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.”