Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-12-30
Rev. DR.. Field Oh the Count Out.


Rev DIR. Field of Bangor preached on the
subject of the Contingent last Sunday.
The Wing gives n sketch of his remarks from
which we quote;
In his opening remarks Rev. Mr.. Field
stated that it was intended To have a song
from the choir in relation to the Staying of the
infants by King Herod in order that the child
Jesus might die, but owing to the emergency
it would be omitted and, said he, | wish IT
could be as easily blotted from history rs II
can from our programme. You recollect
that when Herod was on his death bed he re
allied that when his spirit departed from the
body there would be great rejoicing in the
land, and wishing to make his death rather
an event of sorrow he issued an order calling
together all the mobiles who were seized and
thrust into prison and massacred at the same
time he died, thereby causing great sorrow
and making the anniversary of his death an oc-
c1sion of mourning.
These acts took place under the best form
of Government then known; but in those
days the fundamental principle of Govern
ment was authority, now IL is freedom. We
have the right to choose our own rulers and
when man casts his ballot for the candidate
of his choice. he performs that act to which
he is entitled under our form of Government,
and expects it to be counted as the law pro-
vides. The man who strikes ut this right OF
the people strikes at the very foundation of
the Government. This act on the part of the
Governor and Council is substituting the SOW
ereignty of the people II practice which if
followed in other States would soon overthrow
the entire Government. 1t is done too, at II
time when greater weight is attached to ii,
on account of the national issues now pend
ing, and when there is not a shadow of an ex-
cuse for it. During the war we stretched the
Constitution in order to save the Constitution
itself but this act has been committed for the
personal advancement of those men occupy
ing places high in authority.
1t is one of the most dangerous acts ever
perpetratcd since the formation of our Gov
eminent and speak as one who from per-
sonal feelings would deal as carefully as pos
sible with the matter. One of the Council,
a very prominent and active member is very
closely connected with us, being member of
this church and warm personal friend of
mine, in. whose congenial home have passed
many pleasant hours. At the time when the
people were excited over the war news he
cheered my warmest efforts and was ever out
spoken for the right. How he can explain his
present position is more than can tell and
more than he can tell but there it stands un-
explanable.
have already preached on this subject
and do not feel like speaking as | would did
| not believe that Gov. Gareelon, as weak
and obstinate as he is--and weak men are
usually obstinatc-wOuld feel constrained to
leave the questions to the judiciary under
the pressure of the numerous petitions pour
ing in upon him from all parts of the State.
II he goes on in his course we have conf
dence to believe that enough democrats will
stan out IN q m nj of
this crime. The men who belong to that
party which sent so many heroes into the
field during the late war, will say, we will
not soil our hands with that which the Gov
ernor has stolen from the people. The young
democrats will not rest easy under this OPP
probrium cast on them and will find solu-
ton of the question. Those who do this will
be the strong men in their party ere long.
See how Mr.. Gould, who has been SO closely
connected with the Governor and Council,
has come out and taken stand, not being
willing to leave his honor in the hands of the
men who have shown themselves incapable
oftaking care of their own regulations. If |
should be disappointed and this Legislature
created by the Governor and Council should
come together and act, then would tins party
do what the leaders have ALREADY done, dig
grave so deep that we shall never hear from
them again. Should they go on, our party
must fight it out until every Constitutional
resource is exhausted.
This trouble is but the tail end of the re-
bellon which has cropped out many times
during the past twenty years. First we had
the rebellion itself which was put down at so
great a cost; then came an attempt at re-
pudiation causing another struggle; then in
our desire to conciatc the South we came
near throwing the Government into their
hands; and now this scheme tends in the
same direction as the others. We need to be
firm and make one more effort and this evil
like those preceding it will be batfled. The
speaker then closed by alludiug to a sea voy-
age when a storm came upon them, but above
the roar of the tempest he could hear the
voice of the captain saying: ''Steady boys,
one more point and the clear sea is before
u.s." And, said the speaker, during the past
twenty years have often wished my voice
was strong enough to be heard over the land,
so that I might send forth these cheering
words to the people.
The exercises then closed by singing
EnJ Sta,o nj tba Ia,