The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-06-30

W.. X, HnShtHQfOt.
EBEN'R WOODBURY., Aroostook.
Indications of Public Feeling.
From all quarters the most enthusiastic
praise is bestowed upon Portland Tor the ell
ergy, promptness and efficiency with which
she pursued, overlook and arrested the pirates
that made raid into our harbor. Red tape
was no where, and the shortest cuts to success
were the only ones thought of to meet the
emergency. 1t was half past seven o'clock
before the news spread through the city that
the cutter had been stolen. Collector Jewett
repaired promptly to the steamer Forest City,
and then to the Chesapeake, but Mayor Nc
LeIlan had anticipated him and engaged the
latter steamer before he reached her. All were
active and yet there was no clash. No one
raised questions of order, or appealed to the
"rules of court" No one inquired if the
shortcut was in accordance with the constitu-
tion, or thought Of appealing to the powers
that be--or should beat Washington. The
city, harbor and state had been invaded, prop
erty had been stolen, the public feeling had
been outraged, and to rescue that property
and bring the wrong doors to justice were the
only questions considered, Questions of law
and OF constitution were lost sight of while
all were intent on prompt and efficient action.
And such course gloriously triumphed. The
honor Of the city was maintained. The rights
of our people were indicated. A nest of
pirates was brought up in their nefarious
work; and as we have said, from all quarters
come words of cheer and congratulation. We
only hope the authorities at Washington may
learn lesson from the manifestations of pub
lie sentiment referred to. They can see how
prompt, efficient blows, even on a small scale,
affect the public mind and put new life into
the sluggish blood Of the people. 4-T
Let the same promptness, energy and de-
termination characterize our national efforts
and the rebellion viii soon begin 10 show
signs Of givin g in. II the general govern
ment has not the available means to fit out
expeditions to sweep the pirates from the sea,
or to protect our harbors, why not authorize
private enterprise to do it2 Our commerce
Is being swept from the ocean, our fishing
feet Is being destroyed, our brave seamen,
thrown out OF employ, are smarting with re-
sentiment and itching for an opportunity to re-
dress their wro ngs, and why in Heavens
name cannot authority be granted them to do
80? Must our people see their property des-
troyed and their hopes perish without being
allowed to raise ger in selfdefense? Is
It their duty to do SO? Must our ports re-
main unprotected because Government can
not protect them speedily, when the people
would gladly do it fhemselves2 We do hope
that the Government at Washington will be-
stir itself, and not only use all the means vot-
ed it by Congress, but encourage the people
everywhere TO take hold and crush out this
unholy rebellion, and sweep to the bottom of
the ocean the freebooters who are preying
upon our peaceful commerce and our hardy
fishermen.
But We commenced this article only as an
introduction to few extracts from the press,
commendatory of the recent action Of our
citizens. The following is from the New York
Herald of Saturday evening:
The news we publish this morning in rela-
ton to the operations of the rebel pirate
schooner Archer, manned by the officers and
CIV of the Tacony--the latter vessel having
H.en previously burned by the rebels to pre-
ferve her from capture-will startle our read
ers. The audacity and dash of the raid made
in the harbor of Portland has not a parallel
in the history of the present war. The plan
was adroitly laid, and In a measure success
fully carried out. An armed revenue cutter
was boarded, her crew put in irons, and the
vessel towed out to sea under the guns of a
well armed and garrisoned fort.
al. d.. H.. al A. AZ.
had been tricked than they seized upon two
of their packet steamers, armed them, and
hundreds of their wide awake and dashing
citizens manned them and went in search OF
the stolen cutter. No red tape, no squab-
bling about rank or party jealousies, retarded
their project. They had been outraged their
flag and harbor insulted, and they went forth
determined to bring the marauders to Justice.
No sooner did they succeed in reaching the
prize than they prepared to board her, and
under the fire of the guns Of the captured
vessel steamed up to retake their property.
The Secretary of the Navy was not appealed
to for assistance or authority; they acted like
men determined to right themselves; and the
result Is that the pirates were compelled to
abandon and blow up their prize and seek
safety by flight in their boats. By the prompt
action of this volunteer navy another priya-
teor, improvised out Of prize taken few
days since, was also captured, together with
the crew put on board the Caleb Cushing.
The energetic action of the Portlanders is
deserving the highest praise, and is worthy of
imitation In more than one quarter. The peo-
pie Of Portland have taught us a lesson. If
the people of Pennsylvania had exhibited half
the spirit and energy manifested by the cti-
zens of Maine the invaders would have been
driven from their soil long before this, and
without the assistance of other States.
The Boston Post saws: sf ~
The people OF Portland did we'll, and did it
quickly. Their action presents good exam
pie for the Administration to initiate, In ener-
gy and promptness Wehope it will influence
our citizens to the immediate consumation of
theintiiatory measures they have already adop-
ted. 1t is no time to "call spirits IRON the
vastly Deep but to act for ourselves. The
North has the pluck, power, and the intellect
to end this monstrous rebellion decently and
suceessfully-to win victory for the glorious
cause in which it has enlisted; and If the pres
ent men in Office have not the ability to direct
Its energies properly, another set will be
found who can - at any rate the country
must and will be saved-if the rebels launch
q Tacony with one gun, we will launch half a
dozen with two; and when our guns are too
small to send shot into them, we must prepare
to board them, aud carry them by storm as
our Portland friends did Maine is worthy
her motto" Dirigo."
The Boston Journal says:
Too much cannot be said in praise of the
VIGILANCE of the authorities and citizeng M