Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1815-01-23

coEilitulGnal term, anu Ills Ch5luHh>
IRON The fame State two terms lE fuc
ceiTion.
Upon this topic, it is fuperhuous to
dilatr. The love Of power IS principle
| III the human hsart which too often i'm
pels to the ufc of all practicable mean!
TO prolong its ddration. The Office o.
PRECEDENT has .charms and attractions
which operate. as powerful incentives to
| this paflion The firit and mott natural
exertion of a vait patronage is directed
towards the fecurity Of a new election
The intcreit Of the country the welfare
of the people, even honeR farae and re-
fprcf for the opinion of pctterity, are f.
condary conliderations All the engines
Of intrigue; all the means of corruption,
are likely to be employed for this object.
A Prelidcnr whole political career is
limited TO Jingle election, may find no
other intcreit thaa will be promoted by
making it glorious to himfelf and bench.
cial to his country. But the hope of re-
election is prolific of temptations, under
which thefc magnanimous motives are
deprived Of their principal force. The
repeated election of the PRECEDENT Of the
y. States from any one State, affords
inducements and means for intrigue.
which tend TO create an UNIQUE local IN
fnence, and TO citabli(h the domination
Of particular States. fhc jultice, thercs
fore, of fecuring to every State fair
and equal chance for the election Of this
officer from its own citizens is apparent,
and this object will be etlentiailv promos
led by preventing an election from the
fame itate twice in iucceilion.
Such is the general view which this
Convention has bought proper to fab
nit. of the Gtuation Of thefc States, ct
their dangers and their duties Moe or
thc iubiscts which il embraces have fcp
ara'cly received an ample and luminous
inveltigation, by the great and able al
fertors of the rights Of their country, IN
The National Leginature and nothing
more could be attempted Oh this occa
fon, than digeit of general principles,
and Of Recommendations, fuited to the
preicnt fate Of public affairs. The pc
culiaf difficulty and drlicacy of perform
ing, even this undertaking, will be appre
cialsd By II who think frriouay upon the
crilis. Negotiations for leace are at
this hour fuppoied TO be pending, the il
fac of which muf. be deeply intereiting
to all. No mealures ihauid be adopted,
which might unfavorably aifeet that
iilue none which ihould embarrafs the
Administration, If their pfofeiird defre
fer peace is Gncere and none. which
on fuppoiition Of their infncerity, I'll ,uld
afford them preiexts for prolonging the
war, or relieving themfelyes from The
responsibility Of diihonorable peace.
1t is alto deyoutiy to b. wiihsd, thar an
location may be afforded to all friends Of
the country, Of all parties, and in all pla :
ces, TO paute and coniiter the awful
tate 70 which pernicious counlels, and
blind pailions, have brought this people
The number Of thofc who perceive, and
who are ready 10 retrace errors, mutl
it is believed be yet fu fioent to redeem
the nation. Ii is niece FAIRY TO rally ave
unite hess by the afurancc thar no hof
,ilny TO the Contribution is medita.ed
and to obtain their aid, il placing it unde,
guardians, who alone can fave il from
deltruction Should this fortunate
change be effected. the hope OF happine!s
and honor may once more dilpei the
furrounding gloom. Our nation may yet
be great our unicn durable But ih,uld
this profpecl be utterly hopelcis the time
uiIl not have been loft, which ihail have
ripened general fentiment of the recei.
| iity Of more mighty efforts to relcue from
ruiz, at leaf lomc portion OF our beloved
Country.
THEREFORE, REsOIVED-
Tnar it be and hereby Is commend
cd 10 the Legislatures oil the several STATE!
represented III this Covenllon, 70 adopt al
such measures IS may be necessary tatc
,aally to project The ci.izens ct said STATE:
fiom the operation and eHsc's OF all ac,.
| which have been or may be passet! by th.
Congress OF Tie Uaitrd States, WHICH saal
contain provisions. subjeciing The nnldia o.
other citizens IL iorcibic drafts, colsctip-
ions, or inprcssmsnts not authorised by
the. Constitution OF The United States.