Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1866-04-27
General j. L. Chamberlain.

General j. L. Chamberlain.
We find the following letterinthe Eastport
Sentinel of last week. 1t has the true ring.
and will assure ali the doubling onesif there
have been any such, that General Cham
berlain is in perfect accord with the great
union party of the country.
BRUNSWICK April II, 1860.
My DEAR GENERAL:
share with you most fully
the solicitude expressed in rcgaid to the
present posture of our national affairs. One
rear ago this very dav, YOU any were pres
ent at the surrender of the proadest army
of the Rebellion, when the banners of Sc
cession went down before the broad ensign
of the Republic, the prestige of the Nation
al Government was indicated and restored
its power made invincible by victory Its
authority Acknowledged and the greatness
of its future in the triumph of Republican
principles apparently as well assured as ii
it had been vouchsated by Divine decree.
But in the twelve mouths that has since
elapsed, that promise has not seemed in Il
fair way to be fulfilled that progress has
not been made which we had so tondly
hoped, in realizing the benefits OF our dear
bought victory. We tonight Tor that 'more
perfect Union." which the Constitution an
nounced as it's object: We fought for the
completion of those great ideas which in
spired the souls Of our fathers for the IA
tai Calhoun hercsy which would destroy the
very existence ofour Nationality. andin de-
fence of united and indivisible country.
We fought for liberty, in its widest and best
sense. In the language of an early Con-
gress, .'tho rights for which we commended
were the rights of human nature"
five fail in attaining these ends then
was the blood Of our heroes poured out in
vain, and our treasure worse than wasted
If this war has taught any one lesson more
imperatiyely than another, it is that we
should be slow to trust those who have been
disloyal to the country, and that we should
do Justice to those who stood by her i'll the
hour of danger and trial. 1t seems little
else than absolute madness to hasten to re-
invest with political power the very men
who precipitatedupon us horrors ofclvl war;
and little less than cowardly wickcdness to
turn our backs upon the millions whose
humble and despised condition did not pre-
vent them from befrending the country
when it was most in need of friends, and
vet this very madness and this very wick
edness constitute to dav the main features
of policy urged upon the country with the
full strength Of the party which, pretending
to oppose the war during its continuance,
did in reality encourage and prolong it by a
moral support, and now that the war is
ended in triumph so contrary to their
predictions, seeks to rob that victory OF the
fruits we had supposed secure.
know not how politicians may view
this question am notin political circles:
have no hand in making platforms: MOI
am skilled in party or partizan devices.
But know with unerring instinct how the
soldiers who fought the lattlcs feel upon
this issue, and how the great popular heart
of Maine, always patriotic. always true.
will respond. The soldiers and the people
as one, will demand that their mutual efforts
and mutual sacrifices shall not have been III
vain. They demand that traitors, whether
pardoned or unpardoned, shall not be cloth
ed with political power they demand that
on injurious discrimination shall be made
against any men who participated III the
struggle for the preservation OF the country
Political power must be impartlally enjoyed
by loyal men, and by loyal men alone.
Ali must unite in demanding security far
the future. Indemnity for the past We can
not obtain. The treasures expended in
the war is gone, and the grave cannot give
back its dead We must not repine over
the past, nor be disheartenea at the ineV-
table; but we shall be most reereant to duty
five fail to provide wisely for the future.
Secession must be repudiated with its debts
and claims, its spirit and principle. We
must have guarantees good and sufficient
against any future attempt to distroy this
Government, whethe: i'll the exercise
of pretended right by open war,
or BY the more artful and insidious assaults
against the principles on which this Ma
ten was founded. These are points we can
rot yield without danger and dishonor :;
and when the Southern states shall have
complied with these conditions IN good
ISOLATION and fellowship with the loyal COM
monwealths of the country which they de-
serted with such violence and scorn. Until
that time, in my Judgment it is wise to
hold them i'll strict probation.
In demanding these guarantees we ask
nothing humiliating to those states 10th
ing which is not dictated by justice, and
most accordant with honor. To day we
have the power to enforce these guaranti-
es, if We are resolute and true. If we talter
and fail. we show ourselves less potent III
council than on the bloody deck and field
The high position taken by our congress
ional delegation on all the great questions
growing out of the Rebellion, should be
and make no doubt will he. fully sup
ported by the loyal men of Maine, who in
the darkest hour of the conflict did not for
sake their cause. We must not lower
this standard an inch. nor suffer il
to be lowered by others. The struggle
may still be severe but We have faith in the
right; for the hearts of the people are in
this cause, and they will stand by the fla:
till their shall be no doubt of its integnt.
or its mcaning-till triumphant through
blood and tears, it shall be recognized al
the emblem of what is dear to humanity
and right before God.
Pardon the length of this letter to whicl
the Importance OF the topics suggested ha!
led me, and believe me as ever, your frient
and servant.
j. l.. CHAMBIRI.AIN.
To Mai Gen. {. ii. SMITH, PASSPORT.
THE PRESIDENT SPEECH "WEDNESDAY