The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1820-03-28
THE GAZETTE.
PORTLAND. TUESDAY, MARCH %, 1890


Beside the numerous nominations which have
already been published, Of gentlemen to represent
this county in the first Senate Of Maine, We have
received two unofficial Recommendation from our
corre,p ondents, each consisting Of three gentle
men, who are high in our estes EN-, worthy Of pub
lie regard. Their names We have published IN
another part Of our paper. We very much how
ever di.approve Of this method Of proposing men
for office, without consulting their inclinatioss,
or ascertainipg the general wi... Of the communi-
ty; the consequence is. large number Of candi-
date. are presented to the public, sufficient to
distract the minds Of the electors, and to prevent
a choice. We now have four lists Of candidates
in this county for Senators. each Of which, except
perhaps that nominated The Gray Convention,
i. unexception.ble, but neither II these tickets,
although all OF them have fedesalists named upon
them, have been selected BY Conventions COM
posed entirely nor in part oi The fsderalst' Of
this county. Some communications accompany
ing these nominations have censured Us for the
silence and apparent indifference we have mani
tested on the subject of these recommendations !;
but our silence has been dictated by our best
Judgment and reflection. w. are not Indifferent
to the character and talents Of those who may
represent us in our highest Legislative body; but
we have believed IL to be the best policy to re-
main passive and suffer those who have led us &c
the threshold ola new government, and who still
maintain the sceptre Of power, to proceed az their
honesty and Judgment shall prompt them. and
complete the fabric whose foundation they have
Just established. Let us not from this circum
stance be Thought cold ant. -.1intere.ted specta.
tor. Of the great work TO he accomplished no.
we are not so-we have as much interest IN the
creation Of honorable institutions and in the fix
ing on a sure and permanent basis the system Of
jurisprudence and civil government as any other
man. however jealous may be hi. professions !:
and we feel pride in the hope that Maine, the
last column which has been ADDED to ar nation
al ed;fce, NAV he erected in the pure.t style and
uo,sessed Of the most graceful proportions But
we confess we are willing TO put some roianre
IN the reiterated professions which the d. Dnant
uarsv have made. that the measures which they
have adopted have been Cor the good Of the State
that in ~ establishment Of tho government, par
" consultations will be forgotten, and that the
public good only will be oonsulted-that in fact
their conduct will be founded On the true repub.
icau motto "prinoipes non homines'' principles
and not men. Let that party redeem these
pledges--let them organize the government upon
these principles, and we pledge them our support.
And until they do violate their sacred honour, :"
so often given. we are unwilling to raise the arm.
Of party, to brandish them against shadows, to
fight whore there is no point Of attack, and e.
haust ourselves IN a struggle where nothing s to
he gained. We have. ALWAYS been federalists of
the old school, through all the fiery trials Of oh
loquy and loss Of national patronage aud favor !
which the party have Cor years been exposed,