The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1819-10-05

were for any evils that might ensue. Both sides,
had their respective burdens therefore ofduty and
ofdanger aud were equally subject to their sew
eral shares Of imputation. Their liability ia this
respect though opposite, was still ia some degree
alike but though the errour Of prudence may
seem to be the safest, the honour of enterprise
was certain y the greatest
This was not party question, as that phrase
is commonly understood among us At least 1t
was not made such and it certainly was not
rendered 50 by the result. 1t was not moral
question of abstract right or wrong: bat ques-
ton District and pure political expediency Those,
who were divided upon it on both sides, may be
fairly supposed 10 have discharged their duties
generally upon conscientious opinions of It's expe-
diency or impoicy. under all existing and pros
pective circumstances-Thoush consciousness Of
integrity needs no foreign support, cando0r must
be willing TO accord the same purity To the motives
of others, which sef-respect requires for its own
and the same equitable principle which thus sane
tons the sentiments Of those opposed TO tho sepa-
ration, demands an equal Difference towards the
considerations by which its friends AM advocates
were probably swayed. Wa.respect and honour
the motives, by which they were undoubtedly in
lnenced, and simply claim the same ac' n Justice
J for ourselves. HGnc g6fslIBs dGGtuS, PettnlGsfae
| ricigsint
! Another act of justice is due 10 the friends Of
| separation, or as they term it. the independence
| of Maine. We are not to expect necessary
! Consequence of the measure, the perfect return
! Of the golden age-perpetual halcyon days-snd
an unbounded, uncouded, inVariable prosperity
and charge every failure ~ this effect upon them,
az a disappointment of which We have right 70
| complain. Our climate will not be Moderated 81
| separation. and human nature willy probably re-
mair unchanged BY independence. We are not
therefore to look very confidently for an eternal
end to bad seasons and party spirit Some warm
! colouring may have been given by sanguine minds
to certain subjects and 1orid complexion natu-
rally communicated by fond predictions Of future
richness and prosperity. May there not hereafter
be some occasion to inquire whether there was no
superhuous shading of the picture or darkening OF
the ground upon the other side But other duties
remain for the friends Of independence to perform,
than merely making idle inquiries aud useless re-
Elections An opportunity is afforded for laying
the foundations of the new state broad and deep,
and building the superstructure strong and high
! in the formation OF its fut ure constitutional
opportunity more propitlous AMI splendid than
has hitherto been presented 10 the people OF any
former state, and which once lost may not aslly
be recovered. Ia this common object all have an
equal interest It is true that a portion OF those
who have carried the measure far through in
triumph discover some disposition to appropriate
the affair to themseves-Upon them then he the
responsibility. 1t Is no light thing. They wall
have their difficulties, which need not be mere as
ed by any artificial embarrassments and let them
have their due. Let US bid them God speed when
they do we'll /; and trust TO public virtue for 2
remedy against evils and ahuses--remembering
that is the duty ola good citizen never to des-
air OF the commonwealth.--Ifi it should be deem
ed best to establish en- industrious distinction be-
tween the friends and opposers of separation, Il
will only devolve an extraordinary correspondent
liza blty upon the more arstocratIc part CT the
| community. If ii should be the desire OF a doml-
nant portion to discard any supeTtlnous aid with
which they may feel themselves incumbered, and
relieve themselves at the same time from the bur
den Of professions which il may have been consld'
cred more eXpedent to make than TO MAINTAIN,
here Will never be any want Of pretexts or apollo:
gies-and its consequences need not perhaps be
deprecated. All occasion for division Is past al
nong those who have merely been divided upon
this question, and We all stand upon the same
ground we did before, unsss an upright and equl-
table administration Of our state government shall
honourably and happily remove all just iOunda-
ton for future difference.
The foregoing series Of considerations, some o!
which it NAV be hoped have not been entirely i'm
pertinent, is concluded 18th the present number.
they are the speculaiiOns OF one. who has been
neither an indifferent an inattentlye observer
Of an event, that may now re regarded as past. II
is trusted that they ia We been dictated by good
spirit and that they will receive the credit of mod
GRAFTON and good faith No particular merit is
claimed fog them, for they were not intended tor
any party effect and do Dot flow from any spirit
Of faction. The design has been, it is hoped
without presumption and witho offence, to enter
si.nply into a qualified vindication Of the benefits
Of separation and to concate towards it, now
that the event has actually taken place, the
good dispositions and kind Offices Of those who
were not originally ID favour oft. They have
also been suggested by very sincere soliciLude,
that its result should justify the snticiPations Of
its friends and relieve the approximations ofits op-
ponents. It is a thing that is now settled. The
point is fixed. The step cannot be retraced MOI
the decision retraCted- The cause has become
common to us all. The most sacred interests are
involved in its effects, and future generations may
be induenced by il conse4 uences-We are now
standing Oh the isthmus, which divides our past
condition from the future. The j. rlsin. before
and the sea rolling behind us. We are icreYar
| separated from Massachusetts, aui are entering
upon the obligations Of sovereignty AZ such q
| crisis well may al insulated individual feel his
| vn insignifcance. Let the occasion be felt by
very individual as an Incentive TO patriotism and
Stimulus to duty. Let Us all accordingly unite III
one devout and earnest aspiration, that the PROS
rERIrX Of MAINE NAY "a PERPETUAL!
/ CYMQN.