Thomas's Massachusetts Spy, Or, Worcester Gazette

WORCESTER, MARCH 28, 1821.

APRIL ELECTION.

Federal Republican Nominations.

HIS EXCELLENCY
JOHN BROOKS,
FOR GOVERNOUR,

HIS HONOR
WILLIAM PHILLIPS,
FOR LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOUR;

And for Senators for the County of Worcester,

Hon. AARON TUFTS.
Gen. SALEM TOWN, jun.
JOHN SHEPLEY, Esq.--and
NATHANIEL JONES, Esq.

Federalists of Worcester County! Union and energy at the approaching election are essential to your future prosperity, if not to present success.--You have extended the olive-branch to your political opponents, and they have struck it aside with scorn. Their "voice is still for war." Up, then, and be doing.--Remember that, although your main works may not be in danger from the present assault, there will be loss and great danger, should any of your out-posts be carried.

We fear that in the excitement which is attempted on the subject of Register of Deeds, our more important interests may suffer. That excitement is extremely unpropitious to your interests. It is an example of dissension and division, very pernicious in its tendency. Surely, when so much depends upon the continuance of harmony, it ought to be the aim of all to prevent its being disturbed; or, if disturbed, to make efforts to restore it. It is for this cause that we have heretofore said, and for the same cause we now earnestly repeat it--"if the people have not lost their confidence in the present Register, we trust they will say so by their votes, and thus prevent the excitement and trouble which attends a protracted contest."

They very much deceive themselves who suppose the times do not require effort or union. Perhaps at no period of our government has there been so much occasion, as there is at present, for mutual forbearance and united exertion, on the part of the friends of the present State administration. Its enemies are at work, and at work actively. They not only calculate much upon their own strength, but look for the final accomplishment of their objects in the want of effort or of union among federalists: and the experience of other communities affords some warrant for their expectations. In furtherance of their plan, they enter with spirit into every scheme which has a tendency to paralyze our exertions or divide our strength. Witness the zeal with which some of them foment the dissension which has unfortunately occurred, upon the subject of the election of one of our County Officers.

But, Federalists, exertions of a more direct tendency are made to defeat you; and the polls, next Monday, will show that every man of your opponents has been summoned to the contest. The mails are cumbered with the weight of the despatches which, at the expense of the general government, are distributed from head-quarters. Newspapers filled with inflammatory publications are sent gratuitously into every village. In short, no means are left untried to produce a popular excitement such as has so long disgraced New-York, and jeopardized its best interests.

If, then, Massachusetts is to be preserved from the misrule of faction, her friends must not remain inactive. If the "Heart of the Commonwealth" is to maintain its character, the federalists of this County must persevere in duty. They will give no encouragement to local jealousies, to trifling preferences, or to hasty prejudices. They have, in former years, done well, and have reaped the reward of well-doing They have preserved the County from faction and from division: it may be that their efforts will hereafter preserve the State.

A laughable attempt is made to induce federalists who are manufacturers, to vote for Mr. Eustis, on the ground that he is more friendly to their interests, than Gov. Brooks. It is not easy to see how the manufacturing question is at all connected with the election of Governour. But every body knows that Mr. Eustis has been elected to Congress, on the very ground of his opposition to the policy which is advocated by the manufacturers! Truly there is much reason why the manufacturers should support Mr. Eustis.

Gentlemen will much oblige us by forwarding to our office, as early as may be, correct lists of all the votes given in their respective towns, next Monday. The sitting of the Probate Court on Tuesday, will furnish the opportunity to many.

[For the Massachusetts Spy.]

MR. EDITOR,

In the Address which accompanies the nomination, in your last paper, of candidates to fill the offices of Governour, Lieutenant-Governour and Senators, it was suggested that the disgraceful practice of disseminating circulars and political pamphlets through the Commonwealth, free of expense, by the aid of democratick post-masters, was still continued, notwithstanding the loud and general expression of indignation, which the exposure of such conduct in the officers of the general government called forth, on a former occasion.--As the writers of that Address appeared to be ignorant of the extent of the practice alluded to--for the information of your readers, I will state some facts, which accidentally came to my knowledge a few days since.

