The New Hampshire Gazette

FOR THE GAZETTE.
Mr. Melcher,

FROM perusing a newspaper of
the 10th of March, printed by a
Mr. Russell of Gilmanton, I have
been able to form some idea of the
arts which have been made use of to
deceive the people, and mislead them
in their choice of Governor. The editor
of this paper, who I am informed
has borne the character of federalist,
appears to me to have deceived himself.
From what I have heard
of him, I would wish to retain a good
opinion of him; but if he is a true
federalist, and man of candor, he will
reconsider the sentiments he appears
to have advanced, and judge whether
he is well founded in his opinions.

It behoves an editor (on many accounts)
to convey correct opinions
upon political subjects, to his customers,
firstly, lest by being misguided by
him, they should be led to do a real
injury to themselves and their country,
by discarding their best friends,
and secondly, lest his customers should
find themselves deceived by him
(whether intentionally or not) and
put no confidence in him in future.

I would now desire him, to ask himself
these questions. What injury has
Governor Gilman ever done him,
that he should enter so warmly into
the interest of Judge Walker?
Has not Governor Gilman in every
office he has sustained, acquitted himself
as a real honest, good man-a
friend to his country--and every way
well qualified to fill each respective
office? Does he really suppose the
General Court. will not assemble about
where they please, let the Governor
live where he will?--has the Court
not sat as often in Concord and the
vicinity, as at Exeter since he was
Governor? and does he fully believe
that 1200 dollars is so enormous a
salary, that a man can grow rich upon
it as Governor, or the State grow
poor by paying it? -or that the State
would eventually be benefitted by
having Judge Walker for Governor
even if he would serve for two hundred
dollars less?--whether that can
be an object with the State? whether
he fully believes in the doctrine, that
it is best to turn out faithful and approved
officers of government merely
because they have been several years in
office, and no other objection can be
found against them?--and whether
this policy is calculated to make good
officers-and it is best to let go a certainty,
for an uncertainty? whether
the respectable farmer in Gilmanton
from whom he has received his information,
is not a disappointed office
seeker, or one who for many years, has
had an inveterate hatred and quarrel
with Governor Gilman? let him read
the first page in the last week's Boston
Centinel, and duly consider it-let
him consider what is now doing in
Congress--in Virginia-the deplorable
situation of Pennsylvania the old
maxim of "divide and conquer."the
abuse against the President and every
officer of Government with which all
jacobin presses teem--and then candidly
ask himself, whether a change
at this time is safe? or whether innovation
(without an absolute necessity
being shewn) is not to be deprecated?

Let him ask himself whether
it is proper--candid--or just to attribute
to Governor Gilman, a measure solely
of the General Court, and
in which he neither had, nor could
have any hand--viz. the passing the
resolve for purchasing the bank stock
-even if the measure was injurious
in its tendency; which is not fact?

let him duly consider the foregoing,
and then candidly say-whether he is
not sorry that he has been inadvertently
drawn in, to lend his aid towards
sowing the seeds of division and
discord in the State. Yours,

PHILO.