Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-05-06
PINE OR PALXETTO,
May 4th, 1875.

The question has been raised whether
the democratic club organized at Bangor
the other evening. and taking the name of
the pine Tree Club, ought not rather to
have called itself the Palmetto Club. In
looking over the report in the Bangor
Commercial of the speeches and speakers
at the organization of the club, we cannot
think otherwise than that an error was
committed in the name.
In the rebellion the pine tree was SYM
boil of loyalty. 1t floated on the banners
that waved over the heads Of Union SOL
diers. 1t represented a State, one of
whose sons was the first to shed his blood
at Baltimore in defence of country, and
from whose hill-sides, valleys and forests
thousands of true and devoted men went
forth to do battle for the preservation Of
the Union. Under the pine tree standard
such men as Conner and Chamberlain
bled, and such heroes as Jameson and
Berry died.
The palmetto in that struggle was a
symbol of disloyalty. 1t was borne on the
banners Of men who arrayed themselves
in arms against the government. In the
State which it peculiarly represents was
fired the first shot of the rebellion, and
there first the stars and stripes were tram
pied in the dust beneath the feet Of reb-
els. No State in all the South was so ear
ly and persevering in efforts to break up
the Union, so bitter and relentless in car
rying on the war against the government
rs the palmetto State"
Now in the gathering at Bangor which
called itself The Pine Tree Club, we notice
that the most prominent men were per-
sons who VIGOROUSLY sympathized with
the Palmetto State in the rebellion, and
VIGOROUSLY opposed as far as they dared
every measure taken in the Pine Tree
State to aid the government. We need
only mention the name of Marccllus En-
cry as one of the principal speakers at the
organization of the Pine Tree Club, to
show how much more truly the organiza-
ton would have been represented by its
name had it been called the Palmetto
Club. Mr.. Emery it is well known was
and is a firm believer in the right of Sc
cesion. In the paper of which he was ed
itor when the rebellion began he took the
side of the secessionists, not only decar-
ing that they were right in principle, but
approved their attack upon Fort Sumpter,
denounced the government for attempting
to hold it, and Landed Beauregard Qhe
same who advocated the raising of the
black flag and giving no quarteD and his
forces as true patriots worthy to be ranked
with the revolutionary fathers who fought
the British at Lexington and Concord
His advice then to the boys of the Pine
Tree State, TO the hardy and patriotic
lumbermen of the PenObscot, was to stay
at home, or, if they enlisted, to turn their
bayonets against the North.
Ii we turn from considering the person.
al character of the speakers to the speeches
which they made, we find the same sent-
ments that Calhoun announced and JEFF
ferson Davis adopted as pretext for re-
bellion. They are carefully expressed,
but still they are there, the general senti-
ment being in favor ofholding fast to Bour-
bonism and compelling the Liberals who
act with them to bow their knees to the
doctrine Of State Rights as understood by
the southern democracy. This was the
drift of Mr.. Abraham Sanborn's remarks.
Mr.. Sanborn. by the way. for man
brought up Wing and IL straight Wing
at that, has a very remarkable love for
Jefferson and his principles. 1t is pity
he had not found it out before. Nothing will
answer for him now but straight democ-
racy. Hear him: GAN talk made to you
"of third party is only the seductive
''voice Of the worst enemy you have got
''only the song of the siren which sings
'for your destruction. Talk of Seizures
"being leaders of a third party! 1t is per-
"fect treason to my mind. There
lis no other name given by men or by
"heaven whereby we can be saved, but
.by democracy"
From all these things it is quite plain
that If the new club would have "a repre-
sentative name it should drop the pine tree
and take instead the palmetto. Its present
designation is sad misnomer. 1t is a
"faunting le," of which the people of
Bangor are too well assured 10 be de-
ceived by 1t.
The Graphic has |. cartoon upon the