Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-08-26
The Duty Of Patriots.

1t would seem that patriotism is at a
low cbb just at this moment in certain
directions, and the keen irony of "A.
Ward would have wide and significant
application just now. Fernando Wood,
Horatio Seymour and politicians of that
ilk, introduced the political tactics of quar-
relling with the Government and its agents
about the imperfeetions of the Enrolment
of certain counties in New-York, and got
up riot which eliminated in bloodshed
and arson. This was part of a systematic
plan to thwart the honest cndeavors of the
Government to raise men to put down
the rebellion. This ncfarious scheme, sad
and shameful in its immediate results.
was defeated in working out all that was
intended by its authors, though the arous
ed patriotism of the honest masses. So
day the same game is being tried over
again in that locality. and the interest
the selfi>hness and coWardice of mean
natures are appealed to, to array them
against the government. This is Just the
opposite from true patriotism. 1t is giving
aid and comfort to the enemy But for
Union men to get into this cepperhead way
of assailing the Government, it is alarm
ing. Artemas Ward thought it would be
an easy matter to get up company of
Brigadier Generals in his town. So most
men and most towns, while this pail Of
seltishness and of unpatriotism rests upon
item, will find fault where they should com
mend or seek to remedy. This course Of
conduct when anlayzed resolves itself into
this we preach Union, we want the re-
bellion put down. We are patriotic. in
speech and all that, but when the test
comes that tries all our professions, We
shrink from it. We are all willing any
other man lshould respond to the call of
the country in this trying hour of need, if
other towns, and other states shall face
the music, but We will hagge and quarrel
with all demands upon us unless these
calls can be easily met by proxy. Now,
fellow citizens little plain talk, and
little less effervesence will be to our cred
it, and will tell more to our advantage.
Ellsworth has It rod in the pas. high in the
regards of the State authorities for its
prompt response to all calls on its patriot
ism. Our town has adopted as motto
lever ready" Faithfully, periodically
and chee.tuiiy. with one exception, has
she met all demands upon her. Shall We
now sacrifice all our good name, and be-
little ourselves by adopting the coppcrhead
tactics of quarrelling and haggling -
General Sherman in his letter, says there
is duty Of defending ones country which
he would never surrender to another
This is true patriotism true loyalty, carry
ing into practice our preaching.
Our quota We think is large, too large.
Let us like men endeavor to have this
righted. There is no need of passion
about it, for passion and undue haste is a
sign Of weakness and of childshness.-
If We cannot get our quota cut down to
near an equitable number, then let us
who are clear of the draft, who are be-
tween As and 80, volunteer to go and ask
the government to take us. We will not
shrink the duty devolving upon us in car
rying into effect such a course SO as to
ease the burden Of the town i'm this case,
and to relieve the burdens of those who
come within the Enrolment, and who
will have to go. Let the Enrolled men
meet what would be fair quota and we
older ones take care of the balance. In
doing this we shall be rendering a service
to the Government, and shall keep our
good name, as patriotic and Union-lov-
ing people, intact.
Since writing the above we have read
an article in the Boston Adrertiser, time
ly and judicious, on General Sherman's
letter, from which we extract the follow
ing:
Let not people think that we can get
around this matter by some of our various
expedients. All such talk is folly. Our
own young men, born and bred in our own
New England, with all the martial spirit
which has distinguished her sons from
II Aa.iahurG In petarshnru with tho frainina