The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-05-31
Aa,har Of the Forged ProcIama,ion

Why don't the republican papers tell their
readers something about who Howard, the
Proclamationist, was? Ii he had been dem
ocrat the fact would have had a prominent
place 10 their columns for months. He was
the intimate friend Of Henry Ward Beecher,
Theodore Tilton, and the very night of the
preparation ofthe act,indulged In champagne
with Raymond, the editor of the New York
Times. From youth up he had been con-
slant attendant at the church OF Mr.. Beecher.
His father Is deacon In that church, and
both father and son have been among the
prominent and influential members OF the
congregation. Howard, Jr., was long per-
sonsl and confidential friend Of Mr.. Beecher,
and his position on the press enabled him to
do Mr.. Beecher many good turn In friend
IL way In the report OF the many popular
matters with which the pastor OF Plymouth
Church was connected. He also contributed
occasionally to the Independent He was, at
one time, Mr.. Beecher's private secretary
[Argus Of Saturday.
The above statements are doubtless made
BY our contemporary on the authority OF
letter addressed to President Lincoln by the
editor Of the World, In the columns of that
paper. But what are the factss The follow
Ing Is from the New York Evening Post, one
Of the most candid and truthful papers In the
country:
Some Of the opposition journals laudably
anxious to clear their own skirts of blame In
the matter of the recent atrocious forgery Of
the President's name 20 little too far. They
insist that Howsrd, the forger, was Repub
llcau, and make much Of the circumstance
that he was once connected with the Times
and Tribune. They omit TO state, what Is
equally true, that he was discharged loug ago
both from the Tribune and Times, and that
he never held any position on either Of those
Journals where his political opinions were in
question, being merely a reporter. II they
are anxious TO learn the causes of his discharge
from the Times, with which alone he was, we
believe, at any time permanently connected,
they can doubtless hear OF them by address
ing letter Of inquiry TO the editor of that
journal
As to his connection with the Republican
party, Its importance may be estimated from
the fact that when II was proposed to estab-
lish Republican journal in Brooklyn, and
Howard sought the place OF managing editor
upon II, his tervices were declined at once
he thereupon took; without hesitation and
without scruple. a place upon the Eagle, the
opposition Journal in Brooklyn, where he
omitted no opportunity 10 ridicule aud vilify
the gentlemen with whom he had sought 10
connect himself In business, aud whose politi-
cal principles be had declared himself ready
70 support.
The N. Y. Commercial Advertiser states
"on the best authority" that Howard was no,
member OF Henry Ward Beecher's church
"Gor contributor to tie Independent, mol
"the president of the first Republican Associa.
"tion ever formed in Brooklyn, nor was he
fever prominent member of any party. He
"was not friendly TO the present administers
"tion, but was an advocate and adherent O
General Fremont"
The Round Table, one of the most high
minded and honorable literary journals in the
country, while disclaiming any design to screen
the author of the forged document from
just censure and punishment, enters for him
the following charitable plea: -
His crime Is great, and he deserves severe
punishment for 1t. We know his lie, and IN.
dsrstand whence comes this last development
1t Is simply deep-seated love OF mischief
making, without any thought of consequent
ces. And not q few who are pressing the
yoke upon him TO day have compromised Al
some time with him for the sake OF a we'll
turned newspaper puff. We have In mind
one notable Instance Ia the city OF Brooklyn
We scarcely wonder that he lost his faith in
men. Que well-known man whom he had
lampooned and berated rs best he could day
after day, actually admitted him TO long and
friendly council upon being informed that he
lHoWard) was willing 10 turn about and ad
vccate his claims for the mayoralty. Howard
had no intentions OF doing any such thing
and afterward boosted that he could thus
hoodwink reputed good man by appealing
TO his desire for public office. 1t were wei
that some who have stopped to curry newspa
per favor OF this facle though dangerous
writer should now remember that disaster hai
touched him most grievously. Ii is useless te
say that q man thus Frustrated has no deserts
1t Is the rather strange that the cries OF the
people for wild and reckless style OF jo1rn
alism do not ruin more young men, and drive
them TO such desperate measures Howard
would write q detailed account of some grea'
crime, and he could see that too many woult
lead and like 1t. Did he do up some politi