The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-02-05
BIDDEFORD, FEBRUARY 5, 1858.
THE UNION AND JOURNAL
FOR 1888.
VOICE ~Evs

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The first number Of tho Union, out Of
which originated the Union Il Journal as
now Published, was issued January 81, lSio.
Il was established on the basis Of aaording
to the community in which 1t was published
q medium through which correct iniorma.
ton Of the business, social, and political
wants of the people might DO disseminated.
1t had its origin in no aoetins desire to aid
in mending the fortunes Of defeated and
prostnte party, or to subserve the interests.
or to secure the political advancement Of
any clique of men. It's present conductor
has been connected with It from its COM
mencement, and whatever success 1t has
achieved. and whatever Hold it may have up
on the sympathies Of the community is ow'
ing, in some degree, to his e1ertions and the
kindness of friends. Bound to no party IN
its inception, and proposing only to support
principles believed to 20 correct, the Paper
has been conducted with tho view to promote
the greatest coed Of all, 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 be
conducted. and the principles 1t would en-
force, set forth in tho Introductory article,
inserted in the first number:
"In regard to the management Of the
Union, believing as its conductors do, thai
the greatest object to be sought for Is
healthful tone of moral sentiment in the
community, and one which rises superior t.
all other considerations and demands the at
tcntion of On honest press, 1t will DO lead
ling object with them to make the Union eyel
subseryient to the cause of virtue and sounC
morality. 1t will study to incu.cate thos'
precepts OF virtue and honesty which ar'
universally admitted to be essential to tn
security of free institutions and the happi
ness of society. 1t will repress vice, ant
and advocate, not with bigoted and fanatica
zeal, but in spirit of charity and temper
ance, all the great measures OF moral ar'
intellectual improvement, which have TO
their object the we!l.boing of society and 1t
advancement in moral progress.
In politics, the Union, con6ding in tn
wisdom of the fathers of the Republic
Washington, jefferson, Adamsan Madison
will advocate the doctrines they taught, ant
be faithful to the Constitution. Ii will no
make, Us is now too frequently the case, DE
mocracy a mere PROCLAMATION Of substance
not the cant term by which partizan object
are to be attained and the spolls of Office Sc
cured, but n living principle,-active,-en
during and always productive OF good 4
the Republic. Among our principles are
in the vigorous language of another. "Pro
lection to the laborer and the producer; Il
the merchant and manufacturer (; integrit,
and economy IN the discharge Of ofhcia
trusts the vigilant defences, rs against th,
world, of national dignity and honor; tn
observance of honor and good faith in al
our dealings with, and treatment of othel
nations; the maintenance OF sound cur
rency an extension Of the resources OF thu
country, by the construction OF harbors
roads and canals as the wants Of the peOpl:
demand them o vigoras administration O
the laws the separation OF the seats OF JUS
tice by oil possible barriers from party intlu'
ences the general promotion OF knowledge
and the enlargement OF the means OF educa.
ton :" and to this we add, an unfiinching
opposition to any enlargement of territory
involving q violation Of constitutional oblI-
CATION or the extension and perpetuation OF
institutions of u sectional character, and at
variance with human ri. hts.
In the defence and advocacy of these views
it shall be our study to avoid all Irritating
language-all cant terms and approbrious
eplthets-to treat those who may differ from
us IN spirit of forbearanco and kindness,
and generally to preserve towards our oppo.
rents conciliating disposition. Much Of
the rancor and vindictiveness Of party arises
from the embittered spirit in which the Pc.
litical 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 be
conducted, We shall not refrain from speak
ing independently, and when occasion calls
for it, perhaps severely, of unprInclpled and
selfish politicians. when we are Satisfied the
good Of society require it. But in no sense
will the Union DO q mere partizan press
II 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 an economical character which
at one time were believed to be connected
with tho prosperity Of the country, have
passed away. The elasticity of our 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, thediderences 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 parties.
OF this latter class, prominently before the
people, are those living questions which d.
v;ded the neople in the last Presidential |