The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-02-13
THE UNION AND JOURNAL.
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VOLUME XIII.


The first number of the Union, out Of
which originated the Union & Journal rs
now published, was issued January 81, lS4o.
1t was established on the basis of affording
to the community in which il was published,
o medium through which correct informa'
ton of the business, social, and political
wants of the people might be disseminated.
1t had its origin in no aeeting desire to aid
in mending the fortunes of defeated and
PROSTATE party, or to subserve the interests,
or to secure the political advancement o:
any clique of men. Its present conductor
has been connected with it from Its CON-
mencement, and whatever success 1t has
achieved, and whatever hold it may have
upon the sympathies Of the community is
owing, in some degree, to his eIertions 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 community
rest. 1t has never followed the fortunes OF
a party, longer than the party to which 1t
rendered i tsaid, followed principle.
It's conductor has studiously aimed to live
up faithfully to the following exposition oil
the manner in which the paper would 10
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 Tor Is q
healthful 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, it will be leading
object with them to make the Union ever
subseryient to 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 OF free institutions and the happi-
ness of society. 1t will repress vice, and add
vocate, not with bigoted and fanatical zeal
bu, in q spirit of charity and temperance, oil
the great measures of moral and intellectual
, improyement, 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.
7 ington jefferson, Adams and Madison, will
advocate the doctrines they taught, and be
! faithful to the Constitution. Ii will not
make, rs is now too frequently the case, De.
mocracy a 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 principle, --activee,-
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 yigilant deiences as against the world oil
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
us the wants of the people demand them q
vigorous administration of the laws; the
scranton of the seats of justice by oil pos
IDLE barriers from party influences; the gem
eral promotion of knowledge and the enlarge
ment of the means of education ); and to this
we add, an unhinchiug opposition to any
enlargement of territory involving a viola
ton of constitutional obligation or the ex-
tension and perpetuation of institutions OF q
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
lancuage-all can't terms and Opprobious
epithets-to treat those who may differ from
us in a spirit of forbeaance and kindness,
and generally to preserve towards our oppo-
nents conciliating disposition. Much Of
the rancor and vindictiysness 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 " 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 DC
conducted, we shall not refrain from speak
inc independently, and when occasion calls
for il. 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 light to COM
ment upon the actions of all parties and
political men without regard to 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 mus. judge. In the
progress of time divisions of opinion on
measures of an economical character which
at one time were believed to be 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 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, are those living questions which iii.
vsided 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 its pow
err to prevent the spread Of slavery. and to
prevent false ideas in regard to the princi-
pies of our government obtaining any lodge