The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1831-08-10


returns. 1t was expected that the struggle
would be severe and we consider the re-
suit somewhat doubtful, although we have
gooh reason to hope for the hest. But, tile
power and patronage of the Administration
have been brought to bear upon that Stale
IN every form and direction in which 1t was
supposed it could possibly operate on the
election. If, under such discouraging cir
cumstances, the republicans secure II maj or-
ity of representatives, they will do well
We believe they will do il.
VIRGINIA ELECTION. The elections
have commenced in Virginia. Andrew Ste
venson, late Speaker of the House, is re-
elected without opposition. In the Norfolk
District, Thomas Newton republican, is
supposed to be elected by large majority
over George Loyal, the late Jackson rep
resentative.
o. We publish the following mt the re-
! quest of person who considers himself ag-
grleved by personal attack in the PIE
belan, some time since. In asserting to the
publication we do not intend to he consid-
cred as taking any part in the controversy
to which 1t relates, on one side or the other.
We may, however, be permitted to remark,
of the word "Plebeian," that it may have
two Specifications. 1t was applied to GER
tain class of tho population of ancient
Rome, who like the Russian serfs Of the
present day, in consequence of their birth
and parentage were deprived of many of
the rights and privileges possessed by their
Patrcian neighbors. In this sense the
word is obsolete, except as applied to form
er times or to other countries. But it has
another signficaton, us is mentioned in the
comm.Rication, i'll which, only, it is proper
to use it here, in reference to present times,
as designating that which is low, base, and
vulgar. And we must confess that we were
not little surprised that any editors, in u
respectable community, should voluntarily
adopt such a cognomen. We, however,
recollected that it was u matter of taste in
which they had perfect right to suit their
own fancy; and, considering them as best
qualified to Judge of the character they in
tended to give their paper, we had no dis
position to call in question the propriety of
their decision on the subject. But, if
their readers entertain different views, they
must settle the matter among themselves.
FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS SPY.
''Do not we just adherence find
Against the toad and serpent kind?
But envy, calumny, and spite,
Bear stronger venom in their bite"
The law Of self-defence is so manifestly es.
tablshcd by the principles of our natures and
the revealed will of our Creator, that it has been
received as a doctrine of belief and rule of prac-
tice. Whenever We meet an enemy, however
mean and insignificant, we are called upon to
stand in the defensive; and whenever an attack
is made VIC are required by the same law to re-
pei it. And further, whenever any one has dis
covered an object to he avoided, or foe to be
watched, duty to himself and to others, requires
him TO mark that object, and expose that foe TO
the view of the world.
Influenced by these motivess | have under.
taken the unwOnted and unwelcome task of ex-
posing meanness' duplicity, and falsehood. I'm
lcOnted, because person of my profession"
is obliged TO earn his bread by the sweat of the
brow, rather than by welding the pen; unaoel.
come, because it brings me to muddy aoaters,
and in contact with a contemplate " Plebeian."
pass over the rise and progress Of this modern
" Plebeian," with the remark that subscriptions
were obtained for its support, while bearing the
title Of WOrkingmen's .4drocate." In duo
time the paper was issued, branded on its very
" head and 'front.'" with the ominous caption Of
" Plebeian," a name applied to the worthless
index 10 its character; and truly, as at its birth
it bore the mark of Cam on its forehead, its
subsequent life has shown that it possesses his
spirit also. Not wishing to take paper avow.
eddy dedicated to low life, l waited on one of
the Directors and requested him TO erase my
name from his list of subscribers. As he wish
ed TO know my reasons, | canddly told him /
| regarded the title as improper; that "Pebeian, -
as understood by me and others, signified one of
the loo, uufgar class of society and to append
to periodical, name that was, and is associ-
ated with meanhess ard vulgarity was, not only
improper, but extremely impolitic.
Such is true statement of facts: but how
was it expressed by The " mi-cditor" of the
Pebeian In an editorial paragraph, headed
"a Sprig Of Nobility" he says ga young man
of very pert, cOnc0mical appearance" &c.
| Here, must acknowledge, | was somewhat at
loss to comprehend his meaning; but when
recollected that from turbid fountains flow filthy
streams, | concluded the term must Signify
something derogatory to the human character
1t would seem, however, that this parsonage
when once seated in the chair editorial, feels
himself at perfect liberty, not only to Islander
individual character, but to disregard the sacred
laws of probity and Justice for he boldly as.
serts that ! said, in giving a definition of the
word " Plebcian," it imported the roOrking
class, and man of Tsy profession could not
submit to be ciasSed in such a rank" How
different is this from fact as different as false
hood from truth, as pollution from purity. For
let me ask, is it probable should refuse to be
ranked among those, whom | regard as the
most independent, and as respectable as any
class Of the community? II is not only i'm.
probable, but false. And have proof, besides
my own word, Of its falsity. noto say that q
person of "my profession (Which is ancient
as time) cannot, consistently with tho dignity
of his profession" and of humanity, consent
to be ranked with this moiety ofan editor and hi.
plebeian coadjutors.
Here then we find this self instituted advo
cate Unpopular rights, guilty of malice prcpcnse
of a direct and papable violation of truth, anC
of vile and Infamous SANDER, conduct, su
premcly base and despicable in a public char
acter; extremely derogatory and dsgraceful il
private individual; but perfectly consisten
with Plebean
must not close without adverting for mo
mont, to the definition which the editor ha
given of tho word Plebeian. He asserts that th,
q term PteJei0n was used in contra. diStinctio,
to the word Patrician." "That in The Unact
States the word Patrician loses its original sig