The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-04-13
Obedience to the Popular Will.

Submission TO the popular will is virtue
which some persons in this city find great
difficulty in practicing. When our munich
pal election resulted in the choice otmen Ia
yorable to the enforcement Of the liquor law
and the maintenance Of peace and good
order, il was hoped that the animosi,y and
i'll feeling which had been excited, would
subsids, and that our citizens, of all parties,
in view Of the decided preponderance OF
public sentiment towards the policy indica,-
ed by the vote, would acquiesce, in spirit
ofcheerfulness 10 the voice Of the majority,
and use their endeavors and influence TO
strengthen and encourage those who were
charged with the administration OF the
CITY affairs. Such has been the case TO
some extent, but we regret 10 say that there
are some among US who desire TO be ,ho't
respectable, and who are really good ci,i-
zens when no, carried away by excitement,
or mislead by the Authorizations Of minds
which have nervous immutability 10 every
thing which does not emana,e from their
brains, who continue 10 fan the embers oil
excitement, and TO spend their breath and
strength in fruiiless endeavors 10 place ob
stacles in the way Of the city government.
They enter with heariiness into the troubles
Of enginemen, are perplexed about the
schools, and seem TO DO dissatisfied with
every thing which the City Council does,
or proposes 10 do. In their judgment, moth.
ing the City authorities have done, or can
do, is legal or discreet. The officers Sc
lec,ed are the wrong men, and, worse than
all, the men who see no reason for faul,fnd'
ing belong 10 the "illi,eraie clas, Of me.
chanics or laborers.
We do not propose 10 put any check up.
on this spir, OF iaul,fnding or grumbling.
Yankees have an indefeasible right 10
grumble, and those who have the least &C.
casion, as in the present instance, gener'
ally do the mos, Of the business.
The men who do so seem 10 have very
good opinion o, themselves, and Of their
knowledge Of law, and ability TO ins,ruc,
the City Council in all that appertains 10
their duties, and although there may be a
spice OF immodesty and indelicacy in
their presuming to know great deal more
than every body else, we presume nobody
either in or on, OF the City Council, or any
Of the officers otthe city, will try 10 take
from them the self-sa,isfaciion which they
have. We could hardly expect submission
10 the popular will from men who have sc
poor opinion Of The masses, whose aggre
gate voice unites 10 form that popular will
and the City authorities must be- con,en
with giving the municipal affairs Of III,
City their bes, attention, and 10 take care o
the interests Of these grumblers in common
with tina, Of other persons. Biddeiord j,
not the only place where grumblers fume
fret and spend their time in denOuncini
the fanaiicism of,he times, and the malig
nan, philanthropy" Of the people. =
Throughout, the State, wherever the force
Of Rum and Hunkerism have been beaten
which is nearly everywhere, there is abou
the same, or worse noise, made BY run
men and their sympaihizers. These mer
are not satisfied il is with them " strike
higher or strike lower )" no blow suits an,
the enemies Of rum and slavery mus
strike, wilhou,hoping 10 please those VIII
are in no humor 10 be pleased-s,rike whei
and where blows will be effec,ual, an,
possibly, in the end, when these grumbler
have learned wisdom from successive de
feat, they may call philosophy 10 their aid
and with a chas,ened spiri, acquiesce in tn
popular will as expressed at the ballO, box
es.