The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-08-25
Mcdonald wriggling ON Jewett's Spear.

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Mcdonald WriggIing ON Jewett's Spear.
In the Argus Moses Mcdonald appears by
card to deny las 'unqualiaedly false" the dsclo-
sures of Hon. A. G. Jcwett in the City Hall, in
relation to his reasonable action at the Prebe
House in 1861. OF course he was expected
TO deny. Who ever knew criminal, CAPT.
tally charged, to plead guilty? But such de-
NAL viii not so down without other support
than its authors reputation, politically, for
truth and yeracity. One thing is sure; if Mr..
Mcdonald did engage in reasonable work
the most infamous of crimes-then he would
not stick at denial, and, lawyer as he is, he
should know that unless his past character
has been above suspicion, something more than
his bare word is necessary to purge him of the
infamy charged by Mr. Jewett.
1t is notorious that when Mcdonald, as a
member of State Committee, had united in
of August, 1861 with credentials in his pocket
for that convention, IL went into convention
called by aud under different auspices, OH the
day previous, at Augusta = a convention TO
which he was not elected delegate con-
yention to which he could not have got elect
ed-and there he answered to the name of
another man, and actually sought to put
Geo. f. Shepley upon record in way that
Shepley himself repudiated and looked upon
with disgust. The honorable people of Maine
will judge whether man who could descend
to so low and so mean trick, would hesitate
to deny any charge brought against him by
Mr.. Jewett.
Mr.. Jewett has made the same statement
elsewhere that lie made here; it has been
published substantially in the loyal papers Of
the State, and it will take better authority
than the denial of one charged with such in
fanny and criminality, to set it aside.
The editor of the Argus, who was present
when the reasonable action took place, a por
ton Of the time only, is careful not to com
nit himself by endorsing the denial of Nc
Donald. He IS very valiant and positive in re-
pudiation for Gen. Anderson, though we do
not understand Gen. Anderson himself to
make any such denial, and probably he does
not thank his fast friend forhis Intervention.
1t is all very well for the Argus to talk Of
Mr.. Jewett's insanity and laugh at his ner-
vous manner. 1t has nothing better to oppose
to the deep, damning iniamy of the Copperhead
leaders which he exposed. Laugh away
Others have smiled and murdered while they
did so. 1t is expected that detected and con-
victed traitors will assume the airs of injured
innocence, and pretend ignorance of wrong.
Ru lpyal man ARA moi IN ha 1aoaiual
have no more respect for Northern than for
Southern rebel. Jewett's testimony stands
unimpeached.
1t is no pleasant task to expose the rascali-
ties OF gentlemen of our own city, but duty to
the country demands the performance of many
unpleasant things at the present juncture. MIR.
Mcdonald is the leader Of the Portland De-
mocracy, and with f. Q. j. Smith, furnishes the
brains for the party, is the motive power be-
hind the scene that moves the party machinery.
One year ago a man always Democrat, then
for Jameson but now in the Copperhead ranks,
Mac, said to a gentleman of this city, that
Mcdonald expected to go back into the Port
land Custom House under JEFF Davis. He
thought Davis would take Washington, depose
Lincoln, assume the reins of Government, re-
instate the old Buchanan office-hoders, and
that he would thus be transferred to the place
from which Lincoln had deposed him. Such
was the impression of one of his fast political
friends and party bed-fellows, derived from in
innate conversation. We do not know that
Mcdonald said these things to him in terms,
but at any rate, such was the impression made
upon his mind.