attributed to the junto. Though not one of the "big leaders" had declared openly for separation, these cunning old politicians, it was said, had allowed a few of the very young men to speak for it; these young men were sent forth from the citadel of sedition, like little dogs, whose barking, if it aroused the citizens, should be the signal to the wary soldiers within to raise the Union standard and avert the impending attack. When public opinion was seen to be strongly Unionist, the Mercury, the organ of the Disunion party, protested against being called the advocate of disunion. "Thus," said the Gazette, "although we have stripped from the Mercury party the mask of virtue with which it woiild have concealed its treachery, we are yet unable to name the persons who would dismember the Union. The light of day shines not upon them; poor, cowardly assassins, they stab only in the dark."[1]
Such accusations were based purely upon suspicion. The accusers had to admit that their charges could not be substantiated by positive citations. In May the Mercury had advised caution and careful consideration before action. In June it had approved the suggestion of the
- ↑ Gazette, July 26, August 1, 1828.
