The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1831-11-02

to give II That mature examination, necessary ~
full understanding of its bearings on our existing
laws and proposition was made to refer ii to The
iointer session Of the Legislature which prevailed
The amendment was not defeated, and several
members who voted for the reference, declared
themselves friendly TO the principle, but wishing
more time to examine the detdlis IL was not IN
definitely postponed but expressly referred TO anotl-
or session. for the avowed purpose of giving 1t such
a shape, as should prevent wrong constructions and
unnecessary litigation.
There were in the last House Of Representatives
4S2 members. When the question upon the
amendment was taken toward the close OF the SEES
sion) $50 members only voted. of these 272 mem
bers voted for the amendment. From the votes
given al the Senatorial Elections is Inferred that
there were not more than sixty Jackson members
in the House-allow that there were sevehiy-I
admit that every one Of the seventy voted tor the
amendment, there remain upwards Of ttco hundred
friends Of the State Administration, who voted
for the measure.
You will at once perceive, that the feeling
was so universal in the popular branch OF the Le-
gisature, that party claim the exclusive
honor of being the champion oil religious tree
dom, The proposed amendment received the
support of all parties-and Of Cor. Linc0tn'S
friends IN a large bOdy-and it was lost only be-
the Senate had not sufficient time to devote
to the consideration of the subject. The stesdy
and liberal support of the Minisration of the Cos
pei has ever been the pride and boast OF our State,
anu we nave yet 10 learn il Tue amount paul loT
support of the clergy even be TWO MILLIONS an
n,iGly, that it will be any recommendation to
candidate for Governor, that his partisans would
reduce that amount and deprive the clergy of
honorable support and still less ready to
believe, TINT the mere assertions of interested par
tisans can convince the intelligent people of this
State, that their voluntary contributions for the
support of the Gospel in its purity, according to
the dictates OF their own consciences, is to be re-
garded an onerous tax relief from which is to
be sought IN new and untred administration of
our State Concerns.
Ill. AMENDMENT OF THr CONSTITUTION. AND
REDUCTION OF REPRESENTATION.
The earnest anxiety YOU are believed to feel
Tor change IN your system of Representation
has been appealed to, as inducement to change
your Rulers. Gov. Lincoln is to be made respon-
sible for the expenditure ard inconveniences of a
large representation in the House. Your prejudi-
ces are to be reused against the Senate being base
on valuation, and Gov Lincoln is to be made also
responsible for this provision of the Constitution
These objections need only to be thus fairly
stated, to shew you their absurdity. But those
who make them, must calculate very much on
your credulity or Ignorance. You are well aware
that in the Convention for Revising your State
Constitution, LEVI LINCOLN stood forth the
champion of the popular basis of the Senate, and
Of the corporate ghts of towns. He is still in
favor of an amendment Of the Constitution in re-
spect to representation, has urged it again and
again on tne LeglSl1lure-nOt IN 4 6pecl1c form
for that would be transcending his official duty
but on the pnaciple of mutual concession and
republican equality. If there be conflicting in
terests, his language has been, let them be recon-
ciled. His on this subject has been high
minded, independent and satesmanlike, and ought
to commend him to the favor and confidence Of
every friend to the Republic. But how prepos.
ferrous to urge alleged defects in the Constitution
against the reelection of the Governor. The
Governor cannot act on the subject of amending
the Constitution. 1t remains solely with the Lee
gislature. Admit that the Legislature should
have, ere this, acted on amending the Constitution
How anti-repubican is the doctrine that the
Governor is 10 be made responsible for the omis-
sons of the Legislature He does his duty, il
he recommend measures to Legislative attention.
But admit that he is responsible for Legislative
omissions, you at once strike at all Legislative
Independence ;-reduce the Legislature in theory,
TO mere creatures of Executive wll-the Execu-
tive is made the State, and you have despotism
under the forms of Republic.
This doctrine will never suit the REPUBLI-
CAN ELECTORS of Massachusetts, II is how
ever the real doctrine Of the Jackson opposers OF
Governor Lincoln but like most overstraned
efforts. it reacts and DESTROYS itself. Your doc
trine, and the trnly Republican doctrine, is to
hold each officer responsible for acts, done by
himself, within the sphere Of his duty. The Lee
gislator is responsible for his share Of the dongs
of the Legislature. The Executive officer for
inc lalLnlul performance OF his duties, and the
Judicial officer for the faithful performance of his
TO recite long list ofaeged mperfectons of the
Constitution, for the sake of producing the i'm
preston. that the Executive is blamable for their
continuance, is as unfair and nust, and ought 70
be as offensive to the moral sense Of the commu-
nifty, as it would be to cnumerate the precepts of
the Decaogue in such connection and with such
insnuatons, as should produce the belief, that the
Governor had forgotten his duty both to his God
and his neighbour
w. ASTI-MAsoYIc OPPOSITION AND APPOINT.
MEETs TO OFFICE.
At the last election, Gov. Lincoln received the
support of the Anti-Masons of the Commonwealth
Gov. Lincoln's opinions on Anti-Masonry have
since then undergone no change but nevertheless
the recent Anti Masonic State Convention has de.
cided to oppose his reelection. We trust the
decision will not be responded to by the Anti
masonic voters, for no reason exists now, which
did not exist last spring, for Antimasonic oppo-
sition &c Gov. Lincoln. His recent letter to the
Anti-masonic State Committee, so far from iusti.
flying hostility to him by the Anti-masons, ought to
secure their support unless they are ready to ad-
nit, that they will support no for Office, whe
will not 90 the full length of prescribing ali who
are not Anti-masons and besides pledge himself to
Advance to this course Of iHiberdlity and proscrip-
ton. Gov. Lincoln is not a Mason and his opin.
ion of the Institution is unavorable. In his let
ter, already alluded to, he says, if his freedom
from the institution, his watchfulness in detecting
its influence III the administration of government
his belief in its uselessness to our republican in
stutions and its capability of being perverted by
bad men-that the intiatory rites and penalties
and obligations reprehensible, that extra-judi-
cial oaths unlawful, and if he views with abb
florence the tragic act in neishboring State, and
the escape of the perpetrators from Just punish
ment-if these sentiments long entertained and
expressed act satisfactory he has nothing fur
ther to offer he has neither professions nor
stipulations to make for the occasion the admin
istraton Of government should never be identified
with the measures of party"
Gov. Lincoln unequivocally expresses his opn-
Ion IN favor of the voluntary dissolution and ex-
tlnctlon of the Masonic Institution as a means of
aliaying the excitement and apprehensions, which
have grown up in many intelligent minds and
caused dissentons among the people yet he can
not consent TO carry the controversy into the chair
oil State, and it inonstrous to doubt, that
among Masons, there are loyal citizens and true
hearted patriots, " TO whom the masonic tie never
suggested the possible violation of moral princi-
pie, and who would nat recognize an Obligation
inconsistent with the performance of every civil
and social duty" 1t will be seen, therefore. that
Gov. Lincoln declines uniting himself in his Off
cial capacity, with any sect party of men, but
will pursue the interests and advancement of tho
State, without fear of punishment or hope of re-
ward. More than this, we should not think il
generous nor honorable to exact Of any man. occn-
plying public station, and we trust that such sen
timents will be found acceptable even to the ore,,
majority of those, who honestly believe thai the
Masonic Institution requires an organized opposi
tion and party association.
But, if it is to be required of a candidate TO 90
farther to secure the Anti-Masonic votes. we ask
you to reflect, to what length of ILLIBERATJ
TY and PRESCRIPTION You will be carried