The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1819-09-07

,,ty. whose iai;hiulues, to ITS interest had hl- |
IA their minds with an extreme and per
hans excessive, solicitude for its welfare.
It's approhended therefore. that there can
~ no further distinction remaining between
Inc friends and the toes of separation. The
oeeasion for such line Of division is past.
There Is no reason for such distinction
Tbere can be no foundation Or a difference.
The opposition i dissolved ~ is defeat. us
pincipies are docomroeed Its forces are
a,sbandet. Upon what fiture occasion can
tie same opposition b. anticipated to form a.
cain How can il ever he terminated upoD
fbe same princiries When -hal we exnec;
ID behold he sane seven thousand citizens
again arrayed against err independence
sncb DISSEMINATION teretorp. Il should seem.
could only be ATTEMPTED with some sinister
intention. Il is Inconsistent with The genius
and spirit Of republics il any manner 10 pun
it or p-oscrbe for past opinions. Il would
be full q constitutional 20 pass bills OF attain
der aud eGYost facto l0ass And what man of
pIincp pie and honour il Ire comr.mitv. with
The single exception perhaps Of reverend
gentleman IN The interior-it j. requisite 70
speak with due respect of III orlers of The
clergy would consent to become the subject
OF such discrimination, even Upon the most
favourable footing II is moi casv 10 perceive
with what other object it could he designed
ibln to narrow the sphere of public favour by
excluding portion Of DE common mass of
talent and vriue--to reduce the number of
candidates by narrowing the field of competi
iion--io create monopoly of Inc honors and
emolumenis Of the commonwealth and estab-
lish an arisocfacy ofthe friends of separation.
II might not he fragrant breach ofchsrity
to appreieud, that apoFtion Of the comyuni
T. thus disposed 10 ride over the prostrats bo-
dies OF so large section Of their fellow citi-
zens to places of profit AID posts of hononr.
might be prepared for any convenient modi-
hcstiOn OF republican form Of government.
which should only entrench upon its princi
pies SO Far as TO leave liberty to be the Dre-
rogatVe OF power. 1t might possibly not be
Too violent stretch Of foilb to believe that
such party was ripe f6r introducing the
spirit It public feeling would not permit the
iorn, OF slavery into the contemplated con-
siituiion. Fer what is slavery. but an exclu.
SOD o. portion Of the community, from the
privileges enjoyed bv the rest /? Such con-
s'ltDtion might be very excellent charter
Tor the Spartaus. But It might prove very
Indifferent one for the Helots Our indepen-
dence however as state was not achieved to
consecrate the predominance Of a sect, or con-
hrm the degradation ola cast!
The public therefore, it NAV he repeated.
mas The sole interest in this affair and should
have the exclusive voice ia its controul. All
q nor consideration therefore should subside
and all lnieriour Interests give place 10 the
one F,eat object now pending before the pub
lic that II may be.thf better able to concentrate
upon IT al ITS care and bestow upon it its un-
divided attention. For this purpose the pub
JIG, has far claim upon al! the resources IN
us power; aud possesses perfect right ia
make rs selection from the whole compass nf
the community. II is under no obligation to
confine rs choice 10 the limited range of a par
y or IN opinion. It is the business of the
people; and the people ought not to be con-
tented 10 be restricted BY party 10 tue selec-
lion OF agents for The security Of its fundamen-
tai interests.
Let il he distinctly understood, that there
IS no nsIdious nor mderhsnd design con-
cesled in the considerations presented to the
public through this paper. They are not in
sited 10 give an exclusive preference for dele
gates TO the convention to those who were
opposed to separation. Far from it, There
ls no occasion to say that the friends TO the
of the district are entitled TO
receive At least an equal support, whenever
their claims in other respects are equal.
There will be 10 need Of any pressure there.
- probably not necessary TO bear any in
creased weight into that scale The object
simply i 70 urge upon the people the impor-
lance q making their selection for ibis pur
pose upon IT, same principles, which influ
ence them m the common concerns of lie and
wAch acquire an additional force in such in
portani political affairs, without regard 10 any
other consideration than that of qualification.
The proclamation of the Governor is the
parting act Of the sovereignty Of Massachu
setts. II derives an additional solemnty
therefore from the occasion. 1t NAV be con
s'dered accordingly as a call upon the people
10 unite without regard 20 party in accom-
plIshing the objects towards which il is direct
ed the formation OF state constitution
aad framing the systeH Of government under
which we are 10 live. during the days Of he
present generation, anil destined in al hu-
mar probability 70 outlast those Of our poster
ity.
In providing for these interests it is Of the
Utmost importance 70 secure the coalition OF
The best principles end endowments OF the
district. Into whatever future divisions we