The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-09-18

The following is the letter written by Mr..
Everett to tho Mass Convention which as
scmblcd on Thursday at Springfield, Illinois:
BosroS, Aug. "a, 1868.
NV Dear Sir IL received fow days ago
your letter of the 10Th, inviting me to attend
the grand mass meeting Of "The uncondi.
tional Union men OF the State of ofIllinois," to
be held on the Sd of September ut Springfield.
IL will not be in my power to attend the
meeting, but its objects, as explained by
you, have my cordial sympathy.
The elections soon to be held, will be OF
moro than unsual Importance. They will
throw light on the great question, how far
il is possible for free government, constitut
cd in its legislative and executive branches
by popular choice TO prosecute with vigor n
war oil considerable duration, and ono which
entails heavy burdens on the community.
As representative government is mainly
carried ON by party organization, the great
interests Of the country, both in peace and
war. are too apt to become the arena, in
which the opposite parties strive for the mas
tory. Questions in themselves Of secondary
Importance to the general welfare are often
contested with vohemenco and passion, and
that by men Of ability and patriotism work
Ing themselves up to tho belief that they are
contending for matters Of vital Importance.
Within my experience, the politics OF the
country have SUCCESSFULLY turned upon four
or two questions, regarded ut tho time as oil
tho greatest moment, butno utterly obse-
lete and forgotten.
These improbable contests, while they
last, are the source Of great embarrassment
to the administration Of the General Govern.
mcnt for the time being, which finds itself
thwarted in all its measures, however patri-
otc and beneficial their tendency, by indis-
criminate opposition, aiming only ut an
electioneering triumph. This is very seri-
Gus evil even in time of peace, greatly en-
hancing the difficulties and burdens OF pub
lie life, and highly detrimental to the public
interests.
In time OF war. the evil becomes one Of
tremendous magnitude. The questions that
then present themselves are naturally more
important than ordinary political issues in
time of peace, while every blow struck at
the measures of the Government, though de-
signed only to effect change Of Adminstra-
ton, really affords aid and comfort to the
enemy. This will be the case when the op.
position to governmental measures is sincere
iy dictated by honest difference Of opinion
Nay, il will even be the case when the oppo-
sition is directed against measures palpably
mistaken, either on grounds oil principle or
policy. No administration is free from er-
ror, and il party spirit Is allowed to prevail,
its errors will be severely criticized, usually
exaggerated, and often fcrcely denounced, /,
till tho attention Of tho country, instead OF
being fixed on the great and main questions
on which all good patriots arc agreed. is
turned to side issues OF minor and often tac-
titious Importance.
In this way the administration OF tho gov.
ernmcnt is weakened and embarrassed, and
the vigorous prosecution Of the war, which
every patriotic citizen admits TO DO the par
amount object. is in some degree paralyzcd.
have doubted the policy oil some meas
urcs of the administration, and have strong
ly disapproyed others, but regarding the
persons in power for the time being rs the
constitutional agents of the people for carry
ing ON the government considering the
war which has been forced upon us oy the
ambitious dcmagogucs ot the South as a
question Of national life or dcath.that to
have the doctrine OF secession established ut
the mouth Of tho rcbol cannon, is simply TO
consicu tho country to a future oil eternal
border war, and to lay its dishonorcd iraS'
men,s at the feet Of foreign powers can
nos but think il unpatriotic to attempt, Tor
tho sake of party triumph, to mako Politi'
cal capital out OF tho difficulties, or II you
please, the errors, unavoidably incident to
The conduct of tho war Of such gigantic d.
mensions. -.
Itisa pretty safe test, in cases OF this
kind, to ask how the views and measures o'
a party are regarded by tho common enemy
Applying this test in the present case, noth.
inS is more certain than that the triumph ~
tho approaching elections Of any party or.
sani.ed and operating for tho prostration oi
the Administration, would be regarded with
unmingled satisfaction by the leaders Of the
rebellion and their sympathizers abroad
Indeed their last hope is in our divisions.
Candor requires mo to add. that il il is the
idu;y Of the good citizen to abstain from fac.