The Portland daily press., 1864-04-01


refers;
INFORMATION WANTED.-Fhe Press says
Mr.. Smith compared Abraham Lincoln to a
good Samaritan sent by Almighty God to heal
up the wounds OF the nation. Nill that
paper confirm its statement by telling tchen
and irhere Mr.. Smith made such u COMPARE
son? We think the Press is only in its usual
mood in such representation.
Nothing is easier than to comply with this
request; nothing can afford us more pleasure
than to do so. 1t was on Monday evening,
August 20, 1862, on the platform of the New
City Hall, in this city, at War meeting over
which the Mayor tThomasl presided. If Mr..
Smith will look into his own paper OF the
next morning, he will find not only his own
name but that of his senior editor III that
time - Mr.. Case. now deceased = mentioned
among The speakers. We think we can recall
sufficient number of circumstances to re-
fresh the gentleman's memory; at all events,
we have no doubt the circumstances will be
fresh in the recollection of from one to two
thousand OF the vast audience present, who
viii bear testimony to the essential truth of
what follows. 1t was the same evening that
the editor Of the Adyertiser-Mr. Case-said
he was willing to be crucifed for the salvation
Of the country as the Savior was for the sal
walton of the world!
After several gentlemen had spoken-Rev.
Robert Coilyer, of Chicago, and Hon. Horatio
King, Of Washington, among the rest - Mr..
Smith was called to the stand. In one of the
city papers of the next morning he was re-
ported as follows report TO which no one
took exceptions and which his own paper
fully bore out:
Amid cries from the audience for various
gentlemen, the name of 'Smith" appeared
most prominent, and Hon. f. o. J. Smith was
invited TO take the stand. Mr.. s. spoke at
length in his usual forcible manner. He had
been for Cancellation and compromise, but the
day for such things was long since ended.
He referred TO woman and her patriotism.
He had heard of traitor men but had yet to
learn Of the first traitor heart in a female
breast in New England. Where the traitor
nam had been found, there had been quarrel
in that mans family. He eulogized the Pres
ident as the fittest man to heal the wounds of
the nation. His remarks were often inter
rupted by the most enthusiastic applause.
Mr.. Smith will doubtless remember - il he
don't hundreds OF those who were present
will-that during his speech lie drew from his
pocket slip containing the letter Of Mr.. Lin
coin, then only three days old, dated August
ed, addressed to Horace Greeley, and read
from it that memorable passage:
Ny paramount object in this struggle is to
save the Union, and Is not to save or destroy
slavery. III could save the Union without
freeing any slaves, l would do it: and if
could save it by freeing all slaves, would do
it. If / could save it by freeing some and
leaving Others, would also do that. What 1
do about slavery and the coored race, | do
because believe IL will help Inc save the
Union and what forbear, because do not
believe it would help to save the Union.
Mr.. Smith will doubtless remember that he
read this language, as he stated emphatically
In substance if not in exact terms, TO show
Mr.. Lincoln's impregnable position; that he
would subordinate all other considerations to
the single purpose Of saving the Union, and
that all institutions-slayery included-must
stand or fall only as the necessities OF this one
great purpose should demand. And then it
was, in precisely such connection as this,
and apparently as the outgrowth of his pro-
found admiration Of Mr.. Lincoln as exhibited
in this yery'letter TO Greeley, that Mr.. Smith
scared into that eloquent though extraysgant
sulogy, using, If not exactly at least essen
tally and very nearly this language:
1t seems to me If God Almighty, ia the ex-
ercise Of his infinite compassion, had designed
TO send an angel Of mercy in the form of a
Good Samaritan, TO bind upthe wounds of this
nation and TO pour into them the balm OF
healing, he could not have been more success
full than he was in sending us Abraham Lin
coin.
Has Mr.. $. forgotten the wild and prolonged
shouts of applause with which this sentence
was greeted; how men shouted and ladies
waved their handkerchiefs, and that he was
obliged to suspend his remarks till the de-
monstration subsidized? If he has forgotten
Others have not. We doubt If ever remark
fell from his lips that elected more generous
applause. 1t Is to be regretted that he did
not continue to hold the same rank ia the es-
iimation Of Union-loying, patriotic men and
women, that such applause indicated; that by
any subsequent detection he should have be-
gotten the suspicion in any mind that he was
one Of the traitor men" to whom he referred
in the same speech-a ''traitor man" in whose
family, to use his own language, there must
be quarrel" because of the unexeeptionabe
patriotism and loyalty Of the ladies Of New
England.
Since the foregoing was written our eye has
fallen upon report in the Argus, of speech
made in the same place by Mr.. Smith on the
2sth of August-three days after the one re-
ferred TO above,-in which we find the follow
ing passages upon which we do not feel called
upon 10 comment:
1 am among those who at the outset i'm
plored most earnestly that this bitter cup
might pass from us. | believed that this war
is a war that should haye,been avoided in its
earliest stages. But whether it could have
been avoided or not, We are in it, and the man
that is against it Is not only traitor 10 his
country but traitor TO his own American
heart. l am for putting the war through in
accordance with the power and grandeur of
these United States. We are 10 make the
grave OF the Republic in the world or to plant
its banner in victory throughout the world
To-day we say to the South,
in peace we are your friends, bat in war your
enemies,-if need be your deodiy enemies.
Compromise is ont Of The question: there are
but two courses to pursue, to submit or TO
conquer The south by superiority OF our land
and naval forces. Although agree ,riM the
administration IN most things. yet / would
leave it with the healthy patriotism of the
people to deal with those here at home whose
feelings are against the war, or who would
put trammels Of whatever nature upon those
who would conquer peace.
AS To the aant Of IL, H. IL.