Jenks' Portland Gazette

Portland.
SATURDAY, MAY 5, 1804.

CITIZENS OF PORTLAND!

On Monday next, at eleven o'clock, A. M, you are Called upon to assemble for the purpose of choosing your Representatives for the coming year. The character of This town being decidedly federal; if it is not represented By federal men it will be misrepresented. Those who Know the unceasing efforts of democrats to carry their Points must also know the necessity of vigilance and union To counteract them. The caucus which was intended to Be secret previous to the election of Governor and Senators, was devised for the purpose of combining their force And overbearing the federalists, who it was presumed Would be inactive until the day of election. Had their Plans not been discovered, they probably would have Produced a majority of votes against the great and good Man who has so ably and uprightly administered the government for three years past; one hundred and fifty-nine Being a majority of those who usually attend our town Meetings- but being discovered; your resentment at such proceedings was roused. you nobly despised the shackles prepared for you by a faction, and by a laudable display of Independent zeal, put them and their councils to confusion

While our fellow-citizens in many towns. trusted to the Uprightness of the cause and the virtues of their candidates, without making any stir to support one or the Other; the more patriotic electors of Boston and Portland Knowing better the character and designs of their adversaries, were awake at their post. and by a manly and Honorable exertion, saved the Commonwealth from jacobin Councils and from the wretched policy of abandoning proved, able, and faithful agents. to make way for Visionary, unsound, and time serving politicians.

Look, fellow-citizens, at the votes for Governor in the Several towns in the Commonwealth-then contrast the Characters of the candidates and say whether it be not Criminal any longer to withhold that aid and influence Which we are all able to give to a righteous cause - What But the most desperate designs could induce the faction in This state to attempt to remove so wise, discreet and patriotic a man as Governor Strong? What but mischievous Motives could prevail upon them so unwisely to Vote for the Attorney General? Do they prefer him to Any other man? Are they satisfied as his merits and Claims to the office No; but he has consented to take The lead of their party after every other man of consequence had declined it as a desperate cause.

They have failed to be sure, that is to the good sense And discernment of the people, more especially in Boston And Portland; and the good cause still prevails in spite Of the tricks of its enemies and in spite of the laziness and blind confidence of too many of its friends. But Their machinations are not yet finished; the great jacobin Caucus, in Boston, which begat the ridiculous abortion in Portland, on the Friday evening before election. made it Part of their plan, to urge the democratic towns to send A full representation the ensuing year, with a view, if They could not get a Governor of their own, to be able By a majority in the House of Representatives to threaten And perplex the Governor who should be chosen by the Federalists. Should this plan be carried into effect and Unless a full representation from the federal towns prevent, it most certainly will; we are destined to see that Political monster. a democratic representation of a highly Federal state. Proofs exist, that many towns in which Jacobinism prevail, which heretofore have been contented With one representative intend to choose as many as Their population will allow.

The populous, wealthy and federal towns should do the Same, or the abovementioned mischief will ensue.

Portland stands high in reputation, it ought not to be Satisfied with two representatives; having a right to send Five. It appears to me that not less than four should be Chosen; and if any one be niggardly about the trifling Expense on so momentous an occasion, let him be informed That Newburyport, Ipswich and other towns have Hereafter agreed upon such gentlemen as would not be Desirous to attend throughout the session, and that on an Average not more than half the number have been constantly attending The advantage of this is, that the Whole can attend on the day of election of Senators. when The Legislature takes its political character; part of them Return home soon after, and be always ready to go should Any great occasion call for them, but otherwise remain at Home.-Thus four Representatives may be chosen, and The expense to the town exceed but little that of two, the Traveling fees not being charged to the town, but paid Out of the public treasury. Newburyport the last year Chose five Representatives, and I am well informed that except The first two or three days of the session, there were Never more than two at the same time attending.-The Democratic party in this town despairing of being able To effect a choice of one of their set, will endeavor to Far to gain the general plan, as to reduce our representation To one, and they will urge this on the score of economy, a very popular but often abused principle. The man Who is too parsimonious to secure his doors by locks, or His yard or garden by fences, is not an economist but a Miser; and in the end loses double the amount of the expense, by thieves or cattle--so in politics the system of Saving carried too much an excess, as to expose the country To danger. is not economy but the worst of all parsimony.

Let us then for one year shew that this town has spirit To exert its energy on trying occasions -At least fellow Citizens, it behoves you to attend the meeting early and See that your influence in the legislature is not cut down One half by the minority of this town.

Should you determine to send more than two, undoubtedly Persons can be fixed upon, who will cause the expense to be As light as possible; should you confine yourselves to the present number, the same principles which Urged you to prevent a change in the principal affairs, Will induce you to vote for the two gentlemen who have Faithfully and I believe ably represented the town the Year past.

A VOTER.