The Kentucky Gazette

FOR THE KENTUCKY GAZETTE.

MR. PRINTER,

It must be with real satisfaction, that the true friend to peace and harmony, finds our fellow citizens, after being torn with intestine broils and party dissensions, for two years past, now about to proceed to one of the most important elections we ever had, with that composure, and freedom of sentiment so necessary for the promotion of the worthy citizen, and as such, all important in a republic.

That constitution, the formation of which rent our country into party factions, is about to be carried into effect with the good wishes of all, and a joint desire of having it well executed. The alterations concerning the manner of voting, is one which at this period seems most important to us, and whether it will prove beneficial, or disadvantageous, depends in a great measure, on ourselves, in the execution of it.

Freedom of choice in the citizen voting, is the object sought for, in both, and the GREAT PALLADIUM OF LIBERTY. Our constitution guards against direct attacks on this, by bribery and corruption, but it is for the citizen to repel the indirect attacks. They are too numerous and too varied to be arrested by legislative sagacity. In England. (the first model of a representative branch of government) their elections are partial, being granted in many places, to small and trifling boroughs.

This opens an easy field to bribery, and which, if we may believe their own historians, is notoriously practiced, whence have arisen those systems so burthensome to the Briton, and may with much more propriety be considered as the real cause of the present slavery of that country, than the circumscribed prerogatives of a weak monarch.

In Virginia, our mother state, public treats were customarily given, and it may yet be the case for aught I know. Whilst we were a part of it, such practices were not unknown among us ; but our old constitution struck so completely at the root of it, that we have heard little complaining on that head, under its administration, and I hope will not under the present.

There was one practice indirectly of currying favor, whilst we were a part of Virginia, and may have been peculiar to this district. It was by mounting in a conspicuous place, and with a low bow, and a " thank you sir," repaying every vote received. This, when or how introduced, necessarily expired, when we began voting by ballot. Voting viva voce, being now reinstated, may we not apprehend a return of this practice? And what is its tendency?

The man whose independence will not permit him to bow and scrape to every one who gives him a vote, will be termed a " stiff necked" fellow not to be trusted ; whilst the sycophant who will do almost any thing to be elected, will be preferred. If the good citizen in giving his vote, is only discharging a debt due to himself, and to his posterity, & is obliged to a well qualified fellow citizen that is willing to serve him, why should the candidate return him thanks for his vote? Thanks are due for favors bestowed. It is the language of the suppliant courtier to his lordly master, of whom he wishes a private favor. But when I see a man uncommonly solicitous for a place'not profitable, and frequently unthankful, I set him down as a man having some sinister end in view: At all events an unbounded vanity to satisfy.

The man who will stand up, and by his conduct at an election, endeavor to draw votes severally, must think his former conduct has not entitled him to the suffrage of his countrymen. The good citizen depends on that alone, to decide his election.

You will permit me then, Mr. Printer, if at the ensuing election, I see a candidate returning bows and thanks for votes, to mark him down as a person having more than the public good at heart.

A. CITIZEN.