The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-08-15
For the Union and Journal.
To Alphcus A. Hanscom, ESQ.,, Editor
OF the Maine Democrat.

Consciously and Intentionally, or uncon-
sciously and foolishly, you are acting the part
Of a traitor. You are the conductor OF
public newspaper, extensively circulated and
largely read in many localities in tho county
of York, and as such WELD an influence which
at the present time is potent for evil.
1t would DO the loftiest exercise OF chris
tan charity, in view Of the editorials you
have pOnned during the last eighteen months,
to suppose that you had been insane or ro-
duccd by the act Of God to the mental imbe-
cility Of u natural fool. 1t would DO vastly
to your credit If either Of these proportions
could be proved; II would save you in the
years to come from the agony and rsmorso
which inevitably fills the soul Of him who is
traitor to his native land 1t would be the
riches, legacy you could leave to your poster
ity, enabling them, when reminded Of the
moral treason Of their father, to repel the
imputation by reference to the fact that you
wcrs Of unsound mind il would DO salt to
your memory, and save it from sinking in
the nostrils Of those who bear your name or
arc in any wise interested in you.
You have been the editor Of the Maine
Democrat for year,; for years the Maine
Democrat has been the accepted, accredited
organ Of the once proud and powerful Dem
ocratic party Of York county; II has ac-
quired circulation in every town in the
county; il has been welcome yisitant for
years in many households, and in some tho
only publication ever taken or read it has
furnished doctrine and illustration, argument
and inspiration, to many Of the local great
men Of tho party in tho country towns Of
the district. With many its Examinations
have had tho binding force of law-wish
some, the sanctity Of gospel truth. Some
mon have followed the teachings Of the Dem
oerat with blind and implicit Obedience
The perusal Of its columns has been their
solo mental alimcnt for years. How they
could possibly survive upon such unsubstan-
tial and diluted dict is one Of those mysteries
which the finite mind is wholly incapable Of
compromising. Without attempting ex-
PLANTATION. / simply state tho fact.
AZ the incoming Of the present Admins
trstion, such was the influence and standing
OF the Democrat. You will not deny it,
Your own breast is the repository Of facts
which would prevent you from doing so il
you would, and your vanity would prevent
your doing so IL you could. Now. then.
knowing The power you possessed. as tho cd.
itor Of public newspaper, and the mighty
influence you had upon the minds Of GER
tain classof your MISUNDERSTANDING that
10 greater extent than any living man in
York county, you was to give tone and d.
reetion to the thosuhis Of men who read
your paper-that among the Democrats who
still chung to tho old ark which you naviga-
ted, you were to mould opinions and furnish
political doctrine - knowing that in such
towns as Limington and Alfred, in Kenne-
bunkpOrt and Kit,ery, in York and Eliot,
and Others which might be named, there was
largo body Of men who would shape their
course precisely as the Democrat indicated,
and follow 1t as the ancient lsraelitcs followed
the pillar Of alternate FIRE and cloud-what,
in view Of the perilOus times then dawning,
and the baptism Of blood then impending
what. as an editor, as q christian gentleman
As lover Of your native land, rs friend oil
the human family. was your bounden duty
God in his providence has permitted you
10 live during the tendency Of the miShties'
rebellion OF his,ory-the grandOst and sub
limest event Of Time. The ages show moth
irs like ii. Tho historic conflicts Of ssntu.
riss, could they DO compressed into sinsl,
u year, would, in their consequences, b insis.