The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-04-17
COMMUNICATIONS.

Editor of the Press !.

To the Editor Of the Press.
1t is certainly significant fact, that our
State from its beginning down to the present
time has taken decided ground in favor of an
equality OF civil rights, TO be enjoyed by all,
always excepting the comparatively small
number of persons whose civil rights 1t may be
necessary TO abridge as a consequence of their
infringement of the rights of others. Our
written Constitution, In this respect, Is not
excelled by that of any State, and is at once
o monument of the enlightened wisdom OF its
trainers, and guide and protection for those
upon whom its provisions are obligatory.
Nor have any very successful attempts been
made through either department of theadmin-
istrative government, 10 thwart, circumscribe,
change or annul Its clearly defined provisions,
except in the prescribed form. i would not
be understood as believing that perfection has
been here attained, but rather that it was a
very good beginning for the advancement nf
moral and material interests, the development
and maturity of which have no determinate
boundary. AH
Whether society or anindividual retrogrades,
Is stationery, or has progressive movement,
is necessarily determined by comparison,
and for this purpose will, In brief, reproduce
the views of one whose authority Is unques-
TONED, publicly expressed, at the beginning of
our history as State, though may cite from
an unpretending work. 1t is pamphlet of
cred TO the Grand Jury Of the Circuit Court
OF the United States in its first session in Port
land, for the Judicial District of Maine, Nav
8, 1920, and published at the unanimous re-
quest of the Grand Jury and Of the Bar. BY
the Hon. Joseph Story. Portland: printed by
A. Shirley, 1920" 1t appears as though he
thought 1t to be his duty TO speak, and TO ex-
press himself clearly upon any or all of our in
stitutions, laws or social usages. Upon page
l3 Is this: "The existence of slavery under
any shape Is so repugnant TO the natural rights
of man and the dictates of justice, that it seems
difficult TO find for it any adequate Justification
1t undoubtedly had its origin in times of bar
barism."
On page IA: at is one Of the stains ON the
. human character, that the revival of letters
/. and commerce brought with it an unnatural
lust of gain, and with it the plunder and slav-
cry of the wretched Africnas.-
Page Is: MAY America not be behind
her Great Britianl in this glorious work; but
by generous competition in virtuous deeds
restore the degraded African to his natural
rights, and strike his manaces from the bloody
hands of his oppressors."
Pages 16 and II: I'VE boast of our noble
struggle against the encroachments of tyran-
ny, but do we forget that IL assumed the mild
est form in which authority ever assailed the
rights Of its subjects; and yet there are men
among US who think it no wrong to condemn
tuc cuisciins ucpio W perpetual sidVeTy.
Page 2l: "If we cannot, like the good Sa-
maritan, bind up the wounds and soothe the
miseries Of the friendless Africans, let us not
like the Levite pass with sullen indifference
on the other side. What sight can be more
acceptable in the eyes Of Heaven than that of
good man struggling in the cause Of oppress-
ed humanty?"
In this manner were slavery and the slave
trade spoken of by one OF the most profound
and enlightened jurists Of modern times, near
half century ago, and has its alliance with
treason, rebellion and deeds of blood, at this
time, advanced its claims to our homage and
respect?
Worthy Of our State, and in harmony with
the import of its legend, Dirigo, is the senti-
ment more recently expressed, with earnest
and manly utterance, by one of her eminent
citizens. 81 have felt, and shall ever feel.
bound to resist, here or elsewhere, SO far as /
constitutionally may, the extension Of slavery
In this country, TO the utmost OF my power"