Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-05-29
P @ L [ 7 I G. A L..
Governors Message.

tude TO God, to inspire Increased confidence In
the stability of our institutions, and In the sound
sense and patriotism of the people. u
As a nation we have been called 10 pass
through severe ordeal. One section of our
country demanded new securities for their rights
--another section feeling that too much had al
ready been conceded, had determined to grant
no more. Secession-dsunion, was openly
threatened Sa9acious statesmen felt that there
was danger, and they set themselves to provide
against it. Animated by the spirit which in
spired the fathers of the republic-the trainers
of the constitution-they met in council, with a
disposition to conciliaie and to compromise
The result was an adjustment of the various
matters in dispute; not such as either party
had desired but the most satisfactory tn both,
which under the circumstances could be OBJ
tanned.
One of the compromise measures was pecu-
liarly dstasteful to portion of our fellow citi-
zens of the north. A large class, highly res
pectable for their intelligence, have not hesita-
ted 10 denounce the law as hostile to the best
interests, and subversive of the dearest rights
of man.
The people have been urged to disobey its
requirements, and to resist BY folce its execu-
ton. They have been assured that their lber-
ties were endangered, that the great charter of
their rights had been trampled upon. They
have beer told that it was far better to dissolve
the union at once, than to submit TO the imposi-
tions of accumulated evils SO appalling.
But better councils have prevailed law
has been peacefully executed another proof has
been furnished that the people are loyal to the
constitution, aud devoedly attached TO the union.
And now when excitement is in a measure al
layed-when reason has resumed her sway over
the passions, il is the part of wisdom TO review
the past, that the teachings of experience may
the better prepare us to meet the emergencies of
the future. Those who have counseed resis-
tance to the law of congress, have proessed to
be governed by higher law, which they were
under superior obligations to obey. That the
law OF God Is of paramount authority no sane
man will deny. The difficulty lies in ascer-
tanning what that law would require us to do
how it would require US to act in the multiplied
and changing relations of social life. Who shall
undertake to interpret this law and to apply it to
the circumstances of a given easel 1t is urged
that the Creator has established tribunal in
the breast of the creature, capable of under
standing and ofexplaining his law-ihat in order
to learn what this law requires, and what it
permits, man has only to consult his COLI
science.
But is conscience infalliblel Does it always
reflect the will of God How does it happen
that the conscience of one age, becomes the de-
rision of the next! That the conscience of one
man mpels him 10 do what the conscience of an
other man. under the same circumstances, I'M
pels him to forbear.
1t was conscience which, reused by Peter the
Hermet, upheaved one continent from its deep
foundations and hurled in battle array upon am
oiher-which, for more than century. devas-
tated provinces, and depopulaied kingdoms,
that the Christian might gain possession of the
holy land, and wrest from the iron grasp of
the infdel the sepulchre of the Prince of
Peace.
1t was conscience which impeled the catho-
lie 10 torture and burn the protestant-which
impelled the protestant i'll his turn To prosecute
the catholic.
The enlightened Hale would conscientiously
thank God, that he had been permitted to order
witch 10 execution, and to be instrumental in
the extirpation of witchcraft And the pious
Las Casas believed he was acting in obedience
TO the higher law, while he was laboring TO es-
tablsh the African slave trade and TO fasten up
on this continent the curse of African slavery.
The conscience of this man requires The utmost
freedom of religious opinion, while the coIt-
science of that man would not scruple TO employ
the pains and penalties of the criminal law, If
he might thereby enforce conformity ot rell-
giuus faith. This man would rescue his fellow
man from bondage be the consequences, To all
others, what they might-In the accomplishment
of an object so desirable, he would put at def
ance the law and the constltutlon-that man
rould uphold every clause of the constitution,
and would deem it dishonest to throw off the
obligations devolved upon him, by any contract
after he had enjoyed the benefits which it con-
ferred-aud especially would he deem it mad
ness 10 abrogate a contract involving the inter
ests of millions, equally with himself entitled 10
voice in the premises.
Shall the citizen then be at liberty to obey or
resist the law of the land, according as he shall
believe 1t to be IN conformity with or in opposi-
tion to the divine lawl A more dangerous doc
trine was never advanced. 1t would be sub
vesive alike of all society and of all govern
ments.
Our institutions are founded on the right OF
the majority TO control, Limited and restrained
by the provisions of the constitution.
Every government must have some controlling
power and will without which government
could not exist The controlling will of ours is
the voice Of the majority manifested through
the ballot box.
Every man is allowed to entertain his own
opinions, to promulgate and enforce them upon
the convictions of others. Every measure of
government he has an unquestioned right to
canvass and dlscuss-by argument, by invective,
bY rldicule, to render il odous if he can to the
power who may modify, or abrogate it at their
pleasure.
But when he goes one step further. and
claims the right 10 determine for himself
whether he will obey the law, or resist its exc
cution, he claims that which no government
can concede and exist-he would exercise a
power which would subvert all government
when he counsels or incites to the violation or
disobedience of law, he is guilty of treason
against the very spirit of repubicanism.
Gentlemen: You are assembled to legislate
for people of multifarious occupations and in
terests-to adapt the laws 10 their diversified
condition, is a work of great difficulty and del
icacy. So long as society shall be In state Of
progression, there will exist necessity for
modifying the legal code.
hut there may be an excess of legislation
there may be undue and useless legislation Ii
is matter of serious complaint that laws are
enacted, which are not called for-that they are
drawn with so little care and consideration, that
they become snare rather than safeguard to
the citizen.
1t is an opinion quite prevalent that our ju-
dietary system needs reform-that our courts,
as at present organized, are altogether made
ouate to the administration of Justice with that
promptitude which the constitution contem-
plates. and which the best interests of the state
demand. -N'--'
The subject was, by resolve of the last leg