The Portland daily press., 1864-01-02

III man Whicn cries out Tor their rescue! III asks,
it demands liberal Interpretation of Constitu-
tionsI Il calls for the spirit of laws! Law is
always greater than the laws, and into that am
pie grace, immortal truth when put to stress of
earthly bondage, evec retreats! Sir, all great
principles are liberal A principle that is not
liberal, is not principle, II may be rule, in
which mean minds think they SEQ the eternal
Reason cannot abide there, neither freedom have
her dwelling place. | predict that present
events, present prpyidences rather, will be adj
iusted in their human relations, by the great
primal principles of the Constitution, by law,
and by nc technical construction of the laws
! affirm moreover, as . suggestion of that
common intelligence which is the Inheritance Of
the unlearned. that the meaning Of any written
document, is the intet gf the writer. We all
know that il was the intent and expectation of
the Fathers that slavery should come to an end,
anl that all the chart we need to guide through
this stormy sea. is lie Constitution interpreted
according to their spirit. 1t is manifest to plain
unsophisteated minds. that ii the spirit OF the
Fathers had guided this people, if they had
obesed from the beginning, the cpmmandments
of God, this blight, this speek, IN Ehe bud of
nations tits gpgld i.aye been eradicated, and
the fruit of liberty would have been fair 10 the
sight, and pleasant TO the taste. But now this
Judgment of fire and bloods and if the Consti-
tqtion is SO conarged pgg, as Il hinder its own
immortal spirit, il viii testimony TO o deep
or degradation than ! am willing to believe or
admit. It will not be So construed. All tradi-
tons of noble days forbid II - all righteous
principles forbid it = all magnanimous senti-
lpepts forbid 1.-THE spirit Of liberty, the spirit
OF the peaple, the slitit " nod forbid it,
The proclamation of January First, Eighteen
Hundred and Sixty-three will be the historic
signal Of the win of the American people that
slavery shall come to ap end throughout the re-
public. In what methods it will all be worked
but we cannot tell. Tie act was developed by
events above mans power or WISDOM and it
will be controlled and modified by events Its
spirit al d purpose will go through the land
We may not live to see it consummated, but il is
a Satisfaction 10 see il begga
One of the most enrolling and cheering con-
temptations to which the mind of man can be
directed is to consider how benignant the pow
err that presides over his varied earthly fortunes:
ao.isg above him continually and directing his
thoughts and deeds 70 bigier sna~ tLaa he
knew Man RARELY comprehends himself much
less the power above him. We give freedom TO
the slave for the security of ourselves. God
Tits it up into great act Of justice and bids us
rejoice in il "a 4 triumph of principles higher
than our own. The worlds work gets done coarse
w. and in an average way, but above the plan of
mans though are the sweet from heaven rIpen-
ing his act and transforming its temper to the
fashion OF goodness and truth. Man is the in
struInent Of iaeas above himself, and thus hu-
mahity moves onwardjwth slow, steady. irress-
tible momentum
The hopeful men always in the hong run win,
for all powers of good are pledged to promote
the good TO higher ends and nobler breadth. As