The New Hampshire Gazette

COMMUNICATED.

To the Editor of the N. H. Gazette—

In our favored country, we are governed by laws made by ourselves; of course, the submission which is yielded to them is cheerful. Among the numberless advantages and privileges secured to us, the right of suffrage is an important one. It may safely be denominated the main pillar of our admirable form of government. Too much caution and discretion in the exercise of this right cannot well be conceived. It has, however, in many instances been exercised without due consideration, that every election in its consequences, either immediately or more remotely, tends in a greater or less degree to strengthen or impair our privileges. It may not operate injuriously to me or my friends, to advance to any office or station a man not strictly qualified, yet evil effects will result from it, which will seriously affect those who have a right in remainder to the heritage we now enjoy.

With what feelings and intentions do we usually attend an election? A friend in whom we feel an interest, may be a candidate. we naturally say to ourselves, he possesses a good disposition, he is honest, he is a man who means well, he may have a pleasant and amiable companion, he may have promising children, the office may benefit him, some pecuniary advantage may result to him from the office; we vote for him. And in this manner we cherish the best feelings of our nature, feelings which it is a virtue to indulge at every proper time and place, but never to the perversion and disgrace of our privileges. The right of suffrage is not secured to us for our own benefit alone, or that of our friends. It is to be exercised as a privilege of, and for the benefit of the country. At another time, a member of the same political party with ourselves may be a candidate. We say at once, he must be chosen, we must defeat our political opponents, be the result as it may, we vote for him. How in this instance have we discharged our duty? Perhaps we have been successful. We have triumphed over our opponents, but in our march we have prostrated, possibly the best interests of our country, we have planted the seeds of dissention and anarchy. Again, the candidate is a man with whom we have had some disagreement, we are prejudiced against him, our influence is exerted to oppose him. Thus, the most sacred right we possess is made an engine of partiality and prejudice. Such are not the feelings with which we ought to exercise this right. Some more important purpose than the defeat of an enemy, or the success of a friend should guide us.

It becomes us by precept and our own example to show the world, and our successors, that our immunities are not to be trifled with.—Should a foreign power attempt to deprive us of this right, we should with one accord oppose it as unjust and tyrannical. Where is the difference whether this right is taken from us by the violent acts of another, or by our own conduct, is converted from a blessing to a curse?—Young men, think of these things.

A YOUNG MAN.