Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1816-06-11

we'd from the will Of the people. However
little the existing governments OF the world
generally, may correspond with these posi-
tons, we have the satisfaction to reflect that
Massachusetts, and her sister states, separate
ly and conformity, have realized, and are now
enjoying the right Of self-government.
That numerous population should assem-
BILE and legislate upon the mutifarious con-
Germs incident to the social state, is obviously
impracticable ;--Refecton and experience
however, suggested convention, and repre-
sentative authority was the result OF comprom.
ise.--Eyery conceivable compact is pretera-
bic TO anarchy. But if men duly estimate
their own interests in committing their natural
rights, each individual for the portion of liber-
ty he surrendeTs, must receive in benefits
from society far more than an equivalent
The people of this state have been favour
ed by an indulgent Providence, with an OPP
portunity spontaneously of framing for them
selves constitution OF government upon the
broad basis of equal ri hts. Aud we may be
permitted 10 exult in the reflection that the
great question involved in forming system of
rules that must last Indefinitely for ages, and
influence the condition of millions, were dis
cussed with degree of Intelligence, and
spirit of candour and mutual concession which
mark the period as an age OF wisdom and vir
tue. In that interesting discussion facts and
principles were investigated the most disin-
lli b.! se=eiss & s 5li5 VI ,vier
and modern times furnished examples, were
analyzed ; and the effects of each upon the
character of man, and upon social happiness
were explored and elucidated as might have
been expected among men thus informed !;
men whose ancestors had suffered under the
lash of tyranny, and who were themselves
menaced with similar evils power was i'm
parted to public agents with caution, and in
every practicable instance, limited with pre-
csion Such concessions, however, were
made in favour OF delegated authority as
promised to ensure tranquility, and due
execution OF the laws.-lt is obviously one Of
the leading objects Of our constitution, efica-
ciously to counteract the tendency of Office to
accumulate power, and so guard against an a
buse of delegated trust.
Frequent elections are deemed necessary
for preserving the original principles of the
government IN their purity, and it is no less
requisite to that end that rulers should tho
rougIy understand and duly appreciate their
Importance. Principles are immutable-aId
Our system is SO framed as to leave as little as
possible for construction. A popular govern
ment, destitute OF system of rules and prin-
ciples, expressly distributing and modifying
the delegated authority, and prescribing, as
veil TO Legislators as to magistrates, the
CONDITIONS upon which it is to be exercised,
must be iluc,uating and transtory. The an
clent republics afford striking illustration of
the truth Oh this remark. A division of the
powers OF Sovereignty INTO several depart
nents The idea Of yestting the legislative
power IN two deliberate assemblies, each
having negative upon the other of separa-
ting the executive from the legislative
with perfect or qualified negative upon the
Latter and OF establishing judiciary indie
penaent OF both, were desierata in the ancient
republics, which time and experience have
since disclosed. And it is our happiness, gen.
temen. to have cur lot cast under system of
government constructed upon these PRINCIPLES.
This system, being the ordinance Of the peo-
pie. and enacted by them in the exercise of
their natural and underiyed right of self con-
trol, justly and imperatively claims to be the
supreme law oil the state. The constitution
has been in operation nearly thHtyseven ears.
1t commenced in the midst of he war of the
revolution, under circumstances peculiarly try
ing TO its infant strength, and has successfully
resisted the shocks TO which it has since. from
a variety of causes, been exposed.
To estimate the blessings derived to this
people from our constitution would be difficult
we can scarcely point to any source of en-.
joyment that is not deducted from, or enrich
ed by, IFS benign influence
only notice further, among the civil pro-
visions OF the constitution for the preservation
OF life, liberty, property and character, trials
by jury, and the Independence of the Judges
OF the supreme Judicial court. These proyi-
sions were ordained by the people, and they
o7crate for, and are essential to their safety.
What otherwise could protect the weak from
the powerful, the poor from the opulent. the
simple and uniformed from the crafty and in.
tel'gent |! This branch Of the social compacfI
constitutes one of its most precious attributes
An independent Judiciary not only directly
guarantees an impartial Interpretation and adj. |
ministrafion oithe laws, but has a most ausn;.
cious though remote influence upon science
and literature, upon character and the embe- |
llclmpnte at tasfa and