The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-07-12
For the Union and Journal.

Mn. EDITOR A petition is now being cir
culated in this town, directed to the c m
gress of the United States, wherein the p IT,
TONERS, representing themscly 'as true Union
men, supporters OF the Con titution, &C.,
request that compromise " be effect j,
and all difficulties between States OF he
Union be left to the people .ottle. In s.
tigation shows the leaders O The moyem Mt
20 be either open sccessionists r men trail RS
at heart, and showing thciI sentiments y
underhand, indircc pactca hut too c y.
ardly to brave popular opinion and Fl d
openly upon their principles.
Let mo prove the sinccrity OF III &c ~ ,
Union men," by recording brien some
their acts. A few weeks ago twas .'ropo
that the town lend its cred to Pr wide
the families of the soldiers 10 shoi ID enli
to defend the national capita -, and rsht 70
their country's 0as. The Measure was not
advocated by Republicans al me, but by all
Union men, including many Democrats. 1t
was not proposed to raise any money, but
simply to authorize the Selectmcn to hire a
given amonnt in case men having families
should enlist and the money Be needed. The
Selectmen voted and used their influence
against the measure. The town Clerk, who
had previously said that he hoped the South
would "stand out until the North backed
down." and the Democratic candidate last
fall for town Representative, who has re-
peatedly declared that he "wished tho rebels
would take Washington" were both opposed
to the measure. The Democratic candidate
last fall Tor an important county Office, al
though his place Of business was within
twenty rods of the town house, absented him
self from the meeting, and declined to vote,
trying by carrying two faces to please both
parties. The friends Of tho measure, low
ever, ore satisfied that his influence was
against them. The Post Master at San ord
Corner was also detained away from then ,et-
ing. At the meeting the nbblc, man. Of
them holy drunk, houtins in q manner hat
would have done credit to Baltimore ! ob.
voted down every thing and dissolved .hc
meeting. Mortified and ashamed, tho U on
men would have saved the credit of tibet wn
by keeping tn whole thing still, but beh, ID (!
the following week the columns Of the Maine
Democrat wer, enriched (for, like city
scavengcr, the more filth there is about il
the better does il fulfill its calling, and ap.
prove itself to is sapporters) by a piece Of
low, ioul.mouthcd blackguardism, giving a
partial account Of the proceedings, such as
but one man in town would dcmcan him elf
enough to put in print, and which but me
other paper in the State 1.-THE Argus) wo'ld
have tho eiIrontery to publish. These IRE
the men who now style themselves support RS
of the Constitution, and petition Congress to
stay hostilities and compromise with he
Southern traitors.
But what renders the M r particula iy
obnoxious is the fact that IL 'tition (wl ch
am told is to be circu d cxtensi' ,ly
throughout the Statc) was ought here, as
| learn, by Carolina slave der, who CT ne
East ostensibly to visit his 'latiyes, bal in
fact for the above purpose. thus we see 20
traitors, finding Il ,mselycs cling pnshc o
the wall, now wis 70 say their neck y
compromise, and with their sual Ilroit ,
seek by the use OF Northeri doug face
have the first overtures cou frol the
States. The wish with then is M. isai, !
that Northern men can be found o lost
every sense Of honor as to lc d then selves B.
such a course seems almost il crcdibln. Tru'
Union men will guard az inst every act
which would tend TO embarfass the Admin
istration at this time.
As to compromise, at the present crisis the
thing is impossible. Any CONCESSIONS Whilst
the rebels are in arms against the Govern
ment, would be virtually admitting the right
of secession. Let the rebels throw down
their arms and present themselves properly.
and then I doubt not they will be treated
with the utmost lenity that IN Intelligent,
powerful and generous Government shall
deem consistent with public safety and M
tional honor. CONSTITUTION.
Uor.-Tbe xeatber for .cv.r,i days r..t