Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-01-08

also n manly people They do not fear to
express their opinions, nor shrink from es-
pousing any Just cause. What they desire OF
right or expedicnt in their laws they WIZ IN
their own good time have. But anything
forced upon them contrary to their best Juog-
meut and consequent upon their goou nature
alone, cannot be expected to receive their
! hearty moral support. or be productive of real
good 1t is sad day, however, for the wei
fare of this state when rash measure must
III, adop,ed simply because no one dares for
moment to question its expedlency lest us
champions should taunt him with inhdellty TO
n creed of which they are not the chosen apos-
Ties. and anathematze him in the name OF
power which they have usurped.
Gentlemen. yield to no man IN respect Tor
the rights of mnorities. This Is the glory ana
nobility of liberty. Menmay vote as they please
and be protected They may do and say what
they please, perhaps; but not without 6ens
held responsible for the abuse of the privilege,
And If may be allowed the opportunity to
advert to matters which, although of per-
sonal nature vet in their effects rise to the dlg-
nity of a public consideration let me here de-
precate the practice rccklessly resorted to
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
fu. fear they did no good to the cause OF
temperance, or to the young men OF Maine.
1t is regard for their welfare and soiicitude
that those who have followed me on other
fields may not be seduced 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 llfe-
long LOYALTY is so easily reversed. l shall
not seek safety in the lines of the enemy to
escape the mutinies of the discontinued,
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, or
friend from foe, shrekS at me for the counter
sign.
Let us not however, in our scorn OF hypec-
racy. or resistance to i'll judged or encroaeh-
ing measures. be forced into seeming an
tagonism to virtue, and to those VINO rove ana
labor for its cause. But rather with cool
brain and steady nerve, summonlng all the
agencies of good, whether of heart or hand,
90 on to practice and promote the things that
are honest and pure and OF good report
Those who Join wisdom with zeal to promote
virtue among the people, will laborto nourish
a right public sentiment as well as to secure
punitive enactment. Some margin must al
WAYS be left for differences of moral sentl-
ment. Otherwise we might break down the
public conscience. For one, however, do
not object to laws being somewhat in adj
vance of public opinion--that Is, more str1n-
gent in its provisions than the people really
like to obey. The acquisitions OF even an
impossible virtue may avail for good It's
broad high aspect may strengthen and hold
ND some that would otherwise fall before the
influence of bad surroundings, and the terrors
of its penalty might cool the recklessness of
some who would not be restrained by mllder
persuasives. But when law is widely diff
ferent from the peoples Judgment, and proyok-
ingly contrary to their wishes; then, instead
OF expecting it to go on crushing Its way
like an unrelenting law of the universe,
ii 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 it
may 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 as the divine. That declares the
ways of absolute Justice and the inexorable
Right. But the object of the human law is TO
protect individual rights so that every man
NAV be free according to his ewn conscience
to work out his obedience to the higher. Amy
law, therefore, which proposes 10 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
use of intoxicating drinks, though this be
parent of crimes and begets monsters from
which all the good avert their faces and seek
to save their fellows, yet we must not expect
that it can be wholly subdued and driven from
among men. The laws against Intoxicating
liquors are as well executed and obeyed as the
tl,xkt ,.1.
murder Even if they are executed, they
will not avail to extinguish 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 intimidate as much as you can
by law; it is only by the Gospel still that men
can be converted from evil
= l see no reason why measures for the pro-
motion of temperance should not be APP
preached as calmly, and, if need be, as DO d.
ly, as 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 ii represents, or to
the numbers employed in it, stands at the
head of our material interests. Our wide and
thinly settled territory, while it makes this
leading 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 a hard business at the
best, then we cannot afford to do it otherwise
than well. But of late we see more thought
fulness and more courage. The best agencies
are brought to bear npon 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 hot waste our forests, which are more
valuable thanwe have been taught to think and
that we try to raise our own bread-stuffs 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
be 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 repor. to
you. 1t has not passed under my eye. |
learn however, that well matured and feast