Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1856-01-18
COyERN0R'S MESSAGE.

This document receives, as matter Of
conrs., nthese days, the extravagant laud-
alton of the press. in favor, in prnciple
or bv accident of the administration OF
Gov. Wells. Aside from two great dis
tinpuishin- features, it is a message OF
ordinary ability and style, and something
gilmore than usual boldness Of expression
The SNvo points to which great exceptions
SHOULD be taken. are those relating to the
subject of slavery and temperance, as
connected, one with the repeal Of the
Missouri Compromise, and the other with
the Maine Law.
We were ut first greatly puzzled as to
Why il was tina. the Governor. Just hav-
ias formed political partnership with
those claiming to be Wigs ofthc straight
est SORT. and, las much opposed to sla-
very az any body" should have branch
ed out a. the head Of his rae ssage with
thc Slavery tail Of Frank l'icrcc,s Mes
sage. But We remembered that this year
a presidential candidate is to be selected
md voted for, ard the foundation laid
for the distribution OF executive fay ors
Tor the ensuing four years.
In spite Of all denals to the contrary,
tiov, Wells saw very clearly that the
leading Issue in the presidential campaign
Is between Slavery and Freedom. The
administrator party, by courtesy called
6emocratic, has turned its haekupon free
dom and is cxertingall its powers to please
and CRAFTY tbs Slave power Of the coun-
try. Gov. Wells has hope that by his
efforts and that Of other politicians Of the
unserupulous school, the votes of por-
tien Of the free States may be given to
this slavery issue, and president be
leetcd who will direct the energies and
patronage OF the government for the ad
vantage and spread Of slavery. He wish
u to be known as one of the loud spo-
ken men of Maine in favor of that poll
ey; and for this he jumps in for justify.
ing the striking down of the Missouri
Compromise, for Squattcr Sovereignty
I'll the intolerable machinery by which
slavery is to be extended over territories
cwn force.
We do not propose row to follow the
Gov. in his details of the discussion -
there is time enough for that b. and by
but We wish to call attention to this fea-
tare, that Gov. Wells assumes the posi-
ton that the increase of Slavery is on ac-
count of the injudicious efforts of people
1t the y 9TH to lessen slavery in the coun-
try.
He SAYS in his message -
lit WAS undoubtedly expected in the
early days Of the republic that slavery
would not continue many years. And
.s.oro have been periods when there was
a prospect OF the adoption OF measures
to accomplish itsremoval. But We have
reason to believe that it has been rctard-
q. by agitation Of the subject in .he free
States
This is al exceedingly shallow view
TO take OF the subject Every intelligent
Iaan knnwsthat the great mass of discus +
lions and propositions relative to the re-
moyal Of slavery, has been precisely in
the line pointed out al the periods when
the highest prospects were held out to
the country of the removal Of slavery
But suppose ii were true that the over
anxiety of the people of the free States
to-rvmo9c slavery. had led them to urge
i pretty closely upon the conscience of
dave holders, ard that they in resistance
to such appeals, had vowed they would
hold on to slavery the closer. is that
good reason why Governor OF free
state should deliver {, Caudle lecture to
the people of his State IN ss,cA case -
Very farfrom it
But what shall we say--what ought
We 10 say. when the fact is that by the
progress Of Mechanical inventions, Of
Manufactures and of Commercc,-an in
stitution that was once considered mere
" an appendage to social life. and con-
yel,icn. but not profitable. comes to be /
regarded as a basis Of commercial aetiv-
tiles. and indispensable to trade and mon
cy making; and because of this change
the grasp of the Master tightens up to
harder clinch, and every productive pow
CT of ths slave is gloated over as so much
capital to the owner, out OF which Il is
TO make has profit. Here lies the essen
lial diifieulty. in the case. Slavery was