Thomas's Massachusetts Spy, Or, Worcester Gazette

LIBERALITY.

[COMMUNICATION.]

Messrs. Manning & Trumbull,

A correspondent in your last paper, under the signature of "An Elector," has put in nomination, for the office of Register of Deeds the Hon. Aaron Tufts. Had this writer contented himself with enumerating the qualifications of his own candidate, without endeavouring to detract from those of others, he would have passed unnoticed by me. But he has seen fit, by dark insinuations which cannot be misunderstood, rudely to assault the feelings and character of the present Register, and indeed of all who have pressed their claims on the public on the score of poverty. Besides the cowardice of this mode of procedure, where alone direct charges ought to have been made, which would have met with a proper examination and refutation, it is such a departure from good breeding and the common delicacy of civilized life, as should meet with the decided disapprobation of every one; and, as far as I know, it has had this fate in an eminent degree.

It has hitherto been supposed that poverty constituted a fair claim upon the compassion and humanity of mankind, and sympathy and kindness have been its usual attendants. This humane writer, however, has boldly discarded the influence of such vulgar feelings, and with philosophic sang froid held it up as a subject of public reproach, and a mark for scorn to point her finger at. In the distributions of the blessings of life it may be that property has been or is to be assigned to him as his portion; but we are yet to learn that this is to give him a right to trample coolly upon the feelings of those who place their reliance upon other gifts of Providence.

This writer says, that Dr. Tufts "is not proposed because he is poor, and wants the fees of his office; but because he is willing to labour for a competent support for his family, contented with the legal and proper fees of his office;—because he has sufficient property to be above temptations to do wrong, and is not so rich as to be above his employment." Without adverting again to the nature of the attack, the principle contained in the remarks is not true. Men of property are as apt to be rapacious and mercenary as the poor: and a notable instance is now before the public, of a man of large property, a Judge of Probate in one of the neighbouring counties, standing impeached before the Senate of this Commonwealth for taking exorbitant fees. If you wish to determine whether a man will discharge the duties of a public office with honesty and liberality, look to his private character, and not to his condition. If he is upright and liberal in his own affairs, he will be so in those of the public.

To this test we are willing to put Dr. Fiske, and we have no doubt the result will be favourable to him.

I trust I feel as much respect for Dr. Tufts as his corresponding patron does, and have no doubt his honourable feelings will sustain as much of a shock at the manner in which he was brought before the public notice as mine did. But the circumstance that he is already in the enjoyment of a handsome property, is with me a conclusive reason for not giving him this office. Where there are two candidates for office, both qualified, one of whom is already well provided for, it is but the dictate of common humanity and justice to give it to the other; as in this way both are made comfortable.

A POOR MAN.