The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-10-14
Money for Campaign PurDaas.


Some men OF remarkably acute ssns,bii,,,os
start back from the idea of using money for
election purposes, as though all money thus
used was simply corruption fraud.n de-
signed to destroy the freedom and purity of
our elective franchise. They do not consider
that money has its legitimate and proper as
well as its illegiimate and corrupt uses. When
money Is used to buy votes or as a bribe to in
fuence the decision ofthe elector, it is wrong,
and such use should receive the condemna-
tion of every one lit aoiu receive the condem-
nation of euery true man. It's use not en-
tirely unlike that attempted by Simon Magus
when he wanted to purchase the gifts Of the
Holy Spirit with money.
But be must be very narrow and superb
cial observer who will deny the legitimacy of
the use of money in election campaigns, for
the accomplishment of many other objects.
Information needs to be inculcated among the
ignorant; the power of the press is to be ex-
ertsd; lectures are to be delivered; votes are
to be printed poor men away from home need
aid to enable them to avail themselves of
their highest civil privilege without distress
to themselves and families, and thousand
other things-all right and proper-need to
be done, all of which require money; and he
who would object to its use for such pur-
poses should, 10 be consistent, refuse to send
free copies of the Bible to the poor, to pay
for Missionary labors, to use money for the
promotion of religion or any other good
cause, and demand SO free gospel that his
own stingy soul may be saved while holding
on to the last cent which it has been able to
scrape up in its scramble for lucre. q
We have been led to these remarks by read
ing from religious paper, the New York In.
dependent, the following:
naa NOBLE EXAMPLE.
Thousands OF our readers, probably, de-
sire to give money to defray the necessary ex.
pences of the coming Presidential election
They hope and pray that light and truth
may be diffused III every quarter, let the cost
be what it will. While the enemy is defiant
vigilant active, liberal, as never before, 1t be
comes all truly loyal citizens to give their time
and their money to the momentous work be-
fore us. To be idle or indifferent now is tc
surrender the nation aud freedom itself into
the hands of traitors. Those who have time
to give should give it freely, heartily. Those
who desire the purchase and distribution O
tracts and campaign documents, or who are
willing to help pay the travelling expenses o
able speakers, should instantly and LIBERAL,
give OF their money. There is no time Il
lose. If any reader of this journal, desirin!
the reelection of Abraham Lincoln, is unabl,
now to decide how to usa his money, we in
vite him to send it direct to us, we pledgin,
ourselves that every dollar SO contributed shall
be faithfully and judiclously expended. Rea
der, act promptly-the eventful day of days
near. $500 a7iiw 10 EH isa7ol 30 7.
The following letter, addressed to us by on
Of the largest banking firms in New York
breathes such a noble, patriotic, Christina
spirit, that we have decided, without consult
ing its authors, to publish it emitting names
in order to arouse people to their duty. Thi
check of a thousand dollars has been handle
over to Hon. Henry j. Raymond, chairman
the National Republican Committee, int
whose discreet hands we have placed othe
donations committed to our charge: a
A M "NEw YORK, Sept. nth, 1864
"Please find enclosed our check for on
thousand dollars toward the National Reput
lcan Fund. Firmly believing that the onl
restoration of the Union worth having, an
the nations salvation, depend, under God
upon the reelection of Abraham Lincoln /
the present crisis, we desire to contribute
every lawful and patriotic Way, by our Unfit
ence, our means, and our votes, to that cor
summation, and we devoutly pray that til
Almighty will so stir up the hearts of all 10y,
people and SO bless the means that are uset
that the longed for result may be triumphant
ly accomplished.
"Very truly yours in the
"GooD CAUSE"
|
To the prayer thus offered all but Copper
heads will most heartily say AMESp