The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-01-18
ron TIE MASSACHUSETTS SPY.

Mr.. EDITOR: There is an article in YOUR
paper Of the 9TH inst, signed i" Fair Pay' and
from the remarks about the legality and ilegalitv
Of the proceeding therein alluded to, one MIGHT
suppose that it emanated from the brain of some
gentleman of the legal profession. Be that
fact as it may, however, the writer of this ar.
ticle would have spared your columns for bet
ter purposes, did he not think that Fair Play,"
Ike the Jackson " Reform" was likely 10 obtain
new and offensive definition in the commune
ty. | would inquire Of Fair Play" las have
but little acquaintance with the laws of the
Commonwealth where shall find any law that
renders it unlawful or illegal, for one or more
individuals, or whole town, assembled in what
ever manner or at whatever place they NAV
choose, provided they behave themselves peace.
ably, to instruct their Representatives how to
act upon any question that may come before
them. had supposed, that it was one of the
unalienable rights of every freeman, peaceably
to seek redress Of his grievances and to re-
monstrate against the passage of any law or
any alteration of the Constitution, which no
believes will be endangering the welfare of the
community; and ! shall still be of this opin.
ion unless | am pointed by Fair Play" to the
law that renders such proceedings unlawful or
illegal.
agree with " Fair Play IN some of the
'nSNS nv hoo obutOu- dRIet llldL we nave 4 OF
5OO voters, Il should think more,) and that an
unusually large number were out on that day.
agree that the resolution alluded to was Of
Tered Immediately after the Representatives
were chosen, and before the remaining busi-
ness OF the day 9caS transacted The resou.
ton was twice read and during both readings
larger number of our voters are seldom, if
ever, together. ! agree that the INQUIRY was
then put, whether there was an article in the
warrant which would authorize our acting up.
on the resolution y and thought at the time
that never heard moro needless inquiry made.
what could be more impairment to body OF
ifeemen, peaceably assembled, no matter for
what purpose, than to inquire whether they
could legally ask their Representatives to spare
the Constitution from any alteration, believing
thai none was needed. | agree that after this
inquiry was put, many of the voters left the
mouse. And what are we to infer from this ?
Those present can best Judge. MAY we
not infer that those who left had rather not
act al all, than be compelled s. listen to a
long discussion, which was likely 10 ensue, OF
snail we infer that they were opposed to any
alteration of the third Article Of the Bill OF
Rights. laaree that the resolution passed But
90 not agree that "a60ut thirty, (I think lust
Muty,)U oted IN fao0r" The votes were count.
ed by the Town Clerk, and declared publicly ia
be, AZ in favor and against the resolution, moi
nail present voting upon the question, and
tor the reason that tho Representatives elec
we're known 10 be opposed to any alteration o.
the article. The unfair illusions made b,
FAR Play" against the Repr esentatives, Il
thought worthy their notice. can best be repel
| led by themselves
word or tive in reference to "Fair PLAYS
two monstrous petitions. BY looking at III,
names of the petitioners, and by an inquiry in
to the sentiments of some of the individuals,
think tho following " Fair Play" statement q
facts may be learnt Some of tho individual
who signed the one petition also signed tn
other,-some were non-resdents some minors
and some were dead long before the petition
weio presented; and some have within a few
days expressed a wish that their names mivL
DO off, feeling that they were duped and dc
ceived by the willy leaders of the plot
do not understand what Fair PLAY" mean
by tho Resolutions being already cut an
dried" If he means to cast any reflection
upon him who offered them, il is base nsnu
alton, and challenge Fair Play" to produc
title oil evidence, either positive or presume
tive, in support Of the insipuation. L under
stand that not more than three individuals kne,
That the resolution was to be offered on Ina
day, and 1t was rcgrettedby them that il WA
not sooner thought Of, So that it might bay
been legally brought before the town. II la
always been well known that there arc som