Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-07-21
Z 0 TIC AL.
FROM THE BOSTON cENTINEL.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE CENT1NI

S1R,--
Those who are intent upon distorting every
event which occurred in Massachusetts, TO the
depreciation of her character, were not salts
fed with denying to the people the right of as
semblins and consulting upon their grievances,
and TO the Legislature that of public protesta-
ton against measures thought to be detrimen-
tal to the Republic, but they present as cry
ing enormity and peculiar to our citizens, their
refusal to subscribe to the War Loans--In or
der, however, to avoid the manifest absurdity
ofapplying this charge exclusively to this part
Of the country, it has been roundly asserted,
that associations were formedn 10 deter per-
sons from subscribing by threats. This asser-
ton is. have reason to think, entirely I'M
founded.-No knowledge or even whisper of
any such association ever reached my ears,
and believe on my honor and conscience,
thet none such was ever formed or thought of,
though as usual my name has been audacious-
1y mentioned as of party concerned
1t isvery certain, that when the war was de-
clared, general and extreme dsinclination
prey allied among the monicd men, against TAX
ing concern in the public loans-Nor was
there any very considerable abatement of that
aversion, during the continuance of the war;
They regarded it as made by one geographical
division of the country,* without the consent
of the other, and by the procurement of other
classes against the interest and wish of the
moned class.-They persuaded themselves al
first, that the conflict must speedily be termin-
ated unless monty was supplied, that peace
was within the control of admins traton, and
that they were not called upon to find sinews
for war which they were anxious to have
brought to an end. Persons entertaining these
opinions, would naturally promulge them
They might commute with and influence each
other-To lend or not to lend is question on
which monied men in all countries consult to-
gether, and ascertain each others general
views.-They form different connections and
sociations-accept or reject terms-enter
into competitions for the loan, or refuse it al
together as they please.--The terms of loan
also and the state of the public credit are fair
subjects of discussion. man may de-
clare his opinion as of right-And if he thinks
i'll of them, he may fairly apprize those who
rely on his judgment, of his sentiments:-In
these transactions, men are governed by the
dictates Of interest and not OF patriotism---Ex-
ceptions to this rule are always objects of adj
niration. 1fwhen Mr.. DALLAS unveiled the
secrets of the Treasury and Bankruptcy stood
confessed, it had pleased some of our Republi-
can JUdbonarieS, to have descended like Jupi-
tiers (not "Jew Peters') in showers of gold
through the roof; they would have deserved
the honors of him who plunged into the Cur
Tan gulph, and as ithappens, would have met
happier fate. But many such examples were
not to be expected; and believe that not one
was found who loaned money at par. So that
the parallel of patriotism must he run between
those institutions and individuals, who disap-
proving the war, and dstrusting the security
of the public resources, withheld their contri
buttons and proclaimed their opinions; and
those who thinking favorably of both. assisted
their injured country in the pursuit Of redress
by taking the loans, demanding discount Of
only twelve per cent, as premium for theiI
disinterested love of country. Unfortunately
for mankind, the days of patriotic oblatior
have gone by; so far, mean, as respects sill
yer, and gold, and jewels.--Not of services
these | know may be had in profusion. Nc
country can vie with ours in numbers who are
ready to devote their talents to the service Of
their country, in the humblest as well as the
highest departments. These talents, howevi
er, are not golden nor gratuitous. Whatever
they possess of sterling worth of another de
'scription must be paid for, though not always
compensated Those must attain to great
age indeed, who live 10 see the thanks of the
nation deserved By or given TO any man for TAX
ing up loan. 1t is always an affair of cal
culation, though it may be prompted or ac
companied by real desire to support the pub
lie credit, and is so far laudahle. In this view
Of the SUBJ ct, it will be found that every pro-
posal for a loan gives rise 10 some sort of dsso
citation. When the Chancellor of the British
Exchequer opened his budgets during the late
war there were always associations, And i
one great Banker and his friends known to b.
IN opposition to the Administration had for any
reasons connected with bis views Of the pub