The Portland daily press., 1863-09-16
Il. b. Turner, Esq, of Texas.

The gentleman whose name we have placed
at the head of this article, and who has been
doing good service for the loyal cause in this
state Tor the past three weeks, left this city yes
terday morning for Lowell where he has friends,
on his way to Michigan, where he will remain
until an opportunity opens for his return to
Texas. Mr.. Turner's story is a simple but
thrilling one. He is native of Vermont, but
some over twenty years ago, when mere boy,
he struck out for himself, and directed his
course to the growing Northwest, bringing up
in Michigan, where he taught school, studied
a profession, and was admitted to the bar.
Eleven or twelve years since he went to Aus
tin, the capital of Texas, where he has since
resided, and where for portion of the time
Hamilton.
When the rebellion was inaugurated that
portion of Texas was decidedly loyal, but the
detection of Twiggs, his refusal to aid Gov.
Houston in resisting the rebellion, and his
subsequent more open treachery, taught the
Union men the unpleas ant lesson that they
were powerless, and that opposition to the
course of events would involve them in hope
less ruin. Things progressed, until the only
escape for Union men from being forced into
the rebel army was to escape from the coun-
try, and with others Mr.. Turner succeeded in
making his way to the Mexican frontier,
thence to Matamoras, from which place he
came to New Orleans by steamer and then
North. His wife and children are still in Aus
tin, having no fears Of personal violence from
the resident population-which is still largely
loyal-and no fear from any quarter except
from guerrilla bands, which are not very trou-
hlesome in the more thickly populated por-
lions OF the state.
Mr.. Turner's visit to our state was inciden-
tai, and it was almost purely by accident that
our people ascertaned that he was accustomed
to public speaking. He was invited to speak
in our City Hall, and his plain, simple recital
OF the rise and progress of rebellion in his
state, of the cruelties practised upon Union
men-especially in the frontier counties-ofthe
sufferings of the people for the comforts and
even necessities Of life, of the studied policy
Il She ruiiag classes te keep the non-slaveAol
dag population in ignorance, and Of the
wrctched workings of the whole slave system,
was SO touching so candid, and evidently SO
SO truthful, that it was desirable that the same
story should be told in other places. Mr.. 7.
was therefore induced to spend the time in the
state until election, and wonderfully have his
labors told in favor, of the Union cause In
nearly all the places where he visited large
Union gains are found, and we do not scruple
to ascribe them in large measure to his efforts.
His loyalty is of the unconditional stamp. He
loves his country and his flag without an ''if."
He does not assert that the democrats Of the
North are in favor of the rebels, but he does
emphatically assert-and he proves it by facts
that the rebels SO regard them; look upon
their triumphs as favorable to the southern
cause, and their defeats as unfavorable and
discouraging indications.
Mr.. Turner hopes to be allowed to return to
Texas with the first armed expedition sent for
the subjugation of rebellion in that state and
he has faith that - particularly in Western
Texas an extensive Union sentiment will be
developed. He is no ofiice-holder, no Office
seeker; he asks only to be allowed TO accom-
pany an expedition, believing that his knowl-
edge Of the country and of its people will
prove to be advantageous TO the Union move
msnt.
Slice Mr.. rs. brief sojourn here he has
made many friends who will rejoice to hear of
his success, and reunion with his family, and
we dare say he will yet be heard from in the
future history Of his adopted state.