The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1821-12-11
MISCELLANY.

The tolLolvnS Ertrcct from tie Charge of Chief Jus
tice MELLEN, is published at the special request Of
the Grand Jury Of the County Of Penobscot- Octo-
Der Term, 1921.
GENTLEMEN OF THE GRAND JURY:
We are now assembled to enter on the administra.
ton OF Justice in this county and you, Gentlemen
who have been selected and returned as Grand Jurors
are 70 bear an important part i'll the duties of this in
erestng occasion Interesting, only it offers
opportunity TO those who seeking redress TO
tain according to the merits of their respective claims
and to the Court vindcate the majesty of the laws
by due punishment of those who have wantonly or
wickedy violated them and disturbed the public peace
but because it serves TO remind of that precious
protection which constantly experiencing I'M
der the mild and gentle reign of those laws 10 which
we have pledged our obedience, and those principles
by which they retain their force in the government of
our passions and regulation of our conduct.
After some further preliminary observations upon
the general spirit OF our laws and extended means
of reaisng political and social happiness the Chief
Justice gave full and lucid definitions of the numerous
crimes, which II was the duty OF the jury enquire
nto and present and closed with the following per
tlnent and forcible remarks !:
These the principal crimes and misdemeanors 10
which your attention may be direced.-I is to be la
mented that human nature is such render na-
penal provisions necessary for the preservation of
the public peace and the safety Of society but such
IS the melancholy fact. We are assured that public
order and happiness be disturbed by the commits
SION Of Offences audit should be the mceasng endeav-
or OF all who concerned In the administration of
justice, TO give such prompt and effect to the laws
as that punishment should speedily ovetake the Of
fender-Let US not however be satisfied with faithful
ly doing our duty IN the discovery and punishment OF
crimes, but exert ourselves far as possible to pre-
vent the frequency OF their commssion-This can only
be done by early and assduous attention in form
ing the character OF the rising generation and giving
proper direction 10 their minds awakening laudabe
ambition and removing from their view as far as we
can all temptations to evil, and by teaching them by
precept and example that the ways of 1gSdom onl are
ways of peasantness and peace.-We must never for
get that the heart be regulated and the mind in
formed in YOUTH if we would expect sobriety Of life
and correctness of principles and conduct.
The FIRST object demanding the attention of parents
and masters is the early education Of those under their
care-Every necessary provision for this alimporant
object made by laws.The fountain is open for
all, and all may drink Of the streams the rich and
the poor equally entitled TO enjoy this privilege
and generally speaking, nothing but gross inattention
on the part OF towns and plantations in not raising and
expending money for the support Of schools OF Of pa
rents in not permitting their children to attend such
schools, can prevent the still wider diffusion of that
useful information for which all classes Of our people
are already SO much distinguished.
In passing through the different parts Of the state
are grati6ed in beholdng many decisive proofs of
attention to this interesting subject many Iegpecta-
Die school houses and such evidence Of discipline and
respectful manners among the groups Of children, who
enjoy the benefits of that instruction which has been
furnished thern.-We are unwilling to believe that a
aw 50 salutar7 and extensively useful in its opera