CENTINEL #20

UNDENIABLE TRUTHS!

CENTINEL NO. 20

To the Citizens of Philadelphia.

I congratulate my fellow citizens on the dawn of returning independence of sentiment evinced at the last election; may its ennobling influence stimulate to further and more effectual exertions; may the dictates of the well born junto be treated on every occasion, with the contempt they experienced in regard to the late choice of councillor for this city.

Blinded by prejudice industriously fomented, influenced by sordid motives of private interest, or intimidated by apprehensions of being ruined in their professions, a great majority of the citizens of Philadelphia have suffered themselves to be made the scaffold upon which the well-born junto have ascended to the government of this state, and thereby to a predominancy in that of the United States. For several years past the essential privilege of freemen, that of electing their legislators has been reduced to unsubstantial form, to a mere farce, the appointment being really made by the junto, previous to the legal election. The situation of this city has been similar to that of Rome, under the emperors, who artfully gratified the people with the forms of that liberty which they had enjoyed under the republic; continuing their ostensible representatives and officers, although in fact they were the creatures of the emperors and entirely subservient to them. Thus, you have been amused with the show of annual elections, and the name of representatives without the reality.