Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1856-01-10


electors should do other acts at certain pre-
scribed times before election If it can, then
the constitution may be so far changed to
add new qualifications by statutes to the cleo
tive franchise.
The law requiring the names Of voters TO be
entered upon the lists. authorizes it to be done
down to the time Of voting. If it 2reciuded a
person from exhibiting evidence at the polls OF
his right to vote, and from having MS name
then pu t.upon the lists. it would appear to -
requirement additional to the constitution,
and not within the power of the Legislature.
The act under consideration is amenabfe to
both of the foregoing objections, and in my
Judgment is unconstitutional.
! The act of the same Legislature forbiddng
the courts of the State from exercising iuris-
diction in relation to naturalization, may not
be liable to the charge of being demonstrations
al. but it is extremely Liberal, and bears with
unnecessary severity upon persons of foreign
birth. The exercise of this jurisdiction by the
state courts has been coeval with the organiza-
ton OF the government. Under this law, those
VINO desire to become citizens must be subject
ed to increased expense and trouble, and travel
a great distance with their witnesses to reach
the courts of the United States.
The true policy of our States is to encourage
the introduction of foreign labor. AT the last
census, Maine had population of $50, l69. Of
/ %
countries, Every full grown person. who is
able and willing to labor, adds very much to
the riches of State. And the census shows
that no just ground of apprehension can be en-
| tertained from the amount of foreign popula-
ton. Our experience teaches that it soon
amalgamates with our native population, and
after few years cannot be distinguished from
it. 1t is not ereditable to us, who in tracing
our ancestry for two three generations. find
them to be persons born in foreign lands. to
awaken prejudces against foreigners. This
country made for the down. trodden and
oppressed of all nations. BY liberal laws we
have invited Foreigners to our shores, and there
are hardships enough incident to their exile
| from their native homes, without the imposi-
| ton of new and onerous regulations, causing
unnecessary disquiet and vexation in their ef-
forts to avail themselves of the benefit of chose
| laws.
There is another act passed by the last Leg
stature, which must tend to continue the irri
tation already existing on the subject of sla-
very. Its purport is to prevent any one hold
ing office under this State from aiding in the
apprehension of fugitive slaves. This law
would probably have practical effect, for
! fugitive slave has never been retaken in this
State, and if one should come hither, the ex-
| pense of following him at so great a distance
would be very likely to deter an owner from
the pursuit. But in any event. all such laws
are Objectionable. They indicate disposition
/ to escape from our constitutional obligations.
/ We ought not to expect to enjoy all that is
agreeable in our national relations, while we
repudiate what is unconsenial to tastes
/ We should never give our consent to law,
which is not required by strong necessity, when
4 1t Is directly calculated to create an animeSity
between the inhabitants of different States.
The strength of Republic consists in the
integrity and intelligence of its people. In
their hands are all the powers of Government.
Ii they vicious and ignorant, they cannot
long retain their liberty. 1t is the duty of the
Legislature to promote the education of the
great body of the people. 1t is true, that towns
and districts exercise watchful care over the
schools within their limits and we must look
to them as the immediate and constantly act
i've guardians of education.
/ The Legislature can increase their means, and
/ enable them to impart instruction in a more
( perfect and thorough manner, and to a greater
extent The instruction of teachers appears to
be a measure of direct practical benefit. The
increase of knowledge their part enables
them TO communicate more abundantly to 9TH
ers, and thus the way is prepared for broader
field of information.
The Legislature is moreover bound by the
Constitution suitably to endow literary institu-
! tons of higher grade than common schools.
IL
,,nno,,,,",;o,s e i;e, Ia 49,; a'a TT
! ayJ,,oa,;IF,s - - ~, ~ 1L,S;iI :; 49,. o.
| 80 90 mo, " "a o"' W
rseo' - "ouiu hot oii,! oe oeheHeiai " mem
personally, bnt would greatly increase their
ability for usefulness.
-Under the favoring auspices of the Union,
Maine must ever be a great commercial State.
Her long line of sea coast, with numerous safe
and commodious harbors, invites commerce to
her shores. The building of greater number
Of ships than any other State of the Union the
merchant service upon the ocean, the fisheries,
and the mechanic arts, engage the attention,
and furnish employment to a large number OF
persons. but three hundred thousand, at least,
OF our whole population are directly supported
by agriculture ana all are dependent Tor suo-
Sistence on nose VINO cul'iVate me earth.-
Inc improved culture oil every farm ADDS to the
reai wealth. Oh inc STATE. me uis'riouioh OF
wen written .featlse on agricultural chemis-
~ s''e i ana II -
a,,d 49,, o,,oo,t,,,oa.,, I;.,~,.d T., -,
I,.;sIa,;c, sho,iS III 80 - - ,,ra.o
.eso'a az 9'oui 80 ~ @''a"i s'''ieiS
"i,T U '''e ans =, '"I
An' isPo,' - ','e i''a Aseh' WI, sho" inc
condition oil the Land Once and the present
state OF the puoiic lands. 1t Is believed by me
to be the true pohcy OF inc state not TO sell
ay s,,'' ia :, o-ad;, - "a ~, =. .ne
T, - -, 80 III p T.. ~ ~.
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