately adopiid. This great precautionary measure which had been adopted bv Washington in a similar juncture, was the onlv one which could protect our commerce from total des- truction. It has accordingly saved more property to this countrv thiui would satisty our whole national debt, and lUe expeu're of three years war, besides preserving our na- tional honour fron\ humiliation, and our independence fron^ insult." In a subsequent part of this speech Mr. Clinton's affect- ed hatred kj royalty is expressed in one of the most unfeel- ing and unchristian remarks, that ever fell from the lips ol humanity. It is reproaching an aged and venerable mo- narch for an infirmity which no strength can repel, and no prudence avert. One of the most awful and affecting cala- mities of Providence : one loo, which in the breast of the truly bnivc and generous could excite no other feeling than commiseration, yet the cold heart of Clinton viewed it Oidy as a subject of ridicule and sarcasm. " The hatred which grew out of the revolution has not yet subsided, it still rankhs in the bosom of the maniac on the throne.'' i>Ir. C. in pursuing his subject, and calculating upon tht failure ol negociation, does not hesitate in the most une- quivocal terms, to recommend an appeal to the sword. These ;u\; liis emj)h.ait words: " The measures of pre- ai caution will probably be superseded by measures of coer- cion ; and our rights must be enforced at the point of the bayonet, and by the thunders of our ordnance." Federalists, what think ye now of this boasted champion of peace ? Is this the mild language of conciliation, or of predetermined hostility ? Is Mr. Clinton that exalted Statesman, who will resuscitate our prosperity, and save our drowning honour ? Is this the Magistrate who is to prove a shiv;ld against corruption and a terror to evil doers ? No, my countrymen, he is a deceiver and a villain, that asserts it. Clinton and his associates are only deser ving to be linked together in eternal disgrace. Mr. Clinton, towards the conclusion of his wicked and time-serving speech, commences an insidious, virulent and scurrilous attack on the whole federal party. Mr. C. in- troduces the subject with the affected cant and mock mode- ration of a true jacobin. He professes to think all parties equally honest, and that the people, the good-natured, ho- nest, simple people can never act intentionally wrong. He then proceeds : " but I do not mean to exempt from cen- sure the desperate leaders (meaning the heads of the fede- ral party) of a profligate conspiracy against the good of our country, who at this all-important period, are scattering firebrands of civil discord through the United States. It is perhaps known, but to few, that the project of a dismen v- nn bemient of this country is not a novel plan, growing out of the recent measures of government as it is pretended ; but has been cherished by a number of individuals for a series of years past. Some of the newspapers of New-England have at various times inculcated the treasonable doctrine in elaborate essays. Look at the resolves of several of tixe towns, and even of the Capital of Massachusetts. Ob- ser\e the disorganizing^ Jacobinical, seditious, and traiter- ous spirit which pervades them." After thus villifying the most uncorruptcd portion of the American people, he appeals with spirit and energy to the state of New-York, to purge away the national disho- nour ; " to frown into nothing the Catalines and Borgias of our coimtry.'' So I hope to God it will, and never be in- strumental in elevating to power, an ambitious intriguer, to contaminate our public councils, and degrade our na- tional reputation. If the federal party can, after reading the following ma- lignimt and \ illainous aspersions on their characters as men, Christians ami patriots, support Mr. Clinton in his daring sthenus ol ambition, thev are totally undeserving of an upri)t4it magistrate to govern them. " Is there not (exclaims Mr. C.) reason to apprehend that tltere is an in- timate understanding between the Essex junto and the Bri- tish ministry ; and that foreign influence has struck it? as Jeadly roots deep in that portion of our country ? The pub- lication of Cunning's false and malignant letter, the violent declarations in favour of Great Britain, the servile vindica- tion of his measures towards the United States, and even of the attack upon the Chesapeake, shew in colours as vivid as the streams of lightning in the hands of Joab, and evince a deadly spirit of concert and co-operation with a foreign government. The leaders of the factious proceedings arc without the seinblance of excuse. Driven from power by the indignant voice of an injured people, and despairing to gain it by honest means, they appear to be governed by the same unprincipled sentiments, and actuated by the same hellish principles, which the greatest of poets ascribes to the deceiver of mankind — Better to reign in hell Than serve in heaven. Better to regain office and elevation through blood, de&-» truction and general ruin, than not to obtain them at all." After this character of Federalism, followed a full and explicit avowal of his sentiments, in favour of the Madt- ffOJiian Administration. " Resolved, That we repose full confidence in the ruisdom, patriotism^ and integrity of thu national administration, and that we will, at every hazard, and to the full extent of our faculties, support them against the unjust attempts of foreign powers : and if a state of 24 ueace shall no longer be a state of honour ; and a continu- ance of aggression render an appeal to the sword inevita- ble, wc pledge ourselves and fortunes, in defence of .the- just rights of our injured country /' Suth is tlie man who dares solicit the aid of federalists. A politician, who through every stage of his public life has marked the shifting tides of popular sentiment, only to follow its current. Who has always niodtlK-d his opinions to his situation, and his actions to his interest. Whose pert presumption has taken to itself no better guide than insolent passion. Whose plans have been as vulgar in the conception as mean and undignified in the execuion. With him all is deception and obliquity. " In rebus politiceis nihil simplex, nihil apertum, nihil honestum." If he has shewn consistency in any part of his conduct, it has only been the consistency of guilt, which by var}ing its means, hopes to obtain its end. It is the consistency of a C:esar, .« Borgia, a Cromwell or a Bonaparte, who assuming a thou' :jan(l shapes to acquire power, have only been uni:orm in never relinquishing it when obtained. Is Mr. Clinton then totally deficient in all those great and gocxl qualities, which are necessary- to constitute the chief magistrate of a free people ? He most unquestionably is. Is he not intelligent? His crude speeches and abortive in- trigucii arc the best coiunicnt on his talents. Is he not ho- 23 nourable ? If duelling be the criterion of honour, he is au honourable man. Is he not generous ? " If it be generous to accumulate in his own person and family a number of lu- crative employments, to provide at the public expense for every creature that bears the name of Clinton or that is connected to him by the ties of consanguinity, and neglect- ing the merits and services of honest men, to heap promo- tion upon his favourites and dependants, then is he the most generous man alive." From him who can reward with patronage and offices those detestable parasites, that " pessimum genus laudatorum," which flutter about his person, nothing great, nothing ex- alted can ever proceed. The audacity of Mr. Clinton's Ipretensions and the perverseness of his ambition, are truly astonishing. He has grown so bold in vice, that he seeks not even to veil his iniquities. Shame is the last vir- tue of fallen greatness ; " it is moral vitality." Where shame exists ever\' pollution may be washed away. But must not shame be wholly extinguished in the breast of that man, who meanly solicits the support of a party against which he has ever displayed the most savage and rancorous hostility ; who could not be satisfied with its fall from power, but must seek to persecute, blacken, disgrace and ruin it, even after it had surrendered up the reins of government into the hands of his associates in principle and compeers in //