The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-10-02

and freedom for fifty millions of happy peo-
ple.r viii it be urged, that the essential
qualifications of Representative are here
over-stated, and that many Districts might
not find candidates, who have reached this
standard of excellence I! Let US ask counsel
from the lips of experience. Let us ask OTIS,
and Quincy, and Webster, and Foster; men
whose long residence at the seat of govern
ment, and whose intimate acquaintance with
the history of men and measures, peculiarly
fit them to decide, whether the views we have
taken are eXtravagant or unjust!' But let ut
be remembered, that have no where main
tanned the necessity of all these attainments
to the Introduction of a gentleman into Con-
gress. So far from this, have distinctly said,
that long experience in publick is indispensa-
bic in the formation of a distinguished legisla-
tive character. Principles and facts must be
obtained from books but THIS will seldom be
accomplished by a student, unless his reading
is directed with view to political life. Such
deficiency is to be supplied, and experience
acquired by the new member, as additional
legal principles and the practice OF the Courts
are by the young lawyer, after his entrance
upon the duties of his profession. But as the
lawyer would feel little encouragement to in
dustry, if his practice should be limited to six
years, so the politician has still less induce
nent to give up, as he ought in great meas
ure, mis- other pursuits, and labour to become
useful, if within the same time, he must yield
to the importantly OF new candidate, resume
his former avocaions, or venture into some
untried field OF enterprise to make provision
for his future subsistence. Nor is there any
foundation for the apprehension, that proper
candidates would be wanting for high as the.
standard, have presented, is supposed to be,
1 4 reach
pacty and industrious habits.--lt is common
remark, that WlthOu splendid talents, a maA
may attain to great eminence as Lawyer
Why may not equal intellectual powers rem
der another equally distinguished as States
man: Among the great mass of our fellow
citizens, we rarely find an individual of CONF
nlandtng abilities; and it is not guile certain,
that such man, if elected, would most efec-'
tualy benefit the publck. He might Indeed
find it Convenient to accept the office but
could we safely promise ourselves, that his
undivided attention would be given to its du-
ties? His engagements in the Federal Court,
and his business before the Spanish Commits
, sioners would lead him to Washington, and
he would doubtless be ceiling to add the pay
of the members to the fees OF his clients but
it would seem to be extreme folly to egpeEt
that 800 dollars a year will command the
| whole time OF that man, whose talents, other
| wise employed, would insure him an annual
! income OF as many thousands. If the forego-
! ing statements be correct, and the reasoning
| just, it is easy TO derive from them an answer
TO the question, stated at the close OF our first
number, viz. Who ought to be selected to rep
resent the South District in the 18th Congress!
| If there be any, who have been tried and found
every way competent, useful, and influential,
TO- 49,
one of them should be the object of our choice.
| If not, let US select man between the ages Of
80 and 40 years, of respectable talents and
| ac9uirements-of sound moral principles
man who is always so consistent Tith himself,
as to warrant perfect reliance upon his pru-
dence a man accustomed to close investiga-
ton, and habitually industrious. Let it be
understood, that he is to give up all avoca-
tons which may interfere with the duties as
-.-,-1- ti--r--.>j thot his continuance in Office
viii Principally depend upon his iaithfuIness
to the interests entrusted to his management.
Nothing is hazarded by the prediction, that
Representatives OF this character, elected with
these views, would soon realize to us the fulI
extent OF the benefits of our Republican system
They might not excite admiration by extraor-
binary displays Of intellectual greatness, or
captVate the senses by the charms of their
eioquence; but they would be able to bring
INTO debate all the information appertainine,
to the subject, to reason with clearness and
force, and to establish strong claims to the
respectful attention of the House. With e.
quail confidence, may we also predict. that so
long as we adhere to this racilLGting policy, so
long we must submit to the degradation of
which we complain. The fault is entirely our
| own. The influence of our sister States is re.
ally no more than legitimate consequence of
their system oirepresentaton. On this subject
we appear to set at nought the suggestions Of
reason, and to reverse the common maxims of
lie. NO prudent man would trust a variety
OF difficult and important causes 10 the sole
management Of an inexperienced LAWYER; or
subject broken or diseased bone to the ex-
elusive operation OF a new beginner in surge
ry; or consgn valuable cargo to the uncon-
trolled disposition Of one, who had lust COM
pleted his mercantile education. Much less
would he, who had patronized professional
man for few years, think it prudent to With
draw that patronage when it was better de-
served, and would be rewarded with better
services, and extend it to another who had
furnished no evidence of capacity for active
business. Yet greater imprudence than this
have we exhibited in the exercise of the priv
ileges of freemen. The writer has no intention
OF reproaching or debating to the enlightened
citizens of the County of Worcester. He has
| intended only to express his own opinion.
formed by much reflection, on a subject Of
deep interest to the community at large. If
he has manifested too much ardour, he trusts
charity will find an apology in the purity Of
his motives. There are, perhaps, few in soci-