Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser

SEPARATION OF MAINE.

No. IX.

To the People of the District of Maine.

In forming an estimate of our political blessings, we are always too much disposed to confine our views and attention to objects immediately before our eyes; and seldom to extend them forward to future events or distant considerations. A wise politician, in deciding on the prudence or utility of a measure proposed, will at once look to consequences: and bringing to his aid a knowledge of history and of the habits and propensities of mankind, he will shape his conduct accordingly. The event of this species of foresight and prudent calculation, has been the ruin of a thousand systems: and proved the folly of, man in forming his opinion without consulting remote effects.--In regard to a Separation of Maine, hundreds are advocating the measure who can assign no reason for their conduct or opinions. who have no distinct view of any thing beyond the first movements of a new government--and who see nothing but a new capital --a new state-house and state-officers of our own. They never once dreamt of any thing beyond the "honey-moon" of Separation.

My friends, let us extend our views forward, and examine the consequences of a DISMEMBERMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH. I am not alone in considering this as a solid and immoveable objection against the measure proposed. Many of the States in the Union are much more populous than Massachusetts :--they have numbers and wealth in abundance, and are extensive in territory: yet we find them respectively united among themselves; and by their union and combined exertions, retaining their high standing and political importance and though political distinctions, may occasion some disagreement, yet as to every thing relating to their sovereignty and power as states; they always act in concert.--In these respects--Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New-York, are giving us an example of the highest value.

In Massachusetts only, do we find a portion of the people continually accusing the government of their own choice, of disregarding their interests and oppressing and disgracing them; and then calling for a Separation from the great and respectable family, of which they have so long been happy members. In a government like ours, where the nation consists of a number of Independent Sovereignties, it is of the last importance that those Sovereignties should continue--not in name only, but in influence and power: so as to operate as salutary checks to the power of the Union,
ism. Hence the importance of LARGE AND RESPECTABLE STATES: where the physical force of a large body of people can be brought into action by the command of one sovereign will; and when also the authority of talents, opinion and influence, all combined and exerted, and all directed to one common object, give a weight and sanction to their resolutions, which can never belong to the measures of several small states, though comprising greater numbers. The reason is, that in the latter case, councils may be distracted—power must be divided—talents diverted from their proper objects, and the authority of opinion and public character extremely diminished.—This is the manner in which Virginia reasons; and you see what a commanding influence she possesses and exerts. A similar cause has given, and continues to give strength and wealth to the great states of PENNSYLVANIA and New-York.—Within a few years past we have had several occasions for observing the importance of MASSACHUSETTS as one of the states in the union.

Great States will always be respected.—

Small States will often be abused and almost always disregarded.—Vermont and Rhode-Island and Delaware cannot be said to have any influence on the general government.—

Their votes, may at times be of some importance, but their power can never give them stability in the hour of danger or check the bold advances of encroachment.—Let me again enquire why neither of the large States I have mentioned are solicitous for a division? Why does the spirit of wisdom and improvement slumber in those parts of the United States? The simple answer is, they know too well the importance of large and respectable sovereignties, to admit for a moment the idea of dismemberment.—They would resent such a proposition with indignity and contempt, and instantly put down such an attempt: and the man also who should have the imprudence to make it.—Let these circumstances put us all on our guard and serve to explain the true motives of all who are advocates for a separation as well as of those who are opposed to it—But as a further reason for our independence it has been observed by a writer in the Argus, tho somewhat inaccurately, that the "God of nature" has separated us from Massachusetts, and thereby designed us for a separate sovereignty.—This argument cannot be entitled to the least respect:—A strip of land twenty five miles wide on the sea-board is pronounced as a barrier placed by Heaven on purpose to prevent our connection with Massachusetts.—Is it not "passing strange that for more than a century; no one should have discovered the 'finger of Heaven' in this particular instance?—Yet so it is—We have lived in harmony and peace and enjoyed blessings in abundance, notwithstanding, a strip of New-Hampshire lies between us and Boston—and tis an undeniable truth, that no man ever experienced the slightest inconvenience from the above circumstance: whether our connection in business be maintained with Massachusetts by land or water, we meet with no interruption.

ARISTIDES.