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343.

to the fiscal operations of any department, as a rival of government, in any thing, surely it ought not to be endured. Being fully convinced, that it has become obnoxious to the charge, of assuming to control by counter influences of a dangerous character, the policy and measures of the Federal government, and that the monopoly of power which it possesses over the industry and business relations of the people, can, with more safety to the public, be divided among local institutions, I shall cheerfully accord my cooperation, in any proceedings which your deliberations may suggest as expedient, for conveying to the National Executive and to Congress the clearly indicated wishes of the people of Maine, upon this subject. The recent political agitation in our Country, has been production of mixed benefit and evil to the community. It has aroused the citizen to reflect seriously upon the worth of political virtue, and to renew his choice in the exercise of his suffrages, between popular freedom on the one hand, and a subjection to the influence of combined wealth on the other. But there is cause for apprehending, that the same occasion has given rise to in roads upon the freedom of our popular elections, altogether opposed to the spirit of our free institutions. The freedom and purity of the elective franchise, lie at the foundation of our republican system of government. Upon the fidelity with which these are watched and protected by the citizen and public officer, the duration of popular liberty mainly de-