Living at some distance from the shire town, and possessing a little of the quid nunc propensity, I am indebted to the weekly arrival of the post-rider for the knowledge I obtain of passing events in the political world. Those who are in the habit of catching as it falls "the manna of the day," will readily suppose that the abstinence of a week would increase the appetite for news, and occasion the appointed hour for the arrival of the mail to be eagerly expected. Waiting, as usual, for the opening of the budget, on Wednesday, I observed that the little mail, which conveys to this village, from week to week, our allotted supply of news, had lost its usual lean appearance, and was swelled to an unwieldy size, by what I supposed to be important documents. The post-master, also, noticed the unusual appearance of the mail, which rendered a double portion of skill and labour necessary, together with considerable delay, to replace the numerous packages it contained, directed to worthy personages in the neighbouring towns. While the business progressed, an opportunity was afforded to read the name of James Wilson, P. M. which appeared on the envelope of each; and as through the kindness of that gentleman the contents of some of the aforesaid packages were destined to enlighten the good people of this place, we were enabled to ascertain what it was that was sent, unasked for, into every village around us. Finding that newspapers were enclosed, we were disposed to be very grateful to Mr. Wilson, for his kindness in communicating, free of expense, a week's supply of intelligence; until, upon examination, we found them full of false and slanderous invective against the worthy members of our State administration.

Comment upon such conduct in an officer of the general government is unnecessary.--But let the people know, that an establishment, supported at great expense to the public, and designed for its exclusive benefit, is made an engine to accomplish the purposes of party--and let all wholesale dealers in falsehood be cautioned not to disseminate any more numbers of the "STATESMAN" among those who have neither sympathy nor alliance with the faction or its tools.

Z.
Gandercleugh, March 23, 1821.

Candidates for Register of Deeds.

OLIVER FISKE, the present Register; JOSIAH BRIDGE and MOSES SMITH, both of Lancaster; AARON TUFTS, of Dudley; ARTEMAS WARD, of Worcester; TIMOTHY PAIGE jun. of Southbridge; and OTIS CORBETT, of Worcester.

[For the Spy.]

A writer in the last Spy, under the signature of "North About," has endeavoured to influence the election of Register of Deeds, by an attempt to ridicule the writers of a circular in favour of Mr. Ward. How does he do it? Why surely by calling them Post Riders. --Where these gentlemen are known, it is not necessary for me to say that they are men of respectable standing--that they are United States' Mail Contractors, and run Stage Coaches to different parts of the county. It is well known that a mail contractor is obliged to procure "competent bonds;" and none but a respectable man could do this, because the responsibility is great.

If "North About" will take the trouble to inquire at the Bank, "he will find what he knew before," that the signers of this Circular are every week entrusted with hundreds and frequently with thousands of dollars in their custody, without giving any security for it whatever, except the security which we feel in the character of an honest man.

I hope with "North About" that the Electors of this County will give to the advice contained in the circular all the weight it deserves; for no one is better qualified to give it than the writers, they having more business to transact at that office than any other three men in the County. If this should be the case (which I cannot doubt) the result of the election, I think, must tend to bring him out far as South About.

In regard to "North About's" postscript, it is advisable for him not to press the matter too far, otherwise he may be furnished with a statement of facts, which will forever silence this indiscreet and ill-advised writer.

A stranger might infer from the recent publications in your paper, opposing the re-election of the present Register of Deeds, that there is a strong and very prevalent dissatisfaction with him, and that the public good required his removal. Not conversant with our village history, he might not suspect that nearly all the clamour which is made, is set up by a little knot of individuals, combined to gratify a common hatred, which, from two or three different causes, they entertain towards Dr. Fiske, and which they will ever seek to gratify, whether he is or is not Register of Deeds. Those, however, who are on the ground, and are even partially informed of past events, or slightly acquainted with the feelings of individuals, can easily discern, through the thin covering with which it is attempted to be concealed, the machinery of the opposition to Dr. Fiske's re-election, and can, without difficulty, detect the secret springs which put it in motion.

It is not because Dr. Fiske is deaf, that his enemies pursue him with such savage ardour. Were this the ground of opposition, it would be sufficient fairly to state it, without coupling it with indirect slander malicious and unwarrantable as to shock the feelings of the community.

It is not because he has been guilty of any misconduct in his office. If he had been, the charge would have been made, and the misconduct pointed out. No such charge has been attempted.

It is not because his private character is in any respect unworthy: for not even any anonymous writer has had the folly so to assert this; and no man dare stand openly before the public, and allege aught against his good name. No man, not altogether abandoned himself, is so fool-hardy as to encounter the indignation of this community, by charging unworthy conduct of any kind, upon an individual, who, as a man and as a citizen, is so deservedly loved and revered.

What then is the cause of this uproar? It is (and I appeal to the unbiased people of Worcester for support in the assertion.) it is the implacable and untiring enmity of individuals, who are resolved to pursue their object "to the death."

