The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1821-07-18
lCoMMUNIcATIoN.l

1t is a consoling consideration that we live
in an age and country where great and distin-
guished privileges are enjoyed, and perhaps in
no portion of the world in greater degree
than in Massachusetts.
1t is mark of folly in individuals. and no
sure evidence OF their merit, to boast of their
own moral excellencies. We can, however,
without mourning the imputation of vanity. ex-
press our appreciation of those traits of charac-
ter which distinguish that portion of the COM
munity with which we are particularly con-
nected.
was induced to take a survey of the gene
ral character and internal policy of this Com
monwealth, on hearing the statements of gem
tIemen of responsibility from a neighbourins
State, relative to the corrupt practices tolerat-
ed IN various parts of that State, previous to the
election of publick officers | was surprized
to hear of practices of this kind in any section
OF this republican country, where merit is the
only protested recommendation to publick pat
ronage, and where the genius of the govern
ment recognizes this qualification as the surest
pledge of its durability. To the honour of
massachusetts, 1t can be said, she has rarely
overlooked this qualification in the choice of
her publick functionaries It is admitted, at
certain periods, and in some instances party
zeal has gained an undue ascendancy; but its
effects were soon checked by returning reason.
Measures which were begotten in frenzy, have
been frowned into contempt almost as soon as
they received their birth. Party distinctions,
when they come in contact with the substan-
tial interests of the community, have usually
been disregarded by the great mass of the peo-
pie. 1t is to be hoped they will ever discern
with their usual sagacity wherein their true
interests consist, and exercise that noble indie
pendence which has given them such an ele-
walton of character. This character has not
been acquired by furthering the views of fac
ton at the expense of the general good, but
by thwarting those views whenever their ten.
dency was obviously pernicious.
This state of things furnishes plenary EVIL
dence that the people are not destitute of
sound discretion, and are disposed to exercise
it with firmness whenever necessity calls it in
to action. This discretion was strkingly man.
Tested in the rejection of many of the recent
ly proposed amendments to the Constitution.
No improper motives, however, ought to be
imputed to that very respectable body of men
who recommended these amendments. They
were the result of very long elaboration.
and tested by the touchstone of many elaborate
and profound arguments. The people, how
ever, were unwilling to hazard novel expert
ments, They had learnt, by thorough trial,
that the Constitution was, in every thing es-
sential, equal to the important purposes for
which it was framed. 1t had been their shield
in conjunctures which put its efficacy to the
severest test. No wonder that it should be
regarded with a kind of religious generation.
1t is'one of the peculiar characteristics of
the people of this Commonwealth to scrutinize
with vigilance and candour the conduct of their
publick agents. If it be deserving of censure,
disapprobation is expressed by neglecting to
call on them for further services, or by open
animadversions before the proper tribunals.
1t is to be hoped that this duty, so necessa-
ny for the security of the publick welfare, will
ever be punctually observed. Should it be
succeeded by apathy and neglect, we can be
assured that faction, aided by corruption, will
soon shew her grim visage. She will instant
ly vault into authority, and proclaim refor-
nation of men and measures in church and
state. She will utter her maedictions against
those laws which operate as the least restraint
on the liberty of the citizen. She viii de-
nounce, as bigotry and superstition, those rig
i'd rules Of morality and religion which are in
culcated by the wise and good. Throw off
these manacles, (will be her language) with
which you have been so long hampered and
CALLED. Sufficiently long have you been in
carcerated in the prison of rigour and SUPER
stition. Man is nobly Independent he is
lord Of this lower world. Let him indulge.
without any restraint, every passion with
which the God of nature has endued him.