2971. FEDERALISTS, Objects of.—[continued].
The original objects of
the federalists were, 1st, to warp our government
more to the form and principles of monarchy;
and 2d, to weaken the barriers of the
State governments as coordinate powers. In
the first they have been so completely foiled
by the universal spirit of the nation that they
have abandoned the enterprise, shrunk from
the odium of their old appellation, taken to
themselves a participation of ours, and under
the pseudo-republican mask, are now aiming
at their second object, and strengthened by
unsuspecting or apostate recruits from our
ranks, are advancing fast towards an ascendency.—
To William Johnson. Washington ed. vii, 293.
Ford ed., x, 228.
(M.
1823)
See Monarchy.