Chapter 2

Anarchy, with her haggard cheeks and extended jaws, stands ready, and all allow that unless some efficient form of government is adopted she will soon swallow us. The opposers to the plan of government lately agreed upon by the federal convention have not spared their censures upon it: they have stigmatized it with every odious appellation that can be named; but amidst all their railing, have not so much as hinted at a form of government that would be proper for us to adopt: and even if they had, it would have remained for us to examine, whether they were men of more honesty, greater abilities, and firmer patriots and friends to their country, than the members of the late convention; and whether the form of government, which they might propose, was better adapted to our situation and circumstances, and freer from imperfections, than the one which has already been proposed to us. But it is not the intention of the opposers to the plan of federal government, founded on firm and truly republican principles; as, in that case, their aims would be entirely defeated, as it would put it out of their power to stir up sedition and discontent; and they would be lost in obscurity, or move in a most contemptible sphere.

I have before hinted, that the opposers of the plan of federal government are composed of knaves, harpies and debtors; and, I trust, it will soon appear, what I have said is not a bare assertion only, but a matter of fact.

I shall now proceed to make a few remarks on the conclusion of “Vox Populi’s,” or rather Vox Insania’s, production which appeared in last Friday’s paper.

Vox Populi requests the inhabitants of Massachusetts “to pay that attention to the federal constitution which the importance of its nature demands;” and informs them, that they “have hazarded their lives and fortunes (by the way, a wonderful piece of news) to establish a government founded on the principles of genuine civil liberty,” &c. I join with him in his request. And am confident if that attention which is requisite is paid to the proposed plan of federal government, that it will meet with the hearty approbation of every well wisher to the freedom and happiness of his country. It is true, that the inhabitants of America have hazarded their lives and fortunes to establish a free and efficient government; but will Vox Populi, that moon-light prophet, pretend to say that such a government is at present established? Vox Populi goes on to inform us, that, by adopting the new plan of government, we shall make inroads on the constitution of this State, which he seems to think will be sacrilegious. His narrow and contracted ideas, his weak, absurd, and contemptible arguments, discover him to be possessed of a mind clouded with the gloom of ignorance, and thick with the grossest absurdity. Strange it is, that that babbler should suppose it unjustifiable for the people to alter or amend, or even entirely abolish, what they themselves have established. But says Vox Populi, perhaps the new plan will not have the same number to approbate it, that the constitution of this State had. Perhaps Vox Populi will be hung for high treason. There is, in my opinion, as much probability in the latter perhaps, as in the former. Pray, Mr. Vox Populi, if I may be so bold, what reason have you to judge that there will not be so many for adopting the constitution proposed by the convention, as there were for adopting the constitution of this State some years ago? Do you suppose the inhabitants of Massachusetts have depreciated in their understanding? or do you suppose that the sublimity of your jargon has blinded them with respect to their best interests? If you suppose the former, I think you have not been much conversant with them of late, or that your intellects are something defective. If you suppose the latter, in my opinion, you are no better than a downright Fool.

Vox Populi sets out to touch the consciences of men in office, in representing the solemnity of an oath. It seems almost impossible that any one should be so stupidly blinded to every dictate of reason and common sense, as to start such things as have been mentioned by Vox Populi, to deter men from using their influence to effect the adoption of the new plan of government.

Can that shallow-pated scribbler suppose that an oath taken by rulers to stand by a form of government, adopted by the people, can be of any force or consideration if the people choose to change that form of government for another more agreeable to their wishes?

But (in order without doubt to strike a greater dread upon their minds) Vox Populi says, “the oath is registered in Heaven.” Pray, Mr. Vox Populi, when was you there? and did you really see the oath registered? The constitution of this state was formed, and officers appointed under it, long since the awful battle was fought in Heaven, between Michael and the Prince of Darkness, and I cannot conceive of your admittance there in any other way than under the banners of his Satanick Majesty, who might suppose that such an unparalleled phenomenon would have an effect on the archangel that would be favourable to his cause.

Vox Populi asserts that the General Court(8) acted merely officially in laying the proposed plan of government before the people. No man of candour, sense and foresight, Mr. Vox Populi, will ask the reason of the General Court’s laying the plan of government proposed by the federal constitution before the people, as their own minds will suggest to them the true reason for it, and none but those who are as stupid and ignorant as yourself, would suppose that the General Court acted merely officially in doing as they did. The General Court were undoubtedly influenced by motives of the best kind in what they did.

