Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-01-07

right or eXpedlent IN their laws tiey VIM III
their own good time have. But anything
forced upon them contrary to their best JuoS-
ment and consequent upon their good nature
alone. cannot be expected to receive their
hearty moral support, or be productive OF real
good. 1t is a sad day, however, for the wei
| fare of this state when rash measure must
be adopted simply because no one dares Tor a
moment to question its expediency lest It's
champions should taunt him with lnhdelty 10
| n creed of which they are not the chosen apos-
ties, and anathematize him in the name OF a
power which they have usnrped.
Gentlemen, yiel! to no man in respect for
| the rights of minorities. This is the glory and
! nobility of liberty Men may vote rs they please
and be protected. They may do and say what
they please, perhaps; but not without being
held responsible for the abuse of the privilege,
And if / may be allowed the opportunity to
advert to matters which, although Of a per-
sonal nature yet in their effects rise to the dig
nifty of public consideration. let me here de-
precate the practice so recklessly rcsorted 10
in the last campaign, of aspersing the motives
of official conduct, and of misrepresenting
private character for political and sinister
ends. SO far as those efforts were success
full. fear they did no good to the cause OF
temperance, or to the young men OF Maine.
1t is a regard for their welfare and solicitude
fields may not be scduccd to wrong ways, by
the false fancy that they are following me
still, that ask you to let me lift my standard
for a moment that they may see where am,
Let them not think that the record of a life
long loyalty is so easily reversed. 1 shall
not seek safety in the lines of the enemy to
escape the mutinies of the discontented,
more anxious for their own way than for vic
tory nor turn back TO camp because some
raw recruit on picket, with the impetuosity OF
terror, unable to discern front from rear, o.
friend from foe, shriess al me for the eounlc--
sign. .r
Let US not, however. in our scorn of hypoc-
racy. or resistance to i'll Judged or encruach-
ing measures. be forced into a seeming an
Ia gonism to virtue. and to those who love and
labor for its cause. But rather with cool
brain and steady nerve, summoning all the
agencies of good. whether of heart or hand,
go on to practice and promote the things that
are honest and pure and of good report
Those who Join wisdom with zeal 10 promote
virtue among the people, will labor to nourlsh
right public sentiment as well as to secure
punitive enactment. Some margin must al
ways be left for differences Of moral scnti-
ment. Otherwise We might break down the
public conscience. For one, however. / do
not object to laws being somewhat in ad-
gent in its provisions than the people really
like to obey. The acquisitions of even an
impossible virtue may avail for good. Its
broad, high aspect may strengthen and hold
I'D some that would otherwise fail before the
influence of bad surroundings, and the terrors
of its penalty might cool the recklessness OF
some who would not be restrained by milder
persuasives. But when law is widely diff
terent from the peoples judgment. and proyok-
ingly contrary to their wishes; then, instead
of expecting it to go on crushing its way
like unrelcnting law Of the universe,
it would be better to look for one that
takes some cognizance of human conditions.
and reach out hand that will meet half way
the trembling instincts OF good Indeed 1t
NAV be said that wisdom consists in seeing
the practical points of contact between the
abstract and the human right. For the human
law is not rs the divine. That declares the
ways 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 cut his obedience to the higher. Any
law, therefore, which proposes to abridge
personal rights should be ventured upon with
the utmost caution and administered with the
widest charity. There are other things to be
thought OF besides restraining men from the
parent of crimes and begets monsters from
which all the good avert their faces and seek
to save their fellows, yet we musthot expect
tina. it can be wholly subdued and driven from
among men. The laws against intoxicating
liquors are as well executed and obeyed as the
laws against profanity, theft, unchastity or
murder. Even if they are executed, they
will not avail to cXtinguish crime, nor Danish
evil from the hearts of wicked new These
are questions which go to the foundations of
society. We must consider what can be done.
Restrain and intimidate as much as you can
by law it is only by the Gospel still that men
can be converted from evil.
see no reason why measures for the pro-
motion of temperance should not be APP
preached as calmly and, if need be, as bo d.
~, rs any other question of SO much moment.
Nay, it is such questions as those, most of all,
which demand the full measure of your wis
dom, your candor and your courage.
MATERIAL INTERESTS.
Agriculture considered in reference either
TO the amount of property it represents, or to
the numbers employed in it, stands at the
head of our material interests. Our wide and
thinly settled territory, while it ma kes this a
,eadng industry, still gives it certain character
which is in some respects unfortunate The
tendency is to too much breadth and too little
skill. If farming is hard business at the
best then we cannot afford to do it otherwise
than we'll But of late we see more thought
fulncss and more courage. The best agencies
are brought to bear upon this interest, and
the discussions and Reports of the Board of
Agriculture show what sturdy good sense and
what fine talent these pursuits may develop.
| have upon other occasions endeavored to
express my sense of the Importance of this
great branch of our industries, and | shall not
now venture more than two suggestions. That
we do not waste our forests, which are more
valuable than we have been taught to think and
that we try TO raise our own bread stutfs and
save the enormous loss of paying three or four
profits on foreign grain, and twice as many
more on its transportation. Farming is rather
hard way to get rich, but it is good way to
he independent And think as a general
thing farmers are far happier and more COM
Portable than any other class of men who work
as hard, whether with hands or brains.
The Commissioners ON the settlement of
our public lands, will make their report to
you 1t has not passed under my eye. l
learn, however, that well-matured and feast
BILE plans are proposed for encouraging wor-
thy settlers on the rich lands now lying idle.
1t is a little curious to see that everybody,
who really examines the subject Of Swedish