The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-08-29
AUGUSTA, stL mo. 2a, 1868.

AUGUSTA, sth mo. 90, 1868.
To the Editor Of the Presss
The spirit OF Quakersm is one Of eminent
long-suiiering aud forbearance. That il is so
has been prominently evinced in the calmness
with which they have borne the disgrace in
flicted upon their society, by the position TAX
en- and the sentiments endorsed by the Chair
man of the late Copperhead Convention in
this State. As a member OF the same church
with Father Taylor, permit me to say that
within two weeks my opportunities have been
many to gather the sentiments OF Friends"
upon the conduct and acts OF Samuel Taylor
at the recent gathering OF the rebelious and
disloyal citizens Of this State.
To A MAN the Society of Friends, outside
Of his own particular meeting at Fairfield, re-
pudiate his conduct, ignore any connection
with his sentiments, and feel a tingle OF burn
ing shame that church whose silent assem-
bes are gladdened with the voice of supplica
tion for those in authority and of prayer for
the oppressed and those in bonds, that such a
church should still hold in membership a per-
son who would tacitly endorse the avowal of
disloyal sentiments! Wherever found and un-
der whatever persecaton, the Society of
Friends have ever been devotedly loyal to their
country and 10 the cause of liberty; and at
this hour the government rejoice to learn that
even under the cruel conscriptions of ihe
South the Quaker stands nobly and passively
true and loyal to the Union Not so Samuel
Taylor! Friends-once the associates of How
ard, Wilberforce, Clarkson, aud everything
synonymous with the name of freedom and of
lberty-would by his course be found in the
very kennels OF treason, sedition and oppres-
sion. As a member of our Society, have to
offer on behalf oil its members firm repuda-
ton of the abominable doctrines propogated
by Father Taylor's associates, as being in no
way connected with the political sentiments of
our Society. These are words but deeds will
point further.
The erring brother in question visited Lynn
last week, for the purpoee of attending the
meeting held quarterly for the transaction of
Friends Discipline and business. For some
cause, when the meeting gathered he, Father
T.. was non est The cause may be sur
missed.
Quaker blood runs cool, but still there is a
thermometrical point when ebuition inter-
ycnes. The fire was kindled, and suffice it to
say shat the delinquent was journeying to-
wards the North Pole ere the loyal society
met to offer once more prayers for the con-
version OF the erring and the Strengthening of
those in power, as well rs the welfare of our
beloved but distracted country. But a mani
festation, savoring more of the supernatural,
marked even more decidedly the feelings of
the true and loyal body tthe Society of
ITlcuucI Ill Luis uulONdTu dnu unprecedented
case Of disloyalty.
1t is as follows Upon yesterday morning
intwo OF the adjonrning towns, and as / have
since learned, probably upon every Friends
meeting house in the state, by Simultaneous,
apparently invisible If not preternatural agen-
cy, was to be seen suspended from roof, Chin
ney or gabe,a figure dressed as a Quaker, a
Ia mode de Fairfield !; a burly, medium-sized
male being strongly resembling the ex-copper-
Arlta ..k,x
and copper; and in one loyal locality the head
being minus. The position was the favorite
one in which artists love to depict Judas, and
the whole resemblance striking. OF course
no one suspected the ELDERS" of the church
as the perpetrators of this extravaganza in any
case, knowing the aversion of the Friends to
erdu the creature. But close scrutiny re-
vealed that If the phantom was not renegade
apostle paying the debt of nature, that it re-
ferred TO some person bearing the name of
that ancient worthy, the Prophet Samuel
but In very un-Hebrew garb, and bearing
the Inscription Samuel thou traitor and in
other instances similar hints of a political
character, the significance of which was
somewhat more than dubious. In each in
stance the hempen necktie formed a portion
of the attire. Upon some inquiry as to the
explanation of this strange phenomenon,
learned that Friends generally seemed igno-
- NN~ ~ '"tmu HtUUttt III the case, dtu
whilst they rather the phenomenon had seen
fit to choose some other stand point-or rath-
er hanging point-they could not fail to dis
cern therein type of that retributive Justice
that has, from the time the thirty pieces of sill
yer were put in the bag, to the year of grace
1868, followed with unerring swiftness those
who sell their Master or their cause and prln-
cipe to the chief priests for silver and dross.
Or to the Smith, Bradbury d Wood fraternity.
for copper and popularity as Judas did for
sstrer and shame
hope this significant burlesque, calculated
10 point moral' if not to "adorn tale" as
the Lynn episode and the aroused sentiment
OF an God-iearing and true hearted men, will
Danish forever from the Quaker church, the
danger OF similar unfortunate incident. cal
culated TO Impress the public with belief
that these true, peaceabe and loyal people,
who are always allied to the side of order.
loyalty and peace, are represented in the
midst of anarchy, sedition and treason bv
Samuel Taylor, or any man who will comnro-
mise his true principles for the sake of the ac
clamations and smiles OF his country's foes
and would-be destroyers.
am respectfully,
WILLIAM PENN.