They without doubt were anxious that the people should have the new plan of government to consider of in due time, and, considering the importance of it, and the tendency it had to promote their happiness, liberty and security, took the first opportunity to present it to them. ’Tis true, Mr. Vox Populi, that you are a member of the legislature; it is also true that you are possessed of a mind as emaciated as the mass of corrupt matter that encircles it. But although you belong to the house of representatives, I trust you are not the mouth of that honourable body; and, if not, pray who authorised you to inform the publick of the motives for their conduct? Did they in an official manner make their motives known to you, and request you to lay them before the publick? Indeed, Mr. Vox Populi, you seem to put on very assuming airs, but I think you had better humble yourself, as your station may, ere long, be lowered.

A writer under the signature of Examiner,(9) has several times pointed out the fallacy of the writings of Vox Populi, and requested that ghost-like scribbler to lay a form of government before the publick in lieu of that which he has taken upon him to condemn; and has informed him, that if he does not, and still continues scribbling, his modesty will be called in question.

The Examiner is entirely unacquainted with the babbler he justly reproves, or he would not have mentioned anything to him respecting modesty; as he must be sensible that screech-owls are entirely divested of modesty, and he may be assured that Vox Populi is one of those midnight squallers.

Inhabitants of Massachusetts! be constantly on the watch—It requires almost the eyes of an Argus to penetrate into all the schemes of those designing wretches, who are waiting to see you reject the federal system of government, and involve yourselves in all the horrours of anarchy, then to riot with pleasure on your miseries. Disappoint their expectations—adopt the proposed plan of federal government—it will secure to you every blessing which a free and enlightened people can expect to enjoy.

Some, who are now in office, but expect soon to leave it, and bid adieu to power, unless they can effect the establishment of a government which shall

“Cause treason, rapine, sacrilege and crimes, To blot the annals of these western climes,”

are busy in spreading every false and malicious insinuation in their power, to prejudice the people against the new plan of government; but it is hoped they will see through their designs, and treat them with contempt—and wisely agree to embrace the new plan of government, which is favourable to every sentiment of republicanism, and replete with every thing beneficial to their welfare.

CASSIUS.

Cassius, V.

The Massachusetts Gazette, (Number 386)

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1787.

For the Massachusetts Gazette.

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.

“And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

“And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?” &c., &c.

Citizens of Massachusetts! like the sons of God have the members of the late federal convention assembled together; like them too, have they been infested with the presence of Satan, or such as were influenced by Satanick principles, and who wish to thwart every design that has a tendency to promote the general good of the United States.

Let us take a short view of the characters who composed the late federal convention. Are they not men who, from their infancy, have been nurtured in the principles of liberty, and taught to pay a sacred regard to the rights of human nature? Are they not men who, when the poisonous breath of tyranny would have blasted the flower of Independence in its bud, and veiled every ray of freedom in the clouds of lawless despotism, nobly stepped forth in defence of their injured country’s rights, and through the influence of whose exertions, favoured by the protection of an over-ruling Power, the thick fog of despotism vanished like the early dew before the powerful rays of the resplendent luminary of the universe? Are they not honest, upright and just men, who fear God and eschew evil?

With few exceptions, they are mostly men of this character; and, Citizens of Massachusetts, they have formed a government adequate to the maintaining and supporting the rank and dignity of America in the scale of nations; a government which, if adopted, will protect your trade and commerce, and cause business of every kind rapidly to increase and flourish; it is a government which wants only a candid perusal and due attention paid to it, to recommend it to every well-wisher to his country.

Brethren and citizens, hearken to the voice of men who have dictated only for your and posterity’s good; men who ever

“Have made the publick good their only aim, And on that basis mean to build their fame.”

Listen not to the insinuations of those who will glory only in your destruction, but wisely persevere in the paths of rectitude.

CASSIUS.

Cassius, VI.

The Massachusetts Gazette, (Number 387)

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1787.

For the Massachusetts Gazette.

MR. ALLEN:

Through the channel of your Paper, I beg leave to offer one or two short remarks on a production which appeared in your last, under the signature of Agrippa.(10)

Without saying anything concerning the justness of the learned Agrippa’s observations on past events, I shall confine myself chiefly to a small part of his uncommonly ingenious essay.

