The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1822-08-13
Hon. Ezekiel Whitman

lion. EHCNiei w AtNan
as their candidate for Governor, than whom, we
feel confident, person better qualified to DIS
charge its important dnties cannot be selected.
Ills age, experience knowledge Of the affairs OF
the State. weight ofeharacter, and other requis-
tie qualifications, entitle lin to the full support
and confidence of the people. Had such man
filled the Office from the time of our separation,
how much needless expence would have been
avoided. The first political year incurred an
expenditure of G90,000-about three times as
much as Names proportion Of the state tax un-
der Massachusetts, government. The expense
Of single session Of the Legislature alone amount
cd to more than $4,000.
respectable minority opposed the separation,
not from belief that the people of Maine could
not govern themselves, but because they well
knew of what materials the separation lunto con-
sisted; that these men regarded. principally, the
honors and eInoluments Of ofice-and that viii. e
they making loud pretensions of zeal for
the people, and the welfare Of the state, either
or both, would be sacrificed without remorsc, if
their own private interests should come into COM
petition. The people do not forget their vehe-
ment pretenti0ns of devotion to them, their SOL
Cmn pledges that the public burthcns should be
lessened-and that they should enjoy greater
advantages than they had ever had under old
Massachusetts,.
Have they redeemed those pledges 1t is
unnecessary to sav-no. Enormous expendi-
lures of the public money have marked their ca
reer. The people already see this--they feel il
and they will apply corrective to The grow
ing evil.
We have a good constiiution-thanls to few
whose intelligence, sound principles and integ-
rity prevented the monstrous evils and absurdi-
ties with which ii was threatened-among them
Mr.. WHITMAN holds distinguished rank. But
what has been the character Of the administTa-
ton Are the public taxes lessened Are the
public Offices filled with ncumbents the best quail
flied What has the administration done to give
high character to the State ? How Gerry fer
Of the appointments can give us responsibility
abroad, or do much for the security and per-
manency ofour rights at homo And why was
this Uery Scarlfy number of the best qualified of
our citizens appointed why, for instance,
was Mr.. WHITMAN appointed to the Office he now
holds WAS il not because they knew him to
be the most popular man in the State for Govern
or Was itnot, we ask, to put him out of their
way--and to avoid an election which would very
soon convince the people that they have been
duped by designing few out of the services the
best men ofthe state-and of their money too
~ WOulu De wei LOT lnc people VI NIdlues III
Gen. King, instead Of being stited into the Office
of Governor, had even continued the employment
he followed during the war of shipping potatoes,
&c. to Bermuda--and that Mr.. Holmes had re
manned at home filling writs--or writing fourth
of July orations-a description of Keunebunk
caucus, preaching pthe doctrine Of the equal
rights 9fmdn, instead Of displaying the profundty
Of his eloquence as the champion IF slaetry. 1t
would been as well for the union and for Maine
if Gov Paris had still retained his
seat upon the bench of the District Court, and
Judge Ware had still continued sole caterer for
the Argus.
We scken at the recollection of the past
and we feel no snrprize that Judge WHITMAN
should express bis wish that the inhabitants of
this county would retract their nomination of
him, and turn their attention 10 some other can
didate. 1t is precisely what we expected. He
is cot an office seeker. He is not ambitious of
the Office into which hope TO see him elevated
Thath he would discharge its duties with that in
teligence, integrity, discrimination and ability, /
the want Of which has been SO serious an evil to
the State, no man in it doubts. That he would
have prevented gross--a wanton abuse Of pow
ers III the enormous expenditures Of the peoples
money is as fully believed.
lie is the very man we want.
Last year more than 1000 freemen voted for
him, when he was not in regular nomination
and Z is well known that many more would
have supported him, had they not believed that
their votes would only be thrown away-and
more yet we confidently believe, who did not
know that he was voted for at all.
Citizens Of Mane-reflect seriously upon
these things. We ask you only TO compare the
prophecies and promises of the present admins
tration with well known facts which shew an
utter disregard Of performance.-Judge WHIT-
MAN has often devoted himself to the public SER
vice. He holds an Office now which shows him
to be at the peoples call to fill any place 10
which he may be elected; and though he would
accept the Office of Governor with reluctance.
yet, be assured, that if majority of the people
Of Maine shall cal. him to be their Chief Macis-
tratc he will not refuse it--he will not DISREGARD
such call.
Let every man, then, who regards the public
welfare, and the responsibility and honor of the
State, employ all his influence in fair and honor
able eycrtioDs to deliver il from unnecessary
burihens, and place man at IFS head, who viii
give il high character abroad as we'll as pro-
mote its best interests al home.
Such man is now offered to YOU !; and altho'
he wishes not to be elected, vet let rs support
him with patriotic zeal. There j., we believe,
q redeemng spirit in the people, which will
manifest itself in his election.
We doubt not that all the articles. which
have been practlsed in the State, since the sep
aration, viii again be put into requisiton 70 in