The Portland daily press., 1863-10-15
Relative Worth of the Union,

The New York Evening Post refers to a
morning paper which, seeking to dsparage
the Missouri delegation and those they repre-
sent, affirns that they prefer the immediate
destruction of slavery to the salvation of the
Union, and says, General Blair
''intimated pretty much the same thing of what
she termed the radical abolition party, i'm his
:" late singular speech in Maryland, which APP
"pesrs to have given as much pain TO his old
friends as it has given pleasure to the enemies
"of the government of which he forms a part
But the imputation is not true so far as it
"regards the loyal radicals OF Missouri, and
eve do not ourselves know any recognized
party of which it is true"
The following extracts from the Posts ar
,icle are worthy of all acceptation:
With the salvation of the Union the extinction OF
slavery necessarily becomes mere question of time
IL there ever had been any reasonable doubt, which
there was not the course of the seeding slayeho-
ders have settled IT, that the continued existence of
lion Of slavery at no distant period And not only
So but the common sense OF the world that the
salvation Of this imperial republic In Its greatness in
the progressive extension of free principles and
the modification and ultimate uprooting OF despo-
tism all over the world.
ef the Union slide" If slavery is TO be allowed 10
continue, even amid the excitements of a popular
assembly. But 10 affirm II a n after of sober be-
lei would be the dictate of blind passion rather than
OF sound reason. The Chinaman who burnt his
house TO roast his pig was philosopher Of the
rank with the statesman who would allow the Union
TO perish in order to free the negro one year or ten
years before he ia certain TO be freed by other causes
Accordingly we repeat that we do not know of any
party which entertains scheme at once SO suicidal
vld needless. Neither the radicals of Missouri nor
OF any other part Of the country. that aware
or have taken leave of their TO the extent of
wishing to sacrifice the superlative end Of all their
prayers and endoavors which is the restoration OF
The nation In all its integrity and grandeur. one
OF the means by which that end Is to be attained.
What the Missouri radicals aud all other sound
hearted oyaists In regard TO slavery is this that
it is in itself most gigantic evil, which like all
other evils. ought TO be put away as il can
be; that il is incompatible with the ideas and infu.
euccs of our fundamental institutions, certain TO
make Us trouble always and therefore to be parayz-
ed IS much possible; and finally. that as ii has
been the cause of the existing rebellion SO it now
HE great obstacle in the of the recovery the
Union for nothing but its devotion TO slavery keeps
te southern mind in revolt; whence the reference Is
inevitable that slavery is removed that devotion
will cease, and with 1t the necessity for the war
They oppose slavery because they love the Union
and not because of other inferior and ultimate oil.
jccss Unable to discern how that Union Is TO be re-
covered and maintained while the only cause of dan
ger 10 it is permitted to flourish in undated vitality
and vigor. they have determined to annul the cause
Like skilful mechnnc who sees that his engine will
never 20 securely and safely so long as stones and
sand are suffered to clog the wheels they propose
clean out that rubbish
The whole question may be illustrated by the anal
ogy of great and good man whose usefulness is
impaired by gangrene cancer in part of the
body He may be able 10 live with ii for long time
and in the end perhaps, outgrow 1t; and one but
an insane man or a murderer would propose TO kill
him in order to get rid of the trouble. He will try
live in spite Of his suffering and inclemency. pro-
vlding for his family he and doing all the good
he can to his fellows. But should circumstances so
come about as to enable him TO extirpate the evil
not only without injury to himself, but TO the un-
speakabe relief and improvement of his entire
economy, he would be worse than fool not to apply
tue knife at once and with will. In doing so his
single object would be to his health not TO
nutilate his body destroy his life. Thus the SUI
prene object Of all loyal is TO restore the neg-
Iity OF the nation TO it from tho parricdal
hands which have been lifted against and reestab-
hsh II on grounds Of assured future being They
accept OF no equivalent for the Union which is first
duration, life tsef-and therefore they will suffer
no distractions to stand in the way Of its perfect
reiintcgration and its glorious onward march in the
future.