The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1819-11-16

tclnifsS nor aitals thtir cid. The heart and alice
t'~h>, The scar OF vital religion, cannot be resula-
ted ~ human legislation
Zee rights of conscience are secured by unvcr-
sat toiers'ion--f laciag all religious denominations
on the footing of the most perfect equality For
the purpose OF rendering this provision more cer
Tain in its operation all religious tests, as qualiCa
tloas tOr oilice. are excluded b. rrIniring how :
ever that all 0ic >haI, be nnder oath :
sd'''y prcsurPosed that they believe IN tie exis-
tence md rrnyidence of Sou.
Va tines OF Psr.y excitement the doCt ines Of IL
bells, recognized by the common law, j. some times
employed as an engine OF oppression The on
Tentton have endeavorct 10 quad against The evil
by making the truth Of the matter published 4 SUI
bcient Justification in all cases, where the conduct
% public uen is in.queston. or here the pnblic
good may be promoted by know ledge Of the facts
iiscosed.
Pecnniary qualifications Of electors have been
productive OF little beneit-Som. tiissS of Injustice
They are too nften relaxed or strained 10 suit the
purposes Of the day The Convention llve there
fore extended toe right Of spira &c. that no per-
son IS disqualified for want If properly, unless he
be panpeg With the same views ltctors nnAer
certain limitations add restrictions are also p.ive-
5ed fs0A arrest Or DAYS az election.
The necessity u reduced r.. reSpntstion seem
ed ia be acknowledged by an. The Number. 10
making that reduction are questions, on which
scarcely two could be found - precisely agree
Ii some were in favor Of even iees. than one hun
Died, Others fbe advocates of unlimited Teptc-
sen'ati0u. Tie CunVen. ~ adopted an inietme-
iiiate course, !im'ting the nunbec Of representa-
lives II nor less, than hundred, nor more, fhun
two hnndred, and referring the question back TO
the people themselves. when the number shall have
reached the highest limit ,cheisr hat nhnber shall
be increased or diminished Bat the difficulties
arising of this embarrassing anch of the bust
ness entrusted % your delegates did not here ter
minate. Many were advocates Of a general dis
,ricting system.-others were equally strenuous
fsr a Representation by towns. The Convention
cnce more sdcpted an intermediate course The
whole number OF representatives, 10 be elected is
asst 10 be apportoned aud assigned TO the several
counties on the most exact prroip pies VI equity and
justice. Thus the eat sections Of the State, the
several counties which are tut larger corpnIatio
actuated 10 certain extent 10y community Of
Interests, have their due weight according to their
population. The number of representatives thus
appoFtioued aud assigned TO any county. i next
10 be distributed among the respective towns Ia
such county, each town, having the competent
number OF inhabitants, being entitled 10 one or
more; and towns and plantations not having that
number, 10 be CsaSsed IS conveniently as possible
On any practicable system there will he fractions,
and tue rep esentaion OF course partially unequal
if under the system adopted by the Conve ntion
The large towns have not their full representation
it is preserved in tie county Of which they are q
part They have their representatives aud even
their Fractions, which would otherwise be lost e.
them ore represented through the smaller towns of
their county, Wh0 can seldom have an interest at
variance with thcir own.
The Senate is predicated npon population. This
rule Of appor.ionmeut seemed 10 The Convention
most consonant To the principles ola government
by the people. Property viii always possess ct
least full share of Influence without being spe-
cially represented in the Senate.
The Council are selected fl om among the People
by the two branches of The legislature. You thus
avoid the Idle ceremony of electing in the first
stance from the Senate; and you preserve 70 the
Senate its proper number and distinctive character
And win 1be view 10 preserve in he council a
steady regard to the public good, councillors are
precluded from receiving any appointment during
the tine, for which they shall have been elected.
The provision respecting exempts from military
duty was called for by The unit.d voice OF the
militia. IL tends TO equahze the burthep, and 10
render the militia more respectable and more Elf
cient. This duty, IN its natIIe personal service,
ought not to fail exclusively upon any class of
ciuzens. In the opinion Of the Convention erery
able bodied male citizen Of suitable age ought 20
perform il, or in some form or other, pay equiv
aent.
Free governments cannot long snbsist, where
( he people are ignorant and defFaved. The due
administration of our own must e. sentally depend
upon the intelligence and virue Of our Ci liens
The State the efore has deep interest in the edu
cation of our youth. Hence ihe Convention have
made il the imperative duty Of the Legislature TO
cause schools To be supported in the several towns
and to encourage and suitably endow academies
collepes and spminhries Of learning nv extending
to them, as far as he circumstances the people
would authorize. the patronage Of the State. At
the same time il was thought rpper, that the Le-
gislaure should SD far retain general and
power over these institutions, a.
should enable il 10 aid the cause Of good learning
and p event the perverSion abuse Of the public
munIGcence.
To preserve the purity o. the IegisIatu e, its
members under certain lImta ions end restrictions
are disqualified, during the term, itn which they
are elected, from beng appointed 10 any ci'i
Office, which may be created, or the elnoluments
Of winch may lie Increased, during such term.
With similar views, aGd 10 prevent system OF
favoritistn, all persons holding lucrative appoint
ments are excluded both fcom The legislature aud
council This exclusion was deemed peculiarly
properu SO far, as respects judicial officers. Thus
YOU preserve the seyecal departments OF the gov
eminent distinct. Tins you remove thote impnr
tant officers a. far possible. froN all temptation
10 court the popular favor perhaps 70 ihe expense
of Justice. On pure, intelligent, ulFIghi, and
Judiciary. be Peop'e more Iainediats-
Iy depend for the impartia! interpretation and adj
laws, and Tor oicc an in the
enjoyment of their rights and privileges.
In the opinion OF the Convention merit, no'
wealth, is the proper qualification for Office Ii
with perfect safety 10 The people no Pecuniary
"A tl,oh M.