Thomas's Massachusetts spy, or, Worcester gazette. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1811-1821, 1821-03-21
[For he .Massaehsssstts Spg.l

The pathetick appeal made by the present
Register of Deeds for this County IN last weeks
Spy, and the assertion that the opposition to
his reelection proceeds from private nigue and
resentment, are artfnlly intended to prevent
an inquiry into his qualifications for the Office,
and the manper in which be has executed the
trust reposed in him the last four years. Fel-
low-citizens, be not deceived, nor let your gem
erous sensibility for one whom you may con-
slider prosecuted man lead you to give such
vote as you may have reason hereafter TO think
was inconsistent with your interest and your
duty. Let not a mistaken sympathy induce
you to place in this highly important Office
man whose natural and habitual infrmities will
constantly expose innocent individuals to SCI
we're losses, if not to utter ruin. The plea of
poverty you may be assured has no foundation
in reality it is at best but poetick fiction.
1t may, however, be the case that the present
Register has no property which his creditors
can take to satisfy their demands; but it is well
known that he is in possession Of an estate the
income of which, added to his other means Of
support. enables him to live in style of FASH
ion and comfort far beyond that Of the greater
part of those who are called upon to give him
their suffrages.. Witness his nuherously at
tended and splendid entertainments, and then
say whether appearances are not wholly irrec-
oncileable with the plea of Necessity But
were it true that he is poor this III itself would
be sufficient objection to his reelection,
since it would be-out of his power to compen-
safe those who might be injured by his mis-
takes or carelessness; for the competent bonds
of which he speaks, are so small as to afford
very little protection to those who necessarily
must depend upon his care and correctness.
1t is asserted that no specifck charge has
been made against him; but hasit not been
said that his hardness of hearing has rendered
transacsing business at the office, not only UNI
pleasant, but has made mistakes unavoidable.
and thereby destroyed all confidence in the
Registers certificates And has he not ad.
United, that more than lawful fees may have
been taken by him in some instances Can
any thing more than this be necessary to show
his unfitness for the Office, and that publick
interest and private security would be bene-
flied by the contemplated changer
No man has right to an office nor. does
the circumstance Of his having obtained it by
small majority after repeated trials, entifle
him to reelection. Yet whenever the incum-
bent can make it manifest that he has con-
Quoted the business entrusted to. him with abil-
lty, integrity and correctness, he may fairly
course SO natural and proper Doct. Fisle
has not chosen to pursue but he has adopted
a mode Of electioneering, rather novel in this
part OF our country, by denouncing and
threatening those who have had the temerity
to oppose him, or advocate other candidates.
The wisdom of this measure remains to be
proved; but tits believed that the time has not
yet arrived. when free and independent citi-
zQn orn f0 he dot !
constitutional privileges by the imputation of
unworthy motives, or the threats of future
consequences; or that the publick are to be
BIASED in favour of candidate who resorts
to such dishonourable methods to insure his
election. 1t cannot be doubted that this ILL
judged measure of his, will operate in a man
ner the reverse of what he hoped for and in
tended, and that the effect will be to place him
in the condition of those
Whose gun, when aimed at duck or plover.
Bears wide and kicks its owner over.',
A knowledge of the character and oualfca.
tons OF those acho offer themselves, or who
are proposed by their friends, is principally
and perhaps most accurately obtained through
the medium of the newspapers. This chan
mel OF communication should, therefore. be
guarded with particular care, and every at
tempt " smut ", especially Wnen made by
candidate, should be deeply resented: should
such attempts succeed, your right to chuse
your own rulers and servants would be no
more than an empty name, and the most dar-
ing would become the most successful can
didate. Now is the proper time to put an eff
fectual check to SO pernicious practice; and
may your votes at the ensuing election
prove your sense of the indignity which has
in this instance been offered to the independ-
ent citizens of the County of