The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-06-06
Wednesday, the LIST day of July next,
A New RefOrmer.

A New Reformer.
Saul among the prophets was no more as
tonishing sight than Fernando Wood among
the peacemakers. The American Peace So
ciety was probably the forlornest body, which
met in annual session this year. The millen-
mum seemed indefinitely remote. Whichev-
er way the wind set, it brought nothing but
rumors of war-rebellon in China, rebellion
in Poland, bloody murder in Japan, and bel
ligerent notes, diplomatic and other, from all
quarters. The Congress of Nations was a
pleasing dream, from which the Society had
been awakened to very supplementary
reality. The fact is, the nations instead of
electing delegates to general congress, are
busy in selecting and training military and ma
val representatives, adherng to the old creed
that armies and navies afield and ahoat are
the best peacemakers after all.
How refreshing to turn from this dark pros
pect, which beclouded the anniversary of the
Peace Society, to the cheerful assembage con-
gregated in New York last Wednesday. The
millennium is not so remote after ALL Already
the lion and the lamb lie down together. Mo-
Fart Hall and the fremont Temple are unani-
nous. The outer shell Of disguise melts away
and the Bowery rough discovers his inner like
ness to the phianthropists in drab, against
whom he has so long nourished an unreasona-
BILE prejudice. And in the van of this great
movement swaggers Fernando Wood-ho
changed from the Democratic politician of
old! He has risen above all considerations of
party. 1t is the moral question which touch
of the parable, and he lies as well as the lion.
All the lambs and lions lie together, but Mr.
Wood especially and VIGOROUSLY.
The role of reformer is new to Mr.. Wood
1t was not very strong cast which gave him
this leading part in the great national comedy
of "a Moral Democracy, or Peace at Any
"Price" But having taken the part Mr..
Wood win do his best. He has bestowed es-
pecial pains on the costume. The traditions
of the part require the actor to bedeck him
self with shreds Of Scripture, and SO he does,
though his speech occasionally bewrayeth him,
as where he speaks of Him who tempers the
"wind to the shorn lamb" under the evident
though mistaken impression that he is quoting
the Bible. An innovation of Mr.. Woods is
the result of careful study of the reforming
character as exhibited by Luther. As Luther
posted his ninety-dve theses on the famous
Wittenberg churchdoor, so Wood announces
his ten propositions in the Cooper Institute,
and very remarkable propositions they are.
Said Mr.. Wood.
osA ..
nave moi sne limc % 90 into an extensive analysis
81 INC grouhus upon Mmcn cnh sustain my demand
Tor cessaton OF hosties. Inc ADDRESS ana resoiu-
tons which have been submitted and approved cover
them miy VIII, however, submit ten propositions,
each capable 81 eucidanon. winch upon other occa-
sons viii a.'e hp,,a ~ ,n'a all lnese are
as here i
Military power IN the feuerai government as against
the States wnch are sovereign, ana IN possession OF
al power NOT delesatea. power OF coercion exists
at All ~ Is iega, ana nor miiItary.
because scie s VA as, no Necessity ,or ~. AN ann
caple aaJuslhen. oi .hs questions III aspuie could
have BEEN and can be STILL procured on terms of fair
mess anu p eaaat tyo ,., ., e.. -. A., .
.. nonesei' iusa. anu Just a' ..e com
mencenen., !. mas pee asef.eu ION 's ossesDIe
oIignai puIpose, any iae Ma ioI tae aoonloh OF
slavery anu me o s ~ oi tne Southern
states as sucn, WHICH, " course as consequence,
supVer,s me y = = .as i.se e.. g.
DecaIs. aus peaa ;s ,ot ~, a' ,, mos. oala
et;1en The r;ahts Of nrnnerty and even san " th
.,e ,ik.se ~ r. s'a ~ afans' 'io
iori" VI U ~ y -; e' " . IN, nav ineu.
ey debt Which must sear down iabor papS m csn
tai, and finally cause national bankruptcy and dis
g. Because, in the military, it is establishing new
nnrs pd tbe pstuion and she
es when once firmly established becomes permanent.
the civil law liberty departs forever
because there j. neither IN the civil nor in the
men of sufficient mental power to successfully prose.
cute ane war nm so ing Vastly superior
8. Because the commercial wealth of the country,
Soutbern nrodncts mnst graduay dsannear II th;s
war continues As yet, artificial stimnlants have
but time must dissipate them, and then will follow
,b ana anhlhi,a,lng
conduct the and supply the failing armies has
disnensahle re"nsite Rennbeans who have ' gron
up with the ideas of personal freedom and right to
Changed a. to become willing Instruments of power
and be used eectaaiy against their own convictions
10. And finally because experience should admon-
ism 3s INA, ,ne over raing power 1i oou y agaist
is lost lltte less than maFdereDery acre OF land
ment-and every days continuance of the places