The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-01-14
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
GENTLsMEy OF THE SENATE AND


GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE AND
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
In approaching the duties OF another
session, IL Is well TO impress upon the
mind due estimate Of their Importance;
and acknowledging aud invoking the
Divine favor, seek for Wisdom In their faith
full discharge. II Is true the councils OF
the nation have more TO do Win the
greater matters Of our common wear or
woe; but the questions to which you are
now solemnls devoted are worthy OF your
best thoughts and conscience aud wisdom.
While the dark burden of the war
rolled Its gloom over Us, the people were
not riggardly In giving nor oyer-critical
in receiving whatever promised material
for the common defence, aud aid In the
great deliyerancc. With patriotism
which knew no class or section, with a
generosity which counted no cost, and
devotion that shrank from no sacrifice,
they poured their choicest treasure and
their most precious life into the Held
where the great issue was joined for the
guarantees Of liberty and government
of law. Intent on this they paid little
attention to little things; they dld not
stop 70 challenge either men or measures
that came In the guise aud color OF the
common cause. But the crisis now Is
mast: the field Is Won. The times are
different; our duties new. We must
challenge both measures and men, east
out the false. ilisplace the weak, cntrench
the strong. We must look back over the
tumultuous track and see where ruin can
be repaired and abuses corrected; the
false Channels cut by the Wild overflow
and the sapplng our strength DAMNED
mn; the true currents Of prosperity re-
stored. We must look toward. not only
10 see what must be borne, hut what
must be ,lone,-Siifled engerics To be set
free. new powers put IN motion, No
splritless or timid reluctance TO grapple
with the ycxed question which may claim
our attention. should he allowed to settle
upon us from the too modest impression
that our acts are Of little consequence.
ON the contrary never was sound judy
mcnt and generous toll and the clear
sharp scrutiny that runs before and after,
more demanded by the exigency OF the
times aud the interests Of the people
A government has something more to
do than To govern. and levy taxes 10 pay
the governors. 10 j. something more
than n police To- arrest evil and punish
wrong. IL must also encourage good,
point out improvements, open roads OF
prosperity and inlise life into all right
enterprises. IL should combine the In
sight and foresight Of the best minds OF
the State for all the high ends for which
society Is established and 20 which man
aspires. That gives US much TO DO. We
sit down here to devise things for the
public good. Letus be at the work early.
aud 10 do II both well and quickly. For
both are possible. Promptltude and
actiyity will enable usrto avoid pro-
,ractel session, emitting nothing and at'
the same time considering well. That
there will be conflicts OF opinion and DIFF
fcrcnces Of judgment may be expected,
and Is well. Where men are thonghtfnl
there will seldom be unanlmity. Where
men are honest there will be sharp indi-
yl,luality. independence, II II Is genuine,
Is no evil, but good. The great reQui-
site, indeed. on the part Of those who
make or administer laws In moral cour-
age. We cannot expect much that Is
good from laws enacted under clamor or
TO meet some crisis, nor from statesmen
who are chiefly concerned In contriving
to keep their place and power. One
thing we may be- sure of,-the virtue H.
the hearts OF the people. That Instinct
may be deceived but will not be defeated.
IL demands honesty, and willipardon US II
I'm that cause we are ever bold.
One man indeed, we nave lost from
active participation and influence In our
affairs. One voice Is silent that was
wont to speak only honest conviction
without favor and without fear. William
Pitt Fcssenden Is gone. The race OF men
that dare be right has suffered loss.
The man who will calmly resolve and
give Judgment with understanding, I'M
moved by the voice Of those who seeing
not so clcsrly feel more yiol.ntly-the
man who aims for the ultimate right
rather than for the near RdvantaGe-the
man who In the tremendous hour OF re-
sponsibility when great issues hang upon
his action, hearing above the tun.ult OF
taunting foes and suppllcatin. friends the
deeper voices Of reason and conscience.
fixes his single eye on duty and stakes
his all upon the blow-that man IL Is
har,l to lind and hard indeed TO lose.
One BY one the great men around whom
our hearts rallied i'm the dark days of the
Republic are passing from our view.
We feel that we are lost rather than they.
Happy will il be ifthc young men now
rising TO their places shall learn from
their example, and be able when the day
of trial comes To do their duty rs unseli-
iShly, rs boldly, and rs well. The deeds
of such men live amer them. Their words
are gone out unto the end OF the world.
Their light shall shine along the heights
of history rs the glory lives OF the Al
pine peaks when the sun is seen no more.
The vacancy In the United States Sen
ate IL became my duty TO nil for the time,
and accordingly appointed Hon. Lot NJ.
Morrill,. It now deyolyes on you TO elect
n Senator for the remainder OF the term
ending March, 1871.
proceed to lay before you an abstract
of the condition OF the State, with few
suggestions which appear needfnl to be
made; the more complete details and CO.
gent reasons will for the most part APP
pear In the several reports aud other doc
uments submitted 10 your Inspection.
FINANCIAL.
Tho report of the Treasurer will pre-
sent a most interesting statement ana
history of our finances. Our receipts
during the past year have been 1899 .sli,-
70 and our expenditures S9le ,6Oe.sO. On
the old civil debt we have paid the All
nual installmcnt OF So 900, leaving
balance OF s3si,0DO. Our war debt De-
ccmber 81. 1860. was si,63s, 800. This Is
amply provided for by the sinking fund
arising from the tax OF three-fourths of a
mill on the dollar by the valuation of
1880. or this debt $500, 900 falls due in
1871, The sinking fund, with the collec-
tions from the general government APP
nlled 10 extingulsh this debt already
amounts tn 1912 $50. so that we are al
ready sl72.5S0 In advance OF our liahili-
Ties In 1871, and at the present rate OF In.
crease we shall be s3OO,so0 ahead
Our whole public debt January l. 1870,
including the civil and the war debt, and
,he mupleipal reimbursement loan Is S.