Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-01-09

shs auu IOWd, W q NOtc vi tuC pcOptc, utNc
incorporated prohibition into their respec-
tive constitutions, and very active aglta-
ton Is now In progress In many other
States to the same end. The right OF the
people TO determine for themselves what Is
most conducive to their interests, is In &C.
cord with the theory Of popular govern
ment. Furthermore, constitutional prohi-
bltion would have the effect OF keeping
the question, 10 a considerable extent, II
not entirely out OF party politics. In view
of these facts, the Legislature will be CALI
ed upon by petition and otherwise, as 1t
has already been asked by the voice of the
sovereign people, to submit TO them the
determination of this question. IL Is your
province to consider this request, and
whatever may be the final result, let the
voice OF the people be the law of the land.
IMPORTANT MATTERS.
would call yonr attention to the con-
sideration OF some better method OF col
lecting statistics In regard to the resourc-
es, industries, and material growth OF our
State; to the appointment OF valuation
commission at some future day, looking
for a more systematic aud just valuation
of the State, and better distribution or
OF the burdens Of tsX'tion.
The question of giving the women or our
State the right OF suffrage on all occasions.
AT least the practictoility of rem)vinS
many restrictions, Is in keeping with jus
tice and progress made by other States
and worthy OF favorable legislation.
DANGEROUS HERESIES.
Oflate, public attention has been called
to- what IL styled the unequal distribution
OF property by q class OF a.,itators, whose
purpose appears 10 be to create discomfort
among the masses, by the advocacy OF
some indefinite scheme for the equal dis
trihution Of property outside the law. Be
cause all men are equal In the eye OF the
law, they illogically assume that they
should enjoy equal ownership in property.
Plausible ~ may he this doctrine In theory.
Ia practice IL would destroy that motive
aud ambition which inspire the individual
~ the highest effort. Under the most fav-
orsble condition., a given NUMBER OF men
will not acquire the same possessions.
Place two men side ny side Ia the sane
occupations one will acquire property
year ny year, while each years end will
lud the other in less favorable circum-
stances than at it, beginning. Does any
ar any code of laws can make botn these
meu equally Successful? lfuot, II there any
prctence OF justice in theory which claims
that these men should be put upon level.
Dy despoiling one OF his accumulations TO
make up for lack OF skill, care or industry
in the otheri
Law can aud should protect the poor
and the weak against the exaCtions OF the
powerful and crasping; II can secure to
The unfortunate 4 given amount OF prop
erty which the creditor shO"ld be FORBID.
den IN touch; IL can make him secure in
the prosecution OF Al honorable vocation;
il can give th- iabprcr a first lien upon the
products OF labor aul capital for his
wages; 1t can aui should compel cprppr.
ate wealth To respect personal rights,
should 10 attempt - igu9rc them. All this
the laws OF this Stat NV give - the hum
blrst iniiviiu Il. Further, our system OF
taxation treats with property rather IN Al
with persons; u that end, our public
schools are largely supported ny 4 general
tax, - many OF the smaller aud poorer
towns receive more than they contribute.
l. there n sane man TN Maine who Will
say to-day, that the laws should he 80
changed. a. IN take the property OF the
more prosperous aud divide IL among those
less 80? Indeed. l. there one who will Of
fer system by which present apparent
inequalities can be prevented:
Equality OF conditions i known only
among those savage tribes where poverty
aud want is the common lot. As soon ~
men achieve civilization, part will be-
more successful in the accumulation OF
wealth than the many. just a. a few men
will excel the majority by force OF their
superior intellectual endowmeuts.
The State can do this IL can give to all
an education which will, A. far as human
agency can DO IL, remove natural differ
ences between men aud enable them 10 in
telligrntly IN IKE use OF their natural eu-
dowmentS. lndu-trv, energy, aud pru-
dence with good common sense, will US
ually insure good degree OF success.
OIly the communist aud the drmagogue
will ignore Ties. truths. More than
all other Influences, the teacher, the press
and the pulpit eau Impress upon the young
those principles OF honesty honor, srlf-re-
lance, perseverance AMI economy, which
will insure a competency 10 all.