The Massachusetts Spy

COMMUNICATIONS.
[FOR the Massachusetts Spy.]
Mr. Manning—
The question, who shall be the next Governour of the Commonwealth, in case our present Chief Magistrate declines a re-election, is one of great importance. In many respects I agree with your correspondent, "Countryman." The object which he avows, in coming forward thus early, is to call forth discussion, and enlighten the meeting which will probably be held in Boston, for the purpose of nominating a candidate who will unite a majority of the suffrages of the people. This is certainly a desirable object; but one, as he alleges, attended with many difficulties. But I must be permitted to doubt whether the course he proposes to take, is at all calculated to effect the object he professes to have in view. He apprehends, and not without reason, much difficulty, from the many interests to be consulted, and prejudices to be overcome, and yet says he intends to shew, that the candidate must be taken from the country. What is this, but at the very moment he avows it to be his object to produce unanimity, to conjure up and advocate a new, and, in my opinion, useless cause of dissension?
The candidate for the next Governour must be from the country. And why so? Of what consequence is it to the Commonwealth, whether their Governour be from Northampton, Worcester, or Boston? Who ever thought of voting for Governour Strong, because he lived in Northampton? or Governour Brooks, because he lived in Medford?
Surely these are trifling considerations in the choice of a Governour. The great object is, or rather ought to be, to select a man whose life and morals are pure, whose views are enlightened, whose mind is independent, and who will have wisdom and firmness to consult the general interests of the Commonwealth, without partiality to town or country. Such a man, wherever he reside, will be a suitable man for Governour, and with due deference to the opinion of a "plain Countryman," whose style, however, betrays something of the scholar, I cannot but think he is injudicious in laying it down as a first requisite, that the candidate must be from the country. This can be no objection, nor, in my view, any recommendation.
Let the "plain Countryman," then, if he has a candidate in view, whom he thinks suitably qualified for the office of Governour, come forward at once and point out his qualifications; but let not his living in the country be one. There are surely difficulties enough, in selecting a candidate, without increasing them by those of a local nature.
ONE OF THE PEOPLE.