, 1866-10-18
THE CHARGE AGAINST GENERAL
DANkS.


We published In our Mondays Issue the
charge made against General Banks in
Union caucus at Maiden, by ono Of lis con-
stituents, named Copeland-of gross and frc-
qucnt intoxication ut bis house In Washing
ton, md more particularly In Portland,
Maine and also that General Banks appear
cd In the caucus and entered IN emphatic
denial ofthc whole charge. It subsequently,
appeared that this Copeland is an enemy Of
General Banks, and that he has been laborine
to destroy General Danks reputation in the
interest of Mr.. Gooch, General Banks prede-
ccssor in Congress, who was candidate for
the denomination. General Banks was nom-
mated, however, BY large majority. We
find the following full denial Of the charge In
the Boston Journals report Of the proceed
ings Of the Convention:
GENERAL DASKs coSFRoSTs HIS AccrscRs.
About half au hour had passed since Mr..
Pierce left the hnll, aud at this point he
cahc in, accompanied By Gcnernl Banks. 1t
Is impossible 10 describe the enthusiasm
almost to q man arose to their feet, many Of
them getting upon the scttees Of the hall
and cheering, md giving other dcmoustra.
tions Of applause until he had passed upon
the stand, and then uniting in three hearty
cheers.
After silence was somewhat obtained, Mr..
! George ". Copeland arose &aud repeated his
| accusations against General Banks.
The General, who had been sitting in
chair upon the stand, then arose and replied
| substantially Us follows:
| GENERAL BAEKs' EMPHATIC DENIAL.
understand you desire me to take the
{! floor. Fcl1ow-citizens, have but few
words 10 say. Ny friend who has Just taken
his seat Will not be long In doubt as to my
| answer. have been absent six years from
l I-n ~ $x1N pf+,
try. lApplause:1 II was not in service that
sought myself. I was called to It BY the
| superior officers Of the Government. had
abandoned the highest office In the gift Of
the people Of this Commonwealth, for rea.
proceeded 10 a. direct, and in the best way
possible, to ascertain If, BY the ordinary ruT.
| suits Of business, I could maintain myself
and my family. Three months after, / was
called into the service Of my country. have
have been absent from my native State dur
ing nearly the whole Of that time. It has
been period Of revolution. Revolution
brings Violent men, violent measures and
tions Of the highest responsibility and deli
cacy, and have discharged them to the best
Of my ability. Unayoldably, sharp personal
controversies have arisen, and In this time
my character has been constantly assailed.
When returned homc-as l said to the
people Of my district on another occasion
1t wns my purpose to riudicate my character
to make my position, both private and
public, known to the people among whom
was born and lived, and who hare honored
AM strongly attached. I hays now to say,
that In these aix years Of public service, In
great difficulty, and without any hope of
reward, I never. for moment forgot that I
wns son Of Massachusetts, md reprcscn-
tattve Of It's people; and have to say
! II at In fh$r SnYfr1 nf civ fhnTn - tr
act Of my public life or private charac-
ter that, understood by tho people Of this
Commonwealth, will not be approved By all
Its citizens, without distinction Of party.
defend themselves when present. 1t Is be.
causc of that that have taken the opportu.
nifty 10 defend myself by my presence. Upou
my return from Congress was pressed un.
duly to enter the service OF the party to
support, in different aud distant States. Tn,
willingly and upon compulslon accepted
the Invitation. Among others received q
pressing invitation to go to Portland l &C
ccptcd and went It was for the purpose O
| addressing the citizens Of that city upon
| public affairs. I Was there three or four days,
, | And in reference to what has been said upor
. that, have this to say: that any statement
{ that "as In q condition Of improprictJ
. in any way, either from the use Of intoxi
! eating drinks OF any other matter, y without
! the shadow of truth to Justify 1t. Loud aui
prolonged applause and checrs.1 And I
: s}atement to the contrary, made By whom
soeyer it may be made, or upon whateye
, authority It may be made, Is as atroctons, o
, wanton, as Infamous falsehood as was eve
: uttered by the lips Of man. fEnthusiasti
+ cheering.J 1t Is not only untrue aud wfthou
Q any fact or semblauce Of truth to justify 1t
but it is impossible that It should have beer
i true. Loud applause.] And invite th
people Of this town, or Of my district, t.
!. designate any gentleman Tint they ma.
: p}case-fair minded men, in whom they hay
confidence, and who shall examine the fact
I with rne. Or anybody else you may choose +
+ send-and Il they shall not declare that 1t
i, not only without solitary fact or semblanc
$ Of truth to justify It, but that 1t /
!. impossible, with due regard to the eli
i. cumstanees of the case, then whateve
. may be my Office, whether the nominee #
n | high Office, or as q member of Congress. IL
c simultaneously will resign the honor Of th
c place hold. Loud and enthusiastic a.
i, p!ause.1 Sit, invite the gentleman who b;