The Portland daily press., 1863-04-30

rOnly short time since the Press spoke in
highly eulogistic terms of Geo. 4. Emery, Esq.
Yesterday, however, it expended column IN
wanton and malignant abuse of that gentleman.
1t is Of little consequence. The assaults OF that
viperous sheet cannot harm him.-lArgu 29th
The readers of the Press know how much
of wantonness and malgnity were manifested
In our notice of Mr.. Emery; = the readers of
the Argus will never know anything about it,
certainly not from that sheet. 1t is easier to
denounce us for the exhibition of traits we
have not manifested, than to meet the force of
the stubborn facts" which we presented. We
commend the Argus for its prudence -apru-
dence, however, exhibited at the expense of
all fairness and honor.
True, only short time since the Press did
speak in highly eulogistic terms of Mr.. En-
cry, and it did so honestly, looking for no re-
turn or reward, because it judged that gentle
man by his oft made speeches, his published
articles, and bis protested willingness to ignore
all party ties In grand effort to sustain the
Government and the constitutional authori-
ties of the Government. Mr.. Emery took
that commended and endeared him to all
loyal men; position that promised much, and
that induced loyal gentlemen t0recommend
him to the people of the State as a fitting man
TO take charge of some of the soldiers dearest
rights.
But when he leaves that high position, and
throws himself into the lead of the most cop
Al - 4; nd de 10
commended by the very men who but little
while since denounced him for his fidelity to
the Government and his ardent support of the
war; when he assumes that the restoration
to power of a party whose leaders have
plunged US into the vortex of civil war, and
trampled upon their country's flag, and are
trying by force of arms to subvert the Consti-
tuition of the fathers, can alone save the ma
ton in its season of peril, or that such party
has always been noted for its loyalty; and
above all when he endorses the meanest and
most infamous ISLANDERS against the only party
in this country whose euery member is for
putting down rebellion, for maintaining the
supremacy OF law and for indicating the
honor of our flag; - when he or any other
man does these things, then our special re-
spect for him ceases, and instead of eulogizing
him, we are required by honor, by truth,
and by fidelity to the public, TO expose
his demagogism, and to deplore his defec-
ton. 1t is not in anger but in sorrow that the
loyal men of the city regard the recent course
Of the gentleman referred to. No past virtues
and no former works of supererogation can
excuse an intelligent man for STOPPING to the
low level which Mr.. Emery showed himself to
occupy by the remarks We quoted from him in
q former article. When he stated that loyal
ty, as defined by the Republican party, meant
"a blind obedience and submission to the feel
sings, the wishes, the caprices, and the ambi-
@tious acts OF Lincoln and political leaders,
"without regard to the constitutionality or I'M
"constitutionality of either" he not only stat
stated, but In his party bitterness he gave ut
terance to base calumny,-an unmitigated,
inexcusable and shameful SANDER of party
whose skirts are free from the smell of treason.
BY the way: what did Mr.. E. mean by his
fling at the unconstitutiondlity of Lincoln's
acts? Did he refer to the Emancipation?
Proclamation, the Conscriptiou act, or what?
There is something significant in this fippant
remark from gentleman whose legal abilities
have never found higher practical field of
operation than the mere clerical duties of
judicial court. The people look to the Bench
and not to the clerks desk for legal opinions,
particularly opinions touching the constitu-
tonality of the acts of the President of the
United States. 1t is hoped that Mr.. Emerys
intimation Of the unconsttutionalty of Mr..
Lincoln's acts comes of his own legal qualities,
and does not foreshsdow the opinions of the
learned Court whose acts it is his business to
record? He is clerk of the U. S. Circuit
Court, but we are mistaken in Judge Clifford
If he Is not too wise and too close-mouthed
jurist to decide questions not submitted to
him and we doubt very much If any obiter
dictum of his, touching the Emancipation
proclamation or any other "act OF Lincoln's,"
has furnished his worthy clerk with clue to
the decision he would render should a ques-
ton touching those acts be brought before the
Supreme Bench. We allude to this point
because some who do not know how proven
bal Judge Clifford is for his reticence on such
matters, have intimated that perhaps Mr.. En-
cry foreshadowed an opinion that he had
heard expressed in advance upon question
OF vital interest to the nations salvation and
honor.
ssLook out for the BIRTHS Pirates.''
Under such an alarming caption the Boston
Commercial RulJatip axnrassas tho faar that