The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1824-07-20

kINsLEY, whose Office was vacated, by his
having arrived al the age of70.
GOVERNMENTAL PATRONAGE.
Il is no part ofthe duty we have prescribed TO
oavsalyss 10 defend, auy more than u inculpate
either Of the gentlemen, who have permitted or
caused themselves 70 be held up as candidates
for the Presidency The friends or each have
generally speaking, possessed such comforta-
be share Of self confidence, and withal, such
sensitive jealousy Of federal contamination, that
we have been rather disposed to take them al
their own words, and RETAINED from embarrass-
ing either party as auXiHiaries, or giving them
mid by unpopular opposition. Independent Of
these considerations, and many Others, too OBJ
vious to have escaped intelligent observers Of
passing events, we are quite satisfied in main
tanning the neutral ground we have hitherto oc-
cupied and until we can discern better pros
poets Of " doing the state some service" BY ta-
kiug an active part in the controversy, shall con
tiuue as we have been, mere spectators and nou-
comhatants II was, we well recoIlect, tln-
damental law in one Of the ancient republics,
that ia a civil war no citizen should remain neu-
ter but be compelled TO take part on one side
or the other, for the more speedy termination Of
such a disastrous conflict. But as this contro-
'versg involves in its issue, no important conse-
quences to the people at large, nor BY any ope-
ration that we can foreses, is likely to affect the
constitution or government OF our country, we
feel no necessity to enlist or follow in the train
.ot either party. As we have nothing to expect
or hope from the success Of sither, SO we have
nought 10 fear from their failure or miscarriage.
It is a contest for power and patronage in which
we have no lot nor part, and we hope whichev-
Ter Of the individuals obtains the victory, he may
prove deserving his honous; and we have but
little apprehension that triumph will be 50 far
abused, as to cause oppression or injustice.
From these remarks, it might be inferred that
we shoald take no notice Of the recent changes
in what may perhaps be considered government
patronage at Washington. Nor do we indeed
think il of any other importance than as one Of
those items Of political news and passing occur
rences that ought 70 find their places in jour
mails, even from their cOnnexion with dstin-
guished public characters, it not sufficiently Ia
tercsting in themselves We allude to the title
lately assumed by 4 respectable Journal at
Washington, 10 the interest Of Mr.. Adams, or ra-
thgr the extra sheet accompanying the princi-
pal, which is now entitled the Z" National Gev-
eminent Journal" In this PAPER, it is under
stood, all documents, published from the Office
fthe department of state, are first TO appear ;
and whatever benefits may result from this pre-
ference, viii be bestowed on this paper instead
Of the National Intelligencer, which has hereto
fore had the privilege tits not our intention to
inquire whether Mr.. Adams has in this instance
departed from that elevated and dignifed course
which in a candidate for public favour was so
independent and becoming, nor to calculate
what effect il may have upon his popularity or
success; yet we cannot perceive any good
ground 81 complaint on the part Of the editors
ofthe National Intclgencer, who as " organs Of
the public will, have long enjoyed the bounty
Of the federal government, and reaped their re-
ward IN princey revenues Still less can there
be any reason 70 complain Of injustice, il the
charge is well founded which has been urged a.
gainst them, of having cuHaiIed or suppressed
such documents as il was their duty to have pub
lisbed.
Another circumstance, partaking somewhat OF
the character Of the preceding, respecting the
public dinner on the 9TH Of July at Washington
shsws vsith what ssasibility every thing i reyar
ded which may appear to affect the influence or
patronage Of public characters. Mr.. Adams, Mr.
Calhoun, and Mr.. Nc Lean, on hearing report
that Mr. Edwards would not be allowed place
At dis dinner, addressed note TO The commit
tee, expressing q determination 10 withdraw
their names from the list, and assigned az a rea-
son, that becoming party 70 the dinner, under
such circumstances, would be construed into an
e1parte condemnation Of Mr. Edwards. before
Congress had pronounced upon his case. With
out expressing any opinion as to the souudness
Of logic, By which this inference was 80 hastily
drawn, we may at least be permitted to suggest
the possibility that our great men may some
times attach Fictitious importance To trifes.
when connected with themselves, which, in 9TH
er circumstances, would have been deemed not
worth notice on their part, OF the public.
Nominations at Democratic Conventions.
ENoCH LINCOLN, Esq. ss candidate for Rep
.resentaiiVe 70 Congress from Oxford district.
CORNELIUS HOLLAND add JAMES w. RiP-
Icy, Es9'rs IS Senators from the same county.
IL our State Legislature.
BENJAMIN CsASDLER. as elector Of Presi.
dent and Vice President ia the same district
A. AanL--- ~ H. L-A - L. IL -