The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-08-22
Lottor of d. s. Dickinson.

IL Ia characteristics OF the distinguished war
advocate. and uttsrs no uncertain sound:
LrrrR IRON THE hon. D. 5. DICKINSON.
BNGnATos, Aug. /, 1862.
GENTLEMEN III have this moment received
your esteemed favor OF the 30th ult., inyit-
ing me<o attend and address mas meeting
ut Ere, Pa, on the 18th inst, called for the
purpose Of promoting enlistments. and to
arouse the people TO sense OF the danger
which threatens our Constitution and nation
al existence. regret my inability to COM
ply with your request, for have like en-
gagement in this section for Saturday, the
ID. and after this cannot conveniently reach
you in time for the gathering.
My views are, to-day, what they were
when this hell-born rebellion assaulted the
glorious dag Of our country's pride and hope,
at Sumter-that 1t must be put down with
out regard TO cost Of blood or treasure; put
down by the strong arm OF Government
sustained by the material power and cheered
by the moral energy Of great. free people ;
put down upon the theater il selected for the
Inauguration Of its diabolical treason, the
field OF blood; and put down, too, by sever
ing tho head Of the loathsome serpent from
its body. II is not mere rebellion or out
break. IL is the result of dark and maligu
conspiracy. conceived and prosecuted by a
worse combination of evil spirits than as
sembled at Millions "Iniernal Conference. "
Ii will never relax nor yield until it has over
thrown the Government or been crushed in
60 the earth beyond hops or prospect Of res.
direction and not on y to its overthrow,
but its humiliation, should We, rs q people,
address ourselves.
There can DO, there should be, but two
parties to this contest in tho loyal States
Tho first, embracing those who, regardless of
oil other considerations or consequences, will
prosecute the war and sustain the Admins
trstiOn for the purpose Of Furnishing treason
and indicating the supremacy OF the Con-
stitution; and the other, those who sympa-
thize with rebellion and either justify il by
open advocacy or lend il aid and comfort and
encouragement, by mods and winks and sto-
len glances Of appreciation; by ill-concealed
apologies for its course, and by assaults upon
the Government for prosecuting war against
il. And in the second division should be
elassed all of any and every political party,
sect or faction. who cannot at such q time
rise above President making or Offce-hunting
machinery OF every description; abstain
from partaking OF the unelean drippings Of
the contract department, or Withstand the
Odor of the suffers stwpans.
The rebellion has only had greater power
OF endurance than was expected, because 1t
has received moral and material aid from
abroad, which we did not believe would DO
extended il. This has enabled ii to Keep up
on its feet longer, and TO stagger little fur
ther than we supposed il could; but the sat-
isiaction OF terminating its miserable exist
encc will be all the greater when il is done,
and tho means Of our people to strangie it
are as ample as their will is rosolute. The
war is not and should not be wagcd to adj
vance any cause on earth but that Of the
Constitution and the Laws. IL is not and
should not DO prosecuted to destroy any in
terest but those Of conspiracy and treason.-I
the protection Of loyalty and the destruction
Of rebellion.
But in the pursuit Of its purpose the Gov
ernmcnt must rise to tho dignity Of tho re
sponsibility, and while il extends the protec-
ton Of the Constitution 10 those who ac-
knowledge its obligation, should, in dealing
with revolt, lay its hand with iron rigor up
on every interest which will give il strength
or weaken its lawless adversary, and should
strike hardest where il will be- felt most
should, for the purpose OF conquering an
early peace, in obedience to the first instincts
of seli-preseratiOn and the hottest dictates
Of humanity, whenever it viii contribute to
these results, immediately or remotely, con-
denim and confscate TO its use every species
OF property OF every name and kind, wheth-
err animate or inanimatc, on two les or on
four. This will give an earnest OF the real
tiles Of war.
We have not now, nor hayo we ever had,
over about one. half men enough in the field
20 conquer and hold 50 vast an arena OF re-
bclliOn and the occasion is now presented
for US TO rec,ify the error, and to embOdy u
force which can practically assert the strength
and dignity n the Government can crush
tho venom ont 0t this postilont curse, and ox-
hibit 10 the CiHous meddlesome mOnarchies
of the old world the yindication. Of u free,
selfcoycrned people, against tho machina'
tons Of conspiracy and the sympathies Of
king craft.
In raising such forcc, the President should
understand that, 30 far rs taxation becomes
necessary to vigorous aud successful prose-
cution of the war. and 80 long as its fruits
ure faithfully applied to that purpose, the
people will not hesitate ut any amount, for
they mean this rebellion shall be destroyed
ard the Constitution sustained, cost what it
will or como what may; and in comparison
with these ruSults they viii disregard the dan
gers and blOOdshed and expenses Of war.
Governments are constitutiOnally timid,
and politicians are always behind the people,
and both should understand that the popular
demand OF to-day is not only Tor the raising
OF 500 900 men already ordered, but for a
further order for an equal number, with a
Recommendation that every able-bOdicd man
between the ages OF IL and IS, should pre-
pare 10 take the field in case Of necessity
Lot this.be recommended, and 50 much OF il
as may 6e necessary carried into effect, even
Tn the whole, and conspiracy will find its ~
ward. and the rebellion go to where it be-
longs. Let the people demand this, and our
good President proclaim il, and little more
will DC wanted than an act of amnesty for
the masses and halters for the leaders, to rc-
store law and order and peace.
Let every one who loves the institutions OF
his country now come forward to defend them.
let every ono who has a patriotic heart make
proGer OF II before the pcople. Let every
one who has Faith in free government show
his faith by his works. Let every one who
has ability to shoulder firclock come for
wari to do 50, and help rescue this land our
fathers loved from tho hands Of traitorous