The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-02-06
THE UNION AND JOURNAL.
FcR 1857.
XIII.


to the community in which it was publi'hed'
a medium through which correct inierma
ton of the business, social, and political
wants of the people might be disseminated,
|, had its origin in no fieeting desire to aid
in m.nd,nr the fortunes of n defeated and
prostrate party, or to subserye the interests,
or to secure the political advancement 0:
any clique of men. Its present conductor
has been connected with il from Its CON-
mencement, and whatever success 1t has
achieved, and whatever hold it may have
upon the sympathies of tho community is
owing, in some degree, TO his exertions and
the kindness OF friends. Bound to no par
tv IN its inception, and proposing only to
support principles believed to be correct, the
paper has been conducted with the view to
promote the greatest good Of all, and to ad
vance those great moral and social ideas up
on which the prosperity of community
rest. Ii has never followed the fortunes Of
a party, longer than the party to which 1t
rendered tsaid, followed principle.
Its conductor has studiously aimed to live
up faithfully to the following exposition OF
the manner in which the paper would DO
conducted, and the principles it would en-
force, set forth in introductory article, in
serted in the drst number:
"In regard to the management of the
Union, believing as It's conductors do, that
the greatest object to be sought Tor Is
healthful tone Of moral sentiment in the com.
munity, and one which rises superior to all
other considerations and demands the atten-
ton of an honest press, il will be leading
object with them 70 make the Union ever
subseryient 10 the cause of virtue and sound
morality. Ii will study to inculcate those
precepts of virtue and honesty which are
universally admitted TO be essential to the
security oil free institutions and the happl-
ness of society. IL will repress vice, and ad-
yocate, not with bigoted and fanatical zeal
bul in spirit Of charity and temperance, all
the GREAT measures of moral and intellectual
Improvement, which have for their object
the well-being Of society and Its advance
ment in moral progress.
In politics, the Union, relying upon the
wisdom of the fathers OF the republic, wash
ington jefferson, Adams and Madison, wiil
advocate the doctrines they taught, and be
faithful 20 the Constitution. 10 Will not
make, rs is now too frequently the case, De-
mocracy mere PROCLAMATION OF substance
not the can't term by which partizan objects
are to be attained and the spoils of Office Sc
cured, but living principlc,-active,-en-
during and always productive of good TO the
republic. Among our principles are, in the
vigorous Language Of another, "PrOtection to
the laborer and the producer; TO the mer-
chant and manufacturer; integrity and
economy in the discharge OF Official trusts /;
he yiyilant defences as against the world OF
national dignity and honor the observance
of honor and good faith in all our dealings
with, and treatment of other nations the
maintenance Of sound currency; an ex-
tension of the resources of the country, by
the construction of harbors, roads and canals
rs the wants Of the people demand them a
vigorous administration of the laws; the
scranton of the seats Of justice by all pos
ibie barriers from party influences; the gen.
eral promotion of knowledge and the enlarge-
Iaant of the means of education )" and to this
we ada, nnAinchiug opposition 10 any
enlargement OF terii..-y involving viola
ton of constitutional OblIgariOn the ex-
tension and perpetuation OF institutions OF u
sectional character, and ut variance with
human rights.
In the defence and advocacy OF those views
il shall be our study TO avoid all irritating
lanruage-all can't terms and opprobious
enithets-to treat those who may differ from
us in spirit of forbearance and kindness.
and generally to preserve towards our oppo-
nents n conciliating disposition. Much Of
the r,neor and vindictiyeness of party aris-
cs from the embittered spirit in which the
political press has been conducted. There
Is need OF reform in this particular, and we
know of no better way to aid that reform
than by abstaining from all abuse and re-
crimination ourselves, and REFRESHING all de-
sire TO speak or deal harshly with our oppo-
nents. But while we announce this as the
principle upon which the Union will DO
conducted, we shall not refrain from speak
inc independently, and when occasion calls
for it, perhaps severely, OF unprincipled and
selfish politicians, when we are satisfied the
good OF society require it. But in no sense
will the Union be mere partiZan press
IL will claim and exercise the tight to COM
ment upon the actions Of all parties and
political men without regard to party, keep
Inc ALWAYS in view. and being governed by
the principles Of honesty and fairness
How FAR its conductor has succeeded in
managing the paper in accordance with
these views, Others must judge. In the
progress of time divisions Of opinion on
measures of an economical character which
nj one time were believed to be connected
with the prosperity Of ths country, have
passed away. The elasticity Of our people
has overcome systems ofpublic policy which
were injurious in their inception to the
public veal, and with the removal OF the
causcs of these divisions, the differences
have ceased and new questions have arisen
or old ones of abiding interest have forced
themselves more prominently into notice and
caused new and other arrangements, OF par
ties.
OF this latter class, prominently before the
people, are those living questions which di-
yided the people in the recent Presidential
struggle. True to the principles asserted IN
the introductory from which has been quoted,
the paper has done what was within it, pow
or TO prevent the spread Of slavery. and TO |
prevent false ideas in regard TO the prinei-
iles of our government obtaining any lodge
nent in the hearts of the people. The Re
publican party has been beaten, but in the
hour Of defeat il is strong and Gloric US,
strong. because il reposcs ON the rock upon
which are anchored FREQ institutions and
,;S,rons because the men who support 10