The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1823-08-05
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PORTLAND. TUESDAY. AUGUST 5, 1928.

Our impression to day is struck of upon a
new and improved Press, received last week
from New-York. On the first Of September
the Gazette will be issued on an enlarged
sheet, printed with new types.
Our readers and advertising friends must
have perceived that our former press was of
SO small a size that we could not do Justice
to them; nor did it keep pace with the in
crease Of business, and the rapid improve
ment Of society. Although our paper has
contained as much public matter as any one
published in the state, yet from the smallness
of the type we have been compelled to use,
we seem to have been tagging behind some
of our neighborS. But our readers shall no
more have cause to complain Of US in this re-
spect, and the GAzETrE, the Oldest establish
ment in the state, shall not yield in point Of
appearance, as far as professional skill and
industry are concerned, to any other
press. GIVE hope our delinquent sub
scribers, with a reciprocal feeling and exer-
ton on their part, will enable us to meet the
additional burdens which our new arrange
ment imposes upon us.
On Monday the 9Th Of September, win take
place in this state, the election of Governor,
Senators and Representatives, and in three dis
sol Al -
is time when there is little or no political ex-
element, it seems peculiarly calculated to put
in practice that beautiful theory of Republican
government, that men be selected for Office for
their virtue, talents and public services, without
regard TO those shades Of political difference,
which exist in every community.
Political Controversies do not now pretend to
charge their opponents with hostility to republi-
can principles and institutions, nor with their
being friends of a foreign government 10 prefer
ence to their own. Such discussions have pas
sed away with the Liberal and bitter spirit
which prevailed in the infancy of the republic
and IN times of violent party excitement. All
now, are united in the great principles Of which
our country is the. only existing monument in
the world, and all contend with zeal il the sup
port and extension Of them.
But the only sure mode Of establishing the in
fuence Of liberal opinions and free government
is, to make this solitary example Of them emf
nently worthy of imitation: and this must be
done by the people placing the administration of
the government upon a broad basis and by Sc
ectng their rulers solely for their qualifications
to govern.
No narrow bigotry should be allowed to ex-
clude from public Office men of integrity and in
telligence, nor standard Of political sentiment
be set up as a test, without conforming to which,
no man, however great his knowledge, expert
ence and influence, is placed in the situation to
exert his powers for the benefit of the communi-
ty. While those who yield to every pressure,
and without any other recommendation for Of
fee than this very accommodating character, are
elevated to stations of honor and responsibility.
Such spectacle must have tendency to weak
en- the force of our example, and to degrade US
in the eyes Of those who are watching the ope-
ration of this precedent.
The approaching election gives US an oppor-
tunity to practice upon liberal doctrines. Let
us select our rulers from the whole people, and
not from particular portion of them, and let
the only test be, intelligence and weight of
character. 1t ought not to be thought by any
man, that because there are no prominent sub
jects in discussion at this moment in which the
taxes a AINGll Interest, InaL III is OF
but little consequence of whom the government
is composed Such an idea is i'll founded ID the
DRY and is pernicious in practice. AT every ses-
sion Of the Legislature laws are enacted, which
have a permanent and enduring effect upon So
ciety, both for the present and future time, and
it is important that they should be strictly scru-
tinized and their operation be fully known. 1t
often happens that many crude and dangerous
projects are started and supported, whose ten
dency cannot be discovered by those inexperi-
enced in legislation, but whose influence might
in the highest degree be Pernicious on the com
munity. And at every session of the legislature,
much discrimination, experience and Judgment
are required to prevent the passage of bad laws,
and procure the adoption Of those that are good.
1t is therefore aLlcays ofgreat consequence that
able men should be placed in the Legislature 10
watch over the interests of the state; and if they
be men OF uprightness and ability, it is entirely
immaterial to the people whether they be of one
party or the other. In selecting candidates for
Office, tbs question should be, and It il the only