Agrippa says, “the attempt has been made to deprive us,” &c., “by exalting characters on the one side, and vilifying them on the other.” And goes on, “I wish to say nothing of the merits or demerits of individuals, such arguments always do hurt.” Immediately after this he insinuates that the members of the late federal convention have, “from their cradles, been incapable of comprehending any other principles of government than those of absolute power, and who have, in this instance (meaning the form of government proposed by them) attempted to deprive the people of their constitutional liberty by a pitiful trick.” Thus the ignorant loggerhead blunders directly into the very same thing which he himself, just before, takes upon him to censure. Perhaps Agrippa thinks that excusable in anti-federalists, which in a federalist he beholds as criminal; justly thinking, without doubt, that as absurdity, knavery and falsehood, is the general characteristick of anti-federalists, he might indulge himself in either of them, without meriting censure.

I apprehend, that Agrippa has a new budget of political ideas, centered in his pericranium, which he will, in his own due time, lay before the publick; for he insinuates, that the members of the late federal convention are incapable of comprehending any other principles of government than those of absolute power. Was it the dictates of absolute power, that inspired the immortal Washington to lead forth a band of freemen to oppose the inroads of despotism, and establish the independence of his country? Was it the dictates of arbitrary power, that induced the celebrated Franklin to cross the wide Atlantick to procure succours for his injured countrymen and citizens?

Blush and tremble, Agrippa! thou ungrateful monster!—Charon’s boat now waits on the borders of the Styx, to convey you to those mansions where guilt of conscience will prey upon your intellects, at least for a season!

“Is there not some chosen curse, Some hidden thunder in the stores of heaven, Red with uncommon wrath, to blast the wretch, Who dares pollute such names So sacred, and so much belov’d?” Methinks I hear each freeman cry, Most certainly there is.

CASSIUS.

Cassius, VII.

The Massachusetts Gazette, (Number 387)

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1787.

For the Massachusetts Gazette.

I believe it may be asserted for fact, that since the foundations of the universe were laid, there has no kind of government been formed, without opposition being made to it, from one quarter or another.

There always has been, and ever will be, in every country, men who have no other aim in view than to be in direct opposition to every thing which takes place, or which is proposed to be adopted.—This class of beings always wish to make themselves important, and to incur notice; and, conscious of their inability to obtain that notice which is bestowed on the patriot and the just man, they put up (because they cannot help it) with being noticed only for their absurdity and folly. When you hear this class of Would Be’s engaged in condemning any form of government, or any thing else, ask them this simple question—What do you think would be better than that which you condemn?—O! that is quite another matter, would most probably be the answer; we are not adequate to the task of fabricating a government, we leave that to wiser heads—but, they will continue, it is easy for any one to discover the imperfections in this form of government we are condemning. Strange absurdity!—inadequate to the task of constructing, yet capable of criticizing upon, and pointing out the defects of, anything which is constructed. Well may we say, in the words of another—

“Some are bewilder’d in the maze of schools, And some made criticks Nature meant but fools: In search of wit these lose their common sense, And then turn critics in their own defence.”

There is not, in the extensive circle of human nature, objects more completely despicable than those who take upon them to censure and condemn a work, without being able to substitute any thing preferable in lieu of it.

In those objects, last mentioned, this country considerably abounds, as the newspaporial pages fully evince. They have been busily employed of late, in finding fault with the plan of government proposed by the federal convention; they have almost exhausted their folly, knavery, absurdity, and ridiculous, inconclusive, non-applicable arguments on the subject; and, in my opinion, was this question asked them, What do you mean by all your learned farrago about this matter? they could not give any other reasonable answer, than that their intent was, to exhibit specimens of their scribbling talents.—But I will dismiss this subject for the present, in order to make a few remarks on the conduct of some others, since the proposed form of government made its appearance.

In some assemblies, where the necessity of calling a state convention to consider of the merits of the new constitution has been debated, some gentlemen, who were opposed to the plan of federal government, while they reprobated it, at the same time declared that none were more truly federal than themselves.—What a pity it is, for these patriots in theory, that actions speak louder than words—and that the people are so incredulous as not to believe a thing which they know to be directly the reverse of truth.—

It ever prejudices people against arguments, even if they should happen to be just, if they are prefaced by a glaring falsehood—this, sharpers do not always consider, when they are attempting to carry their favourite points.—It is something to be wondered at, that a certain theoretical patriot,(11) instead of saying he would sooner have lost his hand than subscribed his name to the plan of federal government, had not have declared, that he would sooner have lost his head, and the amazing fund of federal wisdom it contains, before he would have been guilty of so horrid an act.

