The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-02-17
GOVERNORS ADDRESS.
Gentlemen Of tie Senate,

lul performance OF lne dulles IL ueNOlVes
upon you. What those duties are, the
constitution briefly defines in conferrng
upon you authority 10 make and establish
all reasonable laws and regulations for the
defence aud beneft of the people. The
people have a right 10 require OF you a
strict adherence 10 the line OF duty thus
clearly indicated. Aud deviation from j,
mus, lead TO the assumption Of authority
not conferred, the exercise OF functions not
delegated The welfare Of the people, the
des,inies of the Stale for the time being are
entrusted to your keeping; and. viewed
Alright, it is high, sacred, momen,ous
,rust,-one not ihoughllessly 10 be assumed,
nor lightly 10 be regarded-one which
should quicken every mind with convic-
lion Of responsibility, and s,edias, resolu.
ton that the protection of the peoples
rights, the promotion OF their interests, Shall
constitute the sole object Of delibera,ion,
and that nothing foreign to that object shall
be permitted TO occupy ycur time or thought
as Legislators.
In this brief allusion 10 your duties and
responsibilities, am not unmindlfl OF
those which are attached TO the position
which you, as representatives of the peo-
pie, and iG the mode provided by the con.
s,itutions, have assigned to me. assume
anew those responsibilities, and enter upon
the performance OF those duties, looking
for strength aud guidance TO Him who pre-.
sides over the desiinies of men and ma.
iions. The obligations of the oath OF ii.
delity rest upon us alike. Let il be our
earnest.efTou and highest ambition 10 be
alike faithful 20 duty.
You have surrounded me with cons,i.
tutional advisers OF my own political faith
men in whose ability, wisdom, and honesty
OF purpose, have the highest confidence.
II was OH your part, ii is true, but simple
act OF justice; yet one which demands
from me an expression OF gratitude which
cheerfully render, for the masnanimity
which prompted il. | fully recognize the
additional authority with when It invests
me, and the additional responsibility il i'm.
poses. The obligation | am under TO as
sumo the one, forbid ,ha, | should shrink
from the exercise of the other.
In the popular phraseology OF the day,
which may be excused for employing,
my administration of the financial affairs
OF the State, so far rs | am immedia.
iely concerned, will be with a single
eye TO iha, economy which is mos, in har.
mony with the idea OF a republican form
of government. So far as lies in my power,
the public treasury, and the public domain,
shall be protected from peculaiion aud
plumber. Believing that the supreme En-
ecutivc Of the State is in high degree
responsible for the faithful execution OF the
laws, in the selection of the officers charg-
ed with the performance OF that duty,
shall appoint those only who are honest
and capable; and entertain the belief that
| shall find the necessary number among
those whose political sentiments harmonize
with nv own. make this early and public
for the purpose OF relieving
others as we'll as myself from any un.
necessary expenditure Of time and effort in
this direction.
Political parties are incident 10 every
form OF government in which freedom OF
thought and ut,erance are tolerated. Their
existence is no, 10 be deprecated, for in the
weakness OF human nature, il is 10 the
waichful eye which each keeps upon the
movement Of the other, that we can look
with confidence for integrity in the admin.
islration OF government, aud the preserva-
ton Of civil and religious liberty. II j.
only when plunder, rather than principle,
becomes the cohesive power of party, that
party becomes unmiligOted evil. Political
parties should be, as with us, they have
long been, and rs trust they ever may be,
the eXponents OF principles. To abandon
the one, is 10 renounce the other. The
right of every man so TO do is unques,ion.
able; convinced OF error, that right becomes
a duty; a duty which should be discharg.
ed boldly, fearlessly, maniully. No pal.
try subterIuge should be permitted 10 serve
rs an apology-no an,icipations OF personal
prof, or aggrandizement admitted as jus,i.
iicalion for the abandonment of party and
principle. The integrity OF the individual
members Of political parties, Of the parties
and of the Union, are synony-
nous; and each involves the destiny OF the
other.
Although, in the estimation OF many,
party is skorn of its crown and scep,re, il
is not yet dethroned. Party creeds are no,
yet abolished. They are fully represented
in your body, but am unable 10 anticipate
any question TO come before you for con.
sldera,ion, which will furnish occasion Tor
the discussion of articles of political faith,
or their modes Of action; or any matter,
save one, which may call into exercise
par,izan feeling. refer 10 the election of
a Senator 10 fill the vacancy, existing in the
representation from this State in the Senate
OF the United States; and | must be per-
miiied 10 express the hope, perhaps futile
one, that this matter may be finally dispos-
ed Of a: an early stage Of the session, aud
not permitted 10 interfere with or re,ard the
more important business for which you are
convened. Such being the condition oi
things, | am unable 10 discover au9ht
which should prevent you f.om entering
with alacriiy and harmony upon the work
assigned you, and from furnishing your
constituents, by diligent improvement, OF
time, with conclusive evidence. that devo-
ton TO ,her interests rather than the passion
for place aud its emolumen,s is with you
a controlling principle.
II is part Of the duty imposed upon the
Chief Magistrate TO give 10 the Legislature,
from time 10 time, information OF the con-
di,ion Of the State, and TO recommend 10
their consideration such measures as he
may deem expedieni. The annual reports
OF the State Treasurer, the Land Agent,
the Adju,an, General, and the Executive
officers Of the several State institutions will
be in due time laid before you. Those
Reports will furnish you with all necessary
in relation TO the present con.
di,ion of the finances Of the State, It's lands
and other properties, and lis Institutions.
Iuperformance OF the other branch Of
duty adverted to, allow me 10 recommend
TO you, first Of all, 10 legislaie no more
than the unques,ionable wants OF the ,peo-
pie, the protection OF their rights, and The
promotion of their interests render absolute
ly necessary. The time has not yet aT.
rived for the promulgaiion Of the doctrine
that no further legislation is needed. New
combinations OF circumstances, new emer-
uanntas Mill nf 20 ar.a. M