The Portland daily press., 1863-07-11

plains the calmness with which we watch the
signs Of the times, and neghtons the encour-
agement which the recognition of the holy
trust manifested through such calmness shoud
give. So in the midst Of our Countrys trial
we need never quail, but look forth, beyond
the rack and ruin of the storm, to the smiling
light of heaven struggling towards US.
There is another source of encouragement
n the present condition of affairs; not so much
ldeducable from acknowledged aud notable
achievements, as indicated in the disposition,
manifested throughout our yariou. communi
ties, towards the course, the methods and aim
of the times. 1t is not to be had in any spe-
cial thing done. 1t cannot be crystalized
any such way. 1t is not to be had in any one
superior despotic idea. Rather does it brood
over the chaos of impulse, prejudice and pas
sion, forming, out of the meeting of antago-
nisms, out of the conflict waging between
ideas and things, handsome creation. We
extol the patriotism of our people. 1t is well
that we do so. But let us consider, that after
all, patriotism may be simply from an ardent
zeal for the welfare OF human beings, or from
proud imaginative attachment TO the majes
tic land OF which we enroll ourselves sons and
daughters, :" or from the stern independence
and infexible integrity of an upright and
honorable minds Or, again, it may be, and
after all, the purest patriotism resolves itself
trust in the ultimate sovereignty of right,
that magma est ceritas et preraiibit, express
ing itself in the largest heroism of endurance
and sacrifice. Patriotism-the patriotism of
idea and trust--nust be in these times, at any
rate, metamorphosed into the patriotism of
pluck.
There needs to be an eloquent utterance of
life, OF well directed energy, as well as of
serenity and calm. The glorious record set
against one of our Maine regiments, second to
none 10 the land, is not that its roster tells the
names OF men vino profess loyalty, but that
il has been prored in The .fire--has borne the
brunt of battle with unbroken front, and never
turned its back to the foe. That is what
makes the 7th Maine Volunteers the vanguard
of our honor. will not resist the pleasure of
repeating an instance of its brave spirit. At
the commencement of the famous Peninsuar
retreat-which needs Xenophon to do II
justice-there were eighty-iour men in the 7th
Maine reported by the regimsntal surgeon,
sick and unfit for duty. When the regiment,
after its weary march, reached Harrison Land
ing, only four men were on the sick list. The
Others, when they found fighting was on hand,
shouldered theft mnskets and fell into the
ranks. More than this, corps inspection
being ordered of the regiments in the corps,
that had had as much service this alone could
be reported, all equipped, ready for duty. There
or stockings, or coats-indeed, men who had
but the scantiest apology for clothing-but, to
their unrivaied honor be it stated, there was
not a man whose piece was not in perfect
order, aud his cartridge box well furnished.
know of nothing equaling this, except it
be the noble three hundred and fifty of the
9th Maine-a veritable Lacedemonian host
who scorned TO return TO ignoble ease, when
their country pleaded for their help. They
dill mt cnuuf their devotion nv davs hut he
deeds.
But VIC need not go from out the limits of
our own city-which has proved itself n city
on hill, that cannot be hid-for indications,
ay, for express declaration of the spirit which.
because it is common TO our loyal hosts,
should give US foil encouragement.
What noble uprising was witnessed nine
days ago. Some OF us had mistaken the serene
composure-the lack Of enthusiasm, the un-
ruiiied spirit n our city, as indicative oi ear
lessness, ndiiierence-lacS Of devotion To our
country's cause. But as it needs one smallest
spark only 20 fire a magazine, so il needed but
the presence OF an actual need N rouse our
brave people 10 an answering response. We
found that, ia our midst. were a common sym
pathy aud coayictlon-that ties bound Us all
together--whieh. tho light as air, are strong
as links Of front never hope TO see day
more honorable To Portland. Why even Bos-
aniyerse-about two month's ago, IN one Of her
leading Journals said--I quote Ter batim-"A
horse asrnehed 10 pop-beeT wagon rau away
Ia Portland recently. The fIsilade which fol-
lowed. caused an alarm that the British hal
taken the city" All bat we need no longer
think small beer" of ourselves. Boston is
converted. and ia the same journal now says
= Too nnch eannos be said In praise OF the
vigilance aud energy Of the authorities and
rffixeus af Portland LET ereFir cofDf9unffgf
study heir example.r
Portland will be true 10 what she has won.
Thank ucayenl the Cutter we would rescue
was peyer polluted By rebel flag, and that a
baptism offre secured its decks rom the prints
oi rebel feet, before il sank rs the outer seni-
mel OF our harbor. Ay. more than that, as il
hencefvrth and forever no mistake should be
possibie-aiter that In fiery glory, it was trans
lated 70 be the outer guard OF our sea-deienses
tho winds of heaven tore from the mast head
OF the Chesapeake-thes steamer which had well
obeyed the motto Of our Pine Tree State and
lead the way"-the glorious stars aud stripes
the banner of freedom-which sank to fold
about the sentinel OF our Casco Bay and assert
its unconditional loyalty forever more 10 the
sacred cause OF Liberty and Right
Ii is from such representative considerations
we may rejoice in this season of our national
anniversary. Notthe past ras but, the present
is honorable. Out from the storiedpasi, where
stand in high relief among other devoted men
the god-like form of Washington--come ad-
monitions OF good cheer, and the words from
yenerated lips are like these, "Be ye our de-.
Tenders. - hand down our memory to future
ages, honorable and spotless as ii has come
down TO you, as you have gloried in it and in
your dissent from u.s. And, as If such utter
ance might have the most complete echo-on
the very anniversary of the Declaration of In
dependence, there comes from the President a
proclamation announcing to the country, "that
the news from the army OF the Potomac is such
as TO cover the army with the highest honor.
To promise great success to the cause of the
Union, and to claim the coincidence of all for
the many gallant fallen, and that for this he
especially desires that OH this day, He, whose
will, not ours, should ever be done be every
where remembered and reverenced with the
profoundest gratitude
Said | not well our national birthday is
honorable? Let no word of discouragement
pass our lips. Let no heart quail With
courage, born of manly conviction of the rec
titude of our cause, let us help it on by gem
erous contributions to its support, and if
necessary, by our personal daring. Our watch
word be, God aud our Country, IL day
should dawn, when our foes turn from their
enmity and repent them of their iniquty. we
will show the greatness OF our courage and
.torgtUe. But to-day, this only We can say. God
bless our Country, aud strengthen the arm of
its power and bring confusion on its enemies
that soon sha may stand amidst the nations of
the earth, clothed in the white vestments of
peace, supported by the power Of law, and
crowned with the diadem of Liberty.
| must not close here. Reference incidental
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