Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1828-04-01
Hon. JOSEPH DAVIS,
JOSEPH BOWMAN,
EDMUND CUSHING,

NutSu, THAI Inc proceedings OI tHG IltctllIS uc
published in the newspapers printed in the County,
attested by the Chairman and Secretary.
WILLIAM SrEDMAN, Chairman
JOSEPH G. KENDALL, Secretary.
APRIL ELECTION. The season has again
returned when the people of this State may
exercise the invaluable privilege of choosing
their own rulers. Nor is it privilege
merely-it is a duty which patriotism i'm
poses upon all, to aid in the selection and
choice of those, to fill the first offices in the
State, who are most distinguished for their
talents, virtues, and public services. We
Justly exult in the excellence of our repub-
lcan institutions, but it should be remeber-
ed that their chief value depends upon the
wisdom and fidelity with which they are i'm
proved. The wisest institutions, and the best
balanced government, will not secure hap
plness and tranquility without the watchful
care and ceaseless solicitude of the people.
1t is not necessary in despotic government
that citizens should be intelligent, or that
they should inquire into the characters
Of their rulers; but in republic it is
far otherwise. The continuance of our
government depends entirely upon the
virtuous and intelligent activity of the peo-
pie. The frequency of elections, it is true,
is tax upon our time but it must be borne
IN mind that this is the condition on which
we enjoy the blessings which distinguish
free from other forms of government. AL
though the bitterness of party asperity has
happily in great degree subsidized, yet this
furnishes no apology for negligence or in
difference; nor is the Importance of good
government lesssned by the consideration
that there is little or no opposition to it..
Government itself will cease to subserve the
grand objects of its establishment when
wisdom, integrity, and virtue cease to be re-
quisite qualifications in our rulers.
The increasing apathy and Indifference
with regard to our State elections, par
ticularly, is dangerous to our rights and
dearest interests. 1t tends to the destruction
of the Importance and honour which attach
to our highest offices, and more than all to
the elevation of men who are not the best
qualified to sustain them. All are under
a sacred obligation to perform the duty of
freemen. The memorable and patriotic ex-
ample Of Washington, who rode eight miles
on horseback at the age of "a, to give in
his vote, should animate all who would be
his disciples to go the polls and cast their
votes for the men of their choice.
Who are the candidates for our sufffages
on MONDAY NEXT
Governor LINCOLN is nominated for a
reelection; and no opposing candidate has
been formally placed before the people. 1t
is manifest, still, that he is not the man of
the peoples choice. He has disappointed
and trampled upon the hopes of great and
respectable portion of his fellow citizens. in
regard to the, Warren Bridge. When he
had butjust acquired the character for firm
ness and independence, which sensible
ana discerning portion Of his constituents
were ready to award to him, he has deceiy-
ed them by an unexpected display Of an in
consistent and vacillating character, which
units him for the high station Of Chief Ma
gistrate of Massachusetts. Had he perse.
vered in his resistance to this anomalous at
tempt to juggle the State of its good faith,
he would have seen the appreciation of the
people expressed in their votes on Monday
next. We are mistaken ifthe course which
he has seen fit to pursue does not produce a
contrary effect.
The citizsls of this county have highly
important duty to fulfil in the election of