[203] On account of the virulence of party feeling, it was not to be expected that Osgood would succeed in stating the case in a manner acceptable to all. Popular opinion respecting the wisdom and fairness of Osgood’s performance was far from unanimous. An opposition, inspired by political interests, quickly developed, to which Republican newspapers willingly enough gave voice. _The Independent Chronicle_ of Dec. 11, 1794, contains typical expressions of adverse comment. An exceptionally forceful counter-attack was made in the guise of an anonymous “sermon”, entitled: “_The Altar of Baal Thrown Down: or, The French Nation Defended, Against the Pulpit Slander of David Osgood, A. M., Pastor of the Church in Medford. Par Citoyen de Novion._” The author of this pamphlet, who, as time demonstrated, was none other than James Sullivan, later governor of Massachusetts, right valiantly took up the cudgel in defence of the French. The French, he argues, are to be regarded as a mighty nation by whom our own nation has been preserved from destruction. Their excesses are most charitably and fairly explained in the light of the frightful oppressions which they had long suffered. Their attitude toward religion should not be regarded as hostile. The French strike only at a clergy who have linked their power with that of the nobility, and who together have made the people’s lot intolerable. _Cf. ibid._, pp. 12 _et seq._ The entire sermon abounds in caustic criticism of Osgood for having stepped “out of ... line to gratify a party.” [204] _Christian Thankfulness Explained and Enforced. A Sermon, delivered at Charlestown, in the afternoon of February 19, 1795. The day of general thanksgiving through the United States._ By David Tappan, D. D., Hollisian Professor of Divinity in Harvard College, Boston, 1795. [205] _The Nature and Manner of Giving Thanks to God, Illustrated. A sermon, delivered on the day of the national thanksgiving, February 19, 1795._ By Ebenezer Bradford, A. M., pastor of the First Church in Rowley, Boston, 1795. [206] The so-called “Whiskey Rebellion” came in for a considerable amount of hostile comment on the part of the Federalist clergy at this time. Generally speaking, the New England clergy felt sure of their ground respecting the alleged causal relation between the Democratic Clubs and the Pennsylvania uprising. Hence it happened that the tone of clerical condemnation with respect to everything which had the semblance of a secret propaganda was appreciably heightened. The moralizing tendencies of the clergy with respect to the secret combinations which were believed to be back of the “Whiskey Rebellion” is well illustrated in the following: _A Sermon, delivered February 19, 1795, being a day of general thanksgiving throughout the United States of America_. By Joseph Dana, A. M., pastor of the South Church in Ipswich. Newburyport, 1795. _Cf._ also, _Wolcott Papers_, vol. viii, 7. [207] Tappan’s _Sermon_, p. 36.