The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-11-21


The regular weekly meeting of the Mechan-
les Association for lectures and debates was
held at the Library room Of Mechanics Build
ing last evening. The question laid on the
table at the last meeting was taken up for dis
cussion, viz:
Resolred, That it is not desirable to restore the
States, now in rebellion, with the institution OF
slavery remaining in them with the CONSTITUTIONS
guarantees for its protection
Mr.. Patten opened the debate. lie SAID
the cause of the war was an attempt on the
part of the South to perpetuate slayery-that
they expected, and received to certain ex-
tent, aid from the North. They contended
that slavery was the corner stone of the re-
public and they were willing TO involve the
nation in war, rather than yield any of its
powers--the result has been that thousands of
lives have been sacrificed and an immense
debt has been forced upon us. After what has
been done and suffered, the people of this
country are determined to destroy this ele-
ment of discord and civil war. The recent
elections indicate the feeling and determine
ton Of the intelligent people of the free
States = they are determined to settle the
question in such a way as that it will stay set
tied for all coming time, and to do this they
see the necessity of abolishing forever this
cause Of the rebellion, and hereafter refuse to
give sanction or support TO this enemy Of our
peace and quietness and never allow it to re-
main In any State in this Union.
Mr.. Emery said men could not be forced to
tl,zs. eli
be to make slaves of white men-that negro
cannot be equal to white man; God has not
made him SO. II the people of the South
wanted slavery abolished, why do they fight
to sustain it? They are fighting for their
own freedom. II has been contended that no
nation can be sustained that relies upon paper
currency. 1t was contended when the South
raised men by CONSUMPTION, that they must
break down under such an arrangement
How is it now with the North? The con-
scription protects the South in the possession
of their slaves, and we have no right to med
die with property they hold under the Consti-
tuition.
Mr.. Walton wished to know who we are
to'treat with when the rebellion is put down
with JEFF. Davis, Mason, Slidell or Stevens?
1t was never known in history before, that a
government could carry on such a stupendous
war upon its resources without becoming in
volveG in debt to other nations. With such
power and such resources, it is determined to
free itself OF an evil that has stood more in
the way OF its success than anything else.
Mr. q p Kimhall ea;d tI,a ,,as,;a, ,.oo 49,.
whether or not slavery is an evil, but how do
we, as nation, stand in reference to it. 1t
exists and we must meet it, the evil, and man
age as best we can. We have decreed in re-
gard to the power of the South, and we ought
to be cautious how we say that we will never
submit TO the settlement of this question, UNI
less 1t can be done as VIC think it ought to be
done. The constitution to-day is the supreme
law OF the entire country, and that constitu-
ton grants certain rights to all the States,
which rights some of the States claim and will
not come back into the Union unless they can
have their constitutional rights.
Mr. Walker contended that the South had
no just cause for the rebellion-had no right
to throw off their allegiance-and as they had
commenced the war they must suffer the con-
sequences, which would be the destruction of
their peculiar institution
Mr.. Foster spoke Of the difference in the
moral and pecuniary condition OF the North
and South, and contended that slavery was
the cause of the dilferenee-that, naturally. the
South had many advantages over the North,
but the blighting influence of slavery made
the difference. The war had united the North
In one determined purpose to do away with a
curse that has been hanging over the land for
SO many years.
Mr.. Cole said the government regards this
war as an instruction and not as reyolu-
tion-if the rebellion should succeed then it
would be a revolution. The proclamation does
not touch slavery in some of the States and
portions of States, and it will be found impos
sible to reach it by any power we possess.
The question WIS laid on the table for dis
cussion at the next meeting.