Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser

From the AURORA.
To the Electors of the City of Philadelphia.
Fellow-citizens,
WHEN we consider the high interest that we all took in the important question lately decided in our national Legislature, there seems no doubt that, in the ensuing election, your attention will be attracted in a considerable degree towards the different candidates for that station, and to the forming of our choice.
This consequence, which is natural, is also very desirable: because the more ardently we enter upon the subject, the more likely are we to choose with propriety, as the interest we take in the subject will sharpen our discernment in investigating the characters that we propose to represent us. There is, however, reason to apprehend that this zeal (which when moderate is beneficial) will be rendered injurious by excess, and instead of promoting industrious researches, will serve only to bias the public judgment. I would therefore caution you, my fellow-citizens, to free yourselves from all party prejudices, and to avoid those men who come in a pressing manner to solicit your suffrages, because it is probable that their activity in the matter proceeds from the same influence. Let your votes originate with yourselves, and let them be the result of your own cool reflection. Examine with candour into the abilities and integrity of a candidate, and decide for him on whose side you find the balance of these requisite qualities, without deigning to listen to the intrigues of corruption, or the solicitations of ignorance.
For my part, I confess, I cannot help suspecting those who evince such anxiety to direct the judgements of their neighbours, of less worthy views than those of zeal for the public good; that acting themselves from interested motives, they endeavor to ingratiate themselves still more with their favorite, by converting others to his interest.
Let us, however, for the sake of charity, suppose that they act from principle. Is it not the height of arrogance for them to endeavour to bias the minds of other men, and substitute their own opinions for ours? What is it but to say that we are destitute of penetration to see the interest of our country, and that they wish to supply our deficiency by their own instruction?
It is not intended here to recommend any particular man to the notice of the public. I should consider such a recommendation as impertinent, because we all know the candidates, and know their characters. All I would wish is, that the decision of every individual, to whatever side it inclines, may be free, and not dependant on the will of others.
ROMULUS.