The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1821-01-29

his vote and speech Oh that occasion were dIa-
metncsly opposite TO the opinions as well as
tue interests OF his constituents.
But there seems 10 be wish to bury the
whole Of this business IN oblivion, aud cover
il over with the agency attributed 10 bin IN
achieving the Independence OF Maine upon
ID. compromise for ehecting its admission 10
conjunction with Missouri. But without alln-
ding To the celebrated calculation by which
he separation was formerly defeated, and Inc
reluctance exhibited, TO aid in bringing for
ward The repeal OF the coasting law as pre-
Jude to is final accomplishment, II j. sufficient
to ask how Name and Missouri ever came u
niied-and to say that So far from feeling any
peculiar obligation Of gratitude for That Partic-
uiar service, the people OF Name can never be
convinced that there was not hand concern
Ell in that affair, which ought to have been
clenched against it.
As for the merit Of the compromise, tito
have devoted the finest region IN the world TO
Slavery; 10 have extended he circle Of human
misery, and 10 consIgn portion OF his fellow
creatures to perpetual disqualification for
difference of dye; If to have done this, and TO
find no force either in the provisions or the
principles OF the constitution to prevent the
sacrifice, be merit; he IS most richly emil
tied 10 il. But be It known 10 mankind that
NAME scorns 10 be considered the advocate of
slave trade; that she dIsdans 10 owe her ad
mission 10 such barter; and that she would
consider it curse 10 the union 10 have been
effected at he expense of such consequence
10 Il rights and honour
But MAINE has been admitted and Missouri
is not; nor ought she ever to be upon any
other footing than that in which the former has
volustarily placed herself. Snfice'it to say
that the great question upon which her admls-
sion depends is still in agitation. A pause, it
is true, has taken place: And an appeal IS
made to the Legislature of Maine. The eyes
Of Inc nation are upon you. The fate of free
dom or slavery TO thousands, perhaps millions,
OF your fellow creatures may De poised on
your proceedings, and the exercise of your
elective privilege may be the pivot, on which
the question turns.
Ii is grateful to observe the unanimty which
prevails among the free states upon this i'm
portant point. The republican Legislatures ct
New HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT and New YORK
have expressed their sentiments decisively
and without dissenting voice, except three
or four in the last. on the repugnancy OF the
admission of Missouri upon the terms demand
ed 10 the sovereignty of the constitution. The
Governors Of VERMONT, New YORK and Con-
NEcrIcUT have been equally distinct in deiv-
ering their own to their respective legislatures.
! The representatives and senators OF the people
OF those severa! States in the popular branch
I Of Congress, together with those of Pennsyl-
vania, New Jersey, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois,
Massachusetts,, and we may add Maine, are
with one or two solitary exceptions, such as
SHAW, of Berkshire equally unanimous. 1t is
rue that small slave party has begun 70 form
m Illinois, and that slave trade. has been
chosen in Rhode Island. But shall the Sena-
tors Of our new state, any longer be dislin
guished for taking stand in direct opposition
TO the opinions OF their constituents and out
rsgeous to the moral sentiments Of the whole
republican community?
Is there no other man in this new and Hour
shing community capable of representing il
in the Senate of the United States, excepting
one who has separated himself from lis inter
est, and joined himself to other idols one
who has other, and what he considers higher,
objects in view than our esteem and favour
and who, while he wishes 10 secure our sup
port to establish his own influence, does moi
hesitate 90 sacrifice the rights and feelings Of
his constituents as well as TO violate the plain
est principles Of the several constitutions o.
our own and the United States?
Is the republicanism Of this State SO poor,
and its character at so low an ebb, that il con
tains no other person qualified TO be candi
date for the office, except one OF The last con
verts 10 its orthodoxy Is his strength IFS
weakness And is there no other name Of any
sufficient note, either in the party or out OF 1T,
but one that has become proserbial throug bout
the Union
Perhaps il would be too much not 10 give
the candidate credit for consistency in the
course he has pursued on the subject; and be
might be entitled TO respect for his indePen-
dence if il could be imputed to his patriotism,
1t is not intended to deny 10 this gentleman
the possession of virtues as well as talents, tho
it has been too much The fashion of the day
10 deride or dispsrage bis pretensions 10 either.
Though not altoge her OF the highest ordt<, his
endowmehts are such, as had his situation
been more happily cast. or his ambition better
directed, might have made him an ornament
10 the state 20 less than an honour to the coun-
! try. That he is not, therefore, exactly what,
under other circumstances, he might have
been. may be subject rather of sorrow than
- II.