The Portland gazette., 1819-08-31

| CaSlOD.
In the first place, this is decidedly the act
Of the people. So perfect an expression OF
The public will, entirely browns all distinc-
tions of party. Such prodgious plurality
leaves no room for questioning lie signltca
tion. The sentiment OF the minority on the
point is comparatively extinguished in the
immense excess in favour OF separation. The
minority may indeed be said TO be complete
y merged 10 the majority. They compose
portion, and that a very respectable one. OF
the people, whose opinion has been % deci.
dedly expressed. Aud they are nevertheless
portion Of that people, although their ninds
were not altogether reconciled tp the measure
while it was in contemplation. But the ques
ton once decded-it becomes the act OF the
whole community. The public has bat one
voice and that sovereign principle harmonl
zes the expression Of all jarring sentiments.
Differences of sentiment may, it is true, be
in some measure, perpetuaed by The organi
zaton of parties But this effect must be con
fined 10 what are properly to be considered
party questions. When a question, once de-
cided, is determined forever, there is 90 pos
sibility of imparting such posibumous con
| tnuity TO the spirit which animated the con
;royersy. 1t becomes extinct by its very
principle and no residuary surplus Of It Gao
be conceived 10 survive except lor some very
| foolish or miscbievious purpose. which can be
imputed, only like suicide, to insanity.
The opinion Of the minority in such cases
is onl y TO be considered as qualification Of
the general sentiment. An absolute unaDmi
ty Is not always perhaps 10 be desired. II j.
always desirable that cause for caution and
circumspection should exist. 1t is Just as i'm
possible that the human mind should be per
tectly clear on all subjects, as It is that many
minds should agree entirely in their conclu
sons. Unsuccessful dlversites of sentiment
arising on such occasions, may still be not
without their use as lights 10 after tunes, TO aid
IN accomp shing the objects equally in view,
and relieving the inconvenience otherwise
arising, or 10 guide in avoiding the evils and
correcting the consequences happening accl
dentally TO ensue.
Dversties Of sentiment will undoubtedly
exist upon all subjects and there were all va
retles OF it experienced on he present occa
sion, from the most unqualified and de'ernin
ed supporters OF separation on one side, down
10 those who simply scquiesced in i as
measure that must take place al some time or
other, and might as well now as at any prob
able future period. And SINH lar gradatons
existed on the other, from those whose 1ppo-
sition to il arose from the most settled per
suasion of its absolute impoIicy, to those who
were sufficiently satisfied with the advantages
of their actual situation, TO be averse to any
change, or who could not under all cirooo,-
STANCES coosiaoe ,heulsetvr7 OF IT. czpodiency
It the present moment Many of these DIFF
terences were very minute, and an exceed
ingy slight line divided the Intermediate
shades. The motives, by which individuals
were influenced in their respective determin-
atons on both sides, were probably as various
they had arrived, and involving all the con
ceivable combinations between public and
private interest.
II is too much to imagine for moment that
those who were opposed 20 separation Were
stimulated by dispositions at war with the wei
fare Of the district, and hostile 10 the bappi- !
ness of their fellow citizens. Such suppp
sition will be made by no man, who feels the
slightest consciousness Of the integrity of bis
own principles. That seven thousand inde /
pendent and intelligent citizens should have !
entered into a conspiracy against the interest
OF the section OF country in which they live, |
is an idea too wild and absurd to entertain for \
an instant Whit interest can such portion !
Of citizens have independent Of, or al variance !
.,f
differ from seventeen thousand, or seven'y FIVE |
thousand, Of their fellow citizens in spec Ia
live opinion, and their principles may still be :
as pure as though they had formed the major |
ity. Ii puts an end TO all independence of
opinion. If the minority is to be prescribed |
for its want of orthodoxy. Seven thousand of |
our fellow citizens is too respectable portion |
to be dIstraDchised, or even decjmated, for the |
hrmness and freedom of their sentiments |
Some other than republican form Of govern
ment must be found out. before constitution
al exercise of liberty shall Ne made 10 work
forfeiture ofcitizenship. And il would be an
eternal blot upon the history of our new state.
that its operations should commence with the
virtual disqualification and disgrace of seven
thousand of its citizens for the honest exer-
else Of their judgments upon question of po-
litical expediency. II would be ominous to
begin with an ostracism Of is integrity.
But such result is not to be appreheuded
1t would be want Of decency, If il were not
want Of sense. TO suppose it. No citizen can
give bis sanction TO such suppostion, with
out consenting to place himself in the same
predicament, whenever il shall be his miSfor