Perhaps I have indulged in strong language--but the occasion warrants it. They who have misused the liberty of the press, for the gratification of their own bad passions, ought not to calculate upon the continued forbearance of an indignant community; nor have they any right to expect that those who undertake to expose them, will study a courtly phraseology. As to the several gentlemen who are named as candidates, I mean to insinuate nothing against them. Some of them I know and respect, and all of them may be honourable men. They are not the objects of my animadversion. It is, however, to be regretted, that the Hon. Aaron Tufts has permitted his name to be used in this warfare.--He never can be elected to the office; and those who have brought him forward, have probably done so from no regard for him. If he understood the plans of his advocates, he would, unquestionably, spurn with indignation their proffered support. Let his real friends look to it.

I had determined, Messrs. Editors, to take no part in the discussion concerning the Register of Deeds. Had it continued to be of an ordinary kind, none but the candidates, or their immediate friends, need have engaged in it. But it has assumed such a shape, that the reputation of the County requires that the public should no longer be silent spectators of the contest. Every good citizen is now bound to come forward, and, in such manner as circumstances will permit, to express his opinion of its character. For one I have done so, frankly and earnestly. The publications against the Register of Deeds* having proceeded from the source to which I have ascribed them, it is high time that the public, generally, be disabused on this subject. It is time they know that the name of one of their distinguished fellow-citizens, a Senator from the County, has been resorted to by individuals, to cloak the character of their designs.

With this view of the subject, I feel bound by a regard for justice, by a regard for the public interests, to attend at the polls, whatever may be the personal inconvenience, and to give my vote for Oliver Fiske, as Register of Deeds. And I am persuaded, that the people generally will feel the importance of turning out in their strength to preserve the County from the reproach of removing, at the instigation of his personal enemies, an honest and honourable public officer, against whom no charge of misconduct is brought.

CIVIS.
Worcester, March 28

*No allusion is meant to the merely recommendatory articles in favour of other candidates.

The case fairly stated.

I am aware, Messrs. Printers, it is generally admitted that the present Register of Deeds has been faithful and attentive in his office--that he has personally attended, both early and late, for the accommodation of the community, and performed his duties acceptably to the public.

Yet he may be totally disqualified any longer to fill the office. If so, he ought to be displaced.

As a test of his merits and qualifications, I wish to propose a few questions which, in my mind, have a principal bearing on the case.

Did not the incumbent, prior to April Meeting, 1817. propose Dr. Tufts as a substitute in the Senate for a person who, the next year, declined a re-election? Did he not also by his vote contribute to the settlement of a certain clergyman, greatly to the displeasure of the same person?

Did not the incumbent recommend a young gentleman as Judge-Advocate to the officer whose duty it was to make the nomination, to the great vexation of a man who was ardently seeking the office, and has never succeeded in obtaining it--Did he not further, in a competition for the office of Secretary of the Agricultural Society, write and distribute votes for a gentleman other than this man, and was not the former elected to the exclusion and disappointment of the latter?

Have not the two persons above alluded to been the authors of all the publications tending to the prejudice of the present incumbent, including the "Circular" of the three Post-Riders, which the latter have subscribed in order to circulate an opinion of their own consequence?

And, finally, are not the misdemeanors aforesaid of the present incumbent "against the peace of the Commonwealth," as the Government's Attorney would say, "and an evil example for others in like cases to offend?"

If the present Register has been guilty of these high-handed offences, (and I doubt whether he can clear himself) the public ought to discard him as no longer worthy of their trust; and to vote for Dr. Tufts, or any other person whom these men will propose and stick to, as the most likely to promote the public good, by inflicting exemplary punishment upon the offender.

PROBATUM EST.

Messrs. Manning & Trumbull--

I Shall vote for Oliver Fiske as Register, and I trust the people generally will do the same, and thus put down, at once, the faction in Worcester, who are endeavouring to dictate to the rest of the people. I cannot believe that the citizens of this
The County will displace a faithful public servant,

merely because a few individuals hate him for

qualities which they do not possess.

I shall vote for Dr. Fiske, because he is "capable": and "honest," because, also, he is a remarkably generous, humane and publick-spirited

man, one who was never guilty of a mean action,

notwithstanding the poverty with which he is re-

proached by men who, if they have wealth, are

not burdened with magnanimity.

I shall vote for the present Register, because the

interests of the people require that a man who serves

them faithfully should receive their continued

support. If this scrambling for office is encouraged

by the people, the evident tendency is to

induce every publick officer to make the most of

his office, because there will be so little probability

of his being re-elected. Let us, fellow-citizens,

reflect seriously on that consideration.

In fine, Messrs. Printers, I shall vote for Oliver

Fiske, and I believe the people generally will also

vote for him, and thus prevent the perpetuation

of the disgrace which is brought on our coun-

ty by the scandalous manner in which he has been

assailed from the press.

NO PARTIZAN.

South District, March 24.