Jenks' Portland Gazette

From the Centinel.

To the Federal Republican Electors of Massachusetts.

FELLOW-CITIZENS!

THE times call loudly for exertion. The intrigues of your enemies are in powerful though secret operation throughout the commonwealth. To defeat them it is necessary they should be exposed. Honest men, who love their country—who despise trick and intrigue, and who are as open and ingenuous in their politics, as in their private dealings: are superior to suspicion and mistrust...and are therefore liable to the impositions of political swindlers. The peaceable, industrious citizens of the Commonwealth, had contemplated the official conduct of Governor STRONG, and the Majorities of Federal Republicans, in the Senate and House of Representatives, with satisfaction. They had found him, and them, administering the government with fidelity, with moderation and with preeminent success: they saw that the affairs of Massachusetts flourished; that her treasury was full and overflowing; that the state debt was yearly diminishing; that the militia was in the best state of discipline, and completely organized; that public improvements of every description were the effect of general and individual prosperity; that numerous acts had passed for the encouragement and establishment of bridges, turnpike roads, canals, academies, banks, and various commercial and agricultural institutions: that public business was dispatched with unprecedented facility; that Economy was introduced into every department of the State; that important political questions had been discussed with candor and moderation; that the right of the minority in every instance had been respected: and the oaths of Governor, and Legislators to support the constitutions of this State and of the United States, had been inviolably observed:—They saw and felt all this, and more; and they reposed in security, that the general knowledge and effect of this wise and prudent administration, were certain pledges of the re-election of men, whose conduct had been thus praiseworthy and beneficial; as the best compensation for their labors and patriotism. In this persuasion the Farmer attended to his husbandry, the Merchant to his commerce, and the Mechanic to his work shop, secure and unsuspicious. But they now find their error. The experience of the last election has convinced them, that virtues, however potent and commanding in talents however eminent; services however faithful and laborious: official deportment, however impartial and conciliatory, can form no barrier to the restless spirit of party; no shield against the sting of ingratitude: no impediment to the march of demagogues to their purposes. This experience has opened the eyes of the people; and seeing their danger they will avert it.

To support these premises, my fellow citizens, a few facts shall be presented to your examination. Nearly at the close of the last session of the legislature, upwards of Fifty persons, many of them members of the General Court, who had been eye and ear witnesses of the prosperity of State, under the administration of Gov. STRONG and the ability, honesty and patriotism, which distinguished the measures of the Legislature; assembled in secret, midnight caucus; for the one purpose of concerting measures, to remove that Governor, and those Majorities and House of Representatives to whom you had confided your interest, and of whose merit and patriotism they ought to have been the foremost defenders! Yes, fellow citizens, such was the object of a caucus, formed by Men, whose travel to Boston, has been paid out of your treasury: and who were deputed by you for the purpose of promoting the general good of the State: and not to answer the ends of a party so as to organize the executive of a faction, and to dictate to you in your elections.

This self created executive of a party proceeded to organize itself; to call in the aid of the disaffected from the neighboring towns; and to carry its machinations into effect. The first object was to mislead and inflame the public mind with specious theories and bold misrepresentations... Committees were raised for the purpose; an incendiary pamphlet was written, several thousand copies struck off, and circulated in every part of the Commonwealth. All this was executed with the caution of conspiracy; and the secrecy of a Turkish divan. Honorable men and real Patriots, would have disdained resorting to measures so dark and groveling—But men, who are styled Honourable were the planners of the plot An "Honourable" Senator stood the scribe of the caucus:—and honourable men, who had received pay from the Treasury, as servants of the Commonwealth, contributed a part of that pay to furnish the ways and means to carry into execution the schemes of this caucus,

Fellow Citizens! Contemplate these facts; and if in the moment of surprise and indignation you should inquire for the cause of this meeting: this waste of midnight oil; and all this expense and pains-taking; you will learn, that the only Claims which subtlety or audacity could invent or forge against Governor STRONG, and the majority of your Legislature, was that he and they, do not join in judgement on political affairs with President JEFFERSON, and the majority of Congress; and that he and they think the maxims of WASHINGTON and ADAMS, as wise and as good as theirs.—Yes, my Countrymen, this was the only crime of which your Governor and Legislators stand indicted by the would be Attorney General of the State, and the real Public Accuser of a party.. As if Governor STRONG had not an equal right to political sentiments with President JEFFERSON; and, as if Mr. JEFFERSON does not differ as much from Governor STRONG as Governor STRONG does from President JEFFERSON.. Though thus indicted, the friends of Governor STRONG challenge the pamphlet writer, and his abettors to produce proofs of one instance—one solitary instance, wherein Governor STRONG has proposed a measure hostile to Mr. JEFFERSON's administration one measure having the malice tendency to embarrass or disgrace that administration; or to impede the due execution of the Constitution, Laws and Ordinances of the United States, in Massachusetts. Until these proofs are given, the public have a right to consider the writer of the pamphlet as a base calumniator.

But the removal of Governor Strong was not the sole object of the conspirators.—A second object was to change the Legislature of State. Heaven be praised, their machinations have hitherto been defeated. —Governor Strong is re-elected, and by nearly as many votes as he had last year, notwithstanding his enemies then declared that many thousand democrats voted for him—Lt. Governor Robbins is re-elected.—A Majority of the Senate are elected of genuine Federal Republicans. And these elections have been made, not by any exertions; but by the common unexcited, exercise of the Federal suffrages. But tho these machinations have been defeated in part; they may yet be mischievous. The men who thus strove to supplant Governor STRONG in April, will in May exert every art to introduce a majority of the political enemies of Governor STRONG into the House of Representatives. To prevent this is now your duty. Your honor; the harmony of the public councils: the reputation of the Commonwealth; every thing which can excite vigilance, or command exertion; all command that the towns, which give Governor STRONG a majority of votes should see that their suffrages are not nullified in the Legislature: which can only, be done by their full representation therein They may be assured of meeting full representations from the towns opposed to them. Every Town which can send a Representative, of Federal Republican principles, ought to send one. The extensive and flourishing counties of Hampshire and Worcester will bear in mind, that the eyes of the whole continent are turned towards them. Their suffrages have done them honor in the estimation of the world; and they are called upon to finish with glory, what they have founded on patriotism. This they can do by a numerous and Federal representation in the House of Representatives. The DISTRICT OF MAINE too, stands high in federal reputation. Her representation has always been respectable: She is solicited this year to make it numerous.

MAYHEW
April 24, 1804.