The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-09-13

ter from Anna E. Dickinson:
PHILADELPHIA, September 3, 1864.
Ny Dear Friend You ask me what in
tend doing, and how feel in regard TO th
Presidential campaign, now fairly inauguratec
! From all parts OF the country | receive letter
containing the same inquiries--by no mean
put in the same spirit as that promp.iag yours
letters of warning, entreaty, advice, denuncia
I tiJn, abuse. upbraiding, for having deserted
4 good cause; for refusing to work with I'M
4 party" TO swell its triumph next November
FOR 1sing Whatever influence possess agains
tlis ioye representative OF the people whs
alone had any chance Of success; ior support
.ns iactioL, ..id its candidate, that tenc
only TO the embarrassment, if not the ulti.
mate defeat, of the Union element of the
/. country, BY dividing its councils, stirring up
strife among its friends, weakening 1t by dis.
sensious, and consequently strengthening the
hands and the hearts of its enemies, North and
South
These letters were first an annoyance,
then trouble, finally an absolute persecu-
iion.
Therefore, without in The least supposing
myself to be person whose word and work
in the world are of special worth or import.
may beg space In your columns for a
public answer and little talk that viii set at
rest all these disagreeable matters? l wish to
say:
That my love for the dear cause is as great
as er, lgreater it could not be. my devotion
TO II as intense as three years or six months
ago, aad desertion OF it impossible though
some so called loyal men and papers have
done their best to drive me for, / ~ n,isrep-
rssentations and calumnyt
M Mfhat have no "party' save tnSt wi ieh
strives with sword aud pen, with blood and
pc.9rp nd r1rp 4oa ~
try-a home for the oppressed and to rebuild
the old waste places made desolate by slavery
and traitors war;
That, as II has been the honor and the privi-
lege of my lie TO have done what could
with this party in the past, SO II would be my
everlasting dishonor and shame 10 refuse now
TO work with It, whatever work may be prof
fered or found.
That wish all people ,who care to know
10 understand that when commence 10 &c.
sert my post | shall travel sirsieht 10 Rich.
mo-. and not stop at any half-way s.ation.
That have never been in favor Of the
Cleveland Convention aud its repre- senta-
tive; sm not now, and / never expect 10
be.
/ have never spoken word ia public
that would lead any sensible person to so
suppose.
Last winter, believing there were men in
the country who would make better Presidents
than the one we now have, | strove TO build
up public sentiment that would demand and
support one OF these "better men,
believed further, that by postponing the
convention from the sih of June to the lst ol
September we had much to gain-the nomi-
nation of the Copperhead democracy OF the
North, the announcement OF its platform, the
principles Tor want OF principle) ON which IL
intended TO work its plans in the future; in
word, compelling il TO show its hand be-
fore the loyalists played card, and know.
ing with just what they were to meet and
contend.
This was something. Beyond this the sum.
mer campaign might not close as they began
and, as on this ending, not this beginning, de-
pended 70 certain extent the popularity and
consequent success OF OF whatever loyal rep
resentative might be placed before the people
l thought no such representative should be
nominated till these things should be decided
as too early decision might end In late in
decision, II not open rupture in the party.
Whatever words then spoke believed to
be In the best interests Of the country. Per-
sonally, had everything to lose and nothin 2
to gain by the course pursued. | was laugh
7 ed at, ridculed, ostracised by the people who
/ up TO that time, had given me naught save
most generous help and over liberal praise.
{ found
"Hard indeed the strangers SCOT
Hard the old friends falling oli;n
and used sometimes TO think, tugging awal
at my oars, how easy it would be slipping
down stream i now YEARLY pulling agains
the current; yet felt that was in the right
aud did not hesitate; feel now that was II
! the right, and do not regret.
That has all passed Others felt as L.
What ramainso
Naught save the heariiest union, the mos
earnest, perseyering work, tbe most deter
mined support Of the party represented b
4 Abraham Lincoln, from this moment unit
election morning.
Either this party must succeed, or the gran
cause will fail.
Either this party must triumph, or tn
country will be led into an ignoble and de
ceitiul peace, ending by a Union rent asun
der.
Either this party must conquer, or all tina
has been gained for humanity to-day, for tn
ages yet TO be, will be flung under foot, an
trampled TO death by a man-hating aristocrs
cy. a God-defying slave power
Either the party must win, or the hopes
the world will be destroyed, aud "goyernmen,
of the people, by the peopia for the people
perish from the earth"
Either this party must control. or heave
will weep, and hell laugh aloud, as lbert
truth and justice are swept from the land
men who know only the will of their ma:
ter, the evil one, 10 do his work.
"But," said an earnest abolitionist to m
81. thought thee would not support ABR
ham Lincoln; | am surprised at thy read
ness to work for him.
my friend,s answered, "this is no persol
: al contest. / shall not work for Abraham
Lincoln; | shall work for the salvation
my country's life, that stands at stake-fS
the defeat OF this disloyal peace party, tn;
will bring ruin and death il it comes ini
power.
"But why not work for some other man
whom thou hast perfect contidence?"
Because all such work does but divide Ii
friends OF the Union, and SO plays into Il
hands of its enemies; becau Sc, as Burke har
Ii, when bad men combine, the good must a
sociate, else they will fall, one by one, an III
pitied sacrifice In contemplate struggle
swell, feel as thee felt before the nomin
: ton. | am opposed TO Abraham Lincoln,
think il would be wrong TO do anything to 9
, cure his reelection; and / am not willing
do evil that good may come"
"Does thee approve Of warp asked.
"No. Decidedly not Not In the mai
: but of this war DO very heartily approve.
$ Thee does ?"
7 Certainly do"
: And yet" / said, "we are in it, every da
oolng evil that good may concentrating not
Specimens OF men, spilling precious blood,
,ering thousands of dear lives, desolati
'- noues, causing mourning and wailiDg, brok
% nea, ana aaIkened hear thstones all over
iinu, lnaI liberty and free government NAV