The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-06-29
THE HUNKRR CONVENTION.
Judge Wells on the track.

Jupcr SAMUEL WELLS, Of Portland, BY
the grace Of the Hunker Democratic State
Convention, held a, Augusta, on Thursday
Of last week, and by his acceptance Of the
position, is now the candidate ofthe bunker
and Rum Democracy Of the State, for the
office Of Governor. He was elected on the
first ballot; receiving 499 Of the 5lo votes
thrown. Previous 10 balloting, letter wal
read from the Hon. Albion X. Paris, de.
clining being run down second time, and
,hereupon Judge Wells was elected 10 thai
honor by the large vote stated above. Judge
Wells is somewha, used 10 the honor Of de.
feat, having been defeated a number Of
years since, when he was alt ached TO the
old Federal party, in his aspirations for Of
fee, and again las, year by the significant
vote OF the people OF this Congressional
District, who elected him "io stay at home'
by a vote which was counted by thousands.
Las, year the Hunker Democratic State
Convention, which put in nomination the
"man who was never beat" passed but one
resolution, which was worded in thi, wise
Resolred, Tha, this convention do now adj
journ, to meet our fellow Democrats at the
polls in September, and elect Hon. Alb ion
X. Paris Governor Of Maine for the ensu.
ing political year.
Having tried this short resolution last year,
and found it no, TO work well, the Hunker
and Rum Democracy went this year 10 the
other end Of the lever, by adopting series
Of prolix resolutions. which as they do two
very odious things at one time, viz: en-
dorse all The vagaries, corrupiions, tomfool.
cries and ouirages Of the Frank Pierce ad.
minis,ra,ion, and denounce and s,igma,ize
the Maine Law,-will work no better than
the curt one Of las, year.
We publish the resolves, commencing
with those relating 10 the Maine Law:
1. Resolred, That while we have always
recognized Temperance US one Of the lead.
ing graces OF civilized life, and the practice
Of !, is incumbent on every cilizen,w we have
never failed 10 perceive ,ha, the care for il
which is sincere, and the culture of il which
is mos, efeciual, are 10 be found when men
are acting in the sphere Of their social and
private responsibilities, rather than when
inauerced BY political and party considera-
tons that with this conviction we have
always resisted the efforts VI the leading
men now in power in this State, 10 pros,i-
tuie the cause OF temperance TO party uses !;
but our motives for so doing have been ma.
ligned, and our efforts in that direction I'M
availing: that we, therefore, accept the 20.
litical attitude on this moral question which
we are thus forced to occupy, and in de-
handing, as party, some essential modif.
cations OF the existing liquor law, we do so
with the conviction that we are truer friends
OF sobrie,y and good order, than those who
uphold il, as !, stands, and in the fullest,
confidence that onr position on this new
question Of party politics, will meet the APP
prevail Of the people.
2. Resolvrd, That we are opposed 10 the
unrestricted sale Of intoxicating liquors, and
in favor ofsutable prohibiiorylaws; but laws
TO command respect and obedience, must
be based upon the principles Of the Consli-
tuition and the Bill Of Rights. Their pro.
visions must harmonize with the sentiments
of an enlightened people; their necessity
must be shown by actual, existing circum-
stances, their wisdom must be reflected
by their practical operation.
3. Resolved, That the present intensified
Liquor Law Of this State, being antagonis,ic
TO these fundamental doctrines, in conse-
quence OF its unnecessary stringency-the
unlimited power il places in the hands Of
its adminisira,ors-,he severity Of its penal.
ties, compared with the magnitude Of the
offence commil,ed-iis wanion destruction
OF property and violation OF the most sacred
rights OF the citizen together with the
fearful results arising fIom lis execution, is
we'll calculated 10 alarm every candid mind,
and has alarmed and aroused the people Of
this State, TO demand essential modifica-
lions of its provisions-so that, in the Ian
guage Of the Constitution :-''ihe people
shall Be secure in their persons, houses and
possessions, from all unreasonable searches
and seizures ~ "that all penalties and pun
ishmsnts shall be proportional 10 The ofsnee;;n
that excessive bail shall no, be required,
nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and
unusual punishmenis inflicted.
q. RESOLVED, That the present government
Of this Slate, OF which Arson p. Morrill, is
the head, by its high-handed measures in
overiurning Courts o. Justice, in abolishing
one Court in one locality and creating the
same in another, for the obvious purpose Of
bestowing honors and emouments upon
PARTISAN favorites, and prostiiuling judicial
tribunals 10 party purposes by its nullii.
cation Of plain provision OF the Constiiu.
ton OF the United States by its oppressive
enactment, designed 10 prevent adopted Cit
liens from exercising the rights OF citizen.
ship, afier they have complied with the
provisions OF the naturalization laws Of the
United States; by its attempt 10 lavish one
hundred thousand dollars Of the peoples
money, on iavori,e seciarian institutions (;
and BY its enactment of Liquor Law,
which has its prototype only in the statutes
Of the dark ages; which places the charac.
ter and property Of the citizen, in The hands
and nj the mercy Of ianaical, "dark lam
tern oligsrchy,n- shown itself unwor.
thy tho trus, confided 10 its keeping, and
merits the condemnation OF all patriotic Cit
liens.
Four rcsou,ions-just the number passed
on the same subjec, by the Mass.Sta Con-
vention OF the Liberal Democracy last year
which nominated Hon. Sheppard Cary, and
the difference in the sentiments they ex-
press is not worth talking about. The "Ca.
ny Convention" last year, was opposed 10
the unrestricted sale Of intoxicating liquors,
resolving tina, its aim was ito secure (for
the Maine Law apraeiioal substitute that
shall cTsetually bring 70 punishmeni all knOrn
abuses Of the sale, and use Of intoxicating
liquors, and that shall alike encourage So
briefly Of habit" &c.,-and the Hunk
err and Rum Democracy arrive q, the
same point when they unite "in de-
| mandinv as n nariy some essential modifi.