The Portland daily press., 1864-09-19
Public Humiliation, Drinking and swagger

Public Humiliation, Drinking and Swagger.
1t will oe remembered that the Chicago Con
venfion-which we style Democratic only for
the sake OF eourtesy-passed q resolution re-
commencing thai Sept. nth Should be observ-
ed as season for general ratification, or In
other words, that it should be day of public
humiliation, drinking and swsgger, with view
to promote the interests OF Mcclellan and Pen
dlston. We are not aware that any notice was
taken OF this Copperhead proclamation in
Maine. The deep gloom occasioned in the
party by the previous Mondays work was suf-
fcient excuse for this marked neglect. The
time elapsed had not been sufficient TO bury
the dead and provide for the wounded; SO that
graduation, carousing and rejoicing could not
be expected from the afflicted.
III New Hampshire the day was observed in
one place at least We are not aware that it
was noticed elsewhere than in Portsmouth.
Drawn by the great naval launch of that day
In the peighboring town OF Kittery so near to
the place of Copperhead devotions, we took
occasion 70 go over and see what was to be
seen. Two bands of music had been provided,
and the speakers stand was erected where sew
eral streets intersected, in the most compact
part Of the city. A grand procession was form-
ed, with banners, notices and devices-no
wooden guns but plenty of pocket pistols.
doubtiess-consisting by actual count OF only
eight citizens of Portsmouth, and not exceed
ing at any one time one hundred and serenity
one persons, including boys of ten years OF age
This is perfectly truthful, and gives the outA
side figures 10 the premises. "
The meeting was presided over by Colonel
Peaselee, Collector OF Boston under President
Pierce. The bands played finely. The lead
ing speaker was coarse, brutal fellow named
Alger. Of Lowell, second edition Of Virgil ID.
Paris, looking and acting like him, and as dis
gusting to his political friends as he was Of
fensive to all loyal men. After be had had his
say be sat upon the platform, and seemed 10
be chief cldquer for the occasion, proposing
cheers and tipping the wink when clappjng
wa to be done. a4H
man by the name of Scott, from n Yolk
read speech from a handbook of Copper.
headism, and was remarkable for one brilliant
remark, 10 wit: that slavery was the cause OF
the war as woman was the cause of poligamyl
This was the only thing he said of special
brlliance. BE said one thing tolerably MOTTO
able and decidedly democratic. as that word is
nov understood. He said Mcclellan conduct
ed the war 10 way perfectly in harmony with
the spirit of civilization, regarding the slaves
as private, personal property, 10 be sacredly
respected and In no case interfered with! To
keep men 10 chains-in bon sage to the CON-
mon enemy-is the copperhead idea Of the
highest type OF civilization.
Our friend Wiggin Of Saco, was introduced,
but evidently felt the embarrassment Of the
preceding Mondays work, and spoke but brief.
ly and in tone of voice that did not reach our
ear. Another New Yorker followed, and told
of the 10000 majority that Manhattan Island
would roll up Little Mac" but the claquer
proposed cheers for only 40, 600 for New York
We have spoken Of this occasion as one Of
public humiliation, drinking and swaggel,'
and its character in this respect was fully vim
Dictated. Humiliation was never deeper or
more profound. The speakers, claiming TO be
patriotic, abased themselves by crawling upon
their bellies In the filth before the slave pow
er. and in abuse of Government whose DOW
er protects them, and whose liberality SLOWS
them TO spit out their vapid treason with i'm
punity. That 1t was q day for drinking was
attested not only by the numerous knock
downs In the crowded depot AFTER the chow
was over, and the displays near the public
houses, but by the debauched looks Of many Of
the actors, and the copperhead diplomas
spread over their countenances, sealed with
the broad seal Of carbuncled nose. The
swagger was revealed In the boastfu spirit OF
large M; jorities to come, and OF what would
be done when the tyrant Lincoln shall be dis
placed by the God-like hero of dozen retreats
and the valiant knight of the spade.
The meeting was cold, spiritless, dead af-
fair; perfect fizzie, and ten thousand such
will only serve to disgust decent people and
swell the loyal majority. Not word disre-
spectful of that Democratic gentleman-Jeff.
Davis-was uttered, but Abraham Lincoln had
to take 1t right and LEFT. But for the launch
Of a mammoth war vessel to collect a crowd
1t Is doubtful If six bakers dozens would have
gathered to celebrate the nominations of the
copperhead candidates. Evidently large
portion of the small crowd was not in sympa
thy with it. We circulated among the unter
nned pretty freely, and we heard but one indi
viduai OH the stand, express word of sympa-
my Tor the meeting, and he was one of th,
regularly diplomstized, properly sealed, who
was swearii because they were not allowed
toring the bells when they were so lately "rupe
over the slaughter at Atlanta He eyidentl,
didn't like Sherman's victory over the Demo
Gratis at that southern stronghold. We hear
numerous expressions OF dissent from the ton.
OF the meeting, and that Of a passing lady, up
on the sidewalk, to her companion, was a good
sample. Said she, referring to the crowd, that's
meeting oil the Southern Confederacyp'
New Hampshire Is all right. She will roll
up her thousands for Lincoln and johnson.
Portsmouth is bound, like Portland, to redeem
her copperhead Ward. Boosting, gasconade
buster and whiskey constitute the copperhead
stock In trade. 1t will fail, and the Union will
be gloriously sustained 4.
In the Second Congressional District the
draft isto commence in thetowns where they have