Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-01-22
EASTERN TIMES.
Bath, Thursday, Jan. ~, 1852.
Augusta Correspondence.
AUGUSTA, Jan. 18th, 1852

resolutions passed the Senate without elicitin.
extended discussion. Senator Walker, from
Oxford, made few remarks in opposition t.
the passage of the resolution which so family
shadows forth the Intervention doctrine, ant
made an attempt 10 have the following substi
tuted in its place, to wit -
Resolved, That while we are fully i'm
pressed with the deep injustice of foreign in
reference to crush the spirit of freedom, when
ever it Is found struggling against despotlsm
we would recommend an adherence to the
principles of International policy, proclaimed
by the founder of the Republic.
Mr.. Walker supported his amendment in
some very judicious remarks-the only fault
with them being in their oUer-conSerratire ten
or But the amendment was lost, and the re-
solves passed, in concurrence with the House
by strong vote. This we are glad to see,
for we think it places our State on the right
ground. The legislatures of several of the
States have had the intervention question under
consideration, and some of them have declared
more strongly in favor of the liberal construc-
ton of our national policy, in this respect, than
has the State of Maine.
An extended consideration and discussion,
in the Legislatures and by the public press, Of
this new doctrine, we have much faith to be-
lieve, will result in the discarding, ere long,
of our heretofore narrow and conservative nom
intervention ideas, and the adoption of senti-
,.ant, r,oro in aocordanna with our p,tiona I
condition, and the progress and spirit of the
times. This is the doctrine that we should be
prepared to lay down-that if despot may in
teyere to suppress liberty, a free government
may also interfere to support it.
But the question arises-and this is the one
upon which the public mind labors most, in the
consideration ofthis subject-to what extent
shall we go, as nation, in the maintenance of
this doctrine. We reply, TO the utmost eTtent
of our moral and diplomatic po,oer. But some
are so skeptical as to deny the influence or
weight of concentrated public opinion of the
American nation, in the affairs of the world,
and express fears that our national protests
against jespotic Interference and Intervention,
would be entirely disregarded, and thus DEM
onstrate our own imbecility, or oblige US TO en-
force our sentiments by some more potent
means. For our own part, we have faith i'll
the potency of combined and concentrated
public opinion. 1t is power before which
despots of Europe pause, in elaboration or in
fear. But we need not go to war to support
our views-they will produce effect without
it, even though it be known that we intend not
to become propagandists by the sword. The
Russian armies, when led by Diebitsch across
the Balkan mountains into the plains of Adri-
anople, found their long coveted prize, the cap
ital of Turkey, laying defenceless within their
reach-but they paused ere they seized upon
it, because the public sentiment of Europe had
been Enthusiastically demonstrated 10 be against
the dismemberment and absorption of the OF
toman Empire. So, too, in the invasion of
Hungary by Nicholas, when he felt his way
by first timidly sending 10000 men only into
Pennsylvania. Who believes that he would
not have paused, had Western Europe-Eng-
land and France even, TO say nothing of our
country-manifested their disapprobation, and
scourged and lashed him through their press,
for his baseness. Had this been done, the
10000 Russian troops would have been kept
at home, and Hungary been at this moment
free
The American people are not the recipients
of the blessings of freedom, to be entirely re-
lieved of all responsibility in their enjoyment
There is duty attaching to the participation
ofevery privilege and enjoyment. The liber-
ties and free institutions of our day were found
ed in blood, and were no. transmitted to us by
our iorefaihers, to be possessed and enjoyed
In ease and irresponsibity. 1t is our duty 10
cultivate and extend these privileges and m
stitutions-to assert them boldly and at all
tlmes-at home and abroad. This is all that
we are required TO do, and we require no armed
force to accomplish our purposes-neither need
we fear that the assertion of our principles will
involve us in a war. Or if it does, let it come !!
If the time has arrived, when the assertion of
our opinions and principles will give offence
10 any power of the earth, then the time has
arrived when we must strike again as did our
forefathers, or basely cover and ignobly sur
render up our birthrighs!
We are glad, then, we say, that our Legis-
lature has given utterance to the right senti-
ment in behalf of the people of the State
Even If we have to take the lead in this, as in
the temperance movement, we have no fear
that we shall be left alone, in our position, by
our sister States. "Diigo' is our motto, and
our gallant sons have proved true TO it repeat
edly-never unfortunately!
The legislative week that has Just closed,
has been an active one the Committees have
got fairly to work, and are laying out their
business expeditiously for the future The
Committees for apportoning the State will
soon be at work, also, and we doubt not, make
good progress. r..
On Thursday and Friday evenings, the Hall
OF the House of Representatives was granted
TO DR.. t. S. Lambert, of New York, for the
purpose of addressing the legislature on the
subject of Physiology, as connected with pub
lie education. The lectures were reple,e with
instructive and practical ideas, and as thew
were fully attended by the legislature. we NAV
hope that our educational interests will be much
promoted by future Legislation in accordance
with some of the Dr.s suggestions. Tn the
nf hIcr ri, n