Look around you, inhabitants of America! and see of what characters the anti-federal junto are composed.—Are any of them men of that class, who, in the late war, made bare their arms and girded on the helmet in your defence?—few, very few indeed, of the antifederalists, are men of this character. But who are they that are supporters of that grand republican fabrick, the Federal Constitution?—Are they not the men who were among the first to assert the rights of freemen, and put a check to the invasions of tyranny? Are they not, many of them, men who have fought and bled under the banners of liberty?—Most certainly this is the case.—Will you then, countrymen and fellow-citizens, give heed to these infamous, anti-federal slanderers, who, in censuring the proposed plan of federal government, have dared, basely dared to treat even the characters of a Washington and a Franklin with reproach?—Surely you will not. Your good sense and discernment will lead you to treat with abhorrence and contempt every artifice which is put in practice to sap the confidence you have in men who are the boast of their country, and an honour to human nature. You certainly cannot harbour an idea so derogatory to reason and the nature of things, as that men, who, for eight years, have fought and struggled, to obtain and secure to you freedom and independence, should now be engaged in a design to subvert your liberties and reduce you to a state of servitude. Reason revolts at the thought, ... and none but the infamous incendiary, or the unprincipled monster, would insinuate a thing so vile.

CASSIUS.

Cassius, VIII.

The Massachusetts Gazette, (Number 391)

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1787.

For the Massachusetts Gazette.

TO THE INHABITANTS OF THIS STATE:

In some former publications, I have confined myself chiefly to pointing out the views of the opposers to the plan of federal government; the reason why I did not enter particularly into the merits of the new constitution is, that I conceived if it was candidly read, and properly attended to, that alone would be sufficient to recommend it to the acceptance of every rational and thinking mind that was interested in the happiness of the United States of America. Some babblers of the opposition junto have, however, complained that nothing has been said, except in general terms, in favour of the federal constitution; in consequence of this, incompetent as I am to the undertaking, I have been induced to lay the following remarks before the publick.

Sect. first, of the new constitution, says,

“All legislative powers Herein Granted shall be vested in a congress of the United States.”

I beg the reader to pay particular attention to the words herein granted, as perhaps there may be occasion for me to recur to them more than once in the course of my observations.

The second section of the federal constitution says, that the members of the house of representatives shall be chosen every second year, and the electors shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislature. Some have made objections to the time for which the representatives are to be chosen; but it is to be considered, that the convention, in this particular, meant to accommodate the time for which the representatives should stand elected, to the constitutions of the different states. If it had been provided, that the time should have been of shorter duration, would not a citizen of Maryland or South-Carolina had reason to murmur?

The weakness the anti-federalists discover in insinuating that the federal government will have it in their power to establish a despotick government, must be obvious to every one; for the time for which they are elected is so short, as almost to preclude the possibility of their effecting plans for enslaving so vast an empire as the United States of America, even if they were so base as to hope for anything of the kind. The representatives of the people would also be conscious, that their good conduct alone, would be the only thing which could influence a free people to continue to bestow on them their suffrages: the representatives of the people would not, moreover, dare to act contrary to the instructions of their constituents; and if any one can suppose that they would, I would ask them, why such clamour is made about a bill of rights, for securing the liberties of the subject? for if the delegates dared to act contrary to their instructions, would they be afraid to encroach upon a bill of rights? If they determined among themselves to use their efforts to effect the establishment of an aristocratical or despotick government, would a bill of rights be any obstacle to their proceedings? If they were guilty of a breach of trust in one instance, they would be so in another.

The second section also says, no person shall be elected a representative who shall not have been seven years an inhabitant of the United States. This clause effectually confounds all the assertions of the anti-federalists, respecting the representatives not being sufficiently acquainted with the different local interests of their constituents; for a representative, qualified as the constitution directs, must be a greater numbskull than a Vox Populi or an Agrippa,(12) not to have a knowledge of the different concerns of the Confederation.

The objection that the representation will not be sufficient, is weak in the highest degree. It is supposed, that there are sufficient inhabitants in the state of Massachusetts to warrant the sending of six delegates, at least, to the new Congress—To suppose that three gentlemen, of the first characters and abilities, were inadequate to represent the concerns of this state in a just manner, would be absurd in the highest degree, and contradictory to reason and common sense. The weakness of the anti-federalists, in regard to the point just mentioned, sufficiently shews their delinquency with respect to rational argument. They have done nothing more than barely to assert, that the representation would not be sufficient: it is a true saying, that assertions are often the very reverse of facts.

Sect. third, of the new constitution, says, each state shall choose two senators, &c. The liberalty of this clause is sufficient, any reasonable person would suppose, to damp all opposition.