The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-01-13

than for victory: nor turn back to camp because
some recruit on picket, with the mpetuosty,
of terror, unable to discern front from rear, or
friend from foe, shricks at me for the counter
| sign.
Let us not, however, in our scorn of hypocrisy,
resistance to i'll judged encroaching measures
be forced into seeming antagOnism to virtue, and
to those who love to labor for its cause. But rather
with cool brain and steady nerve. summonng all
the agencies of good, whether OF heart or hand, go
on to practice and promote the good things that arc
honest and pure and of good report. Those who
Join wisdom with zeal to promote virtue among
the people, will labor to nourish right public SEN
tment as well As to secure punitive enactment.
Some margin must always be left for differenccs OF
moral sentiment. Otherwise we might break down
the public conscience. For one, however. DO not
object to a laws being somewhat in advance OF
public opnion-that is, more stringent N Its nro-
visions than the people really like to obey. The
rcqusition of even impossible virtue may avail
for good. Its broad high aspect may strengthen
and hold up some that would otherwise fall before
influence of bad surroundings and the terrors OF
its penalty might cool the recklessness of some who
would not be restrained by milder persuasiyes.
But when law is widely different from the peoples
judgement, and provokingly contrary to their
wishes then, instead of expecting it TO go crush
ing its way like IN unreenting law OF the universe.
it would he better to look for one that takes some
cognizance of human conditions, and reach out a
hand that will meet half way the trembling m
Stincts of good.
Indeed in may be said that wisdom consists in
seeing the practical points of contact between
the iDSlTdtt anu IlSut' ToI tHt
law is not as the divine. That declares the way OF
absolute Justice and the memorable Right But
the object of the human law is to protect individual
rights so that every man may be free according to
his own conscience to work out his obedience to
the higher. Any law, therefore, which purposes
to abridge personal rights should be ventlred up
on with the utmost caution and administered with
the widest charity. There other things to be
thought of besides restraining men from the use OF
Intoxicating drinks, though this be parent OF
crimes and bege's monsters from which all the
good avert their faces and seek to save their fell
lows, vet we must not expect that it can be wholly
+ subduea and driven from among men. The law
against Intoxicating liquors are as well executed
and obeyed as the laws against profanity, theft I'M
chastity murder. Even if they are executed
they will not avail to eXtinguiSh crime, nor ban
ish evil from the hearts Of wicked men. These
are questions which 90 to the foundations Of So
cetv. We must consider what can be done. Re.
strain and intmdatc as much as you can by law
it is only by the Gospel still that men can be con-
verteu from evil.
see no reason why measures for the promo
ton of temperance should not be approached as
calmly, and, if need be, as boldly as any othe,
question Of so much moment. Nay, it is such
questions those, most of all, which doma and
the full measure OF Y0ur wisdom, Your candOl
and Your courage
MANUFACTURES.
Two ustrumentalities, which will powerfully AID
us in proportion as they flourish are manufactures
and railroads. 1t appears to me that the last three
years have witnessed such an awakening Of interest
in these matters as almost to mark an epoch in our
history. Capitalists from abroad are beginning to
understand our extraordinary facilities and improve
their own opportunities; yet much-almost all-re-
| mains to be done. | will NOT weary YOU with
erations upon our wants and our alvantages-you
already know them or you may. The new com
| peted work on the water power OF Maine, which !!
cannot mention without any feeling less than that
of pride. commend TO YOU carefully perusal. and
to q wide distribution. You cannot contemplate
the astonishing results so admirably presented i'll
this report without seeing where our nearest way
to prosperity lies, and what is vet to be the work
;lnd the wealth and the fame of Maine. Shipping
has been our glory, but We shall look in vain for
| that prominence to return.
Causes more powerful than any within human
| control have Wrenched from our hands the sCCple
| OF the seas Still our power is i'll the waters. We
may lay hands upon their wild career and ask of
them service and blessing ere they n,ingle with
the sea. We must foster this great interest which
is the hope of the State generously vet judicous-
| ly. We have still to bear the sight of our noble
powers running wild, our rich materials living
waste, waiting the magic touch Of minti and skill
| our abundant products sent away. raw, or rudely
| shaped, to receive their chief value elsewhere. To
export abundance of raw material is thought by
some to be great prosperity; though part that they
receive i'll payment is portion of the same material
finished into costly fabrics for thousand by
the skill Of Other hands. This may do where civil
lizaOn has not much advanced, but does not seem
a wise policy for a State which is mature and has
abundant facilities for manufacturing. Take for
example one Of our noble trees, worth in the rude
shape give it for the market, say fifty dollars
Now set talent and skill at work upon if. fashion il
all tor the fine uses and finish it to the high pcrfpr-
ton which later it would have found
esewhere-put 500 worth of such work upon it
| and YOU have made ii worth athouSand. You have
| done moro. You have gained the countless utlYm-
tages of cheri>hing the industry and skill the
talent and character employed upon it. Garry this
ont large scale and into I'LL the fields of enter
prise chat invite Us ON every side and you are doing
something for others a. well for yourselves. You
encourage diversified industries and increase
wealth. You lend II helping hand to humble toll
and honest ambition. You quicken hope and pride
ana higher aspirations Iou carry life into desert,
and happiness into homes. This somewhat more
than fancy is the right policy for State like Maine
with her unparalleled advantages and her strong
| sinewS anxious and eager to be at work.
RAILROADS.
Then as 10 railroads we are doing all that is pos
sible. More than 80 miles OF new road are now
building i'll many directions wherever enterprise
| points. The great road which connects Us with
Halifax, hence is already freighted with many
stirring hopes of good, now lacks but about fifty
miles OF completion; TO and hasten this the
State has already made generous gifts, and effort i.
| to be made TO induce Congress to recognize the
claim assigned to the road by Maine and Massachll-
sets We trust this may be successful, and that the
| year may witness the contamination.
In the west too we have openings which are
scarcely less if not indeed more in their promise of
good. The courage and energy of Portland in I'M
crtaking the task of cutting her way through to the
great lakes and the greater West; proving thus a
link in the magnificent continental chain, has al
ready ensured victory. Other efforts as worthy |
can scarcely name here but they also deserve our
| interest and care.
| The Railroad Commissioners make valuable sue-
@estionS in their report, which commend to your
attention The feature Of immediate interest which
will come before is the proposed consolidation of
prominent lines in the State. If this means to place
| the public at the mercy of monopoly unrestrain-
Ell by responsibility to the State and relieved from
| the checks of competition, cannot recommend it
10 your favor But this probably is not the case
The roads, however. have already the power to con-