The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-01-30
CDI;DDEFORD, JANUARY 80, 1857.
TIE UNION AND JOURNAL.



5l ros 1857. .t
VOLUME XIII. m
The first number Of the Union, out
which originated the Union & Journal
now published, was issued January 81, lS4t
1t was established on the basis of aiordin
!. to the community in which II was published
medium through which correct informs
ton OF the business, social, and politica
wants of the people might be disseminated
1t had its origin in no aeeting desire to oil
in mending the fortunes Of defeated ant
PROSTATE party, or to subserve the interests
or to secure tho political Advancement o,
any clique Of men. Its present conducto,
has been connected with II from Its com,
mencement, and whatever success II hai
achieved, and whatever hold 1t may have
upon the sympathies Of the community ID
owing, in some degree, to his eIcrtions and
the kindness of friends. Bound to no par.
ty IN its inception, and proposing only to
support principles believed to DO correct, the
paper has been conducted with the view to
promote the greatest good Of all, and to I'D
vance those great moral and social ideas up
on which the prosperity Of a community
rest. 1t 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 be
conducted, and the principles 1t would en-
force, set forth In introductory article, in
serted in the Grst number:
"In regard to the management Of the
Union, believing as its conductors do, that
the greatest object to be sought for is
hcalthful tone of moral sentiment in the com.
munity, and one which rises superior to oil
other considerations and demands the atten-
ton of an honest press, 1t will be leading
object with them to make the Union ever
subseryient TO the cause of virtue and sound
morality. 1t will study to inculcate those
precepts of virtue and honesty which are
universally admitted to be essential to the
security OF free institutions and tho happi-
ness of society. 1t will rcpress vice, and adj
vocate, not with bigoted and fanatcal zeal
bul in spirit Of charity and temperance, all
the great measures of moral and intellectual
Improvement, which have for their object
the well-bcing of society and its advance
ment in moral progress.
In politics, the Union, relying upon the
wisdom of the fathers of the republic, WASH
inuton jefferson, Adams and Madison, will
advocate tho doctrines they taught, and DO
faithful to the Constitution Ii will not
make, as is now too frequently the case, De.
mocracy u mere proclamation of substance
not the cant term by which partizan objects
are to be attained and the spells Of Office Sc
cured, but q living NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
during and always productive of good 70 the
repub,ic. Among our principles are, in the
vigorous language of another, "Protection to
the laborer and the producer; to the mcr.
chant and manufacturer : integrity and
economy in the discharge of official trusts
he yirilant defences as against the world OF
national dignity and hGuor the observance
of honor and good faith "a all our dealings
with, and treatment of other nations the
maintenance of sound currei,cy; an ex-
tension of the resources Of the cocntry, Dy
the construction Of harbors, roads and t"aiiais
as the wants Of the people demand them;
vigorous administration of the laws; the |
separation OF the seats of justice by oil pos.
iblc barriers from party influences the gen.
cral promotion OF knowlcdgeand the enlarge
ment of the means of education :" and to this
we add, an unainchiug opposition to any
enlargement of territory involving viola
tiUn or cUnsrIIuliUu,u oDIigutiUn ot the tx
tension and pcrpetuation of institutions of
sect ional character, and ut variance with
human rights.
In the defence and advocacy of those views
il shall be our study to avoid oil irritating
lancuacc-all cant terms and Opprobious
epithcts--to treat those who may differ from
us in spirit of forbcarnncc and kindness.
and generally to preserve towards our oppo-
ncnts conciliatnS disposition: Much OF
the rancor and vindictiveness OF party arls-
es from the cmbittcred 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-
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 q mere partizan press
II will claim and exercise the light to com.
ment upon the actions OF oil parties. and
political men without regard &c party, keep. |
ins 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
at ono time were believed to DO connected
with the prosperity of the 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 or the
causes of these divisions, tho differences
have ceased and new questions have arisen
or old ones Of abiding interest have forced
themselves moro 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 tho recent Presidential
struggle. True to the principles asserted in
the Introductory from which has been quoted,
the paper has done what was within its pow
or to prevent the spread of slavery. and to
prevent false ideas in regard to the princi-
pies of our government obtaining any lodge
incnt 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 rcposes on the rock upon
which are anchored free Institutions and
vigorous, because the men who support 1t
will not be discouraged by any rcyerses nor
L. H.