The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-10-09

and having secured his position in that De-
partment, no doubt they felt that he was I'M
der special obligations to follow their lead and
to shower favors upon such pets as should pre-
sent themselves with their cards of introduc-
ton and with their special recommendation.
1t is known how Fremont was, treated. 1t is
matter of history how summarily he was re-
lieved of his command at the very moment
victory seemed within his grasp. 1t is known
how suddenly the Blair influence was turned
against him. 1t is alleged that this sudden
turn in their friendship and favor was because
they could not control him and make him the
instrument of personal profit to them and to
those whom they favored. Fremont had the
misfortune to anticipate events. He proposed
conflscation and emancipation In his Depart
ment a little too early, and was overruled. He
1t was who suggested the fotlla on the west
ern waters which has done SO much to open
the Mississippi. The Blairs will live to be
older men than they yet are, before the Amer
lean people will feel towards them the deep
debt of gratitude which they already acknowl-
edge to be Fremont's due. To denounce FIRE.
mont now, at this late day, for his abolition
and this denunciation TO come from an officer
of the cabinet-looks amazingly like striking
at the President, the great abolisher, in an I'M
demanded and indirect manner for his bold
stroke in the issuance of the Proclamation of
Emancipation; a measure, it is well under
stood, which was opposed by Mr.. Postmaster
Blair, and never even yet has received his
sympathy or approval. But we pass:
Mr.. Blair concludes his speech as follows:
The issues are thus made up between the President
and the rebels and their foreign sympathizers, who
would rcvoutionize Government to create a sep
arate Government in the South, on the hand
and ON the other hand between the President and
the ultra abolitonists, who would disranchise the
southern section of country Ii is not improba-
Bile that the latter, though aiming at different
suit rH be found cooperating in the end icith
spirdtors Of the South and their foreign allies
They may prefer parting acth the South to partner
ship and equality under the Constitution.
A more infamous aspersion was never cast
upon loyal men than is contained in the con-
Guiding lines of the above paragraph. 1t is
an intimation,-nay more than an intimation;
distinct prophecy that the men now most
active in quellng rebellion, the men who
doubt the policy of protecting negro slavery,
will yet be found joining hands with the reb-
els, and the foreign enemies of our govern
ment. Who are the men thus aspersed? In
the field it strikes at such men as Grant, Lo-
gan, Rosecrans, Howard, McClernard and
Banks; it strikes at Butler, Fremont and
Cochrane; it strikes at Shepley, Andy john
son and Joseph Holt; it strikes also at all the
laadtpn Of ha ta. <.f ,t,a
Cabinet like Stanton and Chase; and we dare
assert that it includes in its sweep more than
seven-eights of the men of Maine who rolled
up the recent glorious Union victory. 1t is a
gross SANDER upon the masses of the North.
IL is gross libel upon the most efficient men
in the field - officers and soldiers - and the
equally efficient men in the councils of the
nation. Divested of the aid afforded by the
men thus maligned by Mr.. Blair, and Mr..
Lincoln would be as powerless before the reb-
els as an infant in its nurses arms. The men
who applaud such calumny upon the active
supporters Of the government in its present
hour of trial, are those who are now in SYM
pathy with the rebels. In Ohio they will be
found to be the supporters OF Vallandigham.
In this State they supported Bradbury. All
over the country they are those who carp and
grumble atlsll earnest efforts put forth tomain-
tain the authority of the government. We in
sist that Mr.. Blair has maligned the nations
best friends. He has assaulted the loyal men
of the country. Heihas, designedly or unwit-
tngly, made his big bid for copperhead friend
ship; and while doubtful men men who
would sell their country for preferment or
cruelty liberty to uphold an infamous institu-
tion-will applaud his words, all true, loyal,
patriotic men will feel sad, and consider that
they have received blow from quarter
where should have been only friends.