The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1823-01-01
LFor the Massachusetts, spy.]
OUR NEXT GOYERMOUR

While the arch politicians of our country. az
Washington, are busy in forming antiques a nd
concertinS plans to ensure the elevation of
the man of their choice to the presidential
chair, question of nearer interest is present.
ed for the consideration of the people Of Mas
sachusetts-a question which is of vital i'm
portance, and must soon be decided. and
which, therefore, demands immediate attep-
! ton. The question is, Whom shall we ele-s
for our ne xt Governor Ii has ben well
understood, for several months past, that Gov.
Brooks will retire from publick life, at the
close OF the present political year. new
candidate is therefore TO be selected for this
responsible office. Without early discussion on
this :ableot, throughout the State, liberal al
lowance Tor honest prepossessions, and even
Tor preludices, and mutual concessions, where
differences are uninpouant, there is much
reason 10 fear, that a sufficient degree of una
nlmity may not be obtained to ensure the cleo
ton OF any candidate, who might prove ac-
ceptable to the majority, or even to prevent
the success of one, of whom that majority
might unanimously disapprove. For it must
not be forgotten, that the times are materially
changed and that many causes which once
existed, and whose influence upon the feel
lngs and conduct of men might be predicted
with little less than moral certainty, are now
altogether removed, or cease to operate with
their usual force. In times past, political ex-
elements had separated the whole mass of the
community into two great divisions, of nearly
equal magnitude. These were alternately
gaming the ascendancy over each other, and
each IN its turn, contributed to widen the
wall OF partition, by endeavours to redress the
supposed injuries i had received from the
other. In such state Of the pub.ick mind.
popular impressions are easily produced. 1t
is no difficult task, under such circumstances.
TO make appeals to the people, which shall
be eftectual to unite their exertions in the
common interests OF their party, and to obtain
theT undivided suifrages Tor any individual.
who should be proposed as entitled to their
confidence. Heretofore, also, either party
has been able to bring from its ranks, men
VINO had peculiar claims to be honouraby re-
membered by their country claims which
were founded on revolutionary services, or on
qualifications for office, SO Distinguished as TO
render their pretenslons unquestionable. But
In both these respects, the situation Of the
Commonwealth il materially altered. The
lines Which formerly separated between Fed.
erapsts and democrats, are now less distinctly |
seen, 1t not entirely obiterate d--a great pro- |
portion OF electors, once SO prompt and so !
alert at the call Of party, now content them
selves in pursuing their businesac or their pleas
ure, on days Of election, aud leave the choice |
of their rulers to others. Thus, in 1Gl2.
1O4,O22 votes were gwen for Goyernour-in
1918, the whole number did not exceed TO-
900. of thu number, too, who may now be
thought Of az candidates, none can speak of
services rendered tor thu emancipati,,. of their
country. The heroes ana patriots Of the rev.
olutien have either left the world and lis
honours behind them, Or arc go near The close