Jenks' Portland Gazette

The following ingenious article is from the "Balance",
a valuable paper published at Hudson N. Y. -- it may
afford some useful hints in this quarter.

"GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY."

A year has now elapsed, since the
Balance fell under the direction of the present
editor; and I can now appeal to its numerous
and respectable patrons, as to a jury empanelled
to decide on its merits, and ask, "What say
ye, gentlemen, GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY?"

If you have found me swerving from the true
line of my duty: If I have deviated from the
principles which I professed when I first commenced
my editorial labours: if I have suppressed
the truth through fear of offending the powers
that be: If I have flattered those whose principles
and measures I disapprove: If I have advocated
the base and condemned the worthy:
If I have been inattentive to the best interests of
my country: If I have proved an enemy to the
constitution: If, in short, I have declared that
truth is a libel, and acted accordingly -- then,
gentlemen, pronounce me GUILTY; and let
my punishment be, the loss of your patronage.

But if, on the contrary, I have stood, like a
faithful sentinel, at my post. If I have pursued
the good of my country: If I have maintained
my ground with independence, and a tolerable
degree of spirit: If I have invariably told truth,
at the risk of incurring the displeasure of the
powerful and the vicious: If I have condemned
with candor, and applauded with sincerity: If I
have been a friend to our constitution, and an
enemy to usurpation -- then, gentlemen, give me
an approving verdict of NOT GUILTY; and let
me meet my reward in liberal patronage and
prompt payment.

Here, then, we will rest this cause, and proceed
to the next:

The Printer vs. HIS Patrons.

You are empanelled, gentlemen, as a jury to
try your own cause:

You subscribed for the Balance? Have you complied with the terms? Are all your
arrearages paid? If so, then you are NOT GUIL-
TY. You are acquitted with honor.

Or, on the contrary, are you now in arrear
for one, two or more years? If so, then are
you GUILTY, and judgment must be entered against you,

"What say ye, gentlemen, GUILTY OR NOT
GUILTY?"