The Portland daily press., 1862-07-07

money, and oceans Of blood, be required to ac-
compish their purpose
| am one of those. Mr. President who have
never lost filth in the people-never doubted
the success OF the efforts being made to put
| down the present rebellion: and | have no
doubt but the struggle through which we are
| passing is a discipline needed for our national
good, and will eventuate in our lasting pros
perity.
There are lessons which nations, like indi-
vlduals, have TO learn; which are learned only
through painful experience. Severe trial is
necessary to root nation firmly, so that it
| snail not topple over with the first adverse
wind. The oak, exposed to the fierce winds,
always strikes its roots deepest spreads them
widest, and clenches them the more firmly
around the boulders which may lie within their
reach
In 1776 the great problem of independence
had to be wrought out. 1t was a magnificent
spectacle to see few sparsely populated colo
MES, daring the power Of the proudest nation
on earth; but under God that struggle was
| successful.
In 1872 another war for the freedom of the
seas had to be fought; and that too, was end
| ed gloriously.
From 1915 till 1916 it had come to be adj
mtted that government of the people, slim
ulated by common dangers, would band to-
gether against common foe, and fight sue
cessfully in defense of their own hearthstones,
against a foreign invader but it was not conced-
ed that such government was reliable to carry
war into foreign lands, and to fight in an enc
my's country.
The war with Mexico dispelled this Illusion.
and when Scott, with paltry army of 10000
meli-scarcely enough to form a respectable
picket guardIor the force, now in the field-cap-
trued Vera Cruz and marched thence to the cap
ital and there revelled in the "halls of the Mon
tezumas," another Illusion was dspelled and the
old moss-grown monarchies ofEurope trembled
for the day lest our strong-pinioned bird
should try his wings over the Atlantics wave.
But there was another and fearful problem
still needing solution. Political economists
and philosophers had come to acknowledge
that nation OF free people were strong to
meet an aggressive foreign foe, or even to car
| ry war into foreign country-we had forced
the admission of these facts-but could they
repress or put down an internal rebellion? He
that ruleth his own spirit is mightier than he
who taketh city, we had taken the city;
| could we rule our own spirit. The struggle
OF the present hour is the nations effort to
solve this problem.
| Who can doubt the result? Even should
severe resistance be met before Richmond and
should the gallant Mcclellan be compelled to
| fall back before greatly superior numbers, yet
the end will only be deferred, not defeated.
Bnt in my opinion he viii not be discomitted,
|
with the news of glorious victory.
| And the result of this great struggle: who
can fail to read it in the events of the passing
| hours? Who can fail to see the handwriting
| upon the wall which says of that olgarchy
which has sought to rule the country so long.
and which when unable longer to rule sought
to ruin it-"thou art weighed in the balance
| and found wanting?"
| As the individual requires a second birth or
q new birth infrodnep him tn a hiUhar 70
| of spirituality and grace, so our nation, per-
haps, needed second birth to deliver il from
old membranes and introduce it to higher
plane ofcivilization. For long time she has
been in travail, seeking deliverance from mighty
evils which had blotted her fair face and i'm
| peded her upward course. She is now endur-
ing her labor pains-passing through the birth
throes, and ii is well that no one should be-
come discouraged because these are painful
and protracted.
Our natural national birth required seven
long years for its consummation; our second
birth has been protracted bnt little more than
one year, and already we see the beginning of
the end approaching.
But will not protract these remarks. When
another 4th of July shall dawn upon us l
doubt not it will find us restored nation.
True, the dark wing of sorrow will have swept
over many a pleasant HOUSEHOLD; many first
born will have been laid upon the altar of pat
rotism-many heart will bleed for the vio-
lent seyering of ties dear as life itsefand more
lasting, but the names of the fallen their valor
their deeds of noble daring, will be hung up as
choice relics in the chambers of memory, and
on every patriotic surviving heart will be in
scribed their deeds In letters ineffacable.
Governor Washburn being now introduced
by the Mayor, addressed the audience as fol-
lows:-
SPEECH OF HIS ExcELLENcY, GOVERNOR
wAsHRURN.
Mr. President and Fello,c Citizens On
the 4th Of July, eighty-six years ago, democ-
racy, as a practical, enduring power, was but
prophecy, aud two years ago, it was really
no more. Was man capable of governing
himself? Were free institutions adapted to
the wants and sufficient for the security and
happiness of mankind? Was liberty more
than dream, beautiful phantasy? All these
were debatabe, or, at least debated questions
Skeptics were unanswered, or, if not, unsilenc-
ed Hitherto. on each recurring anniversary
OF the Declaration of Independence, we have
celebrated great Hope, glowing Aspira-
ton, too grand, it seemed, to be false. To-day,
we see them developed into actual fact, EN-
bodied as living truth.
How capable and wise an educated and free
people are, We have seen clearer and better
than ever before. Their intelligence has adj
vised them that republic founded on the
principles of equal representative government
is the strongest government and the best the
truest and safest guardian of human rights
Such government they have, and appreciat-
ing its value. their wisdom and patriotism has
told them to preserve it. Struck at by trait
ors, they have entered upon its defence, and they
count nothing dear so that il be saved not
health, nor comfort, treasure, home, not even
life ITSELF Note how steady and persevering
they are-liow prudenty radical how wisely
conservative. While England, intlamed by
passon-iealous, envous, ambitious-jerks her
spites and petty annoyances at us our people
calmly attend to their own business. and with
confidence in the right and in themselves, pre-
serve their temper and self-respect, their honor
and manners. Is an enormous debt being con-
traeted? how ready are they TO accept the
burden! Are the flower and pride of their
households cut Off by disease and battle? how
steadfast and confident do they remain! If
it sometimes seems as if there were an I'M
necessary consumption of time treasure and
blood, how admirable is their patience, how
perfect and abiding their confidence in their
Generals, how beautiful their trust i'm the
President and his Cabinet. How unlike is
their conduct and department to that of an
unreasoning, ignorant rabble, of an impatient
and destructive mob, How prompt to silence.
mischievous earnings and fault-fnding. from
what quarter soeyer they may come. II they
notice any where tendencies TO rank conser-
vatism, il they observe disposition TO
strengthen ancient fraud and wrong, how
ready do We find them to interpose with
| 4