The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-05-05
How is it7

Resolved. That in common with all OF our
follow citizens we share the feelings OF gfiel
aud horror inspired by this most atrocioaS
murder of our Chief Magistrate, and wniie
we mourn his death, especially at the pres
cnt time, as distressing National calamity
&c.
Pe,oired, That history will place the name
of Abraham Lincoln high upon the roll OF
our country's benefactors; while the purity
of his life and character. the fidelity OF his
friendship. his honesty of purpose. his kind
ly nature and his condescension OF manner,
will always endear his memory to those who
knew him.
The resolutions and proceedings appear to
be attes,ed by tho city clerk as correct, and !
suppose it may DO regarded as fact that
such proceedings were had. ....
When we call to mind the sentiments ex-
pressed BY the persons constituting the City
Council OF Biddeford, and that, too, but u
few days before the death Of the President,
and by some indeed upon the day OF his
death, we are astonished at such proceed
ings. Il is a we'll known fact that some
prominent citizens Of Biddeford, as well as
other localities. have ransacked the vocabu-
larry of the 'evil one himself" for epithets
vile and wicked enough to apply to the late
President. The organ of the party printed
at Saco, has also INDUCED in the most abu.
sive and shameful language concerning him,
and all the members Of the party from the
grog shop to tho counting room have been
shouting amen to it. What would have been
thought of member of that council by his
brothers in office. had no on the day before
the death OF tho President proposed such II
resolution? Call to mind, il you can, the
scene that would have been enacted in the
council chamber upon such presentation.
Think you the venerable alderman would
have moved that the resolutions be placed
upon the city records? What could his
Honor, the Mayor have said when such n
motion was presented? Would he have aid
ed its passage by kindly words and flowing
rhetoric, or might he not have ruled the mo-
ton out OF order?
Mr.. Editor, we must conclude that either
the whole proceeding upon that occasion was
piece of deception aud hypocrisy, not on
ly unbecoming men claiming common deccn-
cy, but bringing a blush to the face OF the
most hardened Of their party, or we mus;
conclude these gentlemen have met with q
radical and entire change Of opinion con-
corning our late Chief Magistrate. Now
how is this? Can you give your readers any
light upon this subject!
Ordinarily, when persons change their
views Of an administration, or the character
and fitness of an individual for a public Of
fee, and give public expression OF the new
views adopted, they accompany the statement
either in public or private. with some Of the
causes which have led them to the change.
or at least announce that they have changed
their views. But We have nothing Of the
kind hero. How then can tho reader deter
min which position in relation to the matter
is true one?
In trying to solve for myself the problem,
have asked what occurred during the last
twenty.four hours Of the Presidents lie
which was calculated to change the views Of
any intelligent man concerning him. can
find nothing which would lead any man who
sincerely believed him to be "a tyrant,"
villain" "a perjured man." "a buGoon."
ian ape" and the proper subject of score
of other vile epithets, to so change his views
that he could honorably and sincerely sab
scribe to the sentiment o! the resolutions.
Such change OF sentiment would seem to be
necessarily based upon some new develope-
ments of more than an ordinary character.
II these gentlemen have discovered their
past errors, and have suddenly come to the
light OF truth, it is due to themselves that
they make il known to the public; If, on
the other hand they are "of the same opinion
STILL" and have heartlessly and hypocritic-
ally put themselves in the position OF passing
resolutions in which they have no heart or
sympathy, it is due to the community that it
should bc known and the people will then
govern themselves accordingly.
The community will be obliged to adop,
one or the other of these solutions of this
remarkable position in which the council
place themselves
In the absence Of all reasons or causes
which would lead rational men to change
of views the community seem to be LEFT to
the necessary conclusion that the proceedings
ofthat body did not express their sentiments,
but the very reverse. lfsuch is the case, is
il not we'll to ask tho question whether such
men are fit TO be the rulersof virtuous peo-
pie. and may not those persons who support
such officers, be well subjected to the impu-
tation Of too light aregard for the character
of those men who are to rule over us Per-
haps an explanation can be made consistent
with the high character which gentlemen
ought to possess, occupying such positions.
ssss
I'VE can give our correspondent no other
answer to his questionings. than to state that
two prominent persons employed by the city
-. -. q L. d.