The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1820-11-14
ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.
Timely Reflections.

HWtty neJttCls0HS.
We have a-Rep1bucsn government cur
sud ages We CONSIDER Tree the people choose
their own legislators But have We any rea
sonabie assurance that these institutions will
continue 10 all their pristine PURIFY ours for
ever Do we see no causes lhaf will IN pro.
Cess OF years render the felicilies al a govern
ment truly Republican ana freedom of sui
ifase uncontrolled. mere subjects OF song and
story, 10 which pesier,ty will listen as to The
Poeiical tales OF the Golden Age?
Where community is divided into two
grand political parties. such persons are select.
ed as candidates tor ofkce Who are best quail
tied 10 vIndicsle the measures aad 10 honor the
cause OF Their constituents. They are selected
a, vel with view 10 their moral character "a
their talents tor every biemish IN the former
VII reject disgrace upon the party that pro
poses lnem. There are thousands willing 10
mark these detects Of character, and editors
ready TO publish them to The world. The can.
didale thus nominated, sure that his party will
give BAN their support, has noIb'og to do bu,
sis si'il and silently awaits the result, of ,bc
election. The two political parties, While
.beir division Is founded on any substantial diff
ference OF opinion, are ST. accurately defined.
that individuals. ence enrolled, have a two
fold motive 10 be iailhtul to their party their
honest judgment and the fear OF disgrace
From all lhis, IL follows thai in such slate of
things mrn o, feeble tssnis ami deba,sd NOR
as rarely obtain Offices. the sources OF corrup
,lou are confined and lew are disposed To
make sale al themselves. 49,
Bun ,hcre here ar M sirh great political
parties. the case is essentially different. There
are, fben, no widely exlsaded plans embrac
log 30 less d,dusve interest and absorbing
every other consideration IN that alone no
extensive combinations, winch in defiance OF
every minor motive, make talents and virtue
the affects. which they delight TO honor, and
the agents TO which they would enlrust both
their own aud the public concerns. The calm
OF party feelings IS the signal Tor political an
sfchy. -
II mao wishes for an office. he may pro-
pose hImsel, rs candidate. or he may cause
himself 10 be set up by lew interested per
sons who expect some private benefit from his
election-io whom perhaps he has pledged
himself or gwen rewards The individuals
thus enlisted use every effort to insure the sue
cess of the self appointed candidate. They
employ themselves in proclaiming his praises !;
willie only small number may leel a sufii
ceni interest ON ibe subject 10 enquire after
his faults, and still fewer disposed 10 engage
those merciess grey hounds, who snnf the
merest scent ofoppos'i'on aud persecute with
relentless fury their victim.
Here | shah be told iha. in our country The
conventions IN use, consisting Of electors, chos
en- by the inhabitants OF the different towns IN
eachDis,r'ci for the express purpose OF nomi-
mating candidates before an election, oppose
an eifectua bar TO all undue influence.
These conventions, 50 plausible, and, appa-
rcntlvs so juJicious, may be made mere en-
eines oi' the selfish and ambitious, bubbles glis-
lenine an tie exterior, and as great an ,mpo.
silion on homes, people, as could have been
invented.
Let us suppose the few, who are interested
in The choice OF man as representative to
Congress, before there is any general excite
merit, either wrIe letters or visit the several
towns in a district: tothose who are in favour
OF the Insolseot Law, they say, Mr.. - will
Sb}l'H't ''t ~ NtooT VIM cAprtt any
oca OF personal benefit, we can insure you
his influence 10 the merchant, he is a mer
chant, and viii oppose the new Tariff and
stand for your interest 10 the last; to the az
ricuituralist, we know his sentiments, he will
never suffer you 10 he burdened with Direct
Taxes, il be can prevent il TO the vain, the
disslps,ed, and the Indgent, &c is particular
iriesd OF yours, we have heard him speak Of
you, come take something to drink, or, here
lake a dollar as present money AWAY,
comes in play and TO all they say, be slIen
for time; success depends on secrecy and
good management hold yourselves in readi