The Portland daily press., 1869-05-25

CuJusT AND UNeENERous Tho language
of-one of the resolutions on the subject of
temperance passed by the Methodist Confer
ence at Saccarappa, must have escaped the
attention of the members of that body. The
resolution we refer to is as follows:
Resolued, That we regard with appreciation
the position that has been taken recently by
the Riverside Echo the organ OF the Temper
aAce people of Maine, and will exert our in
fiuence for the extension of its circulation.
We are very confident that the members of
Conference did not perceive the censure upon
the past management of the Echo implied in
the language of the resolution. Before the
recent change in the editorial department. OF
that paper it was conducted by gentleman
who during his whole life has been firm, un-
oomn,omising and most efficient advocate of
the temperance cause. Moreover, he is one of
the most unselfsh, disinterested and honora-
ble men that Maine has ever produced. He
has not at any time abated one jot of his ar
dor in the good cause, but stands now, as ever,
in the front rank of temperance reformers.
With the present management of the Echo
we have no fault to find. 1t is such as its pro-
prietors, whoever they are, approve, and their
views are presented forcibly and persistently
But we are very sure that no Methodist cler-
gyman and no sincere friend Of the cause OF
temperance would willingly do an injustice to
gentleman who has so long been identified
with the temperance and other reforms.
GEN. BUTLER ON OUR RELATIONS WITH ENG
LAND.-In conversation ON the subject of our
threatened complications with England Gen.
Bu ler,expressed the opinion that Great Bri-
tain could not without endangering her very
existence as a nation, enter into a wor with
the United States. While he holds that hos
tilities between the two countries are au i'm
possibility he is inclined to think that the
United StBtesswould have more to gain than
lose in acontest of the XII nd. The struggle
would be naval one. Said he '"There are
Irish enough in New England to take Canada
in less time than it requires to talk about it.
A maratinc war is far less expensive than one
on land and there would be no occasion for
large and costly armies There was dissatis
faction in every part OF the British dominions
which needed only little tanning to make a
devoufing flame, but his principal argument
in favor of a war was that lit would stop the
importations and do more for the encourage
ment of our home manufactures than all the
legislation that could be performed in quarter
OF o century
Mr.. Motley has gone to Europe, But" said
Butler, "his instructions are simply to do moth
ing. The British will have to open negotia-
tions and do not believe they will be in a
hurry to resume them. 1 would make them
settle the question in this way in short time.
1 would give them ample opportunity to digest
the situation, and in six months or SO if they
offered no settlement issue proclamation OF
non-in-course. Then, deprived Of market
keepers thrown out of employment and out of
business would institute bread riots and rise
in insurrection all over the kingdom. That
would soon settle the Alabama difficulty