Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1856-01-10
GOVERNORS ADDREss.
(The following Address of Gov. Wells was de-
vered to the Legislature in person on Fridayl
Address.

We assemble together by the favor of dvn
Providence from whose beneficent hand we rcceiv
all our possessions Our hearts sh Jud expan,
with grateful emotions to Him for the abundan
products Of the earth, for exemption from pesti
hence and wasting disease, and especially for tn
blessings Of a ifce governmental government o
. the people, without kings, lords or mobiles and il
which there is ample scope for every industrial
pursuit incident to man.
But although orr government is founded upol
the principle of representation, in q more perfec
form than was ever before understood by any ma
ton ancient or modern, it cannot be preserved
without constant vigilance, without honesty an,
sincerity Purpose, and practical ability, which
justly appreciates the trne mode of conducting
public affairs. we are negligent of our politca
rights, and do not exercise over them perpetual
md constant care, VIC may find When VIC awake
to our true condition, that it is too late and thai
oil is lost by our supineness and nattention.,
The subject of slavery in the southern States
and territories continues 20 engross large share
Of the pnblic mind at the north. Although we
are happily relieved from the existence of slavery
among u.s. yet many of our citizens are more en-
gagged in examining and discussing its policy and
merits, than any other question of public nature
In our estimate n slavery is great evil the reno
val of which from the limits of our common
country would be highly gratifying to every pat
riotic citizen. But it is not the part of wisdom
in order to remove one evil, to bring npon our
selves an avalanche of evils. The true law OF
progress is SLOW but and certain not destruc-
tive but beneficial in its operatbns and results.
BY a prudent observance and willing obedience
to this law. our form of government has been
preserved, and there has not been a period since
its institution, when it was IN more vigorous
condition and when the American people were
more powerful and Astounding mall the elements
of wealth and strength, than at the present mo-
II L. &c tha itaJ
adopted their constitution they were thirteen fee
Bile colonies, just come out of a long and harras-
sing war they were literally poor, large por-
tion of their property having been spent to Sc
cure their independence. Now we have thirty
one States, extending from the St. John to the
Rio Grande, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific
ocean, possessing immense resources and the
means of greatness. Nor are primitive virtue
and courage and aptitude for selfdefence want
ing.
The different States should be bound together
in perfect friendship and amity, like the members
of one common family. If reproach and vituper
alton are bestowed upon each other, such language
will in the end produce its legitimate effects, en-
gendering hatred and i'll will, and at length break
ing out in destructive action.
All the colonies participated in fighting the
battles of the revelation. The patriots who had
hazarded their lives in defence of liberty, after
the over, sat down together and framed
the Constitution, Slavery then existed in nearly
every colony. Each state being sovereign and
independent, was under no obligations but those
of patriotism to come into the coniederacy. They
severally possessed the right to regulate their own
domestic institutions without interference of any
one, and if this independence of individual states
had not been conceded, the Constitution could not
have been formed, and the hope of free and en-
frightened government of the people, on this CONT
nent would have expired. The slave population
at that time, as at present, constituted about one
sixth part of all the inhabitants.
1t was undoubtedly expected in the carly days
of the republic that slavery would not continue
many years. And there have been periods when
there was a prospect of the adoption of measures
to accomplish its removal But we have reason
to believe that it has been retarded by the agitation
of the subject r the free States. a class of per
sons have labored assiduously for quarter of a
century to excite the feelings and preudiceS of the
people against the south and its institutions. They
have enlisted the sympathics Of those who are
ignorant Of the true condition of the slaves, and
organized political parties W tn the avowed pur-
pose generally of acquiring power to ameliorate
their condition, and without any distinct and well
defined object or course of action of practical
character. The history of their efforts demon.
strates the weakness and inutilitY of them. They
have liberated but few, if any, slaves, and have
not re moved slavery from single rod of territory
Discretion would indicate a change Of measures
the cultivation of charity and kindness, anf g
broader range of social duties towards those whose
political welfare and destiny SO closely united
with ours.
If the owners of slaves should be willing tc
emancipate them provided they conld be distri
buted among the several States, in proportion oil
their population, it would give one slave to every
six or seven free persons. Many of the slaves
would be incapable of labov through age, in6rInty
and childhood, and would require support pau
pers. The residue would be at liberty to seek
such subsistence as their wants might demand, in
the same manner as free blacks usually do. TIC
inhabitants of the North aud West would not be
benefited by an accession TO their population oil
their proportion of three and half millions Of
blacks. 1t requires no great degree Of foresight TO
perceive, thar nearly every city and town in the
free States would refuse their admittance.
When those who are most deeply interested in
negro slavery and have reflected most upon the
subject shall desire to relieve themselves of il,
they will probably adopt gradual mode Of eman-
cipatou. The relation between master and slave
cannot be suddenly dissolved with safety 10 either
while the number of slaves is large. They
might be freed after having arrived AT a certain
age, and sent to Africa, the land OF their origin
with habits of industry and a degree Of knowledge
and civilization, which they never icould have
obtained in their native country. Ii the nesr5
the inherent power of advancement in self culture,
ample scope is presented .o- the exercise of it
the continent Of Africa. As evidence Of a
highly satisfactory character, that negroes do
possess this powersit is already shown in the
colony Of Liberia, that those who have been taught
in the school Of slavery, can sustain firm and
stable government. and drienl themselves against
barbarian and hostile tribes. Tho Increase Of the
rlony will constantly add 20 its reputation, and
when lis commerce shall be expanded and lis flag
respected and growing marine exist, the eyes Of
the colored race will be turned towards il. and
there will flow into il constant tide Of emigration
No reason appears to exist why il may net surpass
in vigor and wealth. and much more IN good
government, the nations which have hourished on
the Northern coast Of that continent. Some o
our National vessels might by fitted and employed
in carrying to that colony all who are willing I,
be transported thither. And the expenditure
would appear to be equally legitimate as the
employment Of National vessels to guard the coast
An extended line of settlement of hardy colonst>
capable Of bearing arms would prove quite effective
m checking the slave trade
The Southern people INFECTED 10 the burden
OF slavery. they know how Il treat it better than
VIC do. and it is alike alien 10 patriotism, AMI q
true sense Of religious duty 10 innlme the mind.
of Southern citizens and aggravste their condition
by constant course of censnre aud an unnecvssa
ry interference with their affairs
The Missouri Compromise line was an arrange
cement between different sections it cooled the
passions and allayed the preudices of contendnn
Il al in f.,-, ~, e