or the commonwealth, they are now
hurled from seats of power, and unable to carry into effect plans laid for
subverting the liberties of the people.--Checked at once in their horrid
career--all those hopes blasted which they entertained of concerting
measures which would "afford them matter for derision at a future
day,"--they now put on the garb of hypocrisy, and seem to weep for the
terrible misfortunes which they pretend are hovering around us. Such
characters are, it is hoped, forever banished from places of trust. Some
of them pretend to be mighty politicians,--they display a vast knowledge of
ancient times--and by their harangues about the conduct of Greece, Rome and
Athens, show their acquaintance with the pages of antiquity. In some few
instances, however, perhaps they are a little mistaken. The learned Numa
says, "the degenerate Romans banished Cicero for saving the commonwealth."
Rome did not banish Cicero--a faction, who wished to triumph over the
liberties of Rome, exiled that immortal orator; and to that, or a similar
one, he at last fell a sacrifice. If a faction can be styled the people,
with great propriety do the disappointed aristocraticks, and their tools,
in our day, style themselves, the great majority of the people.

If Numa, and others of the like stamp, are politicians, they are very
short-sighted ones. If our government is weak, is it policy to weaken it
still more by false suggestions, and by a scandalous abuse of our rulers?
by endeavouring to spread a spirit of discontent among the people, and
prejudicing their minds against those whom, by their suffrages, they have
chosen to take the helm of affairs? If this is policy, Numa is, indeed, an
accomplished politician.

But the time of triumph for the aristocratick clan is now over. The people
have seen their folly in listening too much to them already. Their conduct
has involved the state in confusion; but it is hoped, a conduct the
reverse will place matters again upon a right footing. The secret
machinations, which were harboured in the breasts of those aristocratick
dupes, have been laid open to publick inspection--their plans thoroughly
investigated--and the horrid tendency of them, had they taken effect, been
fully manifested.

They may weep, crocodile-like, till the source of their tears is dried up,
they never will get the prey into their jaws, which they hoped to devour.
The sting of remorse, it may be hoped, will bring them to a sense o