The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-01-10
The New Governor Of Maine.

GUANAJuATo, Dec. Z, lot5
The New Governor Of Maine.
Hon Samuel Wells, the new democratic Governor of
Maine in his address to the legislature comes nearly
UP To the hard shell standard the question of slavery
the Missouri compromise and the prohibitory H.
quor Jaw &c that he will doubt be permitted to take
mis- place in the ranks of the fearless and faithful Hear
him for his cause:-
THE PECULIAR INSTITUTION.
The subece Of slavery in the Southern States and Ter
rotes continues to eDgross large share of the public
mind ut the North. Although are happily reiievei
from he existence Ct slavery amongst u.s. yet many Of
irg its policy and merits, than any other question OF
pubic nature In estimation slavery is great evil
the removal of which fem the limits of common
count7y woud be highly gratifying to every patriotic
But IL is not the part of wscom in order to
One evil, to bring upon ourselves avalanche of evils.
lhs true law OF pog-es is slow but sure and certain
net destructive but beneficial In Its operations and
results By prudent observance and willing obe-
cience . thus law, form OF government has been pre-
served snd there has not been period since its insttu
cu, when it was IN vigorous condition, and when
The American people were more powerful aud abounoiog
IN s the elements of wealth and strength than the
present moment When the people OF the United States
accepted their constitution they thirteen feeble
coloniss, Just come out Of long and harrassing
they we've literally poor, large portion OF their property
having been spent TO secure their independence Now
hsve thirty States extending from the St. John
TO the Rio Grande and from the Atlantic to the Pa Gc
osean possessing immense resources and all the means
ofgreatness Nor primitive virtue anc courage and
aptitude for selfde.ence wanting.
The different States should be bound together per-
fact friendship and amiy like the members Of com
mon family II reproach and vtuperalon bestowed
upon each other such language will in end pr oduce
it's legitimate effects epgenderine hatred anc inwil, and
at length breaking out In destructive action.
All the colonies Anticipated in fighting the battles of
the revolution The patriots WHO had hazarded their
lives in eetence Of liberty after the war was over sat
down together and framed the constitution Slavery then
existed IN nearly every colony Eaca State being
reign and independent, was under obligations but
those Of patriotism 10 come into the confederacy They
severay possessed the right to regulate their do
mestic 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 enlightened government Of
the people on this continent would have expired The
slave population at that time present constituted
about one sixth part of all the Inhabitants.
undoubtedly expected IL the early days of the
republic that slavery would not continue many years
And there have been iods when there prospect
OF the adoption Of measures to accomplish its removal
But have to believe that 1t has been ret Arded
by the agitation CT the In the free States Acas
of persons have labored assidu0usy for quarter Of
century to excite the feelings and prejudces Of the peo
pie against the south and its Institutions They have
enlisted the Of those who are Ignorant Of the
rue condition OF the slaves and organized political par
ties with 'he avowed purpose generally Of acquiring
distinct we'll defined object Of action Of
pract l character The history Of their efforts demon
straes the weakness and nutilty of them They have
liberated but few, any, slaves and have not removed
slavery single rod of territory. Discretion would
indicate change OF measures the cultivation OF charity
and Kindness and broader range Of social duties towards
those whose political welfare and destiny closely
united with ours.
II the owners slaves should be Wiling to emancipate
them provided they could be distributed among the
raj States ia proportion to their population it would
give one slave to ak free persons Many
OF the slaves would be incapable of labor through age
infrmy ana Childhood, and would require support
paupers. The residue would be at liberty to seek such
subsistence as their wants might demand, In the
manner as free blacks usually do. The inhabitants of
the North and West would not be benefited by
cesson 10 their population Of their proportion of three
and halt millions OF blacks 1t requires great degree
Of esight perceive that nearly every city town
in the tree States would refuse their admttance.
When those who are most deeply interested in negro
slavery and have reflected upon the subject shall
cesire to relieve themselves Of 1t, they will probably
adopt gradual mode of emancipation: The relations
between and slave cannot be suddenly dissolved
with safety to either while the number of slaves ia
large. They might be freed after having arrived at
certain age, and to Africa the land OF their origin
civilization which they nsver could have obtained in
a pave efun ny ns T capable
advancement in selfculture. ample SCOPE is now
presented for the exercise of it the continent Of
Africa As evidence Of highly satisfactory character
that negroes do this power it is already shown
in the colony OF Liberia, that those who have been
taught in the school Of slavery can sustain a
firm and stable government AMI defend themselves
against barbarian and hostile tribes The increase
Of the colony will constantly acd TO its reputation and
when its commerce shall be expanded and its flag
spected and growing marne exist the eyes OF the
loreo race will be turned towards IT, aud there will flow
into i constant tide Of emigration No reason appears
10 exist why It may not surpass In vgor and wealth. and
much more in good government, the nations which
have hourshed on the northern coast Of that continent
Some of our national vessels might be fitted and en-
poye in carrying that colony ali who are willing
be transported thiher. Anathe expenditure would ap
pear to be equally legitimate the employment of
tiopa vessels to guard the coast An extended line of
set lemtnt ofhardy cocnsts, capable OF bearing
would prove quite effective checking the slave trade
The Southern people are subjected 70 the burden of
slavery they know how to treat 1t better than do and
it is ake alien to patriotism and true sense OF re
2ous duty to name the minds Of Southern citizens and
aggraAe their condition by constant course OF censure
and unnecessary interference with their affairs.
THE MISSOURI COMPROMISE.
The Missouri compromise line was an arrangement be-
tween different sections l. cooled the passions and al
syed the prejudces Of conending parties. II had
manned in force third of century, and its repeal
uprising OF wilder spirit of abolitionism than had ever
before infested the country Men who had loyal to
beir constitutional obligations 10 moment Of resent
socations, that threatened fog time to destroy the
very foundations Of the republic But whatever OPT
may be entertained ct the policy of that
sure passee and the principle Is adopted that each
Territory may deernise the character Of s own inst
tutions ID itself this is unquestionably most in
cordance with the basis Of American and the
true idea OF the liberty CT communities.
Those Who wander from the places of their birth, lay
the foundation Of new States and endure all hArdshps
and privatons Of infant settlements meait the right of
making their own laws tor the governments of their
homes and fresdes They can appreciate their necess
ties and interests better than former associates whom
they have left az great distance behind them All
Territories wherever situate open to q free COM
check EXPRESSLY or by mne.on the e.t.Ssbmsot =. Of
such legislation coDgensl to the habits Of the peo
PIE And the time will probably socu come when very
few will desire the restoration Of that line and end
will be put to the constant and bitter conflict Of opinion
arising from that subjec;.
THE MAINE LAW.
Although many well meaning persons have approved
Of the ex'stng law this subject believing it 10 be the
best insrumensllty to advance good cause IL to
that they have done without thorough exami-
nation and o 4. aud that rational and
unpIejudced man who has stucied it attentvely,
sanction its details, and recommend il a. rule of 60
vernmept to Tree people.
FUGITIVE SLAVES.
Theye IL another act passed by he last Legislature
which tend continue Che irritation already exist