Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1815-12-19

Mr.. SHIRLEY,
III appears that plot of avery insidious and ex-
traordinary character has been discovered. " Self
created Societies. exist among us, organized, Sc
cret and active, endeavorng to excite party viru-
ience, aud in this way to effect certain purposes
highly detrimental to the many, for the benefit of
themselves and their associates. One of their let
tiers appeared in the Gazette of the 10Th inst. 1t
became public by a fortunate accident. One of
these societies. it seems is established in Portland
and that it embraces considerable extent of terri
tory, for the President belongs to the county of
York. How many other branches of the " Unioa
Societies. there are, we know not. Jealous efforts
AZ appears are making to g increase their number
10 establish funds, 10 be held az common, and appro-
priated for such expenses may be incurred, more
especially to rtminerate those whose duty it is to
devote their time in collecting, writing and pub
fishing such documents ciH best promote the great
objects an Ueac." " We" say they, {" m,tsi keep an
aye 10 the separation Of Maine from Massacbusetisn
This subject will soon be spread before the people,
and to accomplish object so much for our inter
ests and honor, il is OF the highest Importance
to establish these societies, and that each give his
mite for their support" The above are extracts
from the letter OF these illuminate. 1t explains
many things which have appeared unacountable,-
Every body seemed surprised that the question of
separating Maine from Massachusetts which. last
winter, was supposed 10 have died with the war,
should again be agitated. No one could account
for the journies which made by certain charuc-
tersinto remote parts Of Maine. Nobody could
tell why heard enc man selected for this Office
and another for that, in the new State and the
whole hustle seemed to be made by few men and
their dependents, whilst every body else appeared
either opposed to the plan, or perfectly quiet res
pecting it. We now End that since last June there
has been combination of men among us, in lea rue
with certain Others in old Massachusetts who are
determined that the people of Maine shall not
:" manage their own affairs in their own way" but
shall be guided and governed by the secret infu-
ence of these societies unknown to the constitu-
tlon." Societies of this description were pointedly
denounced by the Father of his country, and they
fed before bis influence and the good sense of the
people Those who know the characters and de-
signs of the movers ofthis machinery perceive that
1t cunning attempt to nst the feelings of party
Tor their own promotion and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. But
they dare not ayow the real object. Hence we
have flourish about Z" republican interests" tex
erting energies" guarding against A" every attempt
to sever the union of the states" sc. &C. 1t is well
Known that there snen have long cherished this
scheme of state but knowing that there are
many solid and perhaps insurmountabe objections
aud that the people have again and again voted by
large maorities against it the attempt is now
made to ingraft il upon the irritation which grew
out OF the war, which had happily began to abate
TO ca ole aud influence by secret measures, and by
means of money upon which they say expressly,
depends The success Of their efforts" to create an
artificial popularity to a measure which the unbiass-
ed good sense of the people Of Maine would in all
probability oppose. 1t will be remembered that
some years since similar attempt was got up by
some of the leaders in the Legislature at Boston,
anJf MAG ppocad hy of all RITZ
from Maine At that time an Hon. Senator from
Kenebeck, with view to bring the question fairly
before the people, offered Resolution for that pur-
pose. What did the friends Of separation, from
Maine in the Senate To the astonishment of all
preseut they kept the question off till the last day
of the session, and then left their places that
quorum could not be collected; they standing in
sight the whole time We always find the plan Of
separation originates from the same quarter: not
from the people, bot from certain leaders Of the Le
gistdtttre.
This was manifested last winter. At that time
they found the most cogent arguments in the way
but peace happened TO come during their adjourn
ment and they were obliged to suspend their
useful abors" and set their compass anew. The
truth is there is good reason TO be given In favor
af the measure at this time. The great argument
formerly was that the Supreme Court could not dc
the business of Maine, but since the alterations III
that establishment, the dhculty is entirely at an
end. And when the increase of expence the en-
barrassment and in many places ruin of the coast
ing trade so extensive and valuable, with many
other objections, considered; it is not appre-
hended that be people of Maine can be induced,
even by these same Union Societies." to lend
their aid to separate the only large state in the
Eastern section of the union 1t is to be expected
that few men who now stand committed, will
persist, but such an important measure cannot
be sanctioned long the interests and feelings
of the people against it, and whilst majority
is too independent be dictated TO by any author
iy short of their own honest conviction. 1t is not
my intention to state the arguments so often re-
repeated upon this subject, but reading the let
ter of the +" Union Society,"" which has happily |
been laid before the pubck, it seemed desirable TO
examine for moment, that the attention of the |
people of Maine might be directed TO an intrigue
of character so unprecedented in this part of the
country, AN OBSERVER. |