The Massachusetts Spy

[For the Massachusetts Spy.]

Mr. Manning—

In your paper of last week, a "Countryman," in default of "political excitement, which in times past had separated the whole mass of the community into two great divisions," recommends a rendezvous in the "publick journals" for recruits in his campaign for the chair of State, and offers himself their leader against the devoted town of Boston. To diminish the number, and lessen the magnitude of the difficulties to be encountered in the selection of a Chief Magistrate, he wisely proscribes a portion of the Commonwealth, and limits the choice to the country. I admire the policy and the liberality of the measure; and can have no personal objection. By striking off at once all the good men at Boston, my chance, as well as my neighbour Countryman's, is at least doubled. This is an immense affair in the doctrine of chances. But why permit so wide a range? Why not confine it to the county, nay the town where we dwell? If this summary mode were adopted, the "many men which we have, of talents, of learning, and of moral virtue, sufficient to command the respect, the esteem, and the confidence of their fellow-citizens, and to entitle them to the most exalted stations in the gift of the people" would be so far reduced as to lessen if not obviate the "dangers of division." Still, in my humble apprehension, the Commonwealth might not, peradventure, be furnished with the best man for Governour. This doubt suggests the remark of the late Judge Paine, upon being informed that a bill was before the Legislature for districting the Commonwealth for a new organization of the S. J. Court, with a provision, that a Judge, with competent qualifications should be appointed in each district— "Why" said he, with his characteristick promptitude and point, "a squaw would do better. If she could not find an ash in this swamp, would she make a broom of a poplar? No. She would search in another until she could find one." The town and country have each furnished the best of stock, and still have an abundance; but whether the "plain Countryman" has his eye upon an ash or a poplar for his broomstick is yet uncertain, but will be known in the sequel.