The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-04-30
COMMUNICATIONS.
The Rights OF the Rebel South.

BATH, April 20, 1864.
To the Editor Of Gte Press:
la looking over the Portland Advertiser of
Saturday last, noticed remark condemna-
tory of the course pursued against Mr. Long
on account of his recent speech. As the posi-
ton of the Advertiser involves a principle
II Is quite natural that it should TO some ex-
tent be commented upon; but it is so common
for editors TO comment upon the remarks of
each other, that sometimes something addi-
tional is necessary to give full expression to
public sentiment As one of the people, II
you will allow me, / will through your col
umns express my sentiments in relation to
the matter
think in government like ours little dan
ger need be apprehended from any man Civ
ing expression to his honest convictions as
there is doubtless sufficient intelligence in the
people to appreciate the sentiments advanced
and also the motives for giving expression to
them, and sufficient patriotism TO accord TO
each his just desert.
Rebel sympathizers clamor loudly for the
rights OF the South under the Constitution !:
that is, for what belongs TO them; that they
should have their just dues. These were my
sentiments when 1 voted for Judge Douglas,
and upon this principle l go for supporting
the present administration. The loyal people
of North Carolina-loyal Southerners-should
have their rights, and not be suffered to be
butchered by hundreds in cold blood simply
Tor the want of four or five thousand men,
when millions of men are living comparative
ly at ease in the loyal States.
The rights of rebels are not the same as
when they were loyal, for then we had no le-
gal right to interfere with the institution of
slavery; but In the act of rebellion they un-
wittingl, threw the responsibility of the con-
tinuance of the system upon the government
against which they have rebelled. and assurfl-
ed the responsibility of iHaugurating war
that would inevitably prove their destruction.
Mr.. Long says he prefers separation to ex-
termination; so do the rebels. determination
is an idea that was unfortunately overlooked
by those who projected the rebellion, though
ii was nevertheless involved in the position
they took.
The government claims the right to add 10
their programme. subjugdtioR and repdra-
ton, and though determination is very un-
pleasant thing to contemplate, yet the South
are courting such a state of things with the
desperation of madmen, by the dreadful bar
barity practlced toward their prisoners | can
think of no parallel to such madness except
the madness of the Jews in calling down the
vengeance OF Almighty God upon themselves
aud their children, so desperate were they in
their purpose to cruelty the Son of God
know OF nothing that the South should so
much dread as their just rights or deserts, and
may God, for the sake Of themselves and their
children, grant that their eyes may be opened
u their folly ere they bring down upon them
the dreadful retribution that seemingly awaits
them. They may as well attempt To change
the course OF the sun in the heavens as to at
tempt the snbversion of the manifest DEGREES
oil providence. SOUTHERN RIGHTS.