The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-12-28
Tbfhe Editor Of The Press

Tofhe Editor afthe Press:
SIR: Il am in perilous state" ], with all
my imperfections on my head" have entered
the lists with an opponent who is evidently
deep In the confidence of II. b. Ms secret
service. "Heu miserable paer." That the
Argus has this advantage over me is unques-
tionable, otherwise where could it obtain the
startling information it appears to possess?
l am advised to post myself up before at
tempting to instruct. Heaven forbid that l
should set myself up as an instructor whilst
the Argus is in the field. The man must be
audacious indeed whose temerity would lead
him to invade the exclusive province of that
paper. However, nat urally expected that
finding the truth of its statement called in
question, IL would promptly endeavor to pro-
duce some proof of its accuracy, for it surely
does not resort to the Illogical method of re-
curing me to prove the negative. The bur
den of proofiests upon the Argus" and that
paper seems to feel 1t SO keenly that it seeks
to evadc the question by making some obscure
statement concerning lone John Henry"
which is as much to the point as would be the
information that mushrooms grow in August.
Let the Argus meet the question fairly. Gen.
Thompson came to this country some years
ago, in non-governmental capacity, to advo-
cate the abolition OF slavery, which he had a
perfect right to do as long as he confined him
self to mere expressions Of opinion. He iden-
titled himself with the leading abolitionists OF
the period, counselling no line Of policy Which
was not endorsed by the whole of their party,
and will the Argus assert that they were all
actuated by the black motives it attributes to
General Thompson? Sir, this country must
4. il, iav In ctata f.
ton existed of so delicate nature that its
simple discussion was considered covert at
tack upon the Union, that an American could
not express his opinion upon 1t without laying
himself open to charge o. treason, or for
eigner, without being regarded as an emissary
of destruction. The Argus, like Mr.. Stephens,
must consider slavery to have been the corner
stone Of the Constitution.
The extinction of slavery then, was not the
sole end Gen. Thompson had in view, but was
simply the means TO darker end, the disunion
of the Republic. He was first charged with
having been instigated to this by the aristoc-
racy, and then, 1t would appear, by the gov
ernment. The Argus, perhaps, looks upon
them as convertible terms. For the service
he renders to the cause of disunion, 1t says
Gen. Thompson was rewarded with seat in
Parliament. BY whom was he SO rewarded |?
He was returned to parliament on question
totally independent of slavery, by one of the
most radical constituencies in the kingdom,
Oldham in Lancashire, a town in which nei-
Their the aristocracy nor the government could
influence the election of an Alderman, much
less Of a member of parliament He was re-
turned by a class which Americans always
claim to be their true friends in England. Sir
am afraid that the Argus, knowing the deep
rooted prejudice which exists in this country
TO the English aristocracy, has endeavored to
make undue use of it to inure the noble cause
of the Sanitary Commission. 1t may as well
acknowledge its error. "Uno sdtus cictis
nulidm sperare sdlutem.' ENGLIsHMAN.