The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-01-29
rnE UNION AMI JOURNAL
FOR I85s.


now published, was Issued January 81, lS45.
| 1t was established on the basis Of afarding
to the community in which 1t ws' published'
medium through which correct informa.
ton of the business, social, and political
wants Of the people might DO disseminated.
1t had it, origin in no aecting desire to aid
in msnding the fortunes Of defeated and
PROSTATE party, or to subserve the interests.
or to secure the political advancement Of
any clique Of men. Its present conductor
has been connected with 1t from its COM
menocment, and whatever success 1t has
achieved, and Whatever hold 1t may have up
on the sympathies Of the community is ow'
ing. In some degree, to his exsrtions and the
kindness Of friends. Bound to no party in
its inception, and proposing only to support
principles believed to 70 correct, the Paper
has been conducted with the view to promote
the greatest coed Of oil, and to advance
those great moral and social ideas upon
which the prosperity Of community rests.
It has never followed the fortunes Of par
ty. longer than the party to which 1t rem
dered Its aid, 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 1t would en-
force, set forth in the Introductory article,
inserted in the first number:
ain regard to the management, OF the
Union, believing as its conductors DO, that
the greatest object to be sought for Is
healthful tone of moral sentiment in the
community, and one which rises SUPERIOR to
all other considerations and demands the ut
tcntion Of IN honest press, 1t will DO lead
| ing object with them TO make the Union over
subseryient to the cause Of virtue and sound
morality. 1t will study to incuicate 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. II will repress vice, and
and advocate, not with bigoted and fanatical
zeal, hut in spirit Of charity and temper,
ance, all the great measures OF moral ara
intellectual Improvement, which have for
their object the we.l.belngof society and its
advancement in moral progress.
In politics. the Union, confding in the
wisdom of the fathers of the Republic,
Washington, Jefferson, Adamsa and Madison,
will advocate the doctrines they taught, and
be faithful to the Constitution. 1t will not
make, az is now too frequently the case, De-
mocracy mere PROCLAMATION Of substance
not tine cant term by which partizan Objects
are to be attained and the spolls of Office se-
cured, but living principle, -active,--en-
during and always productive of good to
the Republic. Among our principles are,
in the vigorous language of another. "Pro-
lection to the laborer and the producer; to
the merchant and manufacturer integrity
and economy IN the discharge OF Official
trusts the vigilant defences, rs against the
world, of national dignity and honor; the
observance of honor and good faith in oil.
our dealings with, and treatment OF other
nations; the maintenance OF sound cur
rency an extension Of tho resources OF the
country, by the construction OF harbors'
roads and canals as the wants of the people
demand them vigoras administration Of
tue laws; the separation OF the seats OF JUS.
tice by all possible barriers from party intiu-
ences the general promotion OF knowledge
and the enlargement OF the means OF educa'
ton !" and to this We add, an unainching
opposition to any enlargement OF territory
involving violation of constitutional obll-
CATION or the extension and perpetuation OF
institutions Of O sectional character, and ut
variance with human ri hts.
In the defence and advocacy of these views
II shall be our study to avoid all irritating
language-all cant terms and approbrious
eplthets-to treat those who may ditier from
Us IN d spirit of forbcarance and kindness,
and generally to preserve towards our oppo-.
rents conciliating disposition. Much OF
the rancor and vindictiyeness OF party arises
from the embittered spirit in which the pc.
lltical 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 oil 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 be
conducted, we shall not refrain from speak.
ing independently, and when occasion calls
for it, perhaps severely, of unprlnclpled and
selfish politicians. when we are satisfied the
good Of society require it. But in no sense
will the Union be u mere parrizan press
It will claim and exercise the right 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
conducting the paper in accordance With
these views, Others must judge. In the
progress OF time divisions Of opinion on
measures Of I'm economical character which
at one time were believed to DO connected
with the prosperity of the country, have
passed away. The elasticity Of oui people
has overcome systems Of public policy which
were injurious In their inception to the pub
lie veal, and with the removal Of 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 parties.
Of this latter class, prominently before the
people, are those living questions which di.
viied the people in the last Presidential
struggle. True 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 was beaten, but though beat.
en-, It is yet strong and glorious. strong, DO
cause II reposes on the rock upon which are
anchored free institutions; and vigorous.
because the men who support 1t will not be