The Portland daily press., 1864-09-14
Dishonesty or Oowardice-A Dilemma.

Dishonesty or Oowardice-A Dilemma.
We always give men credit for honesty IN
less circumstances offer fair presumption OF
the opposite; but when the character Of any
particular person stands deservedly high,
when long life of probity and usefulness
has made IL difficult, II not impossible for us
10 conceive of his doing wicked act, or say
ing anything false, then. hardly any amount Of
circumstantisl evidence will convince us of
his guilt. We resort to all manner of copjec- |
lures to avoid the imputation of dishonesty. |
We declare him insane, even, rather than be-
lieve him infamous. The circumstances Of
this rebellion have brought to our notice
cases Of this sort in every part Of the coun-
try and among all classes. Some of the
most violent rebels are men whom we have
been accustomed TO honor for their good
sense and their private virtues, and though we
can never doubt that the rebellion is the most
gigantic and abominable crime of modern
times, we can with extreme difficulty bring
ourselves TO believe that the adhesion OF an
old sfend to the bad cause has In 1t anything
81 moral turpitude. These friends, whether
they live North or South, still retain much Of
that love and veneration which time has
made habit with us, while we turn with sor-
row and modification from the contemplation
of their inexplicable course. Among all
these men, none are more a puzzle to their
friends than those, who, when the rebellion
first broke out, took In its full measure Of In
EQUITY with that keen sagacity which had al
ways Characterized them, who saw at q glance
and predicted boldly the stern and radical
measures which alone could crush 1t forever,
and who, in the light of their convictions, ad-
vocated the most unsparing severity and the
most unrelenting yigor, until the whole evil
should be exterminated root and branch
The opinions OF such men often found ex-
preston at the beginning of the war, but we
never have seen any more conclusive and con-
else than the following from Judge Rice,
when he was judge on our Supreme Bench,
aud known and honored all over the State for
his great intellectual power aud his states
man-like sagacity. Said Judge Rice In 1862:
But upon those who wilfully persist in
reoeiiion we must deal direct, heapy and
continuing bloles, desisting only when trea-
son shall be efiectuslly crushed out We
must not only strike, TUT we must strike where
the blows will be effective, where they will
tell. We may smite the armed traitor with
the edge of the sword and deprive him of
his estate, his liberty, his life, eren, IL he
cannot be subiued by milder means. In de-
priring him OF his estate there need be no
DETERMINATIONS. We may take his sugar or
MS cotton, his cattle or his corn. his land or
kis negroes-dnyhting he has tohich may en-
able him TO maintain this contest or tehich
UiH enable us to bring IL TO a successful ter
rntnati0n. By treason he has forfeited oil
ne hath. He cannot be permitted 10 set the
Government at defiance and at the same
time cfaina protection Jor his person or his
property"
This, In 1862, was the sound and deliberate
opinion OF a man who has since Joined himself
TO the idols Of the present democratic party
which sues for peace at the feet Of JEFF
Davts and TO which such sentiments are vast
ly more disagreeable than open and full justi-
cation OF the rebellion. Well may we wonder
al the change and despair OF explaining it sat
isiactorily. Much as we should dislike TO have
even the appearance Of accusing Judge Rice,
ofdishonesty. especially Of political dishonesty.
the most prodtless OF all, the only alternative
len US Is to suppose that the unexpected mag
nituce Of the rebellion, the long duration OF
the war and the unprecedented weight Of debt
which presses the nation have taken away his
courage and left him without heart or hope,
and that his counsels, instead of being the in
spiriting and lofty voice of an undaunted pa
tiot, are the dePrecatory whine Of a bringing
coward. He and men of his class saw at one
ume as clearly as every one else did. the char
Ac'er OF The rebellion. They have not lost
their brains; political preferment is nothing
70 mem but their blood has cooled. and the |
neree threats and undaunted bearing Of
uuculent bully has struck dismay to their
hearts, sent cold sweat all over their btd,a.
and SILVER through their trembling limb.
iney are willing that we should humilia,e
ourselves as never a Tree people did before, II |
only this bitter cup may pass away. Their
terrined eyes see only the blackness of the |
CLOUD, they cannot discern the silver lining.
Iney ciamor for rest, for exemption from these
troublous times, forgetting that IL ia only
through adversitv that men or nations hecoms
truly strong and noble, and forgetting. too
the bitter, bitter humiliation that awaits MS n /
we fall to yindlcate to the last man and the
last dollar the sacred principle OF American
Nationality. against which this rebellion is the
third aud hardest blow that has been struck.
one thing is certain-if the rebellion sue |
ceeas In one single little of Its pretensions, its
.eAuefs ana sympathizers will have the COM
'or' OF knowing that Americans have failed
70 vinaicate the democratic form of govern
ment' ana We, who have remained loyal. may
iearn 'na' we were not, as people, DIT for free
government, and that, having taken counsel of
towards, we did not deserve onr freedom