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 fede