The Portland daily press., 1862-08-21
Gen, Auderson,s Speech.

1t has been reported that the Press dealt un-
fairly by the recent speech of Gen Anderson
| before the Democratic convention in this city.
| To show what justice there is in such reports,
we copy from the Boston Couriers report of
that speech, as we find it approvingly trans
ferred to the columns of the Saco Democrat,
both papers being friendly to the distinguished
Democratic orator, who made the speech on
the occasion referred to.
From the Courier we copy as follows:
Gen. S. J. Anderson being loudly called for,
took the platform, &c. He denounced the
Republicans as surpassingin arrogance and in
science any, party that ever put It's foot upon
n down trodden nation. They denounced us,
he said, as traitors They denounced the par
ty which met year ago in Winthrop Hall, as
traitors. The Democratic party OF Maine will
never be muzzled. They will express their
opinions as to the course of the admnistra-
ton, which in their opinion has proved false
to the Constitution, which has taken away the
dearest rights of American citizens, suspended
the writ of habeas corpus. entered houses and
buildings, and seized papers, and taken persons
without any color Of law, in repeated violation
of the Constitution, from the time they were
installed at Washington till the present day.
Such an administration deserves to be de-
nounced by the Democracy of the State of
Maine. And, gentlemen, no order of Secreta-
ry Stanton will shut my mouth from so de-
nouncing such an administration. l say, gen.
tlemen, that the administration has been false
to its oath of office, false TO the Constitution
and the laws. / say that this whole warts ow
to the administration, and the men that placed
it in power; that it arose from them; that
they brought on the war by their unconstitu-
tional measures. They brought the war upon
us by the platform upon which they selected
their men, which refused to a certain portion
of the country, rights which belonged to it.
They have carried on that war against the
laws, and against the rights of this country.
The leaders have been stepped in fraud and
corruption, from the time they were placed in
office, until the present day; when some of
their officers have become too VIGOROUSLY cor
rupt-they have transported them from one
office to another, and the President, in his good
hearted imbecility, stands up, and says, gen
tlemen, | take il all on myself The Presi-
dent shows that his weakness is only equaled
by his good nature. That may be treason, If
so make the most of it.
Ii is unnecessary for us to say more. The
speech calls for no special comment at our
hands. Without going into the question
whether it was, or was not, reasonable in ten
dency, we will say that it was an insult to the
people of Maine. 1t attributes the war to the
refusal to recognize the claims put forth by the
convention that nominated John c. Breckin-
ridge-the refusal of the North to force slav-
cry upon the free territories against the will of
the people inhabiting those territories. The
speech of Anderson was The speech, and the
only speech before the Convention. 1t is to
be regarded as the key note; as giving tone
and direction TO the whole movement. 1t was
a speech that jeff Davis might consistently
cheer; speech that would ensure to its au-
thor free admission within the rebel lines
1t was a speech that the Argus has not pub
lished; dare notpublish. The courage of that
paper is not adequate to offering so great an
insult to the bulk of its readers. We are anx-
ious to see with what unanimity certain Union
Democrats will keep step TO such music.