The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-01-01
MATTERS ABOUT TOWN.


McCuauxCS 1cSOItNtxOns
The regular meeting OF the Mechanics As
ISOLATION for lectures aud debates, was held
last evening, and the following question was
up for discussion: M
Administration Is the best that can be adopted TO
speedily close the rebellion, and restore the Union Of
the States.
The question was opened by Mr.. Beale in
the afirmative-spoke in high terms Of CON-
nendation Of the President = thought the
course pursued during the time he had occu-
pied the Presidential chair was characterized
by prudent, far-seeing, humane aud wise
policy--that his firm and unwavering course
had created right public sentiment which
was constantly developing itself-that slavery,
being the main cause of the rebellion, and the
only thing in the way of the Union, the Ad-
ministration has wisely struck at that as the
best means of closing up the war and to Sc
cure permanent peace.
Mr.. Emery did not agree with Mr.. Beale In
his opinion OF Mr.. Lincoln--thought him
usurper-he had no sympathy with Jef Davis,
but did not believe in the Emancipation Proc
lamstion-savc history Of the manner in
which our independence was obtained and the
constitution formed = the Union was held to-
gether by each State being allowed their
rights as sovereign Statcs-if the South is
snbjugated, standing army must be kept
among them TO hold them-he did not believe
that one-tcnth Of the people Of the States in
rebellion ought 10 control the States-God
permitted slavery, and if slavery is the cause
Of the war, then God is responsible for it--if
the ministers and others had minded their
own business, there would not have been any
war-that he would never support the man
who dares to override the Constitution by
proclamatons under the pretcnce Of the ex-
istence Of military necessity-and IL the peo-
pie submit to it, they will lose their liberty
little by little.
Mr.. Bcale replied to the theological part Of
Mr.. Els argument.
Mr.. Emery argued that the Administration
was not the Government-that the President
is amenablc TO the people. #Er
Capt. Coyle referred to the condition Of the
country when Mr.. Lincoln took the rcins Of
kObCiuuiSut, duu tiic Ill cats tndt WcIC tulONh
out if he was electcd-that the South would
break down the government--that be was IN
danger of assassination. With ITO army OF
navy or money 10 commence with, on which
he could rely, Mr.. l.. has sustained the Ia.
tional honor, and the flag now waves over a
portion Of every State, with the rebellion
about to cave In, and his success is evidence
Of the wisdom of his course. He spoke Of
JEFF Davis while in this city.
Mr.. Emery said he was one who predicted
that Mr.. Lincoln would never be the Presi-
dent Of the "a States.
Mr.. Bailey spoke Of the predictions Mr.. e
had made before the clection-replied to the
statement that the South had valid reason for
going out Of the Union--thought The policy
OF the present Administration just the policy
to close up the war and to place the govern
ment on such basis as TO secure liz permanent
prosperity.
Mr.. Foster denied the assertion that the
leaders of the rebellion were willing to refer
the question of difference, on which their in.
tention to secede was based, TO the entire
American pcople-they wanted secession and
nothing short of that would, at any time since
the election Of Mr.. Lincoln, have satisfied
them-the South do not pretend they had any
reason TO fear that their rights were to be in
teriered with by the President.
Mr.. Emery said President Lincoln was elect
ed on the ground that the South had no right
TO hold slaves, and consequently the South
would not submit to that Administration
The qcstion was laid on the table until the
next meeting.