The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1823-02-12

thought very extraordinary that. he should be
attacked for the purpose of promoting the
views of another. A person is surely unwor-
thy of an office, who cannot found his claims
upon some other circumstance besides the de-
preston OF an unofending rival.
MIR. Bigelow's friend represents him as pos
sessing :" political and moral honesty - but of
that have nothing to say ; for would use the
same maxim that applies to those who have
preceded us nal de mortuis, nisi bOnlnl."
He is also said to have $. contracted his
means of living" which is certainly a very
strange argument, and it might be thought
there should be better reasons for securing a
persons election, and that such pretension
could have no weight; for shall publick
offices be blindly prostituted TO relieve one
from mere pecuniary embarrassments, which
may have been produced by profusion? ESQ,
mans indigence might form sufficient quail
ihcation; and the people might excuse them
selves from paying the revolutionary pension
ers, by choosing them Representatives. He
that neglects his own concerns, is not to be
trusted with the affairs of the nation. 1t is un-
pleasant TO be urged to vote for candidate
for any other reason than bis fitness to pro-
mote the publick good. As Mr.. Bigelow's
friend chooses to obtrude his ph5liek character
upon US, It will be proper here to remind the
electors Of one particular which appears in
the newspapers of April and May, 1921. He
was one of the Senate of Massachusetts who
tried the impeachment OF Judge Prescott, and
voted to acquit him on all the fifteen charges
which were made against him. On this, |
make no comment; but only ask the people
to read the articles of impeachment, to con-
slider the evidence in support Of them, and
then candidly to determine Tor themselves how
much political sagacity is manifested by this
vote. Mr. Kendail's moral worth is not ques-
toned, and consequently nothing needs TO be
said Of it. ''Thrice is he armed that has his
quarrel just"
1t will be seen that my object has not been
TO speak particularly OF any person, nor au
thoritatlvely and arrogantly to assume the
right OF deciding for the people what belongs
exclusively to them to determine but my
principal wish is to caution them against con-
hiding implicitly in that exaggerated praise
Which is dictated by prejudice, and blindly
aims at the elevation OF friend. A worthy
man seldom needs the hyperbolical encomi-
ums OF prcjadiced associate least of all
should good cause derive success from an in
jury done to the political qualifications of an
other. We ought anxiously and strictly to
investigate the characters of those we promote,
and be sure to derive our information from those
that are capable OF informing us, and who are
SO honest as to disclose the truth; not conld-
ing wholly III the assertions of friend or AN
enemy for the one observes only faults, and
the other thinks he discovers only worth and
excellence. He that suffers himself to be
candidate for office, must allow the people to
inquire minutely and irnpartially as to his
moral purity, and respecting his political
knowledge; and it ought not be expected
that they will give their votes for any one who
does not recommend himself by the concur
rent qualifications of competent abilities and
of personal worth. A CITIZEN.
We owe an apology to g. "A Citissn, !" which,
If we can have a suitable opportunity to offer
it, will, we doubt not, be deemed satisfactory.
Ed.