The Portland daily press., 1862-12-29
The Advertiser tor 1853.


for the coming year, and make some remarks
as to the real character of that paper. Had
not its course been foreshadowed in the pro-
spectus it could not have been misunderstood.
Its editor-in-chief boasts that, however umid
Others may be, he has courage and ddres pup
lish his sentiments. The readers of the Ad-
vertiser have had timely and explicit notice
that it will not only oppose the Adminlstra-
ton, but openly justify the rebellion.
As the rebels are fighting for slavery, the
only ground on which loyal men can meet the
issue is that of freedom. Slavery and the re-
bellion are inseparable. The President has be-
come convinced that the only way to over
come the one is to destroy the other. He has
to this end announced to the nation before the
civilized world, that the coming New Year shall
be year of jubilee to the slaves. With the
morning light of its first day he will proclaim
liberty Throughout the land to all the inhabi-
tants thereof" and from that time the Ad-
vertiser will justify and defend the rebels in
whatever means they may resort to for the
purpose of carrying out theirinfernal schemes.
They may not only continue to wage their
abominable war, as they are now doing, but
they NAV resort to the most barbarous and
savage measures of retaliation, as they threat
en- to do, and in the Portland Advertiser they
will have an organ that will "dare" be their
advocate and defender. In proof of this we
give an entire paragraph, with its original
italics and capitals, from an editorial which
appeared in that paper soon after the Presi-
dent issued his preliminary proclamation of
freedom. Its language is such as to leave no
doubt of its meaning, nor of the downright
treason in the heart of its author:
"When the Federal government shall, of its
own measure, assent to, or aid in the destruc-
tion of any State constitution, or Of any State
institution rightfutty existing under such con-
stitution, as does the Institution of slavery, it
becomes, itself, a party to REVOLUTION =
and every citizen is justified in renouncing
and opposing it. from that instant, as an usltr-
patton and q despotism, and no longer as the
government acting under, or by authority of
the Constitution or the Union. There is
neither rebellion, or treason, or crime, or der
ELECTION of duty, in fighting such an usurpa-
tion, by all the means that God and nature
have put at the command of the States, or of
individuals.
One of "the means which God and nature
will put at the command" of the rebels, il they
see fit to use it, will be retaliation" This.
indeed, they Immediately proposed. Mr..
Semmes of Louisiana, introduced resolution
in favor of retaliation" into the Confederate
Congress, which was regularly referred to the
Judiciary Committee. The following is the
resolution, with brief extract from the pre-
limina-y discussion on the same.
Resoired By the Congress Of the Confederate State,
That the proclamation of Abraham Lincoln, Presl-
dent ofthe United States of America ssued in the
city of Washington in the year 1862. wherein he de-
clares hat the first day II January, in the year
of our Lord 1868, all persons held as slaves within
any State. designated parts of "A State, whereof
the people shall be in rebellion against the United
States shall be henceforh and forever free is lev
eled against the citizens of the Confederate Staies
and such is gross rioidtion Of the usages Of cir
Hized ,cdJdre, an outrage on the rights of private
property. and an inrttd ION TO dtrocoas serrie
tcdr. and therefore should be held up 10 the
ton of mankind, and counteracted by such retalia-
tory measures as in the judgment of the President
may be best calculated to secure its withdrawal
rest its execution.
Mr.. Clark of Missouri, moved that the reso-
luton be referred to the Committee on Foreign
Affairs. He was in favor of declaring every
citizen Of the Southern Confederacy a soldier,
authorized to put TO death every man caught
on our soil in arms against the Government.
Mr.. Semmes, OF Louisiana, said that the res
olution had not been drawn without reflection.
The question Of retaliation was exclusively an
Executive one, to be regulated by circumstan-
ces. But it was proper that the Legislative
Department of the Government should express
its approval of the retaliation contemplated by
the resolution.
Mr.. Henry of Tennessee, said that the reso-
luton did not go far enough. He favored the
passage ofa law providing that, upon attempt
being ma,le to execute the proclamation of
Abraham Lincoln, we Immediately hoist the
"black flag" and proclaim war Of extermi-
nation against all invaders of our soil
Mr.. Phelan OF Mississippi said that he had
always been in favor of conducting the war
under the "black flag" IL that flag had been
raised year ago, the war would be ended
now.
Ofthe same character is the following pre-
amble and resolution of the Virginia Legisla-
ture, introduced by Mr.. Collier of Petersburg
Whereas Abraham Lincoln. President of the Uni
ted States, by ms recent proclamation Is acting in
stod contempt of hepiLciple of property in slaves,
which no less ated in the United States Con-
sfitufion than IN ours aud is aiming by said procla-
nation, TO excite seryie iusnl rection in midst
Resoired, therefore: That no person, within this
State shall be held TO have committed any offence
against the criminal sws thereof shall be tried or
imprisoned, be required to answer AT any time for
act done in driving from the state or putting 10
death, any person with or without arms who MAJ be
found on our soil aiding in any way give effect TO
the fendish purposes of said proclamation.
As strange as it may seem, incredible indeed
but for its own declarations, the Advertiser
will justify these rebels in whatever they may
do, even to the numbering of prisoners of war
In cold blood, as Clark and Phelan and Henry
desire; or, moreover, to the same diabolical
practice upon peaceful citizens, the putting
TO death any person." found on their sacred
soil, whether with or without arms" who is
loyal to the government of the United States
And in all this the Advertiser has said, and OF
course continues to say, "there is neither re-
duty;" for the government has become "an
usurpation,p which anything and everybody
will be justified in not only opposing, but in
lighting" and that, too, "by all the means
that God and nature have put at their COM
mand." While our citizens may be obliged
to tolerate the publication of such treasonous
paper at their New England home, is it at all
surprising that they should refuse to patronize
it? No wonder its proprietor complains of
what he calls IAN abolition raid" on its sub
scriptioa list.
GB-Our correspondent, "Kennebec," who
proposes that county or town lists of "traitors"
be made out and printed for the information of
future generations has not elaborated his plan
sufficiently Before von nan anroll vonr trai