The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-08-24
SINyoRD. August, 1866,


Mn. EprroR will you allow me the priv
i,ece OF SAYING q few words to the voters Of the
First District In the next issue OF your paper
IL has now been little more than o year
since the rebels laid down their arms, and Nm
riIiinoiy acknowledged the supremacy of the
government. During this time new question:
for discussion and settlement have arisen. and
another contest is now going on. There Is q
conflict Of principles, In which each OF US Is
q soldier, and We are to show by our own 40
tions, whether or not, We desire that argumen,
and the ballot shall maintain what the bayone'
and the bullet In our four years struggle, es-
by war be sustained In peace, and let those who
struck 30 deadly . blow against our govern
ment, feel its full force ss It recoils upon their
guilty heads. I Am In favor OF rseonsirttisi
rebels, but want reconstruction % thorough,
that q hand never again will be raised by them
or their posterity, against our government. OF
q word about State Rights" be whispered, OF
4 threat to seosde be made, even by the most
bitter and defiant rebel.
am unwilling for those men. who brought sd
much suffering upon our fair land, who eI-
hibi,ed the same spirit - In the winter of lsOo
and 81, who talk treason M boldly now as
then, TO govern me and make laws by which
must abide. To this remark some one says,
"What! not allow the southern states to be
represented In Congress 7" Yes, mean just
that, unless they abandon oil past projects for
disunion, and all reasonable designs, and give
good aud sufficient GUARANTEES for the future.
What not allow those States never out OF the
Union their constitutional rightsr' To such
interrogatory would reply, grant every state
her constitutional rights. but, at the same time,
remember that for rebellious states, or those
lately In rebellion. there are no rights save
those pertaining to the criminsl-uo privileges.
granted BY the constitution save those granted
70 traitors. Were Il otherwise the constitution
would contain In itself the elements the de-
struction Of that which Il wss framed ~ make
permanent. Furthermore, an willing, that,
when suoh states shall elect representations,
"each house shall bs judge Of the elections
returns, and qualifications Of its own mem
bers." Bot want II - unaltersbly 6xe3 ~
the Law Of the Medes and the Persians which
changsth not, that the rebel debt shall never
be paid BY 10 that no compensation be allou-
ID for smssoipatsd slaves, that no rebel soldier,
or heir receive psasion.
And / should hesitate to give my consent 10
any measure Ignoring the idea that such prop
tative will b received unless be 10 hrmly op-
posed tosuch measures a the above e-meutiUned,
which viii b advocated by the rebels st no
distant day, unless oil hope OF their accom-
plishnsst d crushed sos, and forever.
The question In my mind y, what shall ve
do to msintain what our soldiers % nobly
achieved. and 10 prsyeut the seeo nplishmeni
VI such Dsasarsf Sastain our soldisy ~ The
polls. by our ballots, at the coming election,
aud. - the cannon proclaimed 10 Union sold
iers aud rebels, st Appomattox Court HOUSE,
that Lss bad surrsadeFsd. % lst the thupdsrs
VI spplauss at The result VI our election pro-
claim TO Republicans and Democrats, that "
have gained victory, and let ell the people
ksow that our Stass, which boasts "Dtrigo'
- her motto. takes no step backward. Thu
Stste should send full united Republican del
egation 70 Congress. Win she do Ut foui
districts are certain. In regard 70 ooe, thi,
fpt District alone, there may have becn svus