The Portland daily press., 1862-09-05
COMMUNICATIONS.
Correspondence OF the Press.
wAsnrNoroN, D. c., Aug. oath, IS,

WASHINGTON, D. c., Aug. 24th, 1862
Editors Of the Press:-Buta a few days since,
sent you communication containing some
items Of general news, together with some COM
ments on the course of those who are constant
ly and factiously denouncing every represen-
tative of our government and all our worthy
and noble officers in the field. 1t appears that
you did not think it proper to publish it in your
columns, and for the reason, as suppose, that
itcontained such comments: In this matter |
certainly shall not question your good judg-
ment and taste; but in looking over the Press
last night saw communication, dated at
Washington, and signed by "Zeb," written by
aperson with whom am well acquainted and
which contained the most unjust, insulting and
abusive reflections upon the course of our able
and patriotic Gov. Washburn. Now l will
simply state that l have met your correspond
ent "Zeb" every day for a number of weeks
past, and that from his lips have not as yet,
heard one word of commendation of any one of
the Government officials or military men in
the field. On the contrary he and the class of
men to which he belongs, are constantly de-
nouncing and eliminating our honest and
faithful President, and frequently express the
wish that he would resign. Often have heard
him speak of Secretary Seward, as "a knave
and fool" and Of Adjutant Gen. Thomas, as a
''traitor," and of course in this storm of gener-
al and indiscriminate denunciation, Gen. Nc
Clellan has come in for a full share.
This may be true patriotism, and II so, it is
eminently proper that all adverse criticism up
on the course of such men should be carefully
excluded from the public journals 1t may be
said that such men are only exercising the leg
itimate right of criticising the government and
its officials. But can hardly concede that
legitimate criticism, prompted by honest and
patriotic motives, would lead man into con-
stant and wholesale abuse and denunciation of
all our government officials and military mer.
have never yet been suspected of any sympa-
thy with traitors,or even the principles of mod
ern democracy; but SO help me God, had
rather be associated with the open traitors to
our country, in the hour of peril, than with
those hypocrites who profess to be its most de-
voted friends, but who are interposing every
ptscfDC ooctdCiS W itS cdifatiUn, anu WOulQ
rather to-day, see this Union go down forever,
In blood, than that the institution of slavery as
1t has heretofore existed in the States, should
be preserved.
can assure you that am no slavery apollo
gist No man desires more than myself to see
all men become free, but mere, proclamations
from whatever place they may issue, can never
liberate the slaves. 1t must be done If at all,
by our victorious armies as they march through
the South, Then let all loyal and patriotic
men at the North, labor together with the one
common and determined purpose, to render
the army of the Republic efficient and over
whelming. And il the unhallowed institution
of slavery shall fall before our victorious hosts
as 1t certainly will, then all men who are inter-
ested for our future national honor and we'll
being will have good reason to rejoice. w.
NorE.-we think WIS former letter must have mis-.
carried, as we do not recolect seeing it, nor should
we have refused to publish for such a reason as he
suggests. The letter of "Zeb" which he SO severely
censures was the same to which referred in an
editorial paragraph,and which we condemned for the
same feature In it referred to by w.-tEd. Press