The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-06-21
Fancy and a Guilty Conscience.

On the first page Of the last Democrat, Mt the
end Of column. is placed this little proverb I:
"Fancy runs most furously when guilty con.
science drives IT,"
Turning to the inside of the same paper, we
find its truth most strikingly illustrated
Naught but guilty conscience could have
caused the fancy of its editor to run at so furi-
Gus pace. There is nothing base in conduct, or
corrupt in design and treacherous in act, which
he does not attribute to his political opponents,
and individuals as we'll rs parties are visited
with his censure. Even his Democratic cotem-
porarcs are made the recipients Of his abuse.
The Governor of the State is called "a conceit-
ed abolition bigot," the editor Of the Bath
Times is admonishcd that his paper does not
disturb his complacency "morc than 1t would
be by the barking ola 'yarler'dog by the road
sidc," and as to ourselves he gives. in nearly
two columns Of scurrlity and abuse, the most
abundant proof that his fancy, "driven by
guilty conscience" runs at furious pace, II
from sense OF public duty. In the last speech,
even, made by Mr.. Douglas, he said: There
are only two sides to the question. Every man
must be for the United States or against it.
There can be no neutrals in the war, only pat
riois-or traitors" The editor Of the Demo-
crat has taken his stand against the United
States, and Is, according to the logic Of Mr..
Douglas, traitor.
IT, o,o,,,;oa ~ tha Dopu1Ii, fam tho articlo
from the Bath Times on our first page), class
him rs their friend, and every issue Of his pa
per is leprous with calumny and treason. In
the hour Of public danger, when the ship Is in
danger of sinking, instead Of working at the
pumps he tries to throttle the officers, essays
to destroy the breaks, and shows by his con-
duct, to use the terse concluding expression
of. Mr.. Holt, that she is either a maniac or q
monster. Now VIC wish to say, once for all.
that the personal abuse he showers upon us
does not disturb us. The unworthy motives Of
a personal nature, which he attributes to us,
we know to be false, and rs to his limitations
ofingrattude tor kindncsscs when our property
was in danger Of destruction, we look upon
them rs coming from distempercd brain. We
know the peculiarties Of his temperament. We
know that his impulses are better than his sur
oundings--understa his weaknesses, and in
dealing with him, while we felt Obliged to speak
with severity Of his course. as Unexpected to
us as II Is to many OF his political friends
charity for his infrmities, called out by care
full consideration Of his past history, has in
duced us to be lcnicnt. lie has hid difficult
and thorny road to travel, perpetual disap-
poinment has chafed temper never hopeful,
quarrels with his political friends, which, as
they have gained the advantage over him, has
robbed him Of his manhood. has soured him.
Year by year he has labored for the Democratic
party, has swallowed every nauseous and poi
sonous draught which has been commended to
his lips, resisting awhile at first, but always
ending in taking the draught, continually ask
ing pay, but never getting II, for the sacrifice
he has made Of honesty and principle, swallow
ing ever. in the vain hope that each draught
would be the last, he has gone on to that point
when "his fancy runs most furiously," being
driven by guilty conscience. Seeing that his
influence Is gone, feeling keenly his party
sights, he has become alike Indifferent to his
own veal or that Of his country, and thinks to
find comfort and consolation in advocating
treason. II Is q terrible mistake he has made.