Gazette Of The United States

The subject of elections now engages the attention of the citizens of the United States in various parts of the union. In Pennsylvania their present Governor, Thomas Mifflin, Esq; and the Governor of the western territory, Arthur St. Clair, Esq. are candidates for the first office under their new constitution:—These gentlemen are openly, and fairly proposed to their countrymen, as persons duly qualified to discharge the duties of that high and important station;—they both very justly rank high in the esteem of their fellow citizens—having been distinguished patriots in "the times that tried mens souls."

Bribery and corruption are said to destroy the freedom of elections in Great Britain:—In this country a party spirit has frequently the same inauspicious effect. Electors adopt particular political creeds—and make them the standard of merit;—this is easily perceived by an artful candidate—and to be a democratic, a federalist, or a republican in appearance, is a substitute for every other essential requisite—and thus honest, consistent, inflexible Patriots are often neglected— while those who possess the slimy arts of accommodation, and "becoming all things to all men," can pretend to no fixed character, insinuate themselves into the public favor.—It may be safely affirmed that the general interest never is promoted by persons of this description—they constantly disappoint our expectations, and are the cause of murmurings against the government.