The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-07-31

subject at this time. Very strong facts
are asserted upon what appears TO b.:
unimpeachable testimony, and others are
of great notoriety whose solution is ex-
tremeiy difficult. Under such circum-
stances, Capt. Shay and 1t. Abbott have
endeayoured TO call the attention of the
general government to the vigilant scru-
tiny OF their agents, and by this course
have drawn upon them military prose-
cutions which have suspended for time
their official employment The effect
OF these measures upon pUblck opinion
may be inferred .rom the fact, that the
military corps of the college students
have recently manifested strong marks.
OF respect for Capt Shaw, who has also
been invited by the citizens of Charles,
town to celebration, while Capt Hull
was not noticed. We are not at all ac
qualnted with the merits of the contro
VerSy; but if Capt. Shay and Lit. Abbote
were nstigated sins!y ty a sense of duty
and regard for the honour of the navy.
in calling for official investigation ofwhat
they considered lrauds OF The govern
ment, SO far from deserving aensure.
they are entitled to, and will meet the.
publick support. While pnbhck opinion
supports them TO the extent il does at
present, it's in vain FOE the governments
to flown upon inquiry. Such course
VIII not answer-the puhlcs must be
SATISFIED, or lis opinion will be found :,
tribunal before which the government
itself must be made responsible.
The sentiment, that corruption has
crept into the subordinate branches OF
the administration Of the government. is
becoming more and more decisive; and
reiorm-a cleansing Of the Augean STA
bie' Is decidedly called fer Too long =
continuance in Offices Of great lrus! is
followed with consequences eyipciye Of
The great wisdom of our institutions.
which provide for rotation, or the peri
odicaI return of such posts to the pes
pie, aud delegation OF them to other
hands. lisa wise provision Of our state
constitution, that The Office of treasurer
should be vacated at certain periods.
and pass Into other bands. Accounts
must then of necessity be closed. and
peculatIon be brought TO light. Men
who continue too long 10 Offices of great
emolument seem TO forget their depen-
dence, and view the emoIuments Of the
government as subject of private prop
erty--the disposition for aggrandize-
ment, like ayarice,, seems to rrow bv
what it feeds on.
II there be any ground of suspicion,
the government seems to pursue a yery
unwlse course, in sitting inquiry. For
ourselves, we veature TO predict that il
cannot be stif1ed but that the publ;ck
sentiment will demand and obtain res
pect. Investigation must and will be
had, until fraud be exposed, or iano-.
cence be made manifest. And lift should
be thought, that men have been persp-
cuted for honestly calling for investi-
CATION where suspicion has invited no
inquiry, It will make an impression upon
the puhich mind, that The government
Will ind it very difficult 10 remove
VT. Monroe came into power with more
universal acquescence than any other
othcer-hls administration is at this mo.
ment tar from being stable; and it womb
not excite surprise, his decline should
be as lar removed from popularity as his
ascent was from opposition. 1t will not
answer either for himself or the officers
under him, to discountenance COMPLIANT
from the wish 20 prevent the subject Of
Peculation from agitlting the public,
mind. The evil may be protracted in
ms way, but not removed-like sun
pressed flame, it will augment lis secret
IRE untu It's accumulated energy shall
explode with violence no longer 10 be
stayed. As strong friend to the adj
mnlstratlon of james Monroe, we sin
cerely hope for different result. but
see his only safety in more manly and
decided responsibility.
As TO the editors of the Intelliocncer
who term publick opinion in this Quarter
caoqf, we gently intimate TO them that
II VIII not answer. The publick are en-
u'ied 10 more respect, and the govern
ment Itself, muchless editors Of ncwsna-
pers, viii show little wisdom 10 with
holding it. 1t is with great regret we
diiier from SO respectable paper as the
lnteiilgencer--a paper, to whose dis
Greet, respectful and jud;cious course
we have often borne ample testimony
But this is a subject on which if IN Lc.
comes them TO bcstow upon publick o.
Pinion reProoI and we sincerely hope