Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-01-14
0tforS 9smot1at,
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PARIS, MAINE, JAN. IA. 1870.
The Governors Message.


We publish Governor Chamberlain's
Message entire, and commend 1t to our
readers as State paper of high literary
merit and valuable suggestions. Agree
inc with its views in the main, there is
portion of it which we do not fully endorse.
He will DO commended generally, for
urging, rs he has done every year,
measures for developing the resources OF
the State. His views of finances will be
adopted as sound his recommendations
against the taxation of Stock in SAVING
Banks as sensible and just. The people
have long desired assurance that the
Insane Asylum was managed IN ac'
cordance with the most enlightened and
rational views. and they will look with
favor upon the recommendation OF the
Governor to place the management OF the
Institution under greater responsibility.
The other public institutions receive
his care, also, and his views in relation
to them will be regarded favorably.
We come now % the temperance
question, which the Governor treats with
pungency and force. He makes some
capital points. though he states some
rather too strongly. His views on the
State Police will be generally acquiesced
in, while his sarcasm on the third party
NOV ement is dccidcdiykeen and his run
ming fire, rs disc.ains all intentions of
going over to the "runmies," is so sharp
that we must let it spea, loritself. He says
II ct them not think flat the record Of n
e-long loyalty is so e.sily reversed. l
shall not seek safety in the lines OF the
enemy, to escape the mftinies of the dis
contented, more anxious for their own
way than Tor victory; nor turn back to
camp because some raw recruit on picket,
with the impetuosity of Terror, unable to
discern front from rear, or friend from
foe, shrieks at me for the countcrsign."
The statement needing qualification, to
say the least, is this: The laws against
Intoxicating liquors are rs well executed
and obcyed as the laws against profanity
theft, unchastity or murder. Even II they
are executed, they VIII not aid to eX-
t;nouish crime. nor Danish evil from the
hearts of wicked men. These are
questions which go to the foundations OF
society. We must consider what can be
done. Restrain and n,inidate MS much
as on can by law It's only by the Cos
pcl still that men can be converted from
evil
The comparison is an unfortunate one.
Profanity. as Il crime needing the inter-
ven,iou Of law for it prevention, is not 10
he compared to iumseling. Nor is I'M
chastity, while tibet and murder come
under the ban Of all and the laws against
these crimes are executed with vigilance
and the utmost Immunity. The oDJec'
of the law in these cases, is entirely
punitive. not reiomatoy-while In the
case OF Rum. selling. in the first place, the
public sentiment i, not united that il is On
evil, Of itself, ~ in the case OF other
offences alluded o. and its object is re-
formatory, as wei as punitive, the desire
being to restrict The sale and convince
the seller rs wellas the buyer OF the evil
and iniquity of the traffic.
But We have lot space. this week, TO
pursue the subject further.
The concluding portion of the Message
will be acknowledged. by all, to be very
fine