Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-12-08
For the Eastern Times.
More Coalition,
What communion hath righteousness witk unright-

L
! eousness 2"
has recourse to another. He is fruitful in
expedients, and ever vigilant in applying them,
although SO often bafied in his efforts to make
the worse appear the better reason. Nor is
he without his allies. So prone are portion
Of our fellow mortals to iniquity, that, when
folled In every other attempt to stir up strife,
engender hatred and embroil man against mis-
neighbor, they hesitate not, from their pater-
nal promptings, to steal ''the livery of heaven
to serve the devil in.''
This spirit of dicsontent, dsafection, or
evil, or whatever you may please to call it.,
has disturbed the peace of society more Or less
in all ages of the world and it is yet an ac-
tive principle. In ages past it has assumed
almost every form for the accomplishment of
its fendish purposes; and when driven from
one position, has never failed to select some
new point of attack, or new mode of assault.
In later days, it sometimes fought under the
banner Of open infdelity; sometimes carried
christianity. In our own day, it has taken up
the gauntlet in behalfof ssuffering humanity
and espoused the cause of the injured and the
oppressed; but the garb of philanthropy it has
put on is neither broad enough to hide its de-
formities nor Long enough to conceal its cloven
foot. 1t is still the same as it always has
been and whitewashed or disguised as it may
be, 1t is still the incarnation of evil an in
spiration from the pestilential breath of that
horrid monster described by Milton as floating
supine on sea of molten lead.
What philanthropist, what patriot, what
christian, can sympathize with such spirit ;
whether it shows itself in the form of aboli-
ton, radicalism, or tire less obnoxious form of
ultraism! No one.
| These reflections have been suggested in
view of the fact, as it appears to me, that abb
clifton Is striving to save its sinking fortunes
by seeking to form coalitions with other par
ties and other interests. To seek such alIi-
ances, is evidence of consciousness of its
own weakness, and is confession to the
world that it has not the inherent elements
necessary for self preservation. In Maine,
trust, abolition has had its day and am the
more confirmed in the belief from the consid-
Grafton that, having failed to affiliate with
either Of the political parties, and having been
cast off as an unclean thing, after being made
use of for their own purposes, it is now seek
ing, as last resort, to ally itself with the
temperance cause; but whether with the hope
of promoting the good Of that cause, or of
strengthening its own desperate fortunes
| thereby, is an open question.
The cause oftemperance is good and glo-
rlous cause one in which every man. woman
and child in the land has personal interest.
1t has It's origin in true philanthropy, and has
for its object the well-being and happiness Of
the individual, the family and society at large.
1t is based on one of the best affections of the
human heart-that of love to our neighbor-
and aims at the emancipation of man from the
slavery of appetite, and at his restoration to
the perfect image in which he was created !;
and on this holy principle it rests for its sup
port, its advancement and final triumph.
The cause of abolition, on the other hand,
was, in my judgment, conceived in sin and
brought forth in iniquity.'' 1t is of foreign
birth, and the offspring Of the most malevolent
of all human passions-hate. 1t lives and
fourishes only by agitation: by stirring up
the bitter waters of strife, and arraying man
against his brother. Its devotees have de-
nounced in unmeasured terms the purest pat
riots, and the best men the world has ever
seen. They have mathematical the govern
ment that secures to them the rights of ''life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" and,
In alliance with foreign enemies, have sought
its ACKNOWLEDGMENT and overthrow with per-
severance and zeal that could be inspired only
by the deadliest hate. Their leading spirits
have already repudiated the bible,-would
abolish the sabbath, and abrogate the laws of
marriage. In word they would disannul all
law-subvert all Order-and give full scope to
every passion without restaint or control -
and all this under the hypocritical profession
of lore for humanity. Away with such hy-
pocrisy Infdelity under this guise has found
its days are numbered, and is now seeking to
draw into its unholy embrace, the cause of tenn
perdnce.
Let US, my friends, beware how we strike
hands with iniquity; how we suffer ourselves
to be deceived by he fair professions Of those
who are seeking TO save themselves from an
inhalation by drawing rs into an alliance with
them. Let us beware how we consent to any
coalition of 'treedOm and temperance 1t
we cannot stand on the righteousness of our
cause, let us sink; and if the Maine Law can
not stand on its own merits, let it be repealed
Let not the attention of its friends be diverted
or their energies weakened by coalition with
"freedOm.o five are to sink, let us sink as
temperance men, and alone; and if the pro-
fessed friends of humanity entertain any fear
of such sad fate to our cause-which by the
way would be most groundless ne,-let
them show their sincerity and magnanimity,
by giving us their aid in our efforts to pro-
mote the cause. Let them show their ssfaith
by their works." and we will believe them.
So far as abolitionists 60 with us because they
are the friends of temperance, so far it is well.
We are glad to have them; but when they
ask us to make common cause with them to