The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-06-06
William spraguo.
ny HORACE GREELEY.

The Puritan colonies In America were set
tied In good part by men Of great souls but
of modemte wealth. The American Repub-
lie was founded and It's independence achiev.
ed mainly by men who could not bsast OF
blue.blooded grandfathers. And 1t has been
proudly and justly asserted by the President
that, while Cabinet. Ministers, and eI.Em.
bassadors, with shanelully long list Of Of.
fcers In the army and navy, have proved
false to their oaths and too their dag, no
common soldier or sailor In the national SER
vice when the rebellion broke out has proved
a traitor. And 40, on the other hand, whilo
the insurgents havo found apologists, SYM
pathizers, champions, among wealthy and
eminent citizens OF the free States, the indus.
trious poor have never faltered nor wavered
In their enthusiastic devotion to the flag OF
the free. 0urs Is struggle OF the common
people against the worst development OF ar
istocracy and despotism, and the the people
will press 1t to glorious and bene6cient Is
sue.
But patriotism Is not restricted to any
: class or station. The greater number OF tho
rich have We'd with the poor In their devotion
to and sacrifices OF the Union. Thousands
who realized that ono inevitable consequence
of the struggle would DO their own precipit-
alton from rapidly increasing afluence to
bankruptcy, have unhesitatingly said-'take
the last dollar Of our property, the last drop
of our blood, but leayo usstill our country"
And these, though no better than the plough
man or ditcher who gave all he has-his life
Ito save that OF the nation, are still to DO
held In grateful honor by rescued and re-
generated people. In honor Of the class ~
we'll rs the man, this tribute Is feelingly ten
dered.
Gov. William Sprague Is q son Of the en-
inent and enterprising citizen OF like name
who devoted long liic to the manufacture
Of cotton fabrics ut Warwick Rhode Island.
The elder Sprauge was an able energetic, dill.
igent, thrifty man, who knew how to wrench
success from influences which to others
wrought disaster, and who steadily pursued
and gradually extended his business while ri
yals bowed to the blast OF "rcvulsions" and
"papics," and, having lost all their means,
vanished from tho scene, he died full Of years
and Of honors, leaving an estate, mainly In
vested In cotton mills, or something like .
million dollars, to the subject OF this notice,
then just attaining his majority.
Young Sprauge succeeded to the business
Of his father, which he prosecuted with un-
diminished energy, and succeeded also to bis
influence and aspirations. The father had
been an active politician through the portion
of his career, the candidate Of his party
(whig) for Governor, and amember OF Con-
gress-at first Of the House, atterward ofthe
Senate. The son was scarcely more than OF
age, when he was solicited Tin April, lS60)
to run for Governor in opposition 10 the Re-
publican candidate, whom II was supposed
possible to defeat, though his predecessor
had been elected by vote OF moro than two
to one. lIe acceeded was supported by all
the opposing parties and some Republicans,
and elected after most active and energetic
contest, his vote being higher than any ever
cast in the State for another. whether .for
Governor or President; even Mr.. Lincoln's
poll the next fall was slightly less, though
tncoln's clear majority In Rhode Island ov.
er the fusion ticket opposed TO him was moro
than four thousand. In 1861, Gov. Sprague
was 10 elected over popular Republican
competitor by an increased majority, and at
the late election he had no opponent. Hc
is presumed to cherish generally the conscr-
yatiyc principles that impelled him 10 sup
port Mr. Fillmore for President in 1856,
though he took no public part In tho Presi-
Dental election Of 1850.
Ills triumphant election In 1861 had bars-
ly been declared when the booming OF the
cannon encircling devoted Sumter rcverberat-
cd through the land, IL there was any 70
whom those guns conveyed an uncertain
sound-who thought II still possible TO pre-
serve the Union by concessions and compro-
misrs-he was not Of them. Within tho
week after the fall Of Sumter tho first reg'-
ncnt of Rhode Island volunteers, with Am
brose +. Burnside (now commanding Gencr-
al in n North Carolina) as Colonel. "" organ
ired, equipped and armed, and impauenuy
awaiting orders to proceed 10 the meuopoih:
That regiment was more than one thousand
strong, and was filed with the best blood OF
Rhode Island. One Of its .priyates was worth
over u million dollars, and on the roint Of
starting on pleasure trip TO Europe, when
the call Of his country impelled him TO give
up his passage ticket, shoulder his musket,
and march ~ resist and defeat the machina-
tions of treason. At the bead of that noble
regiment went the Governor ~ Commander.
in.Chiei of the State forces, the famous ma
rine artillery Of Providence swelled ih ranks
to about twelve hundred 1t passed through,
New York on the 2lst Of April, and reached
Washington on the d Of May (for In those
last days Of April. when the railroads through
Maryland were broken up By tresson, pa,.,aS .ac
passage IRON the Delaware TO the roso%ao SI,;n.'
was 4 serious and by no means eIpeoit'oas
.T.,s,~and vas received BY the President,
III. of Dena nartmeuts, and all loyal citizens,
n,s1. is,,.;..,n of welcome OF which
,hs asI intensity as can hardly now b reslissd1 nd
Tho.o TN -. fsv prompt and stern regiments, which