The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-01-12
SuI MESA GH.

TnH MESSAGE.
"'rhe Inaugural Message Of Governor
Morrill, commends itself in an especial man.
ner, not only to the men who elevated him
to Office and who cordially sustain his nd.
ministraIion, but to the honest, the fair, and
tho rightmindcd Of all parties. The dig
nifty and moderation Of its tone - the man.
illness and 6rmness of its sentiments - the
unswerving integrity and docp earnestncss
which pervade every line Of Il, give the am.
plcst assurance that the people Of Maine
have placed their trust in safest. keeping,
and have reposcd their confidence Ia one,
who will not and cannot abuse il.
Every question Of State policy likely "
engage The attention Of the present Legisla.
ture Is lerlessly touched upon in the message ;
and whilst the opinions and desires Of the
Governor are plainly and honestly express.
ed. there Is yet mono Of that dietatorial mir,
which other Executives have occasionally
assumed and which would say to the Leg.
islative branch Of the government, am
the State" Questions, therefore, in regard
to which It was in the very nature Of things
impossible for the Governor 70 have spfh.
GENTLY reliable data, to found o suggestion
upon. are appropriately referred to the calm
consideration and investigation OF the Log.
islature; the equal and coordinate depart
ment OF the Government.
The first great interest Of the State allud
cd 10 in tho message Is chat Of Agriculture
and for the fostering and sustaining oil
this pursuit t. for the purpose Of "awakon'
ing deeper interest in Il, and Of connecting
science with practical economy" the Cover.
nor expresses bis belief that IN Experiment.
al Farm, I" under the care and patronage Of
tho State, would be of essential serviee."-
Tho suggestion Is good ono, and We hope
will n0 fail in proper time to DO acted on
and carried out. All the great States Of The
Union, where agriculture Is most cared for,
are beginning TO found schools in which
farming may DO taught as o science as well
as IN art, and In which tho husbandman
NAY be instructed in those great truths Of
philosophy and chemistry which are espec.
ially applicable to his noble profession |; and
without which he cannot assume his proper
stand, nor realize his just amount Of profit
from the soil. We shall have something
further to say upon this nj another time.
The vital interests of Education, - the
necessity Of fostering It by proper legisla-
ton, and Of maintaining and pericctng our
system Of common schools - re urged upon
the attention of the Legislature with appro-
pirate suggestions. As our dearest rights
even the very liberty wo enjoy depend 80
essentially upon tho intelligence and virtue
Of the people. II follows that nothing can DO
moro entitled TO Executive and legislative
attention. May our lawmakers ncver neg.
lect Il ..-
The Mime Law question, involving the
whole subject Of temperance. is discussed In
the message in manner 50 frank, 20 unre-
served, 30 thoroughly straightforward and
honest, that we feel % II even commenda-
ton Of the sentiments expressed would but
weaken the full force and potent influence
which tho Governors manly views must
carry with them. He assumes ut once, what
no one can deny, that the people Of the
State arc by large majority In favor Of
sustaining the law; and he deyotes himself
10 tho suggestions OF such amendments rs
will lend 70 it, moro thorough enforcement,
both as regards its letter and It's spirit
There Is no denial that the law, o. ut pres.
ent administered, IL subjected TO the most
shameful evasions, and Il 10 the duty Of tho
Legislature 70 enact such measures as will
lead to tho prompt and speedy punishment
OF those reckless violators who ut tho ex-
pense OF every honorable motive and Tho
people ut large, continue the wretchsd traf-
&c in ardent spirits. :,
The Governor alludcs to the many and
serious evils entai!cd upon our community
by the hasty admission OF foreign immi'
grants 70 tho right OF suffrage. and suggests
thai tho Legislature, In the discharge OF
their appropriate duties, investigate "wheth'
ar new legislative provisions arc neocssaly 70
nreseryo tho sacredness Of tho elective fran.
chise. and guard che purity Of our institu.
ions" THIS 70 question upon which there
b such unaninity Of beliefamous the Amer.