The Portland daily press., 1862-12-13
Debate at Mechanics, Hall.

DCDdtC ut IuCCMduiCS
The debate on the Presidents Proclamation
was again renewed, in the presence of large
audience assembled in the Library Room of
the Association, on Thursday evening last
after spirited discussion of more than two
hours it was decided in favor of the affirma-
tive.
As it was probable in the beginning, that the
debate would be concluded that evening, there
seemed to be a disposition to pay off old debts
contracted at previous meetings, and to clear
up records generally-thus it happened that
several of the speakers shot wide of the ques-
tion that they might rap the political knuckles
of their opponents.
Mr.. G. L. Bailey opened the discussion in
the affirmative. Mere assertion by any person
was neither argument or proof; those defend
ing the negative had not sustained their ground
so much by arguments and facts as by asser-
tions based on their own opinions. He did
not believe in conditional patriotism. Let the
President be sustained and the Proclamation
would work an injury to the South which
would weaken the rebellion.
He was followed by Mr.. ]. T. Emery, who
having been accused of making statement
which he did not make was determined that
the game as well as the name should be his
He proved to his own satisfaction that man
had moral right to hold slaves, provided he
sees no wrong in it, and civil law does not
oppose him in it. He said we were now under
military despotism, that the North was suf-
farpO from, AL A.
Proclamation, if acquiesced in by the people,
will destroy the American Union.
He was followed by Mr. Stephen Patten, who
severely condemned demagoguesm and urged
the Importance of sustaining the government
with unanimity. He thought Mr.. Emery, in
his quotations from the Bible and his argu-
ment on moral rights, had rather 'stolen the
livery of the Court of Heaven to serve the
devil in" The question is not merely whether
the slaves will be benefited, how they are to
be clothed and educated, but one of war policy;
the Proclamation will weaken slavery, and
this, with the unanimous support of the gov
eminent, will break down the rebellion.
Mr.. Samuel A. Nash objected to the Procla-
nation because it was uncalled for and would
tend to divide the North and unite the South.
He believed the loss of the balance of power
by the South was the cause of the rebellion.
Mr.. S. L. Carleton followed in the affirma-
tive, attacking the positions of Mr.. Emery
who made a vigorous reply.
Mr.. Chas. p. Kimball defended himself and
the Democratic party with marked earnestness.
He and his party had always sustained the
government, but he could not now support the
President, who he had hoped would administer
the government in constitutional way, but
he had been disappointed. Mr.. K read a
poem which had appeared in the New York
Tribune in 1854, and drew from it some infer
ences as to the political integrity of the Re-
publican party.
To this, Mr. n. A. Foster replied, crediting
the man who would make such statements
with large amount of brass and impudence,
because he must know they were unjust. 1t
had been said that the Proclamation held out
no inducements TO the South to return to 10y
alty-the proclamation made the proposition
to them, that if they would lay down their
arms and yield obedience TO the government
they should be protected in all their rights,
slavery included That some of the rebellious
States SO regarded it was proved by the move
ments they were now making in regard to
Congressional elections. Our soldiers in the
field want the enemy Weakened all loyal men
desire 1t. How shall it be done? With five
millions of white men they have been able to
raise an army to oppose that which twenty
three millions in the North have sent to the
contest Slaves have enabled them to do this:
take these out of their service, make them our
allies, and we shall see the rebellion efiectually
weakened. South Carolina, having about one
hundred thousand more blacks than whites,
will be overwhelmed with insurrection: her
Governor will demand that her troops be sent
home to protect the State so will it be in other
States, and this surely will weaken the grand
army Of the South, and tend to subdue the
rebellion. When this is completely accom-
plished, our soldiers will come home only to
take their families with them and return again
to the South, there settling on the basis of free
labor; they will root out the old aristocracy
and thus harmony will be restored
Thus closed this, debate, which has been
continued with great &nterest and enthusiasm
through several sessions of the Association
We think that the members may congratulate
themselves on being pretty good fellows. and
as one of their number says of himself. "not
afraid to talk" 1t is to be hoped that another
interesting question will be taken up, and that
1t, rather than political parties will be discus
sed-thus decided benefits may accrue to the
speakers, the audience and the public.