The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1823-01-29
For the Massachusetts, Spy.1
OUR NEXT GOVERNOUR.

VanCed, that the next GoVernour should be
chosen from the country from a consideration
OF the measures, proposed to be adopted by
the people, to counterfeit what is believed to
be an unequal influence in Boston, and the
towns in its vicinity. To shew that the be-
lief OF the existence of that influence is gen
eral, have unhesitatlngly appealed to those
gentlemen from the country, who have been
employed, within the last six years, in the
different departments of the government, or
been conversant with the concerns of the
University. Additional proof of the fact is
furnished by ".4 Citizen Of the Common
10eaLh," (evidently citizen of Boston, who
has appeared twice in the Palladium, and says,
in his last number, g the members from the
country constitute AN overwhelming majority
in all branches Of the government. Il large
proportion OF these, particularly in the last
House of Representatives, seem, IN some ,gay
or other, to have imbibed an unreasonable
spirit Of Jealousy towards as, i. e. inhabitants
Of Boston. These feelings were, no doubt,
fostered, and perhaps excited, by their con-
stituents at home," &c.
Thus he admits the prevalence and almost
universally OF the opinion among the country
people OF every grade of character, and COM
plains OF 1t as unfounded, unreasonable, and
UNJUST. Now this opinion has produced an
other, of almost equal extent and notoriety
a.e. that to secure to the country its due share
OF influence, the seat Of Government ought
not to continue in Boston, but be removed to
the interiour. For the attainment of this OBJ
Ject, lnciplent measures are already in opera
tion. ] know that our city brethren are re-
posing securely in the belief, that want of
unanmity in the country will forever defeat
the success of such an attempt. 1t has been
boldly if not triumphantly said, in the Boston
papers, that if that question were now to be
settled by the country members Of the Legis-
lature alone, it would receive decided neg
ative. This may be true and it may also be
true, that publck feeling may be SO excited
as soon to fill the halls of the State-House
with men, not only united in the sentiment
that this change is expedient, but resolute in
their determination to effect it. Among those
who have avowed themselves friendly to a re-
moval of the government, and who already
begin to look forward to such an event as
probable, If not certain, are many distinguish
ed, intelligent and influential citizens men
who know perfectly well how to choose the
best means to bring about desirable end
They are too wise to submit question of such
Importance to the legislature, until, by pre-
viously difusing their own sentiments among
the people, they shall have rendered the
measure popular, and secured the choice of
such members as will be predisposed to ia
your the project. In no way can this prepara-
ton be made so certainly, as by urging the ne
cessity OF removal to ensure to the country
its proper weight in the councils of the Com
monwealth-and nothing is easier than to null
tiply converts in this manner, in the present
condition of the publick mind. To such a
ooc1ro hnrr / J..
be strongly opposed. In my view, the dgni-
ty, the convenience, and the interests of the
Commonwealth require that the State House
should he in the metropolis.
| am no advocate for a belittli1g system. and
should much regret, that the splendid, spa
cious and comfortable State-Hou in Boston.
should be abandoned for an edifce inthe in
teriour, which would probably not exceed the
size of common Meeting House, or that the
Legislature should exchange the multiplied
conveniences of the capital for the compare
lively indifferent accommodations of country
village. Now one important object, which
hope to accomplish by proposing to choose
our next Governour from the country, was to
quiet the publick feeling on this subject
In such choice, the people would see, that
they had some pledge that their interests
would be consulted, and their feelings regard
ed. They would know, too, that few great
men in and near the capital would not, in fu-
tuTe, have the usual facilities, if they should
possess the disposition, to control, by their
powerful influence, the appointment of State
officers, nor to intrigue, for selfish and un-
worthy purposes, in all the petty concerns of |
distant counties. They would then be less |
ready to lend willing ear to arguments in |
favour of a removal Of the government
This single consideration is abundantly suffi- |
cient to justify me in the part have taken on |
the present occasion. The C Citisen,'' may |
call me narrow and dhberal," but our
brethren in Boston may hereafter have occa- [
sion to speak well of those, whose exertions
have continued to them the seat of govern
ment, even at the expense of their surrender
ing to the country the choice of the First
Magistrate.
But there is a still further reason, which |
shall offer in support of my opinion. It is
well known, that considerable degree of OPP
position unhapply exists in large and re-
spectacle portion Of the country towards Bos-
ton and some of its neighbouring towns, oc-
casioned by diversity of religious sentiments.
1t is extensively believed, that uncommon eff
forts have long been successfully made to fill
the Executive chair and the prominent State
offices with citizens of the denomination
termed liberal. To this denomination, most,