The Portland daily press., 1865-02-22
The Good Work Progresses Gl0Fl0uSly.

The Good Work Progresses 0ioilou5'
n Anri, lset the first American nag sur
- IA ,, :, rsbel Jorce, and Sumter passed
80 oS. ~ bangs Of the gallant Major Arder-
nun ~ ,ta control Of Beauregard and his
oon n in crime and treason. Then !"
was hat the American people registsr go, az
oath before high Heaven, that no resi- siou'N
~ GIVEN to rebels or rebellion III that nag
WAS renlaced, and the great insult to our ma
tionaltv was fully aud terribly avenged
aud they have kept their oalh'
wi,bin q few days the news has been
horna 70 us on tie southern breeze, not only
that Sherman has taken the capital of the
Palmetto State, with its magnificent public
buildings, but that Charleston has been evac-
mated, that all her fortifcations have come
back undeslroyed into cur hands, and that the
city is occupied by General Gilmore, while
Dalghren occupies the harbor OF the hereto
fore proud and defiant city with his fleet. Ere
this, no doubt, the stars and stripes again float
proudly over Sumpter, The last citadel taken
by the rebels to be reclaimed.
This is glory enough for one week, ore
would think, but Grant and Sheridan and
Sherman do not coincide in this opinion. The
200 guns captured at Charleston do not salts
fly the far reaching purposes of tho "Great
Flanksr." Having secured Columbia, Sher-
man seems to have sent off one wing Of his
army to secure Augusta, while with tie 9th.
er he appears TO be making straight for Will
mington.
Meanwhile Terry is pounding away at the
not very formidable defenses of Wilmington
and report says Grant is drawing his line.
closer around the belcagured city Of Rich
mond, aud Sheridan is harassing the enemy
at every weak and exposed point Surely
the cloud is lifting. The heart of the natio1
beats freer. The circulation is more active
The blood goes bounding along every arter!
and vein Of the system, while every nerv,
quivers with delight at the glorirus prospec
opening to view.
Meantime what is t. become OF the evacu
ating rebels Where are they faally t
bring ups Where are they to make fms
stand? Where is the "last ditch % Surel
their prospects must be dubious, their hope
small and their room for further resistanc
fast narrowing dawn to a point And Will
this is SO, it is not the least gratifying sign {
loyal heart, to realize that all feeling of re
venge is fast dying ont OF the breast Of GU
people. Even the overthrow of Cha On
not demanded or desired. We hear no d.
sire expressed to have it made desert,
"hole in the ground or strewn with sal
Indeed, there seems feeling of regret tha
the deyouring element should have laid S
many Of its dwellings ia ashes. The peopl
still thereto suffer raost from its destructio
are no doubt the least SHINING of the forme
population. For their sake we would see til
city saved. These bloodless victories shout
call forth profound thanks. The cannoi
should roar and the bells peal in token Of
nations tgiumphs. But though the beginning
of the end"approaches there is work to do
perhaps bloody work. Now is the time f
hurry up recruits. Let our citizens see to
that at the glorious closing up of the struggle
Maine shall be we'll represented.
Thea
Rally round the flag, boys,
Rally once again, Ar
Shouting the battle-cry of Freedom