The Portland daily press., 1862-09-30

The Meeting of the Loyal Governors.
Gov. washburn passed through this city by
the evening train of Saturday, on his way home
from the late meeting Of the Governors of the
loyal States, at Altoona, Pa. We had the
pleasure of a long interview with him on the
road to Brunswick, and he was very free and
communicative in relation to the purposes,
views and acts developed at the Gubernatorial
Convention, in which he had so recently partic-
ipated. Gov. w. said he took pains, carefully
to read the account of that meeting, as given
in the New York Herald, from its Special and
''reliable" rrespondent-which account was
telegraphed to the press-and, singular as it
may'seem, the only solitary truth contained
in that account, was the statement of the max
ed fact that such meeting was being beld at
Altoona. There was not the first element of
truth in any other statement made in that fam
Gus despatch.
The question of our Generals or military
commanders, was not even alluded TO in the
Convention. Privately the matter might have
been discussed, in mere conversation, outside
of the Convention; and doubtless gentlemen
freely expressed their views to each other, and
compared notes; but SO far as Gov Washburn
could learn, no one thought ofbringing the mat
ter before the Convention, even for discussion,
much less for action, and no one believed it
would be either polite or modest for the Con-
vention in any way to interfere with the con-
duct of the war, or with the commanders in
the field, even by their advice; certainly no
further than to give assurance to the Presi-
dent of their willingness and desire, as repre-
sentatives of their respective States, to co-op-
crate with, and aid the Government, to the
full extent of their ability, in any measures
looking to aspeedy closing up of the rebellion,
and restoration Of peace, on basis safe for
the future, and honorable to the whole coun-
try.
The issue of the emancipation proclamation
at that particular juncture was opportune, in
asmuch as it afforded opportunity to talk over
and compare notes upon the greatest and most
important State paper of the age, and one in
volving issues and interests Of the most mo-
mentous character. The manner in which
this proclamation was received possesses pc
culiar interest. The first man to break ground
in relation to it was no radical, no abolitionist,
no sore-head. 1t was not Andrew, or Kirk
wood, or Yates; it was not the Executive of
abolition Vermont or "lanatical Maine,"-as
some pro-savery men would perhaps style
those States -but it was David Tod, the
Democratic Governor of Ohio!
1t was Gov. Tod who first made a propo-
sition in relation to the proclamation, and he
proposed to tender congratulations to the Pres
ident and toexpress the hope that 'as he had
spoken the great word, he would follow it by
striking the great blor; and to assure him
that they, backed by their respective States,
were ready, willing, and anxious to help him."
No man was more prompt to second Gov.
Tods proposition, than the noble-hearted
Pierpont, of Virginia. He and his people had
talked the matter over, and knew it must come
to this, and he heartily rejoiced that it had
come.
The Governors of Kentucky and Indiana
were absent, in consequence of the rebel raids
within their States, or on their borders, but
they were understood to sympathize fully with
those who were present. The Governor of
Delaware was absent, in consequence of sick
ness, but sent a cordial letter of sympathy
Gov. Bradford, of Maryland, alone declined to
commit himself TO Gov. Tod's proposition,
but urged his associates to believe that it was
from no unwillingness to back up the war
1t was a new question, in relation to which he
had taken no council with his people. He had
only hastily and carelcssly read the proc
lamation on his way to the Convention, (no
copy of it could be found in Altoona, though
all had seen it) and he did not know that he
fully understoodit; but if he believed it would
shorten the war but single week, he would
cheerfully sign the address, whatever the con-
sequences to the slavery institution
The other matters that came before the
Convention have been fully stated in the tele-
graphic reports, and all of them were acted
upon with the utmost unanimity, and not a
jarring word or discordant note was uttered.
The Governors were hopeful, and derived
fresh courage from the proclamation, and the
spirit in which it was received. Gen. Nc
Cernard, the leading Douglas man of Illinois,
was present, and declared the proclamation
was most opportune, and that il would eIectri-
fly the whole Northwest.