The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-04-23
General Chamberlain's Political
.rrfa Opinions. r.s...
Traitors must mot be Clothed with Polit-
.r ieal Power without Good and
Sufficient Guarantee. fF
[I,om Ms Ea.tport sent;aef. Apru 1s.I

ie.t [Frona the Eastport Sentinel Apra 1871
1t gives pleasure to lay before readers april
vate letter from General Chamberlain, in which the
great questions which now agitate the nation are
fully discussed. i4.i'. -.If
BRUNSWICK, April 12 1896
My Dear General:-I share with YOU most tulIy
the soctude expressed in regard to the present pos
ture of national affairs One year ago this very
proudest army of the Rebellion, when the banners
Secession went down before the broad ensign of the
Mas VnS;cats9 and sestored to its poWer maSe
BILE by victory, its authority acknowledged ard the
greatness OF its future in the triumph Of Republican
principles apparently as wel assured as If it had
been voucesaied by Divine decree.
But in the tweive-month that has since elapsed,
that promise has not seemed in lair way to be full
fled that progress has not been made which we had
80 ondy hoped, in realizing the benefits OF our dear
bought victory. We fought for that "more perfect
Union" which the Constitution announced its OBJ
ect: we toughtor the completion of those great ideas
which inspired the souls of fathers; for the extr
patton OF that fatal Calhoun heresy which would de-
stroy the very existence OF nationality, and in
defence of united and indivisible country. We
fought for liberty in its widest and best sense. In
the language OF an early Congress, the rights for
which we eontended were the rights OF human ma
ture."
Of our heroes poured out In vain, and our treasure
worse than wasted. If this war has taught any one
lesson mperativey than another, 1t is that We
should be slow to trust those who have been disoya
the country and that should do justice to those
who stood by her in the hour of danger and trial 1t
seems little else than absolute madness to hasten to
reinvest with political power the very men who pre-
citated upon the horrors of civil war; and little
less than cowardly wckedness to turn backs up
on the millions whose humble and despised condition
did not prevent them from beffiending the country
when most in need of friends and yet this very
madness and this very wickedness constitute to-day
the main features OF policy urged upon the coun-
try with the fun strength Of the party which, pre-
tending to oppose the war during its continuance
did In reality encourage and prolong il by q moral
support, and now that the war is ended in triumph
so contrary to its predictions seeks to rob that VIC
tory of the fruits we had supposed secure.
know not how politicians may view this question.
am not in political circles; have no hand in max
ing platforms; am skilled in party or partizan
devices. But know with unerring instinct how the
soldiers who fought the battles feel upon this ISSUE
and how the great popular heart of Maine, always
patriotic, always true win respond The soldiers and
the people one, will demand that their mutual et-
forts and mutual sacrifices shall have been In vain
They demand that traitors whether parloned or un-
pardoned, shall not be clothed with political power;
they demand that no injurious discrimination shall
be made against any men who participated in the
struggle for the preservation Of the country Politi-
cal power must be impartally enjoyed by loyal men,
All must unite in demanding security for the future
Indemnity for the past we cannot obtain. The treas
ure expended in the war rs gone and the grave can
asst, be disheartened at the inevitable; but we
shall be most recreant to duty If we fail TO provide
wisely for the future. Secession must be repudiaed
with its debts and claims, its spirit and principle We
must have guarantees good and sufficient against anv
future attempt to destroy this Government whethar
in the exercise of pretended right by open war G
by the more artul and insdious assault against he
principles on which this Nation was founded. Tbess
b0n
or; and when the Southern States shall have Committed
with these conditions IN good faith they will be in
position to ask association and fellowship with the
loyal commonweaths Of the country which thew Ja0
serted with snch violence and scorn Until that i;me
nmy judgment, it is wise to hold them In strict
baton. P'o-
Indemanding these guarantees we ask noth;,. =.
athg a 70 those States-nothing which not dctat-
ea by Justice, and most aeeordant with honor. To-
day we have the power to enforce these guarantee %
we are resolute and true. II we iater and fan ~ "a
SNOW ourselves less potent in council than on tbs
bloody deck and field. The high position taken by
our Congressional delegation all the great
growing out Of the rebellion, should be- ami mans
no doubt will be, fully supported by the loyal men ~
Maine, who in the darkest hour of the confiit ,d ~.
iorsake their cause We must not lower this stand.
ard an inch, nor snfer 1t to be lowered by Others
The struggle may still be severe but we have faih
the rights for the hearts of the people are in ~ n
cause, and they will stand by the flag till there sba
be no doubt Of Its integrity or its meaning-ti tri
umphant through blood and tears it shall he rscae
nized as the emblem OF what is dear TO humanity and
right before God. N"N
Pardon the length of this letter. to which the I'M
Portanee OF the topics suggested has led me- and ie
heve me as ever, your friend and servant. ~
T0MS, Gen. 9, H, SMITH, EastpOrt.