The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-10-05
Pocket VS.. Patriotism.

mere are many ways in which the patriot.
isn oi all classes OF our loyal fellow citizens
mas peea tried during the present war for the
integrity Of the Union. One OF the severesi
.ests 10 which the masses have been subjected
Is the demand which has been made upon them
py tne Government, from time to time, to ill
up the ranks OF the army. Only those who
have given up comfortable, and in many cases
| Luxurious homes, profitable employments and
cherished social and domestic relations, for
the hardships and rough associations OF the
camp, can appreciate the sacrifices which have
been made by the people Of the North on this
score alone. .es'fi X s.tas
Then the financial necessities ofthe Govern
ment which, for the purpose OF furnishing the
sinews OF war, have compelled it to tax heavily
every class and interest, thus leaving extraor-
dinary burthens not only upon the luxuries
| but the prime necessaries OF life, have also
furnished test OF fidelity to country, which
nothing but the strongest and most enduring
patriotism would have submitted to- More.
over, the high prices of living and increased
cost OF production consequent upon the IN
natural expansion and depreciation of the eur-
reney, have constituted another social evil of
the first magnitude which the people have
Deeh called upon to suffer in prosecuting this
war for the Union. ,., - II
let lney have borne all these affections
without finching or complaint even in the
darkest and most critical periods of the strug-
gle,-not from compulsion or sullen submission
10 an arbitrary power, but sustained by that
loity sentiment Of attachment to country, and
PRIDE Of American nationality, SO conspicuous
~ developed In every great crisis OF our his
tory. This Is the sublime sentiment, which
European politicians find it difficult to appre-
ciate, that impels the American citizen to ig-
more his individual welfare in view OF the ma
uonal interest, TO sink, in great public emer-
gencles, the private business man in the hero
and patriot, and to do, dare and suffer all that
tne cause and honor Of the nation may seem
to require. le aEs........-. .sfs.s1 10 p
But Just now the commercial classes are SUBJ
lected to another test of patriotism, which,
however trying in itself, will be more cheer
iuily Dorne, from the fact that it does not re-
suit rom any deterioration in the national
prospects, but on the other hand, is the pre- 4
lude to the return of peace and the normal
conditions OF industry and commerce. As pro-
bably the last, the finale of the series of afiic-
tions which the latter interest has been called !
to suffer for the public good, in this momen-
tous struggle, 1t is, as we supposed it would be, !
bravely and magnanimously welcomed by the
very class upon whose devoted heads the sac
rihce must fall.
we allude OF course, to the general paraly- !
Sis OF trade, and the loss on stocks of merchan-
disc on which holders are compelled to real
lze, consequent upon the improved military
situation and the decline in gold. The people |
think they see in these prognostics the begin
ming of the end, the gradual settling down of
the markets OF the country upon a specie ba- |
Sis, and the closing up of the gap between cur
rency and gold. With the loss of popular con-
ndence IN present commercial values, must of |
course come season of depression both in
commerce and manufactures. But the repre-
of these great interests, in our me- /
tropolis, are disposed to meet the reaction, |
which thus shrinks up the volume oftheir nom |
lnal wealth, like patriots and American citi-
zens. u4ll1G aaalfI saleEs ~..sfssa rf.a
The change, however gradually effected,
from currency to specie values, they know /
very well must temporarily check the current /
OF business in all its branches and dry up the
sources sofmanufacturing of and mercaatile profit
1t will perhaps involve the ruin of some who
have been imprudent in their operations, But
they know, too, that this personal loss will be
more lhan onset by the general gain, and the
Improvement in the finances and credit of the
government Hence, instead ofputting on
ong Visage, and indulking In vain and un-
seemly regrets over the matter, they greet the
Of the fall of gold quotations,
On Change, with rounds of hearty ahesrs, and
'elolce YitA ali ioyai men in the successes Of
lati9nal CAUSE. The pocket nerve may twinga
md futter at the portentous figures displayed
IN EACH succeeding gold bulletin, but there is
higher chord which thrills responsive to the
prospect OF peace and Union in the patriot
&c heart, which gives forth no note of sordid
eldshness.-I Boston Bulletin. (