Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-09-15
Forester County Congressional
Districts COnvention.

WOTCeSteT county congressional
Districts Convention.
Pursuant to previous publick notice to all
opposed to the system CT choosing Electors OF
President by General Ticket, an unusually
large meeting of the citizens Of the two Wof-
cester County Congressional Districts was
held at Bakers Hotel, in Worcester, on
Thursday, the Cd day of September. The
Meeting was organized by calling Hon. Ma
thaniel P. Denny, of Leicester, to the chair
and James Estabrooks, Jr. Esq. of Rutland,
was appointed Secretary.
After discussion of the objects for which
the Meeting was called-Voted, That COM
mittee of seven be appointed to report resolu-
tons, and the names of two candidates for
Electors at large, and one candidate for Elec-
tor for each of the Worcester County Con-
gressional Districts-and therefore, Pliny Mer-
rick, Esq. James Walcott, jr. Esq. Warren
Rawson, Esq. Charles Henshaw, Esq. Mat
thew Davenport, Esq. Moses II. White, Esq.
and Capt. .Wadsworth were chosen the COM
mittee.
The Committee retired, and after short
absence made the following Report, which
was unanimously accepted.
RESOLVED, That we recognize in every as
sembJ of the people, by whatever lame it
may be called. however convened or of what
ever number composed, the right of express
ing free opinions of public men and public
measures; and that we hold that the most
perfect freedom of discussion is the surest safe
guard of our political liberties.
Resolced, therefore, That the caucus held
in Boston, during the late session of the Le-
gislature of this State, in expressing an opin-
ion in favour of one of the presidential candi-
dates, and the reasons therefor, exercised only
the rights belonging to that assembly; but
when the members of it proceeded farther,
and attempted by means of a general ticket,
and by selecting electoral candidates, and
more especially by requiring of those candi-
dates pledges to conform to the opinions of that
caucus, they lost sight of the respect which il
due to the people, departed from the spirit OF
our national compact, and substituted blind
Difference to the will of the few, in preference
to the independent intelligence of all.
Reso1red, That all pledges required of can
didates for electors of President and Vice
President by conventions nominating them,
are inconsistent with the spirit and genius Of
our free constitution, inasmuch as it is the un-
avoidable tendency of all such obligations tc
stifle and confne all independent investigation
of Political onsiderations-inasmuch as it is
impossible to foresee what day or an houl
may bring forth, and that the electors ought
therefore to be guided by their unbiased judg'
ments, and influenced solely by motives o.
patriotism and love of country-and inasmuch
as the effect of such restraints is to make the
electors the mere instruments of an irresponsi.
Bile assembly, and to withdraw from the cleo
toral colleges those rights with which it wa:
the intention of the Constitution that they
should be wholly entrusted.
RESOLVED, That it must ever be the desire o.
prudent, a free, and an intelligent people tc
increase the diffusion of sound political infor
nation, and that it is therefore an imperative
duty of all conductors of the press to conmu
nicate to the public the considerations both
in favour and against all candidates for pub
lie employment with impartial fidelity.
RESOLVED, That we cordially approve the
proceedings of the late conventions holden in
Berkshire and Suffolk and that we will cor
daily cooperate with them, and with the PEG
pile in all parts of the State, to redeem thi:
Commonwealth, as far as practicable, from
the odium Of general ticket, by the nor1ina'
ton of candidates in our districts, and by the
support of all unpledged candidates for presi
dental electors nominated in their respective
districts, in preference to those who were put
| in nomination at the partial caucus OF mem
bers of the Legislature, and others recently
held in Boston during the session of the Legis'
lature.
Resolred, That we deem the adoption by
our Legislature, at its last session, of the re-
solve compelling the people of this State tc
vote for electors of President, by general tick.
ct, an invasion of the rights of the people, and
the adoption of system which the people O.
this Commonwealth have heretofore solemnlJ
decided was inexpedient, unreasonable, anc
unjust.
ResOlred, That this Convention do now con
cur in the nomination Of His Excellency
WILLIAM EUSTIS, and the Hon. JOHN
| BROOKS, for Electors at large; and that We
recommend the Hon. SOLOMON STRONG
of Leomnster, as an Elector for the North
and DANIEL THURBER, Esq. of Mendon
as an Elector for the South Worcester Con
gressional Districts.
The above Report having been unanimous
| ly accepted, it was voted, That Nathaniel P
Denny, Esq. of Leicester, Plny Merrick, Esq
of Worcester, Moses II. White, Esq. of Rut
land, James Wolcott, jr. Esq. of Sonthbridge
and Gen. William Crawford, of OakLam, bt
a Committee of Correspondence for the Coun
ty Of Worcester.
Votsd, That the proceedings Of this Meet
ing, signed by the Chairman and Secretary
be published in all the papers printed in thi
County.
NATHL. P. DENNY, Charm an.
JAMES EsTABRooKs, jr. Ssc'y.