Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1818-09-08

The first prayer of every American for
his county should be, that the right of
suffrage may remain unimpaired. II IS
hardly possible that a whole Community
can materially err; and IL they do, see.
ing their error, they have the ability and
the mill TO correct it.
Whist thus, in general terms, we feel
our soul lifted up because Of Tile prosper
ity that flows from liberty and independ-
ence, aud taste the luscious fruits DC free
donl--whilst we exuIt atthe proud atti-
tude of our country, the home Of euanci
pated man, the hope OF piliIosophy, tile
Eden Of oppressed humaniiy, and resting.
place Of the Iabouring peor---we are not
without alloys to our happiness, and have
cause to regret the want d an eniiehtened
policy to secure all the good sliica ouaf1t
| TO result from our national I'D political
advantages. The most OF such deficiencies
grow out Of the negligence Of The people
in selecting their representatives, or in
their being guided by local and partial
lviews---too much bounding their patriot
ism by the ideal lines Of some little town.
village, or district that they happen to
linhabit. And hence it is, that instead OF
having sound practical men to manage our
affairs, we are often disguised with
ipopiniay orators and creatures of party,
aud a large proportion Of ignorance and
| stupidity. We would respectfully invite
the people to consideration of this sub
ject, and exhort them 10 make selections
for each Office in their gift, more with a
lview to the general welfare than to sub
serve petty interest; to elect statesmen
instead of politicians, for their governors,
representatives, &c. 1t II the natural op
Grafton Of things, if a ps.son is selected
to carry some favourile measure-such as
to make road, clear intercourse, or
some other atom in the general good, that
he trades and barriers, nay, may be said
TO sell lbs cote on questions of greater mo-
ment, TO accomplish the particular thing
he desires. This is VIGOROUSLY the case
Dog suiH ve.s s;see, ~ oots NTH yoai,
is the phrase in which what should be
esteemed, and called, rEaJURY is cloaked
Every legislator is perjured who votes for
law except by conviction that that law
will be beneficial; and it is manifest
fraud and actual bribery, as well as per
Jury, to obtain votes by such sort OF
g management" But it is !amentably true
that nine enths of the offensive laws are
in this way obtained. Will any one be-
| lieve that the WHEELING ofsAanks in Penn.
isyigania could nave happened, against the
veto OF the invaluable gov. Snyder, with
out combination of buyers and sellers OF
votes--or in several occasions in Men.
York, aud 10 the bank-lit in Kentucky,
and other states? Mono. The sove
reign power Of legislation-the awful trust
of doing that which man in his con-
science believes to be rights sometimes
Titled as into retail trade in tapes and
bobbins, at cent per yard and many,
instead of considering laws as useful to the
state, are rather disposed to examine how
their passage may affect their own meanly
contracted, ifnot sinister and wholly per-
sonal views.
We think that the facts just stated will
strike every rejecting man, aud some will
enquire, why did / not think of this be-
fore But the great consolation remains
g it is never too late to do good"-and flu.
ture carefulness may be offered to expiate
former errors; and truly entitle us TO an
exercise of the inestimable right Of suf-
frage, as being the best political gift of
COP. A venerable old friend of the edi-'
tor-one Of the best men that ever lived,
and true wing in the worst of times,
often observes, as though it were fixed
principle in his heart" feel myself &C
countable TO my MAKER for discreet
use of his blessing conferred in the right
of suffrage" Would to heaven, that eve
ry citizen might feel such responsibility
What purgation oflegislative halls would
ensue The spirit of truth would drive
out the buyers and sellers-the J" money
changers and those who trade in doves"
AGRICULTURAL.