The Portland daily press., 1862-12-06
Debate at Mechanics Hall.

Debate at Mechanics Hall.
A large and interested audience gathered in
the library Room of the Mechanics Associa-
ton on Thursday evening, to listen to the
debate on the Presidents Proclamation, which
has been continued with great earnestness
through several sessions. The auditors, as
we'll as the speakers, evidently anticipated some
lively demonstrations, and they were not dis
appointed. The discussion was not confined
strictly to the question, the debaters claiming
the privilege to go aside to refute whatever
seemed to them wild or erroneous in the argu-
ments of their opponents. 1t was gatifying to
notice, however, that although many very
sharp things were said on both sides, some G
them touching personal political records, past
professions compared with present conduct,
party inconsistencies and misdemeanors,-a
of them giving zest to the entertainment-the
only irritation produced was to excite the par
ticipants to sharper thrusts, without hostile
feelings.
The discussion was opened by Mr.. o. S.
Beale, who made spirited reply to the argu-
ments used against his remarks the previous
evening, and gave his opinion as to the merits
OF the two political parties. He was succeeded
by Mr.. J. T. Emery, who in sustaining the
negative, severely censured the administration,
contending that the course it had pursued had
divided the North, and he was able to prove
that those composing the administration were
either thieves or traitors. Massachusetts would
starve on the compliments which Mr. Emery
bestowed on her and all Of her political faith.
He was opposed to the Proclamation, because
he believed it would in its results, prove the
end of our government.
j. 7. Walton hung out the banner of his
convictions as to the two political parties in a
characteristic speech, and gave in his adhe-
renee to the Proclamation, believing as he did,
that the Government, in executing its provis-
ions, was acting in obedience to the principles
of a great moral law which is always produc-
tive of happy results.
Chas. p. Kimball opposed the proclamation,
because, in his opinion, it could do the rebels
no harm nor the slaves any good; because it
is unconstitutional and contrary to the prom
ises of the President and the action of Con-
gress, and because it destroyed confidence in
the Presidents honesty and capacity" That
these attributed qualities of the Executive
were always humbug he had no doubt. He
believed that Floyd and Cobb, the traitors,
were not so bad as some who are now in the
national government
n. A. Foster followed In the affirmative,
briefly reviewing some of the arguments of
those sustaining the negative. He believed
slavery was the producing cause of the rebel
lion, and if it was blotted out the rebellion
would cease to exist The fighting men of the
South are able to be in the field only because
the slaves are sustaining them by labor on the
plantations at home-take away this prop and
we can easily make an end of the war. Dem
ocrats fear to do this lest it should irritate the
South. He did not believe the South could
well beirritated to the performance of morebar-
barous deeds than those they had already done.
The effect Of the Proclamation would be TO
give early and general freedom to the slaves,
and thus the war would he terminated and the
supremacy Of the government established
Mr.. Kimball, in reply to some observations as
w MS PoiitiSdi WdhucilnSs anu IttuIIlDIS Dy
Mr.. Foster, contended that he still stood on
Douglas ground, and that he was willing to
'iollow in the wake" of any man, however
humble, who was right. He invoked the pres
ence of Douglas to explain to the people some
OF the late messages of President Lincoln, and
said he could not sustain the President in the
course which he has pursued during the last
six months. His remarks throughout were
clearly and forcibly expressed.
Mr.. NJ. A. Blanchard, speaking in the afir-
NATIVE, was convinced that the Proclamation
would result fayorably for the nation. The
conflict is now so great that slavery must 60
down. 1t does not even ask for the protection
OF, but opposes itself to the government. II,
as an enemy to the life of the nation, this in-
stitution can be struck by power higher than
the constitution, let the government deal its
heaviest blows upon it.
The hour of adjournment having arrived,
on motion of Mr.. Emery the question was laid
on the table for discussion at the next meeting