The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-08-27
1t was in the days when it was established

When II was J0r the country instead oil against
it, desire to have the passage pointed out,
for upon careful examination fail to find
it.
For the tenets of that party as now organ
lied, under leadership of men in active sympa-
thy with the rebels and hostility to the Gov
ernment, have an unspeakabe adherence.
The political organization that denounces
Shepley and sends SWEET to Congress, and
throws to the surface such scum as Smith,
Babson and Paris, and declares them "good
enough TO address the people" at this awful
crisis, has no right to the name it assumes, and
is seeking to retain former adherents under a
fraudulent pretence.
In their attempts to mislead the people, these
fellows are everywhere conscious of the effect
OF the example of all those patriotic men who
formerly were Of that party, land went into the
military service of the government in the ell
fort to put down the rebellion-and among
those examples there is none more striking or
troublesome than that of Gen. Shepley, whose
position in the party was so well known. On
all sides they are met with the question-"if
what you say is true in regard to this war why
did Gen. Shepley go-why does he remain
aud what does he say on the subject?'
The question has been more difficult to dis
pose Of because not only his ability and high
standing both in the party and community had
to be conceded, but it was also to be conceded
that, thrown into immediate and continual re-
lation with rebels at the South, he had better
opportunities of forming an opinion on the
cause of the rebellion, and the mode in which
it should be met, than any one here could
have. What then? The only possible reply
was suggestion that he had been influenced
in his conduct by mercenary motives. 1t is
true that respectable papers like the Argus do
not like 10 assert such thing, but they are
liberal in allowing anonymous correspondents
Iooui for this: and hardly number of that
paper is issued which does not contain some
squib that seeks to destroy the weight of his
words and acts by an unworthy suggestion.
As question of editorial ethics, see no diff
ference except in the matter of manliness, be-
tween stating thing responsibility, and allow
ing anonymous scribblers to freely hint
it. The passage quoted above is, however,
the most ambitious of these inuendoes, and
will briefly say that, to my knowledge, every
imputation or suggestion in it that tends to
throw the shadow of doubt upon the integ-
rity of Gen. Sheplcy or of his present convic-
tions Of the duty of all at this crisis, is utterly
unfounded and false.
At the breaking out of the rebellion, the
<,ct al,
personal acquaintance with leading men at
the South, had more correct notions of the ex-
tent OF the difficulties Of the occasion than
members OF the administration party; they
did not believe with the Secretary of State
that peace would be Immediately restored, but
were anxious that such reasonable overtures
should be held out to the border States as
would naturally retain them with us. Other
views were entertained by the administration,
and some bitterness was expressed by the OPP
position; but the war vent on. 1t became at
last evident to all persons of ordinary fairness
that the South was unalterably bent on des-
troying the Union, and every patriotic breast
was exercised with the question in what man
ner it could best serve the national cause.
In the autumn of 1861 recruiting in the
State Of Maine had come to stand still. As
a general thing the leaders OF the Democratic
party discouraged enlistmcnts. and other
sources of supply had been nearly exhausted.
At this juncture Mr. Shepley was appealed to,
not to be a Brigadier General, or to 20 to
New Orleans, or be Military Governor, or any
fhipn oil bau ~ &,
of putting down the rebellion and using his
influence in breaking the ice which had COW
cred the Democratic party as an organization,
and to raise regiment which he was to COM
mand
The opportunity was one which had been
freely offered. The government was in want
of troops and ready to commission any loyal
man who had force enough to raise regiment.
But Mr.. Shepley's offence was that he was
more patriot than partizan; that, being a
Democrat, he would use his influence in pros
ecuting war carried on by Republican adj
ministration. 1t is true, in responding to this
call Of duty he bad TO leave his friends, his
business, his motheress children aud venera-
BILE parents, and taking his life in his hands, 60
forth in defense of government administered
by those he had heretofore opposed. Once
mustered into the service of his country he
was no longer master of his own motions, but
subject to the orders of his superiors. 1t hap
pened that the division to which he was at
tached went to Louisiana and his talents and
training secured to him the very responsible
position of Military Governor, the duties of
which Office he has discharged in a manner so
satisfactory as not even to give rise to remark.
The people of Louisiana have nothing but
praise for Governor that Copperhead jour
ual at the North caumniates.
1t is natural that scribblers for such papers
should presume that other people are actuated
by motives which would influence themselves
under like circumstances. We are accus-
toned TO measure other peoples corn in our
own bushcl; but when an anonymous writer
speaks of the magnificent house, and servants,
and horses, it is proper to say that ever since
his arrival in New Orleans, Gen. Shepley has,
in common with several other officers, occu-
pied house assigned to them by the govern
ment 1t was due to the dignity of the govern
ment and of the office he was called upon to
fill, that Mr.. Shepley should at least be fur
nshed with an appropriate residence, espe-
ciatly as he receires no salary as Governor.
The contingent expenses of the office only are
betrayed by the government and the only