The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1818-09-15

l 1bS Hedtt, WHICH, among TOO many, act Win
strength sufficient to overcome the suggestions
Of reason aud conscience. They have there
fore addressed themselves TO the degrading
spirit of avarice, and calculate TO gain admit
lance TO the minds of the people through this
unholy medium.
This attempt both casts a foul aspersion up
on the national government, and is an insult TO
the understanding, virtue and public spirit OF
those upen whom it is made. 1t commences
with saying that our claims are Of such char
acter that the government cannot, without a
fragrant dereliction of duty, acknowledge them
and yet implies belief, that, notwithstand-
ing their injustice, it might be induced to al
low them, upon the performance OF certain
/ conditons.- What is the amount of this argu-
ment ? 1t is, that government would consent
to do that which it has no right TO do, in case
we would conduct agreeably to their wishes.
Is not this charging them with corruption
with disposition to make their passions and
interest the guides of their conduct, instead OF
being influenced by the plain requirements of
duty and the publick good The claim is 10
be tested altogether by its original merits and
no subsequent conduct of this State can affect
its validity. If it is just one, the govern
ment are bound in honour and conscience to
discharge it; if it is not, they are as much
bound 10 reject it. The question is not ,what
were the sentiments of the people of this
State concerning the war, what they have been
since, or what they are TO be in time to come ;
but is. Were the militia called out in such
manner and under such circumstances as TO
constitute just claim upon the national gov
eminent for reimbursement oftheir expen-
ses To suppose the government willing TO
regard any other considerations than these, is
to suppose that they would be willing to be
guilty of the crime of bribery, to exercise a
corrupt and penicious influence upon popular
opinion, and make their power subservient 9
prejudice and party.
But what ought to be the sentiments with
which the people of Massachusetts should lis
ten to an appeal of this kind Here is a direct
attempt made to influence your sentiments by
bribery and corruption. Conduct, which you
sincerely and conscientiously supported dur
ing the war, you are called upon to renounce
and reprobate. And for what THAT you
may obtain that indemnity which the govern
ment is either bound 10 afford you at all e.
vents, or which they ought not, from any con-
sideration whatever. Will high minded,
virtuous people countenance such attempts as
this Are you to be turned from the path OF
integrity and duty by such miserable lures
TO confess yourselves to have been in the
wrong, when you are not convinced of it, by
the offer OF any sum Of money, however large
We trust not. We trust you will repel with
disdan such base suggestions, and prove your
selves willing to become beggars in property
rather than beggars in principle.
By these remarks, we do not mean to be
unde rstood as believing that the national ad-
ministrations instigate or sanction these cor
rupt appeals, but merely to reprobate the
conduct OF those persons who take such un-
worthy means to seduce others from their sense
of duty.
The question as TO the validity Of this claim
has been so often and SO ably discussed, that
any observations Of ours could throw no new
light upon it.-lPorcester Spy.