a punishment their conduct most justly merits.

CASSIUS.

Cassius, III.

The Massachusetts Gazette, (Number 383)

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1787.

For the Massachusetts Gazette.

It was the saying of an eminent legislator, that if we had angels to
govern us, we should quarrel with them. The conduct of some among us has
repeatedly evinced, beyond a doubt, that this would actually be the case;
we have proof of this in a more particular manner in the opposition now
made by some (but I sincerely hope the number is few) to the form of
government agreed upon by the late federal Convention. I firmly believe,
if a form of government was proposed to some of the inhabitants of the
United States by the great Author of Nature himself, founded on the basis
of eternal rectitude, and sanctioned in the courts above, that they would
object to it.

It is a happy circumstance for the citizens of the United States that they
are acquainted with the motives which actuate the present opposers to the
plan of federal government; as they now, instead of listening with candour
to the dictates of mad frenzy and wild ambition, will treat with the
deserved contempt all their productions.

The opposers to the plan of federal government, are composed of such as
are either deeply in debt and know not how to extricate themselves, should
a strict administration of law and justice take place, or those who are
determined not to be contented under any form of government, or of such as
mean to "owe their greatness to their country's ruin."--Are such fit men to
point out objections to a government, proposed by the first characters in
the universe, after a long and candid discussion of the subject?--Are such
fit characters to propose a government for ruling a free and enlightened
people?--Can those who are known to be divested of honour, justice and
integrity, expect to propagate sentiments that will outweigh those of men
whose character as true republicans and wise statesmen, are known from
pole to pole--men, whose wisdom and firmness have emancipated the United
States from the yoke of bondage, and laid the foundation of an empire,
which (if the people will still follow their precepts) will last till time
shall be swallowed up in the "wasteless ages of eternity?"--Can scribblers
whose fame is but of a day, think to influence the citizens of the United
States so far as to cause them to respect a form of government calculated
to diffuse the blessing