Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-01-14

resorts of that compaign, pruves that
whoever else voted that way, the Temper
anee men of Maine did not. They answer
to a longer oll-call. They muster nobIer
host. The people of this State are q
temperate people, and also "in favor OF
temperance" if that can mean anything
more. They are also manly people.
They do not fearto express their opinions.
nor shrink from espousing any Just
cause. What they desire of right or ex-
pedient in their laws they will in their
own good time have. But anything
forced upon them contrary to their best
Judgment, and consequent upon their
good nature alone, cannot be expected to
receive their hearty moral support, OF TO
be productive of real good, II is q sad
day. however, for the welfare OF this
State when 4 rash measure must be adopted
simply because no one darcs Tor q mo-
ment to question its expediency lest It's
champions should taunt him with iniidelity
to creed OF which they are not the chosen
apostles. aud anathamatize him in the
name of power which they have
usurped.
Gentlemen. yield to no man in respect
for the rights OF minorities. This is the
nobility OF liberty. Men may vote rs
they please and beprotected. They may
do and say what they please. perhaps;
but not without being held responsible
for the use of the privilege and il may
be allowed the opportunity to advert to
matters which, although OF personal
nature, yet in their effects rise to the
dignity OF public consideration, let me
here deprecate the method so recklessly
resorted to in the last campaign. OF
aspcrsing The motives OF official conduct.
and of misrepre>enting private character
for political and sinister ends. So far rs
those efforts were successful. | fear they
did no good TO the cause of temperance,
or TO the Young men of Maine. II Il r
regard for their welfare, and sollcitudc
that those who have followed me on other
fields NAV not be seduced to wrong ways,
by the false fancy that they Are following
me still. that ask YOU to let me liit my
standard for Il moment that they may see
where | am. Let them not think tina,
the record of life long loyalty is so easily
reversed. | shall not seek safety in the
lines of the enemy Ia escape the mutlnics
of the discoutented, more anxious torihcir
own WAY than for victory nor turn back
20 camp because some raw recruit on
picket, with the impetuosity of terror,
unable TO discern front from rear. or
friend from Zoe, shricks III me Tor the
countcrsign.
Let Us not, however. in our scorn Of
/ hypocricy. o. resistance to i'll Judged or
encroaching measures, he forced into
seeming antagouism Ia virtue. and To
( those who love and labor for It's cause.
But rather with cool brain and steady
nerve. Summoning all the agencies Of
GOOD. whether of heart or hand. 20 on 10
practice and promote the things that are
honest aud pure and of good report
/ Those who Join wiSdonf with zeal TO
promote virtue among the people, will
/ labor To nouri>h i right public sentiment
as well Us 10 secure punitive enactment.
Some margin muSt always be lcl for
differences of moral sentiment. Other
wise we might break down the public
conscience. For one, however, do not
object to a laws being somewhat in
advance vi public opinion-that is, more
stringent in its provisions than the people
really like to obey. The acquisitions Of
even IN impossible virtue may avail for
good Is broad. high aspect may
strengthen and hold up some that would
otherwise fall before the influence of bad
surroundings. and the terrors Of It's
penalty might cool the recklessncss OF
some who would not be restrained by
miller persuaSives Bat when law il
widely different from the peoples judg-
mcut, and proyohingly contrary TO their
wishes then, instead Of expecting il to
go on crushing It's way like an unrclont-
Ing law OF the universe, IL would be
better 20 look for one that takes some
cognizance Of human conditions, and will
reach ont a hand that will meet half way
the trembling instincts Of good. Indeed
il may be said that wisdom consists in
seeing the practical points Of contact be-
tween the abstract and the human right
For the human law j. not Is the divine.
That declares the way of absolute Justice
and the incNorahlc Right. But the object
Of the human law i TO protect individual
rights so that every man may be free &C
cordiug 10 hi, own conscience To work
out his olcdicuceto the higher. Any law,
therefore. which proposes 10 abridge
personal tights should be ventured upon
with the utmost caution and administered
with the widest charity. Thore are other
things 70 bc thought of besides restrain
ing men from the Use Of intoxicating
drinks, though thi, be parent Of crimes
and begetS monsters from which al the
good avert their faces and seek TO save
4 Z hob
il can be wholly .ubdued and driven from
among men. The laws against intoNicat
ing liquor, arc As well executed and
obcycd as the laws against profanity,
THEFT, unchas,ity or murder. Even if
they are executed, they will not aid 10
eNtinguish crime. nor Danish evil from
the hearts OF wicked men. These are
questions which 90 to the foundations Of
society. We must consider what can be
done. Restrain and inlimidate rs much
as YOU can by law it is only 10y the Gospel
still that men can be inverted from evil.
see no reason why measures for the
promotion of temperance should not be
appro ached rs calmly, and. il need be, a
boldly, rs any other question Of so much
moment Nay, it is such questions rs
those, most OF all, which demand the full
measure Of your wisdom, your candor
and your courage.
MATERIAL INTERESTS.
Agriculture considered in reference
either to the amount of property it
represents. OF 10 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 i, certain character
which is in some respects unfortunate.
The tendency is too much breadth and
too little skill What nature viii not do
OF itself is not much done, and So farmers
become discouraged. II farming is a hard
business at The best. then we cannot