The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-11-14
The Verdict Of the North.
A SOLDIERS REFLECTIONS UPON THE RESULT AT
THE PoLIs

THE POLLS.
To THE EDITOR OF THE Press:
The result of the recent elections must cause
rejoicing in the heart of every patriot The
friends of Progress, the ardent champions of
Human Liberty, the men who forfeited all,
dared all, sacrificed all, and went forth armed
for the conflict achieved at the termination of
the war victory apparently so substantial, SO
decisive in its results, that all who had been
consistent supporters OF the Union cause, felt
satisfied with the issues of the struggle, little
dreaming, that the treachery OF Chief Mag1s-
trate, elected by their sufrages and sustained by
their efforts, would render well nigh aborive
the triumph purchased at so costly a sacrifice
Of precious lives, obtained by so Profuse an ex-
penditure of public treasure. But the stern
voice frem the polls expresses the determine
ton that the fruits of the war are not to be
wasted, and the ratification of Republican prin..
ciples is a virtual declaration to the people of
the South, that an adoption ofthe plan presen-
ted by Congress can alone restore them to their
former position, and that reconstruction as In
terpreted by the President is political fallacy
which we of the North repudiate and con-
denim.
The best laid schemes of skillful diplomats
result frequently in bitter disappointment to
themselves, and the false philosopher always
unfortunate in his predictions, the willy Prime
Minister of the Cabinet and his plant tool
johnson, may nurse their chagrin in sullen
discomfort, or Swing around the circle" in
search df'some ground upon which to build
new theory which shall embrace projects with
more plausible eoloring than those just dis
approved, for ameliorating tho pitiful condition
of Southern traitors. Plot and combine as they
may, zoe are determined that rebels must pay
the penalty of their crimes, and it is not mere
~ for the sake Of euunciating finely sounding
period that we declare that treason must be
made Odious. We express our sentiments in
all sincerity and by their recent votes the peo-
pie denounce the men who are responsible for
all the woe, misery and bloodshed of the war,
and their friends, aiders and abettors
But one circumstance connected with the
election in New York must occasion deep re-
gret and mar the full pleasure of our exulta-
ton. John Morrissey, by q majority Of votes
is declared member of Congress- Bad men
have undoubtedly been connected with that
one 50
A good moral character, at least one not disfg-
ured by any fragrant violation of the regula- 4
tions prescribed by Divine and Human law
has heretofore been considered essential to Sc
cure the success of an aspirant for political
honors In this instance, however, the qualifi-
cation has been changed, and a man represent
ing all that is low, vile, mean and contemplate
in society, is elected to assist in framing laws
for people who pride themselves on their civ
ilization and enlightenment Here then we
notice the triumph of Conservative p rinciples,
and in the wide divergence between the public
career of the two candidates contesting dis
trict which returns prize fighter, we can
readily discern the difference of the Conservat-
ism which has been so loudly applauded as the
supporter of time honored laws and customs,
and the Radicalism which is openly condemn
ed as undermining all that was good, substi-
tuting untried theories for statutes that exper-
fence had proved beneficial. The Conserva-
tives support man whose whole life has been
one course of immoral conduct, who destitute
of any of the virtues which ennoble humanity
has ever, by giving free license to the exercise
Of debasing passions, been conspicuous as a
pugilist, a gamester and q rough. Opposed to
him, and supported by the party denominated
Radical, was candidate, eminently distinguish
ed for unimpeachable integrity, the friend of
the poor, the adversary of wrong, always ad-
vocating that cause which might tend to the
better advancement of equality and progress,
philanthropy, jnstics and universal liberty
their triumph Better q lost cause than one
purchased at the sacrifice Of every virtue. How
low is that great party, which once numbered
among it's leaders some Of the proudest names
that adorn the annals of our history; how re-
duced by wicked, unholy influences, since its
is the incarnation of fraud, cor
ruption and sin. Beneath those marble arches
which echoed back the magic eloquence of
Webster and Clay, will sit a man who is dis
grace and blot to our morals and our age, and
Congress owes it to an insulted and outraged
people that he be expelled in dishonor from its
midst. Thus only can we vindicate ourselves
from Stewards foul aspersion that American
elections are but farce.
With the one exception cited, we may con-
gratulate ourselves upon our success, and with
the hope which sustained us through the war
patiently await the developments to come |
Let us not contemplate the ruins of the past, |
The bloodshed and devastation of the last five |
Tears; rather let us look to the glorious future
opening so auspiciously before us. For the |
South new era is dawning; free labor has |
lsurped the iniquitous system of human bond |
lge, which warped, impaired and palsied the |
pirit of American Progress Free institutions |
hall arise from the debris of the edlfice whose |
was laid on q slumbering v0lca- |
10, on the flesh, blood, muscles bones and |
'oUls of toiling slaves, who, once electrified by
he magic word Emancipation, rose in their |
strength, and with the sword of Freedom, |
glorious triumph SO dearly purchased, SO dear |
" priced. It needed the dark background of |
Ereachery and deceit to exhibit in living light |
She patriotism of the American people. It |
needed the disgraceful exhibition of egotistical
lemagogism and sacrifice of principle to show
he stern, indomitable courage with which vio-
alton of sacred obligations is punished. And
bove all, it needed the bloody rists of Mem
his and New Orleans, the bitter denunciatory |
manations from the Southern press, the abb
urd caricature, the faithless tool, the blatant
Importer of WORKOUT dogmas, the regal, inn
southern people that, although in spirit of /
we were willing to forget the
'ast, and bury in the grave the miseries of our
unhappy, fratricidal war, yet we cannot con-
ent to be again reduced to the humiliating /
pectacle of. serfs crouching before the power
,reat North has spoken; let all give heed to |
he stern, solemn tones of the warning
A SOLDIER.