The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-01-15
The Mon,entous Question.


The Momentous Question.
No other question is now open upon this
continent SO vast, so vital, SO urgent for imme-
date decision, and involving such limitless
consequences, as the one Shall siarery be
no,c crushed totally and .Jorererg Earnestly
was the question debated whether the war
should smite il for its own success, and 1t has
been nobly decided as became free people.
But the issue passes on from the policy oil inc
war to its close; from anticipated victory to
security for the future. And here the nations
danger Is four times greater than OF defeat in
arms The question rises above all physical
forces and authority, above the lower passions
and the visible presence of public danger, to
the broad level of Liberty, Justice, Humanity
arighteous Civilization, a true national Honor
and respect to Gods authority over nations
Besides, the question will assume the garb
Of Magnanimity, Generosity, Expediency and
public Peace. Ii is to meet us against most
inveterate and long cherished prejudices, and
at points where slavery has permeated and
poisoned most fcarfuly. For an age, the pride
Of our craftsmanship, the very acme OF its Wis
dom, has beeii in yielding to the demands of
slavery to preserve the public peace. And
there Is still large mass OF men--so called by
some chronological mistake-who in the North
yet remain pro-slayery and servile-theirb base
ness their anbtion-the scorn of mankind
their glory. However fiercely and long de-
Med the fact OF such an element in the North
is found out beyond question now. In man
hood they are as far below the colored poru-
lation OF the country as the non-yertebratia
species of reptiles belonging to some early ge-
ologic age were below the noblest animal ere
ations. However Notifying, this mass must
be counted and overcome by force of num-
bers.
Such are the obstacles can they be over
Gomez Is there virtue aud intelligence, is
there integrity and patriotism, is there moral
principle and love of liberty enough for the
occasion? Have the awful consequences of
past wrongs prepared the country for its high
mission, and has the virus Of slavery been suf-
ficiently bled out of IL? Has it had enough
OF il?
Our civil power could not reach the mass of
slavery, and this was oar apology to mankind
for taking it alone. But the rebellion has tax
en- it out Of that position and placed 1t before
the cannor's mouth. And woe to US if frag
ment is left to take root again in our blood
soaked soil. The Oriental prince smote the
earth three times in prophetic presence when
he should have smitten five or six times" and
H.. b.l Tharo Il, f,t,r
danger, Shall the blood and treasure Of the
war be lost for the same cause?
Everywhere now the declaration is heard
slavery is dead. The war has killed it. Nothing
more is to be feared from it. Then viii come
the appeal to compromise with it, 70 make
concessions In its favor as being harmless now.
Just so reasoned the trainers of the govern
ment. They believed they had ensured its
early extinction. But did they? In the aw-
full presence OF this war let not that fatal mis-
take be repeated. Slavery is not dead. IL has
life enough still to disturb and torment the
country hundred years. Tyranny never dies.
1t INST be killed. May the overwhelming de-
cree of the people be-Let us make sure arork
oft no,c, Dozen ,cith III 01',eih the chains'
Clean Il out
Corrupt men will crowd about the public
cars at Washington, and soon partizan infiu-
ences with reference to next years elections
will seduce thousands. The present is the
time to settle the great principles Of our future
national life Never were the best minds and
hearts OF people more imperauvely demand
cd for raising, by every possible effort, the pub
lie Judgment and purpose to the high position
which alone can secure our permanent peace
and welfare.
No one should look TO Washington for a
leader. There is none there. But the Presi
dent viii do the win of the people when they
let him know what il is. The last Congress
committed TO him power over the terms of
settlement with the rebels which should have
been entrusted to no man in a Republic. And
has he not adopted in his late Message the
very principle on which the rebellion was
started? That repudiated majorities, aud he
adopts even oaetenth only as necessary to
government. Will that do? The door is open
for the re-admission of slave States, and with
the representative ratio and fugitive clause,
and Supreme Court that made the bred Scott
decision, yet 10 pass upon Presidential DEGREES,
the slave power may be reconstructed, and
grow to ali its former aristocratic arrogance.
The rebel states are not states of the Union,
and IL they ever become such 1t must be By
Congressional admission like all other new
states. Its power to acquire total emancipa-
ton as condition is perfect, and the People
must see that they do it. Let them hear the
decree as with ocean voice-.No MORE sLAv-
Eny IN THIS UNION FOREVER BY the blood
which slavery has shed, it shall henceforth be
consecrated to Liberty" The smile OF God
will then soothe aud heal our CHASTITY wounds,
and a morning rise such as the nations never
saw. W.
~ We understand that two companies
have been transferred from Col. Beal's 10th
Maine veteran regiment to be a Cavalry
1.rS,~ rx.,.rJ Cor Ccu SiocuNa This will leave