The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1819-09-28


Ii is an additional circumstance IN favour OF
our prospects, that no new state IN the union has
been formed so decidedly out Of the principles OF
an old one. Vermont was made up OF a kind OF
border population! between Newyork and Massa-
chusetts, belongiaE ryrall to neither, but vib-
rating across tho NsNs Ee he cowboys between
the English and a can camps IN the revolu-
tionary war. lopulgion of Kentucky was
comparative re arg au5 iss characteristic traits
were altogetht a oataae. Louisiana was but
just colony Of SPAN aad then Of France, with
nothing essentially American IN is composition
All the other superadded states have been origi
nally composed Of crude elements and wrought
entirely Of the raw material. The advantages,
that zoe enjoy in this respect have been already
suggested.
ii is not TO be concealed however, and ought
not to be forgotten, that serious apprchensicns
have been sincerely entertained by some OF our
wisest and worthiest fellow citizens OF the conse-
quences Of this measure upon the peace and pros
perity of our moral and civil institutions. These
fears, 1t is probable, though excited perhaps by
just causes, have been magniiied by strong ieel-
Dgs and if therefore not entirely gratuitous and
fame full il may stil be trusted, far exceed the
real danger. Still perhaps it is well that such
apprehensions should exist. They may serve at
least as cautions and operate as a6monitlons TO
those to whom theylhave been addressed. They
are fair beacons faithfully set up to warn our fu-
ttre political navigators OF the pers Of their
course. They may prevent our rushing preclpi-
lately upon experiments, that might well author
ize the most melancholy anticipations. They
may moderate and chasten the influence of
violent passion for emancipation, and restrain, if
not correct, the premature excuses OF green
and sudden independence. They may also nave
the further good effect Of inspiring those, who
have interested themselves In It's &C omplishment,
with generous and laudable ambition OF vlndi-
eating their zeal for its success by relieving it
from evil consequences and redee mipg it from
undue ap fehensions.
On this ground therefore the existence Of such
sentiments may be considered salutary. 1t IS well
TO listen TO the warning voice OF the past; and
it is wise to receive instruction from an adverse
~. But there are other consideratIons, which
may have more directly favourable influence
upon the fat re fair and high destiny Of Name
aud which may oe recommended TO The more
kindly regard of those, who were not without
their fears how far Its independence would be
suspicious to its prosperity
Upon the principles Of or institutions, II may
be proper to renember that the people must al
ways be presumed 10 nave yIrtue enough Tor
their own cOntroul aud fortunately for their wei
fare the theory Is generally justified 0y eXpert-
cuce. For if the people nave not TINS principle
in themselves. where else snail ID De found -
shah il be invested IN pouIou Of the people, or
shall Il re some other Pcgpe-wnich = ny the
same superstition equally aeomPeteI" some
disorders Il i true, may Ue incident 70 pew
governments, as well as old aud they may re-
quire the vigorous co-operstIcn q All wei-dispos
ed citizens ior their correction. But tire evis q
republican governments happily contain their
,uf.a IL
this selfheaiing efficacy the whole system must
unqaesti onably be abandoned When the Wig
our OF either tie animal o. political constitution
is so farTeiaxed and impaired, as 70 have lost ais
vital energy aud elasticity, no medicine on earth
can be Of any avail TO restore ats original tone.
The people therefore, who nave 10 pay the taxes
and take the consequences, must Oe trusted 10
hold the reins. Political measures must necessa-
rily be controlled by those, who have the prin-
cipal interest ID their success, and the greatest
responsibility for their result.
Its very true that there Is a considerable dis
tincti0n between tn people themselves and tlae
parties into which they sometimes divided
and that il may not be altogether 50 just and
proper 10 bestow upon triumphant majority All
the political attributes OF the sovereignty winch
il wields. Though the viii ot the pubhc prop
ery expressed and distinctly ascertamed, Is per
fecty despotlc il does not exactly follow That
the vote OF party is always the voice Oi the peo-
pie, and is therefore equally entitled 10 be res
pected AS the uOice OF God. Some power must
necessarily be supreme bat the accldental pos
session arbitrary exercise OF IT IS not always TO
be substituted as a sufficient reason tor the rtghf
1t is not for party to say slel pro catiOae roidS
Separation itself may properly be CONSIDER
ed as the act ofthe people, although opposed by
a portion Of it. Whether the people wall unite
in appropriatng its benefits and administering lts
results purely for the public good, or whether
parties viii contend for the mastery IN order 10
engross the monopoly, may be a matter OF nncer-
tamtY. II is certain however, that we nave
common interest, and that the people were only
united for a COMMON object. ANY such partial
seizure Of its advantages therefor, it is very Oh
vious must defeat the original and real design.
And if predominant party sho Id prove to have
awaited itself OF the popular enthusiasm for
lavOurite measure with view to plant itself
more permanently in power, and establish q
perpetual despotism, il will certainly be indirect
contradiction not simply to the professions OF in
diViduals and the protestatons Of partizans, but
also TO the universal proclamation, which was
made among the friends OF independence, Of the
purity Of its purpose and the catholicism OF It's
character.
But we may perhaps desire some encourage
ment on this subject by looking at II directly in
a plain and prachca! way, and reasoning in some
respect, as we have right to, fr m the past to
the future. favourable augury may he dra wn
from The state ofparties in Maine, long divided
upon principles which have wholly ceased to be
applicable, and have pretty much lost their
lie aancy ifthey have not entirely changed their
character. hat political feelings should have
parted with much of their asperity therefore can
hardly excite any great surprlze -or that person.
OF iactious propensities should have less opportu-