Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1809-02-13
a3ortlano,
Monday, February Is, 1909.

Thai shark from The altar Of Liberty,
which was originally conceived and
nursed by the patriotic sons OF the east
and which continues to fad a rich
Inheritance in the breasts OF our citi-
zens-is marking its course, with rapid
strides, towards the gvess. And should
the dreadful occasion which reused 1t
from its slumbers continue, we are
greatly mistaken If it does not e'er long
reach the capitol. BY the last accounts
from the great national Itigwam, it APP
pears this native of yankee breasts had
nearly approached their CAMP. In
consequence of which, it is said, sud-
den tremor had seized our trembling
Represe ntatives," and greatly IMPAIR
ed their faith in the efficacy OF the
tincture of Embargo. That the spirit
which excited our fathers TO resist ty-
rannical and arbitrary laws, was trans
mittcd to their sons, the following Dig
ni6ed ard spirited resolutions fully tes-.
,ify:-
Topsham Town Meeting.
ii a meeting IF The Iuhabrfants u The s0srs 81
Topsham, legally assembied Ieo. 4, 1909,
to tdke into confederation such niedswes end
adopt snch resolutions as fbe present state 81
our Public A8airs render necess@y--
RESOLVED, That it becomes us not to
despair of the safety of our Republic, while
we enjoy the constitutional right and liberty
of assembling pcaoesbly IL consult upon the
common good. and to petition the LeSisla.
ture to devise and promote the redress vi
wrongs and grievances we suffer.
That, a. It is our privilege in prosperity
to rejoice, 1t is our duty in adversely to
consider to investigate, to ascertain the
causes of the calamities we experience, and
the most effectual means to remove them.
That we are convinced the people in ma
nv instances have not been sufficiently cau-
tious in the exercise oftheir electoral rights,
but have permitted themselves TO be de.
ceived by crafty and unprincipled men. and
have frequently conferred their sufifages on
seekers Of popular favor, without making
sh~ important inquiries, are they capable, ar'
they honcsf, are they atfached to the CensfsfS
sie.' Hence i has happened, tina, l,. many
trust and importance and that we now fec
the extensive mischief, naturally arising
from this want OF caution and enquiry in the
people for power obtained by fraud, will
always resort to violence for support.
That the principles and public conduct OF
our rulers, I" are the fair objects of manly
and public spirited scrutiny, for the purpos.
es OF merited censurc or appreciation, their
continuance or removal from Office. in the
prescribed FORMS"
; That, when we take into view the great
prosperity, generally difTused through our
once happy land, under the arsluous admin
istration of the reverea WASHINGTON and
his immediate successor, we are compelled
to believe. that the numerous heavy evils
since fallen and daily sccumulating upon us,
have been principally occasioned BY the de-
parture OF our rulers from that wise, firm,
liberal and impartial policy. which regulat.
ed the conduct of thoss distinguished Par
RIOTS.
That. with sorrow we must confess, that
the present Executive Of the United States,
has appeared 10 Us, in the course OF his ad.
ministration, more like the dependant and
humble friend Of foreign despot. than the
brave and generous chief OF great, spirit
cd and free people----more devoted TO the
nefarious schemes of the Repuh!;s-d estroy-
ing, King-making NAPOLEON than to the
security, peace and happiness of his own
country or to the rights and privileges of
those natlons, who, having made noble
stand' are now contencing from the pure
spnt OF patriotism against that rapacieus
lyrant OF houndlcss ambition
That the people have a right to require
OF their lawgivers and magistrates. who are
at times accountable to them, ala exact and
constant observance Of constitutional princi-
pies, IN the formation and execution OF tho
laws.
That our national legislature, apparently
from the impulse of executive influence,
have enacted system Of Embargo laws, ia
our decided opinion, unconstitutional in
principle and ruinous in operation.-...that
must subjectus abroad to contempt, at home
to want and wretchedness.
That we consider the act entitled An he,
to enforce the several Enlbavgo ia.ss of The u.
nifed States. most e=.- Mt violation of ma
ny articles IN our federal and state Const.tu-
uons ana the measures prescribed to car
y into eheet TO be utterly subvcrsive Of
our dearest rights and prvileges--.-that Il is
law winch the people are not bound to o.
oey ana Sh'eh sue believe, from tie.- strong
ATTACHMENT 70 'he Libernes ef their Csuar,,
they viii not obey.
nat we most cordially approve the
patriotic conduct of those officers of the
revenue department., who disdaining TO
De inc instruments OF arbitrary power,
and having more tender concern for
the rights oftheir -ci:izens, than
torthe emoluments of Office. have late.