Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1816-03-05
SEPARATION OF MAINE.
No. ".
IN =, n 81, ~. = NJ
TO the People Of the District Of Maine.


Another argument urged by the friends Of
Separation aud independence is that we re
bessedwith all the talents necessayto give res
pectabi'ity and energy TO new government
This proposition is so fattering in its nature
that few, il any, will be disposed to dispute it.
It's undoubtedly true that Name possesses
number OF men OF distinguished talents and ac-
knowledged integrity and worth qualified
to fill the necessary Offices wi th uselLiI ess and
reputation But does it fellow that the best
men viii be selected Is there not al The
present day some proof that popular fee l;ng
has too much influence on this subject and
that other qualities, besides integrity and learn
ing have strong claims to offices and honors.--
would fondly hope better things in the or
ganization OF a new Cover nment in Maine;
but have any grounds on which to eapect
them ?-At present we have Supreme Ju-
dicial Court in whose Lear niag, F1rm,,ess
and impartialty, universal confidence is re-
posed our other state officers are men OF emf
nent merit and usefulness; and the affairs Of
the government are administered with purity
and iaithfulness. Why then would you haz-
ard change? Why relmquish ceriam bless.
ing in the hope ofobtaining an uncertaia one |!
But you are told that men OF wealth, influence
and learning, will move into the District 10
share in our enoyments, and aid in our grow
ing prosperity If we have men of talents
enough already here, they will not come in
pursuit of honors and why man Of business
should become an inhabitant in consequence
of separation, is TO me unintelligible. Cur cli-
mate will be the same--our soil the same-our
commerce the same: it will in no degree
depend on the local government OF Name,
but the general government Of our country and
he policy Of other nations.
Again. we are assured, in the sweetest
strains. that pany Ceilings will no longer dis
turb the peace Of the community. Huie's and
ruled win soar above the region of all party
views. and all will be harmony aud loye.-f
will not blame the man who believes all THIS:
would only remind him that hope IS decs'0-
er and that men will be men, as well after
separation as they are noe.
A writer in the Argus sometime since 10.
dulged himself in all these deluslse hopes au0
congratulated himself in considering the re-
spectacle appearance which our dlstflc' el'
hibits in point Of talent and character ana M"'
al sgorth yet before he closed his reniarAs'n no
INDUCED himself in the language OF in'eoiHe
against old Massachusetts for her unklnd ana
unnatural conduct towards this district, and
her unremit,ed endeavour to render US dePs"'
dant upon her and degraded in the eyes o. ,ne
world. It's not for me to reconcile these ~
consisiencies. There is one other ldea winch
has been urged that deserves pai'lcula, =
mark. The Legislature of Massachusetts =
blamed in stern language for their conduct
the disposal of many townships OF land IN 'ns
district-they are charged with partiai'y !"
taking such liberal grants to harvard S%'
lege, while almost neglecting bo"do'n ~.
lego. You are sensible that the consciousness
OF Massachusetts, has declared it TO be lne g,
pecial duty of the Legislature TO CHERISH W.
University al Cambridge--have they uos
more than their duty In the recen! g'a a'
made TO Harpard College, Hifadms .oAss.5,
and Bossdoin College-S 10000 = g'anS
annually for ten years to the former au
4 5000 10 each of the others for the same 1s''a
Is this sliglaog the interests OF learning
Name more than Berkshire? No--'he s,'ts
is generous to all and will always reuoo.. >.
the honor of government. But the eaa,s