Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1817-06-03

buildings dedicated 10 their use, a. will i'm
press The minds of all with respect for those
institutions, and for the character of the peo-
pie among whom they are established. Here
every inhabisnt may truly consider himself
a proprietor in the building which he has con
tfibuted 10 erect and what is more itnpor-
tant, partaker of the accommodation it is
designed to afford. This is the safe asylum
of the titles TO bis estate, his refuge from OPP
preston and wrong, bis sanctuary when un-
justly accused. Here the poor may meet the
proud mans contumely without fearing il, and
the rich may be safe against the rapacity of
the vicious.
In some countries the people may look up
on the stately palace, and the pompous castle
as the proud monuments of the unnatural ele
vation OF a few, and the degraded subsection
of the rest but here, whatever is bestowed
upon pubick buildings is The voluntary gift
OF free people, and is consecrated to their
use and benefit. They ought not therefore
to complain of an expense which is the price
of their own comforts and which will perpetu-
ale cenveniences TO their posterity. Nor is
The benefit TO be derived from such improve
ments slight or inconsiderable. Every one
who is used to Courts of Justice knows how
much of patient hearing, deliberate decision
and wise counsel depends upon the ease and
comfort of those who are called to participate
in the important concerns administered with
in them. Considering how much we are all
creatures ofhabit, and how easily we are al
fected by outward circumstances, it is not too
much TO say that Court will be more wise, a
jury more intelligent and a bar more Juds-
ciously eloquent when sitting at ease, with de-
cent accommodations about them, than when
crouded and siraitened within narrow limits,
without power 10 move LIMB, or change a
painful posture and surely all the citizen:
are interested in providing those accommoda-
lions which may tend to make the laws more
ably administered; for among the things
which give name and a praise to apeople,
the reputation of their Courts of Justice is not
| the least considerable.
The order too, and decency, and may ado
sole'nnity which ought to accompany the Sc
rious duty ofinvestigating right, and enforcing
the laws of our country, are better observed
within walls which inspire respect and veneer
alton, than in the ordinary apartments of com
mon life.
If the solemn temples dedicated to the Mos
High call forth devotional feelings and excite
ardent piety, we may expect that the temple
ofJustice, when alrayed in decent grandeur,
will also affect the mind and prepare it for
solemn duties.
May this house long remain a monument
of the wisdom and liberal economy of the
people who have erected it. Here may they
always enjoy an upright, intelligent, firm and
impartial administration of the laws of the
land. Never may ii be de6led by the unhal-
lowed touch of corruption, fraud or chicanery
to this altar may the innocent always az.
proach with boldness and assurance of protec-
ton; and may the guilty find here no shield
for their crimes, and no success in their SUB
teEfuges. And, when this generation shall
have passed away, may the God Of Justice
preserve this bis temple for those who may
succeed who will, under the Divine bless
ing, have occasion TO bless their ancestors for
the accommodations and comforts transmitted
TO them, as we do ours for the invaluable civil,
political and religious institutions which we
| have derived from them.
| pr ACE .SOCTETV