The Portland daily press., 1864-09-08

Ihere never mas been @ time since cur
country was a nation, when more importance
attached TO the position taken by our young
men, than now. Not only is 1t of great i'm
portanee Tor the future of the country that
those who win one day have its destinies in
their hands should place themselves at the
outset on'the high ground OF an enlarged and
unselfsh patriotism, but it is of the greatest |
moment to the young men themselves that, in /
a crisis like the present, they should keep their |
record clear. The period through which we |
are passing is, perhaps, the most critical of |
the war. The Shareholders rebellion which |
for three years has spread desolation over the
land, is hedged about and hampered, but not
subdued. Its aims, its acts, its dabolical spir-
1t are unchanged. Its leaders, seeing the
failure Of their first plans, with devilish fer
tility of expedient, are now seeking 10 gain
by fraud and treacAery what they have hith-
erto been unable to gain by force. Their fiat
teries, their promises and their gold have pur-
I chased for them the aid of certain Northern
politicians as vile or viler than themselves, by
whose help they hope to delude and swindle
| the American people into yielding to them all
| they have ever claimed. II their worthy a.
lies eau carry the coming election they hope
all things from the administration which will
be placed in power. And should they fail to
I do so, the recent revelations of armed plots
/ in Indiana and elsewhere, go to show that
/ they are preparing to spread anarchy and
| bloodshed through the North. The rebellion,
/ in fact, is like Sampson, beset by foes it can
not conquer or shake of, but strong enough
yet to involve, by one fierce effort, the whole
national temple in ruin unless We are wise
enough to see our danger in time, and use the
means in our power to avert it. Now, if ever,
let young men show the stuff of which they
are made. If circumstances and their own
brave inclination lead them to enlist in the
army, there is glorious work for them to do.
Let them go, and may the God of battles be
their strength and shield.
But all are not so situated as to make it
possible for them to take up arms, and for
that reason there rests upon them with double
weight the duty of maintaining their coun-
try's cause at home. The battle for the I'm
ion which is to be fought at the polls is not
/
that which is waged on bloody fields. In it
there is equal call for the vigor, the ardor, abe
yoong-mdRiiness Of the country to array it.
self on the side OF the right. Moreover, the
day is not far distant when 1t will be a
source of bitter regret to some that they
have allowed themselves to be so influenced
by INSCRIPTIONS leaders as to be classed in,
even in name, with party which is maxim z
itself the ally of the rebellion. Old party
hacks, and worn out demagogues, who have
no political reputation to lose, can, perhaps
afford the disgrace of such an alliance. A
few stains more or less will hardly be percep-
tible upon their garments. But young men
!. whose record is yet to be written, cannot at
ford it. We ask all such not TO commit them
selves to the guidance OF artful leaders, but
to examine the facts for themselves, and tc
, base their action upon that. By so doing
they cannot fail TO see how base, reasonable
and, above all, how cowardly are the senti
ments avowed by these enemies Of the Gov
eminent. What young man does not scorn
coward from the bottom Of his soul? Ye
what other name shall we apply to those VIII,
demand that the Government shall Withdraw
its forces, give up the cause OF the Union
leave the loyal men of the South to their fate
= and make such terms with the rebel chiefs a
they, In their lordly pleasure may see Ut t,
grant?
Three years ago the Richmond Enquire
said, The North is governed by poor, igno
rant mechanics and laboriug men, who hay'
u material interest In the welfare of tn
country, no family traditions family rrid,
on which the sentiment of honor can attacl
!, itself. When, accordingly, its hordes of day
laborers begin to feel the piuehes Of hunge
{ and high prices they win speedily demand
u peace on such terms AZ the South may be vii
ling TO coneede."
Thus they counted on the baseness, tn
craven spirit OF the North to win for then
= what their own strength could not obtain
s Their Northern allies tell them that the tim
q has come to harp upon this string, and henc
: the clamo. for peace and compromise. Al,
e you willing to let this vaunt of theirs prov,
!, true and to write yourselves down the faint
D hearted towards that they called you; or viii
g you teach these impudent boosters by YOU
, steadiast adherence to the governments aud tn
I Union that though the young men, the la
5 boring men of the North may wish for peact
t they will never purchase II at the price of dis
, honor.
We repeat, let young men think and ex
anime for themselves, aud they cannot fail !,
| repudiate the position of those sordid polite
| al hucksters, so eager to sell their country a
discount from the terms Of Judas Iscarioi
and 10 shake. themselves clean from the pol
luton of their alliance. EPSILON.