Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1816-02-20
FOR THE PORTLAND GAzETTl
MAI. GEN. BLAKE.

N1 LAOs ~ lJ1ILAA
A most pitiful and scurrilous attempt has been
made in late Argus, to destroy the character of
this veteran soldier. From such source no one
could expect an honorable or manly attack and
Increasing vuigarty, there is something so ignoble
in its aspersions Gen Blake, that cannot fail
from expressing our indignation.
Ifevery pretender to military fame, that has ap.
peared in this district during the late war, received
his deserts there would be little room for public APP
plause, much less for private putting The soldiers
reputation is established by his vaour, and the
need of praise can never become him, who wears
another's laures. To accuse an officer of pusillan-
unity in battle is the highest charge against bis pro-
fessonal character it involves every consideration
that is dear to his heart, and If FIJI subs,antiated
deservedly consgns him to scorn and nfamy. In
the present case, we should hesitate in pronoun-
cling our judgment until every charge is proved
before light the faggot we should be satisfied OF
the victims guilt.
The reputation of Gen. Blake, as brave soldier,
Is established on foundation gilmore durable mate.
rails, than can be collected on the plains of Hamp
den Before his present accusers had left their
"nurses arms" he served under the immortal ash
ington, and participated in the dangers of the rev.
oluon. He assisted in fighting those battles where
soldiers met soldiers, and where his companions in
arms, disdained to leave their general alone on the
teM. AT Princeton, he received dangerous bay
onet wound in his body, the marks of which, he
bears at this day. And is this the man who is stamp
ed coward and tratorp If treason is love of
eountry,if cowardice heroic valour, who would not
glory in these expectations Modern patriotism
and modern philosophy go hand in hand. Thev
prompt the young to look on past scenes with in
difference, and euIogze passing events however RI
dcalous. They teach military logic by the rules Of
professor Falsta, and like his definition of " that
word honour" they have really g trim reckon
ing.n
The proofs of General Biake's good conduct at
hampden, are full and satisfactory. He has been
nonouraby acquitted from all blame by his peers
amilitary tribunal has pronounced him brave Of
ncer, and public gratitude has Justly rewarded him.
capt. Morris of the Adams 1t W ardswortb and
every naval officer present, united in bestowing
very high compliment on the deliberate courage of
'en blake. 1t is an undeniable fact that the gen.
erai was left on the ground attended only by five
or SIX persons-that the British had advanced with
IN vesy short distance-and that he never retired
.oh 'e ned until every effort to rally his men had
oeen unsuccessful. Were il not for the ;onom;n;.
Gus flight of those n-irepid souls, who could not
oedr Tue sight OF those vile guns,o the banks of
'nerenobscot would not now recall scenes of shame
and dissrace-onr District might now be indenti6.
Gu 6y spot, which wouid vie with Erie or New.
Orleans
It's painful to every real American, to reflect on
the indelible disgrace which is attached To the af
'alr Of hampden. Wewill not pretend to say who
'sa"'ed mer integrity while Castine was in posses
son OF an enemy; we leave to others the unrener-
Gus task OF exposing human frailty. We resign 10
"efs all our right to record the campaign of 1914
IN the east and do not despair of perusng an elab
crate history OF those eventiul days written by the
sanmniator of Gen. Blake.
l" the present case the base aspersons on an in.
dNidual character, gross libel ON the rights of
sne citizen, gross insult on common sense. We
would caution the Argus man not to "wrestle with
'o"'' and to gain wisdom from the sad expert
snce OF other editors who have drank the bitter o.n
10 Its very dregs, for misrepresentation less crim.
'a' 'nan those contained in his last paper.
AS to the private character of Gen. Blake we
De'ieVe II unimpeaclable and place as little conf
aence IN the affair of Gen. Timer as we do in the
many sap'enf speeutati0ns which dignity the pages
Of the Argus.
PUBLIC JUSTICE.
A CARD.
ne little man who was the author Of the