Part 6

The fourth time in 1815, as the _sub_ agent and director of the McBain meeting; still ready with 100 dollars, to divide the ticket with the federalists rather than the regular nomination should succeed and Mr. Young not be elected; swearing he had not _before taken hold since his friend Burr went down_.

On the _first_ day of election he is a flaming democrat.

On the _second_ day, at the opening of the polls, he makes public proclamation "for all those who did not intend to vote for Mr Young to come forward and state their reasons, _and they should be heard_; and that _now_ he had no objections that _three federalists_ should be elected."

On the third day of the election, "_it depended on a word, and the types of the republican printer would be scattered_." A true sample of "the mild spirit of Christian humility" Vid. _book_.

[7] _This circumstance would not have been mentioned had not the _CITIZEN_ boasted of the same office confering great honor on one of his disciples_.

[8] In treating of the productions of an author, it is customary to give some account of his character, pursuits, &c. &c. This is usually done by way of _introduction_ or _appendix_. I beg leave in this instance to deviate from the regular method, and present him in the more appropriate station of a _Nota Bene_.

The author of that pamphlet is a _lawyer_ in _practice_ and a _moralist_ by _profession_; by the former, he has acquired great _booty_; by the latter a ---- and what is peculiar to himself (and all 'peculiar' men have their peculiarities) he never suffers his _profession_ to interfere with his _practice_; and yet in _money concerns_, he has been known to handle _both_, with great _adroitness_. In his _practice_ his fellow townsmen are "pine plains men," in his profession "a contemptible rabble;" and truly so, for the former tell him "the farm you live on was once the soil of a revolutionary soldier." This is truly saucey, for he acquired it by his _practice_. The latter tell him, "you sued us for small sums due the estate of a relative; you made us ten times more costs than the demands--you took advantage of a then existing law, to oppress us; you feasted on our misfortunes, and rioted on our distresses; till an _ugly_ law extended relief to the '_rabble_'."

One of these men living in an adjoining town, tells him, "I once owned two farms; I own no farms now--They are swallowed up in '_morality_.'" It is not yet ascertained, whether his rate of 40 per cent interest, is regulated by his _practice_ or his _profession_. It certainly cannot be, as has been supposed, in proportion to the wants of the distressed. I am inclined to think his _morality_ often runs ahead of his _practice_, in this case.

A _good reputation_ is not common to all men. Our author has practically demonstrated the truth of this position, and conclusively shewn, that the _needy_ have an absolute right to filch a supply from their neighbor; and has exhibited such powerful proofs in support of _his_ claims, that he has actually obtained more than a _quantum sufficit_, and conferred the surplus on some of his _needy_ friends.

The misfortunes of his neighbor, forms the chief round in his _ladder_ to eminence; it rests on the sanctuary of domestic afflictions, and is supported by the tears of the widow and the orphan. Lo! Avarice claims him for her own--Billingsgate yields her choicest flowers--Envy entwines the glowing wreath--and malice triumphantly crowns him "lord of the ascendant."

[9] _The certificates of these men interlard several points of conversation as minute as the souls which gave operation to their memory; and which appear to be designed to answer no other purpose, than to shew the extraordinary strength and accuracy of intellect by which they are characterized. Their fixed attention to such matters may serve as some excuse for the manner in which they executed their offices of U.S. assessors. But I have had occasion to note these gentlemen once before_.

[10] _The Citizen is perhaps correct when he calls Mr. Palmer a_ little man, _and Judges of his own_ favorites _by the quantity of_ matter _instead of_ mind;--_Like the Italian Farmer in estimating the qualities of a_ grave animal _no less famous for_ strength and dullness _than for the_ length _of his_ ears.

[11] _It seems that an effort was afterwards made to convince their friends, by publishing several hundreds of the famous communication from Young's colleagues, notwithstanding an express stipulation to the contrary_.