The Portland daily press., 1864-03-22

Deserters continue to come into our lines
at an average of six TO eight per day.
A number of the sick will very soon be re-
moved from the army of the Potomsc.
A caucus of the Republicans or Union
members of the House was held tonight at
the Capitol, Representative Morrill, ia the
chair. The object was harmonization of
views of important pending questions, and
with view of affecting an early adjournment
of Congress, including financial measures nee
essary to the support of the Government, and
the bill reported By Mr.. Davis, of Maryland,
from the select committee on the rebellious
States, to guarantee to certain safes, whose
governments have been usurped or over
thrown, a republican form of government.
Various gentlemen suggested different bills
which they thought also ought To receive
prompt attention, but no votes were taken as
to the measures which should have preced-
ence. 1t was generally agreed that those of
the most public Importance should be consid-
cred.
A committee on behalf of the New York
Workingnen's Democratic Republican Asso-
citation to-day waited on the President to in
form him that their Association had elected
him an honorary member. The object of
these organizations are to advance the work
ing men of America in morals, position and
loyalty. 1t binds them together in support of
the Union and induces them at all sacrifices
to sustain it.
They requested Mr.. Lincoln to give his
views on the subject matter of which their
address treated. The honorary membership
so generously rendered was as gratefully ac-
cepted. They comprehended that the exist
ing rebellion meant more and tended more
than the perpetuation of African slavery:
that it was in fact war on the rights of the
working people. Partly to show that these
views had not escaped his attention and part
ly because he could not better express him.
sell, he read passage from his message to
Congress of December, 1861, and then con-
cuded as follows: The most notable feature
OF the disturbance in your city last summer,
was the hanging of some working people by
other working people. 1t should never be so.
The strong bond OF human sympathy outside
of the family relation, should be in uniting all
working people of all nations, tongues and
kindreds. Nor should this lead to war on
property or owners OF property. Property is
the fruit OF labor; property is desirable,-isa
positive good in the world. That some should
be rich shows that others may become rich.
and hence is just encouragement to industry
and enterprise. Let him who is houseless.
not pull down the house of another but let
him labor diligently and build one for him
self thus by example, assuring that his own
shall be safe from violence when built.
At the conclusion of his remarks the Presi-
dent handed to Mr.. Still, the chairman of the
committee, a copy of his speech, who, upon
receiving it said:
Upon behalf of the committee, Mr. Pres-
dent, thank you, and will only add that it is
the general desire of the workingmen of the
United States that the next President of the
United States shall be from Springfield, ILL.,,
and that his name shall be Abraham Lincoln.
To which the President answered, /" / am
very much obliged to you gentlemen" and
the company dispersed.