The Portland daily press., 1867-09-13

Upon taking the chair as presiding Of
ficer of the Republican Convention, at Wor-
cester, on Wednesday, Senator Wilson made
an effective speech on national affairs, from
which we take the following:
There is an obstacle at the White House.
That obstacle has been, now is and will con-
tinue to be an inspiration to reactionary hopes
and strivings, malignant passions and cruel
deeds. Had Andrew johnson co-operated
with Congress, needed the voice OF the people
of the loyal States, and met the needs OF the
loyal people of the rebel States, the equal
rights of the freedmen would have, ere this
been assured, the insurectionary States re-
stored, the nation united, and his name would
have been forever associated with the mar
tyred Lincoln, in the love, gratitude and ad-
miration Of loyal America. The masses of
the Republican party turned trustfully and
hopefully to him, when their great leader was
stricken down, TO lead in the grandest work
of the age These loyal masses were willing
TO forgive, if they might not forget, the terri
BILE humiliation of the inauguration. and to
follow him in the work of unity and liberty.
When he taltered-when he fell from the van,
and sank to the rear, these loyal masses gen
erously continued to hope on even against
hope. But when he went over to the camp
of the men who had fought against their
country or sympathized with them, they re-
solved to go on, without him or in spite of
him, to the final accomplishment of the
mighty task imposed upon them by their en-
dangered country. Into the keeping OF
traitors, Andrew johnson put the rebel
States; in the keeping of unrepentant re-
bells he has striven to keep those States.
Every measure TO protect the loyal
white men OF the rebel States, every
measure to secure the rights of the freedmen,
every measure to weaken the rule OF the rebel
chiefs, civil rights bill, Freedmen's bureau
bils,-all have been vetoed by him. When
the Republican masses in their magnanimity
refused to demand impeachment, when the
Republicans in ongress tOrebore to press the
impeachment they knew he merited, trusting
that they could save their country and vindi-
cate equal rights in spite OF his misconduct,
he deiiantly continued to inspire resistance to
the will Of the nation-dared his fate-and
now hundreds of thousands who have held
back from his impeachment are stemly de-
mandingit. '
Edwin M. Stanton, the trusted councillor
of Abraham Lincoln, during the bloody con-
flicts of civil war, that statesman SO true to
freedom, so devoted to his country, has been
rudely thrust from that position, where he
had rendered services to the endangered na-
ton that will be gratefully remembered in
the years 10 come. lHc Oenduc VI tlc OHitcu
States, that has witnessed his intense, passion
ate love of country, his titanic energy, vast la
bors, integrity and purity, will not cease to
remember that he was struck down tor fdell-
ty to country and to the right of the people.
Not appeased by striking down the great
War Secretary, Andrew johnson has laid
his hand of violence on that brilliant, hon
ored and loved soldier, Philip II. Sheridan,
whose record in the field glitters with glori-
Gus achievements, whose record in the 9Th
Military District is instinct with patriotism
and Justice. This brilliant hero Of the valley
of the Shenandoah, and of battle fields made
immortal by his genius and valor is sent from
his Department., hurried away to the distant
plains-to the gorges of the Rocky Noun
tains to chase the wild Indian, with an adj
monition that his energies will there find
fitting field for action Time, it Is said, brings
about its revenges. Perhaps it may so happen
that an outraged nation is master OF Presi-
dents. that Congresses and Generals may bid
this man-drunk at least with unreasoning
passion-descend from that lofty position
from which he smites down her honored
Statesman and her brilliant General and 90
back to that famous Tennessee, where his
abilities will find an appropriate sphere of ac-
ton, in filling once again the Office of village
Alderman. 1t is not given to men of the ca
pacitv OF character of Andrew johnson, how
ever lifted up to exalted positions, to belittle
Edwin M. Stanton or Phillip FL. Sheridan.
The illustrious commander of our army, who
is now enduring the burden imposed by pat
riotism, as did his predecessor through weary
months, uttered the voice of loyal AmelIa ls .Sa .
when he expressed his appreciation ',;.ns, 1i tnn
zeal, patriotism, frmness ana ,sd a1nsy AZ
with which Edwin M. Stanton nao s Was u,s-
charged the duties of Secretary ot " !. "a., al
remember too, for could mot nos io na%msnder a. n
gSo;1 Sew weeks ago, to the genius of Sheri-
dan. 9 "The people" he said, "do not fully ap-