The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-09-06
THE DUTY OF THE HOUR.

On the Goth OF April, foreshadowing our
views Of public duty in the present state Of
public affairs, and with clear perception Of
the imminent peril which threatened our
country, we said:
The demands on the patriot now are great,
the responsibilities heavy. The partisan
must stand aside, prejudices DO cast away,
and for the time being even the expressions
Of honestly cherished convictions as to the
influence of past party action had better be
avoided. We have a common Government
belonging to US all 20 preserve, the flag OF
country to sustain, and henceiorward, and
until that Government Is permanently estab-
lished, and that aag waves in triumph over
united nation let us be men, brothers, making
due allowances for the excitementsl OF the
day, and pardoning something to the spirit
ofliberty whose very excuses, though they
can never be justified, may sometimes find
causes for palliation rally with one heart
and one will 10 the defence OF the best Gov
eminent the world ever saw. and swear by
the living God that cost what il may. OF
personal sacrifice, that il shall be maintained.
We make this appeal to men who have not
sympathizcd with us in political sentiment.
We do not expect they will hereafter on mere
political questions.
What they have done, the eyidences'they
have given and are daily giving Of loyalty to
their country, has filled our heart with re-
joiciug, Its pulsations have been quickened
BY their generous devotion, and our hopes OF
a future successful termination OF this I'M
natural struggle strengthened by their ear
nestness in the cause of their country. We
Join hand with them as brothers, and in ODE
dience to our convictions of duty, by every
consideration which can appeal to the heart
ola man and patriot we will stand by them
in resisting every violation Of law, here as
we'll rs elsewhere; and when the work is
done, the priceless, gift Of the Constitution
secured. and the Union placed beyond the
possibility of destruction, we will, with feel
ings soitened by the manifestations of patri-
otism from those who have differed from US,
return to the work Of advocating partisan
views, and not until then
Our declarations at that time though then
distinctly expressed, were only repctitions of
views which we had entertained for some
time, and which we had expressed frankly to
our friends. The opportunities We had en-
ioyed Of becoming acquainted with the
designs ofthe Southern men, and for hearing
their declarations in both branches Of Con-
grcss.and out Of it, in Washington, had con-
WINGED US that the proportions OF the rebel
lion were on larger scale than was generally
believed in the Northern States, and that its
suppression would require the united energy
OF the whole people Of the loyal States
Believing this we felt that patriotism dics'-
ted the subordination Of partiran considera-
tons to the welfare Of tho country, and that
as q conductor Of a public press, il was our
duty to abstain from all irritating partiran
expressions and all denunciations Of men
whose impulses were towards loyalty to the
government, as calculated to divide the pub
lie feeling, and weaken the governmental
arm in It's purpose Of maintaining the Con-
stitution and the Union.
We have kept steadily in view this object,
and while we have ensured and rebuked all
reasonable sympathy with rebellion, and e1.
posed tho Misrepresentation Of men who
were practically aaording aid and comfor,
to the enemy, by their complaints Of the i'd
ministra,ion. VIC have not failed to approve
and sustain that patriotism in the Democratic
party which has been 20 abundantly shown
in the generous support which Its ablest mer
are giving to the government.
In the current Of Affairs, circumstance
have arisen which have divided the Demo
cratic party in this State in twain, plaeinf
on the one hand, the loyal and the true ane
on the other the disloyal and traitorous. anc
making the line Of demarkation - broad anI
distinet that il canno. escape observat'on.-
Forse,ful Of none Of the principles Of the 70
pablican party, and as anxious as ever thai
its distinct organization should be preserves
where u did not stand in the way Of the at