The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-02-27
THE UNION ANDGRASTERN JOURNAL
THE UNION And JOURNAL.
FOR 1857.
VOLUME XIII.

IL was e8taDilbneu ON tho DoSi5 Ot ouOruing
TO the community in which It was published,
o medium through which correct inforina.
ton Of the business, social, and political
wants Of the people might be disseminated.
1t had its origin in no Heeting desire to aid
in mending the fortunes Of defeated and
PROSTATE party, or to subserve the interests,
or to secure the political advancement Q:
any clique Of men. Its present conductor
has been connected with it from It's COM
mencsment, and whatever success 1t has
achieved, and whatever hold 1t may have
upon the sympathies Of the community Is
owing, in some degree, to his exertions and
the Kindness of friends. Bound to no par.
| ty 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 o community
rest, It has never followed the fortunes Of
a party, longer than the party to which 1t
rendered tsaid, followed principle.
Its conductor has studously aimed to live
up faithfully to the following exposition OF
the manner in which the paper would be
conducted. and the principles it would en-
force, set forth in Introductory article, in
serted in the FIRST number:
"In regard to the management Of the
Union, believing as its conductors do, that
the greatest object to be sought for is q
healthful tone of moral sentiment in the com.
munity, and one which rises superior to all
other considerations and demands the atten-
ton Of IN honest press, 1t will be leading
object with them to make the Union ever
subservient to the cause Of virtue and sound
morality. It will study to inculcate those
precppts of virtue and honesty which are
universally admitted to be essential TO the
security OF free institutions and the happi-
ness of society. 1t will repress vice, and ad-
vocate, not with bigoted and fanatical zeal (,
bu in spirit of charity and temperance, ali
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, will
advocate the doctrines they taught, and be
faithful to the Constitution 1t will not
make, us is now too frequently the case, De-
mocracy mere PROCLAMATION Of substance
not the cant term by which partizin objects
are to be attained and the SPOTS Of Office Sc
cured, but living principle, active. en-.
during and always productive of good 10 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 vigilant dcfences rs 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, b.
the construction of harbors, roads and canals
as the wants Of the people demand them; a
vigorous administration of the laws; the
separation OF the seats of justice by all pos.
IDLE barriers from party influences; the gen.
eral promotion OF knowlcdgeand the enlarge
ment of the means of education ~ and To th.
we add, an unlinchiug opposition to any
enlargement of territory involving viola
ton of constitutional obligation or the ex-
tension and pcrpctuation off institutions OF a
sectional character, and ut variance with
human rights.
In the defence and advocacy of those views
it shall he our study to avoid all irritating
lansuage-all cana terms and opprobious
epithets-to treat those who may ditler from
us in spirit of forbeannce and kindness
and generally to preserve towards our oppo..
nents couciliating disposition. Much of
the rancor and yindictiyeness of party aris-
es 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
elimination ourselves, and REFRESHING all de-
sire to speak or deal harshly with our oppo-
ncnts. But while We ann uncc this rs the
principle upon which the Union will be
conducted, we shall not refrain from speak
ing independently, and when OCCASION calls
for it. perhaps severely, OF unprotected and
selfish politicians, when We arc satisfied the
good Of society require it. But in no sense
will the Union DO mere partizan press
Ii will claim and exercise the light to CON-
ment upon the actions of oil parties and
political men without regard tc party, keep.
ing 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 al economical character which
ut one time were believed to DO connected
with the prosperity of the country, have
passed away. The elasticity of our people
has overcome Systems public policy which
were injurious in their inception to the
public veal, and with tho removal OF the
causes 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, arc those living questions which d.
vided the people in the recent Presidential
struggle. Truc to the principles asserted in |
the Introductory from which has been quoted,
the paper has done what was within its pow |
er to prevent the spread of slavery. and to
prevent false ideas in regard to the princi. |
pies of our government obtaining any lodge |
ment in the hearts Of the people. The Re-
publican party has been beaten, but In the
hour of defeat it is strong and gloric US,
strong, because it reposes on the rock upon
which are anchored free institutions (; and
vigorous, because the men who support 1t
will not be discouraged by any rcverses nor
be deferred from taking active measures to
secure for it the public condolences and regard.
The paper has 8 ven willing assent to the
Republican party. It's principles are such
rs were enunciated Us being correct and
deserving support in the 6rst paper issued
and recognizing the value offree institutions