The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1819-10-25
PAYABLE YEARLY.
tensions were rronndless.

frame oil Government. This though a most
important undertaking, will not | should
hope, be attended with any considerable
difficulty; since we have such an admirable
model in our present Constitution. This
wise scheme Of Government was framed by
he united councils Of Qua most enlightened,
and most renowned Statesmen and Patriots
Of the Revolution, at tine when the pin
ciples of civil liberty and the Fundamentals
# Republican form of Government were
well understood. /, was adopted by the
people after great deibera,ion; and il hes
stood the test Of 40 years experience. havt
Ing been continually regarded with undi-
minished appreciation. After 5 years triai
OF lis practical fleets, the question was sub
mitedto the letple, in con1ofmity v:tn one
OF IFS provisions, whether II ouid I've sub
j-cted 10 revision End amendnfen,s / lac
result Of this appeal 10 The community must
be well remembered, and may serve 10
evince the high estimation in which they
held tbs grea, charter Of their liberties.
That the people OF Maine have failed TO
participate, in this general respect to- the
Constitution, cannot, believe, be affi. med.
Among the numerous arguments advanced
IN favor OF Separation from Massachusetts,
do not recollect TO have no iced one,
which was founded on sny objection to the
essential articles OF our present Conslitu-
ton. L Is tue diversity of opinion has
prevailed In relation 10 points Of minor i'm
portance objections have been maGe by
some 10 our scheme Of representation, and
il certainly seems open 10 great exceptions;
while others havs commended for lhe aboIi-
lion Of The Office Of Lieutcnsnt Governor,
and for transferring the functions Of the
Council 10 the Senate. But these altera-
tons aud amendments might be made wiih-
out infringing, in The slightest manner, these
great principles Of the Constitution which
protect our live. and properly, our libsriies,
our moral and religious privileges
but there IS another argument, Of great
weight, IN iavor Of adopting the leading
principles OF The Constitution Of Massachu-
sets and il is founded on the consldrra-
ton that the knowledge Of them has been
widely dhused, so that there is probably
not we'll informed man In The Common
wealth. who is not iamilially acquainted
with the pronsinent- articles OF the Consti-
tu'ion and with the construction which
has been given 10 them by Legislative aud
judicial authorities. 4 bis knowledge, eve
ry one must admit, is Of great importance
and the same remark may be made in res
pect 10 existing statute laws, an acquain-
lance with which must be extremely desir-
able, if we wish TO know our legal rights
end liabilities.
Experiments, therefore, in government, the
adoption ofnew principles Of political policy,
and frequent changes of the laws, unless the
prospect Of advancing the public good there
by is very obvious, WI. be rejected by all IN
telii6ent and practical statesmen. Utopian
plans 81 GO'ernreAnt, and specimens al the
new science of codihcation nay, perh5ps,op-
pear plausible on paper, bot wise people
sill be cautious how they adopt any new the
DRY OF Government or new system of laws
especially when they have good reason 10 be
satisfied with those already reduced to prac-
tice and which were formed with view 10
tYeir own peculiar habits and situation
must, however, tosDear 10 enlarge on these
topics | am Constrained also 10 omit alto
geiber the mention Of several Others. well de-
serving u attention. To discuss, in a salts
factory manner, all The important provisions
necessary 10 constitute a wise system af GovI
eminent, would far exceed The reasonable Inn
its OF an address like ibis. ! rlpsi, however.
be permitted TO subloin few.Femaiks on the
institution Of Coults Ut JustIce, which trust
will be found conformable to truth. and IN,
testimony OF experience.
The administrator Of Justice may be :.
garded as ile most important Object Of civil
Government All IT. functions. therefore.
ought to be subservlent TO this gree. purpose
u mankind, in their Intercourse with each 9th
er, would observe the rules ofins,ice. The
whole expensive machinery of Government.
might be dispensed with. According ID this
notion, all Governments must be considered
az evils ; but being necessary evils, we must
allow that ~ be most wisely constituted, which
while it makes suitable provisions for the dis
tribution OF justice, j. as little burdensome ID
the people, and as hu'e dangerous 10 their
Liberties, a. can be expected from such del
egaticnot power. II full faith could be plac-
ed in all public functionaries, The burdens Of
Government uight TIE greatly reduced.
To conclude, we are approaching = crisis,
extremely interesting p the people Of Maine.
States Ike individuals may soon acquire in
flexible habits not easily 10 be overcome. Tie
first steps therefore Of new government have
an important influence in forming the charac-
Ter Of State, and il giving direction to their
future conduct and policy.
No inconsIderable share of public and pri-
waite happiness depends on The wise instiin-