The Portland daily press., 1866-05-14
The soldiers and Sailors Convention.
Union State
Committee.

May Z, 1906.
The Soldiers and Sailors Convention.
Notice is given in our local columns of the
time and place of preliminary meeting of
the soldiers and sailors of Portland and yicin-
fly, to be held to-day, for the purpose of per-
fecting arrangements to secure the attend
ance Of large delegation at the Bangor Con-
vention next Wednesday. We hope the meet
ing will be fully attended, and that not only
here bu. throughout the State every man who
stood by the flag by sea or land, during the late
war, will make an effort to be present at the
Bangor gathering. This reunion of tried COM
rades in arms will be very pleasant socially
The memories of campaigns now ended, of
blockading duty now over, the recollections of
half forgotten stories of the camp and the
mess-room, the vivid remembrance of the bat
tie and the wreck, and even of the loathsome
Southern prison-all these it will be pleasant
to recall-fortasse juuabit; and the touch of
sadness which must follow the mention of
many names Of brave men who persisted, will
be softened and hallowed by the thought that
the grand cause for which their lives were
given, went forward irresistibly to victory at
last.
The avowed objects of the Convention are
eminently just and proper. 1t is proposed to
organize permanent Union, like the famous
society Of the Cincinnati, formed after the
Revolutionary war, with certain privileges and
obligations, with an appropriate badge of
membership, and with the purpose not only Of
bringing the members socially nearer to each
other but of protecting the special interests Of
soldiers and sailors; and in particular to assist
the members of the U.ion-and other deserv-
ing soldiers or sailors, we trust-during the in
terval which inevitably comes between the
muster out and the full resumption of the oc-
equations of peace. When a man comes
home after an absence of three or four years,
1t is like beginning life over again. The busy
world is as busy as ever, but the places are
all full and to the tired campaigner who stands
looking on, it seems that in all the vast pro-
cession there is no place left for him. Yet
time does all things. After little waiting,
opportunities arrive. 1t is during this dis
couraging period Of waiting, that encourage
ment and perhaps assistance are needed.
These and such as these are the avowed
objects of the, Convention. That they are
the only objects of the men whose names are
attached to the published call, admits of not
the slightest doubt. has nevertheless been
intimated that certain persons contemplate
the improperly of attempting to use the Con-
vention for political purposes. The Augusta
correspondent of the Boston Advertiser has
distinctly stated that a resolution recommend
ing candidate for governor to the Union
Convention soon to meet in Bangor, will very
likely be presented to the soldiers and sailors
In convention. A Bangor paper has acknow-
lodged that such resolution may be present.
ed, but processes inability to see any impropri-
ETY. in its consideration or adoption even.
We believe that the soldiers and sailors Of
Maine will very generally be conscious of an
improperly in the course named; and for this
reason, among others, we desire to see a
very full representation in the Convention
The State is under lasting obligation to them.
No fear that their services will be forgotten
The roots strike too deep and spread too wide
ly. Hardly family can be found, which is
not nearly or remotely bound by some person
al tie to lasting remembrance OF their claims.
The expression of wish from them, is to the
people OF this State, and especially to that
portion of the people who rejoiced most per-
fectly In their victories and sorrowed most
profoundly over their reverses, who furnished
the moral support which enabled them to
keep the field, and who, though not for a mo-
ment dreaming Of comparison between their
humble service and the work of the army
and navy, did nevertheless perform an essen
tial part in the suppression of the rebellion
to these people, the expression of wish from
the soldiers and sailors of the State is but lit
tie short of a command. @
Such an influence should be used with the
greatest delicacy. If a body of men, to whom
the Union party is bound by no special ties,
should choose to indicate its choice for the
Union nomination, the recommendation
would be received with the indifference which
it would deserve. The men who will attend
the Convention next Wednesday are men to
whose requests the Union party cannot listen
with indifference, though it might and prob.
ably would refuse to listen to any improper
dictation, even from that source.
If the Convention is fully attended, it is
impossible that the contemplated resolution
should pass. The soldiers are not unanimous
In tneir choice of a candidate. We have heard
good and brave men, distinguished in the
heid, express the most opposite views on this
very point. Even if there were substantial
unaninity, sense of propriety would surely
prevail in any large and truly representative
meeting. We trust the preliminary meetino
here to-day will be fully attended To the
Convention, ifit shall be truly Representative
body, we leave the matter just considered
with the most entire confidence, and Join with
the people of the entire State in bidding il
good-speed.