The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-01-16

3 ASTERN JOURNAL,
ins, are Of oourss nsithsf new nor nultiplied
beyond precedent. bu. The elssness in which
they expressed. connected win the concise
historical expedition Of the connection of
the men who formed the government, with the
subject and the measures which have been
taken from time to time upon 1t, mako it
peculiarly valuable n statement Of the
question The people Of this State have in.
dicated, time and again, their sentiments to
be such a, are 50 ably set forth BY the Gov,
and they will not in future political action
lose sight Of them. They will, to use the
language of the message maintain tho
rights of freedom by opposing in every legal
mode the extension Of slavery over tho ter
ritory Of the United States" This, they
have constitutional right to do-this, they
are obligated to do by tho requirements Of
moral laws. and regard for their social and
pecuniary interests and the men who, and
the party which stand by these principles,
and shape its action to accomplish these
ends, will forever guide the destinies Of the
State.
That part of the Message relating to laws
for the suppression Of intsmperanos is frank.
ly expressed. There were certainly express
ed as well as implied promises given that
the present law should not DO disturbed un.
til the whole subject could be dispassionate
ly discussed and determined, and the Gov.
ernor's reference to them is appropriate
The present state Of things is undoubtedly
creating that state ofpublic sentiment which
will bring about the time when the subject
may be wrested from "tho vortex Of party
politics" in to which it was drawn by the
madness of rum drinking and rumsslling
politicians Of tho democratic stripe, and
some law be framed which will receive the
public support. The policy suggested by
the Governor, Of submitting the matter rs .
separate measure to the people q. the proper
timc, while it may not be regarded as the
most judiciOus by every friend Of prohibi.
ton, is certainly ono which has for a long
time been regarded by very large portion
Of tho intelligent friends Of prohibition as
the sound ono, and the only one which
would secure that permanency Of Legislative
provisions which is so desirable. We think
that the people of the State arc largely in
favor of the prohibitory principle, and any
law containing thisa as the leading idea, care.
fully prepared in its details to carry it out,
and seemingly parental in its punishment
for its violations, would undoubtedly re-
ceiye their sanction. Gov. Hamlin thinks
that the removal Of Judge Davis was arbi.
trary, If not unconstitutional. There is q
merited severity upon the authors Of the re-
moval in the message. We are glad that
the Governor is plain spoken about this
wrong. No act Of partizan madness done
in this State, had so little Of justification.
or struck more directly to the liberties Of
the people. Tho Legislature Of the State
will be recreant to its trust If 1t fails in do.
ins all within its power to repair the injuries,
both private aud public, which resulted
from the commission Of an act ofparty ven.
geance which had not one rcdeemlng thing
about it. Briefas is the message on this
point it is perhaps its ablcst part.
We like exceedingly what TIKI Governor
says respecting tho necessity Of granting
State encouragement to Agriculture. The
erodus ofour young men to the Wcst, |,
sadly drainlng away portion Of the life
blood Of our State. Legislative provis on
can do much in ascertaining what crops arc
most suitable for our State, and how sterile
and Improbable soils may be made of per.
manent value. We have schools in which
our young mon arc educated for the law
medicine, or for theology, schools nautical
and schools mercantile, but agricultural
schools are not and never have been really
fashionable. An agricultural school liber.
ally endowed by the munifcencc ofthc State,
connected with an experimental farm, or
farms, in our judgement would DO infinitely
of more service to the State, than ore some
of our colleges. We hope that the Lcsisla.
ture will not suffer the session to pas, away
without giving tins portion of tho message
its careful consideration, and adopting such
Legislation as will promote the cause Of Ag.
ricultdre, AMI thus indirectly take away OF
lessen the necessity, fancied or real which
ever it may be, of this e1hausting drain Of
emigration from the State.
1t will be perceived by the message that
the finances of the State IRE in good condi.
ton, there being o balance Of nearly $780,.
600 in its treasury. We trust this fact will
not be seized on as furnishing a pretext for
obtaining grants for everything and all
things from the State Treasury, but that
the Legislature while not Withholding from
worthy objects may take good care not ia
run into that extravaganza appropriation
which is too frequently the result Of ample
public means.
We think that the message as whole
will command the appreciation of the people
irrespective Of party or partizan considea.
tions.