The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-04-27
GEN'L OHAMBERLAIN's POLITICAL
OPINIONS.
Traitors must not DO Clothed with POLITICAL
Power without Good aud Sufficient 1uar-

Traitors must not DO Clothed with foliticai
Power without Good aud Sufficient GUAR.
antios.
II gives us pleasure to lay before our readers o
private letter from Gen. Chamberlain, IN which
the great questions that now agitate the nation
are fully discussed.
BRUNSWICK, April ~, 1866
My DEAR GEyERAL:-l share with you most
fully the solicitude expressed in regard to the
present posture OF our national affairs. One year
ago this very day, you and were present ut the
surrender Of the proudest army Of the rebellion,
when the banners Of secession went down before
the broad ensign Of the Republic, the prestige OF
the National Government was indicated and re-
stored, its power made invncihlc by victory, its
authority acknowledged and the greatness vi its
future in the triumph Of Republican principles
apparently as well assured as II II had been
youchsafel by Divine decree.
But in the twelve.month that has since elapsed
that promise has not seemed in n lair way To De
fulfilled: that progress has not been made whisn
We had 80 fOnlly hoped. in realizing the dement's
ui our dear. bought victory. We fought for that
.'moro perfect Union" which the Constitution an
nounced rs its object; we fought for the compile
ton Of those great IDEAS which inspired the souls
of our fathers; for the extifpation ot That atai
Calhoun heresy which would destroy the very
existence of our nationality, and in defense Of a
liberty In its widest and best sense. In the Ian
| guage of an early Congress, "thc rights for
! which we contended were the rights OF human
nature
IL we fail in attaining these ends then was the
| blood Of our heroes poured out in vain, anu our
treasure worse than wasted. Ii this war has
| taught any one lesson more impcratiyely than
another, il is that we should be slow to trust
those who have been ,lisoyal Ia the country. and
that we should do justice to those who stood by
her In the hour of danger and trial. IL seems
little else than absolute madness to hasten To re-
invest with political power the very men who
precipitatel upon us the horrors orci,h war; ana
| little less than cowarly wickclness to turn our
backs upon the millions whose humble ani des'
| pissed condition did not prevent them from he.
| frienlng the country when IL was most In neei
OF friends; and yet this very madness and this
very wickclness constitute to-day the main Tea
turc Of policy urged upon the country with the
| full strength Of the party which, pretending To
oppose the war during It's continuance, 'ii In re-
ality encourage AMI prolong it by n moral sup
port, and now that the war IL ended III triumph
so contrary To lis predictions, seeks tn rob that
victory Of the fruits We had supposed secure.
| know not how politicians may view this pucs.
ton | am not IN political circles; have no
haul in making platforms; nor am skilled III
party or partizan devices; hut know with uner-
rin.: instinct how the soldiers who fought the
battles feel upon this issue, AMI how the great
popular heart oi Maiuc, always patriotic, always
true, will respond. The soldiers AMI the people
ne one, will demand that their mutual Efforts AMI
mutual sacrifices shall not have been in vain.
They demand that traitors, whether par,loncl az
Iunparlonc,l, shall not bc clothed with political
power; they demand that no injurious diScrimi-
nation shall bc made afainSt any men who par.
| tcipatel IN the struggle for the preservation o'
the country. Political power must be impartially
| enjoyed by loyal mcn, aud hy loyal men alone
| Al must unite in demanding security for the
future. lndemnity for the past We cannot obtain.
| The treasure expended IN the war ~ gone, anu
the grave cannot give back lts dead We must
not 'cpinc over the past, nor he dsheartehed NJ
the Inevitable; hut We shall he m"st rccrcant to
duty ii we fail to provide wisely for the future.
SccessiO must he rcpudiatcd with its debts aud
claims, it's spirit aud principle. We must nav,
| guarantees, good AMI sufficient, against any tn-
turc atcuipt to destroy this Government, whether
in the exercise of pretended right 10y open war
or by the more artiul AMI inSiJlous assault
against the principles upon which this nation was
founded. These are points We cannot yield with
out danger and dishonor; aud when the Southern
| States shall have compiled with these conditions
in COOL faith, they will be in position to ask rs.
ISOLATION and fellowship with the loyal common
wealths Of the country which they deserted with
such violence and scOrn Until that time, IN my
Judgment, il is wise 10 hold them in strict proba'
| ton.
In demanding these guarantees we ask nothing
humatiug to those States-nothing which is not
dictated by justice, and most accordant with hon.
or. To-day we have the power to enforce these
| guarantees, IL we are resolute and true. IL we
fltcr and fail, we show ourselves less potent In
council than on the bloody deck and field. The
| high position taken by our Congressional dclega-
ton ON all the great questions growing out Oi the
rebellion, should be, aud make no doubt will he,
fully supported by the loyal men Of Maine, who
in the darkest hour of the conflict did not lOrsakc
-. Wo y,ng lnwpr ihis standard
inch, nor suffer il to be lowered BY others. The
struggle may still be severe. but have faith in
the right for the hearts Of the people are in this
cause, and they will stand by the flag till there
shall he no doubt of its integrity or its meaning
till triumphan, through blood aud tears, It shall
be recognized rs the emblem OF what is dear to
humanity and right before God.
Pardon the length of this letter, to which the
importance of the topics suggested has led me I,
and believe me as ever, your friend and servant.
j, l.. CHAMBERLAIN.
To Mai. Gen. c. II. SMITH, Eastport.