Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1863-08-21
Speech OF Gen. shepley.

Military Governor Of Louisiana. delivered
before an immense gathering of his fellow
citizens Of Portland. on Monday evening
last. Is one of the most important eoatribu-
tions towards the elucidatiOn Of the great
national problem which NC are engaged in
solving. tha; has been laid before the cogn-
try since the outbreak Of the rebe lion. IL
j. The utferance of statesman who has
BEEN practically engaged in the solution Of
this question. and has all the value which
experience and an intimate knowledge Of
facts can give to such production. Rising
above the atmosphere Of party politics in
20 the Purer air of lofty patriotism. Gen
SheP Piey distinctly sees. despite the clouds
which now encompass the land. the dawn
ing day Of aeiiverance from all our troubles.
lie holds that the rebellion will be crushed
and the Union will De- restored-not bv
treating With rebels in arms. not bv con-
promises aud peace conventions. but bv en-
ablIns thc loyal men % the South 20 re-
model their State government on a demo-
cratic basis. and thus forever destroy the
power Of the slave oligarchy which has
heretofore rule them. His experience a.
Military Governor Of Louisiana. enabled
him 20 place this proposition in clearer
hight than that ia which u has heretofore
been seen by the nation. and his conclu-
sions were most encouraging and convinc-
ing 70 every logal heart. The speech was
enthusiastically apPlAoded throughout. by
the immense audience assembled in the
hall
On motion Of Judse Kingsbury. Nathan
Webb. Esq.. vas chosen chairman Of the
meeting in a neat speech be introuduced
Gen. >hePley 10 the audience. who received
him with cheer on cheer.
Abiding briefly to his position As 70 par
tics. Gen. >b-Plry said BE- stood where b.
did when b. voted for the patriotic Jane
son. holding with Dougias that there could
be- no neutrais IN this var. and that the
prvseryatIon of the Government j. para
mouth % all other consideration.
lie then proceeded to discuss the two
great questions ofthe day-Can the rebel
hon he suppressed> and can the Union De
restoredE A. 90 the frst question. where
D. The rebellion now Glancing az tbe con
dition Of the country he showed thai the
Border States-Maryland. Kentucky AMI
Missouri-have established their lovalifv
hcvoud a douht-a fact IN itsch sufFicient
90 prove that the plan Of the lea ders ofthe
IeSeiiiou 49, i4iivi. 5at tii, &. moi ali.
Rosecrans j. still compelling Bragg 10
make those nastcriy retreats f5r which
alon" h. Is distinguished. Grant has re9ac.
c'i The citadel q the Mississippi and cap
tured 5000 prisoners Banks. ia Loui.i-
ana, has performed the crowning at To-
wards opening the river o. Commerce. and
thus settled the fate 81 TIE Confederscv bv
cutting it in two. and dcpriving the rebels
of the Supplies heretofore drawn from Tex
~ and our neutral British friends bv wav Of
Maiamoras. Ia few weeks no rebellion
viii exist west - the Mississippi river
On The Atianti- Coast a confident army +.
bvseiging Charleston. AMI the rebel inv,-
sio1 has been driven back This is fhe
military aspect ia a business point view
TIE prospect b. q1itc ~ encouraging. The
'onfcdcracy has no credit takes twelve
dollars oi iis paper currency % equal one
OF gold while or currency has deprc,ia-
ie4oniy twenty seven PER cent. that Of the
''n'rdrraey has drprcciated from one
tho-saud o. twelve hundred per cent
Mean'ime We m" growing richer. wble The
south is gro~ing poorer The fate q tie
rebellion is seaicd-the hand writing is on