The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1819-06-08

Petitions --of Stephen F. Fairbanks, &c. of Al.
Emery, off. ". Swazey, &c. Of New-Sl'en, to
Com. on Towns.-Of Moses Stone. g.. l7r .
Bridge Corporation, to Com. d Briigos--Oi
Heman Raw, sc. to Com on Parishes 1i NJ.
Wingate jun. praying for the exclus-'e steam
boat navigation of the Kennebeck, 70 Com. o7
Bridges.
Messrs. Holmes, Tilden, and Howard, were
appointed to report what alterations are necessa-
ry in the laws for the collection Of Parish taxes.
A bill to cede to the United States the juris-
diction OF sites for Light Houses Bird Island,
and Long Island, and for beacon on Halfway
Rock, reported in the pet. Of IL. A. > Dearborn
was read twice.
A Joint committee, consisting of the Hon.
Messrs King aud Williamson, Messrs. Brooks,
Dickinson and Forester, appointed to wait
on Hi. Excellency the Governor, and inform him
that the two branches were organized and
proceeding on public business and ready to
receive communications from him.
IN CONVENTION.
The two Houses being in Convention. His
Excellency the GOVERNOR came in attended by
the Lieut. Governor. the Hon. Council and
/ Secretary Of State, and preceded by the Sheriff
Of Suffolk, and delivered the following
SPEECH.
\ Gentlemen Of The Senate, and
Gentleman ofths House Of Representatives..
! IN assuming the several stations which
I have been assigned 10 Us by the stitrages OF
our fellow citizens, we are led 10 recognize the
goodness of divine providence in comforting
on the people Of this Commonwealth, the bles-
sings OF peace anl penivsof general health,
of good order. aud of free government. Feel
ing, as | presume we all do,.a Just sense OF
the importance of the trusts committed 10 our
care, and of the obligations we are under to
see not only that the Republic receive no
detriment but that lis test interests 5,e promot
ed we may safely engage in the discharge OF
cur respective duties
Our Constitution is virtually and essentially
in the hands, and at the disposal. Of the People
This is not merely the language of our Con
stitution II is sdoctrine that lies at the foun
dalton OF republcanlsm. And the conser
walton Of our liber ties, as defined in oar great
social compact, is intimately connected with
the intelligence and virtue OF the people.
But man is born neither wise nor good.
Knowledge and virtue result from instruction,
: and discipline and effort The senses Of the
human kind early and eagerly seek their
: appropriate objects Of qualification. The
: passions. easily excited in childhood and
youth. are prone TO. and grow stronger with,
excessive indulgence while the powers OF
reason. necessarily associated with experience
in their progress to maturity, are slow and late
in being fully developed. Hence the danger
: of habits being formed injurious TO society and
+ destructive of individual happiness. Hence
The usefulness and Importance Of ear y tuition (;
4 al Oh ba
public has in providing means for cuiivating
the minds and forming The manners OF youth.
A greeably to these sentiments, the Constitu--
! ton enjoins it as duty on The Legislature
and Magistrates, in all future periods Of the
Commonwealth, TO cherish the interests OF
:, Literature and the sciences, public schools,
and grammar schools in the towns. Should
; The existing laws be found insufficient TO pro
vide for the primary education Of children,
especially Of destitute orphans, and the chill
j, dlen of the poor and necesstious, prerequisite
10 their admission into grammar schools, the
deficiency has strong claims to the consider
alton ofthe Legislature Our venerated Fore :
fathers rendered their memories imperishable
: by their care and soiicitude in the cause Of
: learning and experience instead of discred
fling their literary institutions, has served TO
heighten their value.
: IN casting our eyes across the Atlantic, which
for instruction may be admissible, we see
exhibited IN the most disgusting forms, the
deplorabIe effects Of ignorance snd vice.
J Pauperism in some Of the European States.
we are informed. has become so extensive
and overwhelming, as 10 occasion in many
corporations, an enormous and almost insup-
, portable demand upon individual income for
| the maintenance Of the poor Grimes, in the
: same States, almost without number, and of
every grade Of turpitude, are at the same
time disturbing the repose Of private life,
menscing the public peace. and uocki0g the
most severe expressions Of public vengeance
On the subject of punishment however.
most of the governments in Christendom have
come 20 pause. The frequent repetition
Of crimes in defiance Of the most appalling and
sangunary punishments. has shaken a conf
dence in their efficacy. which custom and
prejudice had so long and obstinsteiy main.
tanned And the practicability Of preventing
j crimes, and reforming offenders bv the force
Of early education, and The influence of
moral and religious motives, is gaining cred
\ ititv and advocates N4
Although Massachusetts has been disfng-
uished for her jealous efforts 10 rear her child