The Republican journal., 1876-08-17
Let Us Have Peace.

Among those present at the meeting Of
the Maine Soldiers and Sailors Associa-
ton in Portland last week, was Gen
Charles w Roberts of Bangor, q true
soldier in time of war, and like all true
soldiers disciple of peace now that 'this
cruel war is over.' In reunion of this
kind the Introduction Of party politics is
at least in questionable taste; and the in
tense partisan character these meetings
have assumed, particularly on the eve of
an election, has kept away many Demo-
Gratis who served in the army during the
late war. The reunion last week, it ap-
pears, was not an exception to those which
have preceded it. One Capt Adams, of
Massachusetts, a follower of Blaine, took
occasion in toast to glorify the "vindi-
Gated" ex-speaker in manner becoming
a Republican caucus or mass s-meeting, and
was followed by one Rev J. F. Lowering,
who undertook by contemplate inuendos
to slur the character of the Democratic
nominee tor President. These partisan
TRADES seem to have met with no rebuke
On the contrary Gen. Roberts who follow
ed the last named speaker. was howled at
and hissed at for giving utterance to SEN
timents in favor of peace and good will
throughout the land Fortunately his
speech, which had evidently been care
fully prepared, has been printed verbatim,
and we are able to give in full the passage
to which exception was taken. 1t is as
follows:
As we of the North were victors, we can
we'll afford to be somewhat magnanimous, for
nothing IN the long run was ever gained BY
pursuing or harrassing fallen or penitent foe
And while i'll our heart of hearts we may never
be able TO entirely forgive or forget jefferson
Davis, a man in the late struggle who fought
far less by sword than by tongue or pen, and
always at Il safe distance, still the time ma,
possibly come when we may at least have !;
profound respect for the memory Of Robert f.
Lee, one who fought from principle, who fought
most vallanty, "a toeman worthy of his steel,
and after being yanQuished and gracefully sur
rendering his sword to the honored president
OF this association, ever after, until the day o.
his death, was as loyal Il citizen of the United
States as ever trod hi, native heath.
The sentiments here expressed by Gen
Roberts are those Of all true soldiers o.
the late war. There is not promnen,
Federal General from Grant down who
has not borne testimony to the sollerly
| abilities and gentlemaniy qualities of thi,
distinguished Southern leader His most
devoted friends might we'll be wiling tt
leave his character to be passed upon by
| those who met him on the tented field
But in reality it was not Gen. Lee, no
| Gen. Roberts, at whom these Blainites
howled and jeered. 1t was the sentiment
Of reconciliation and peace which rouse(
their ire. They are unwilling that thu
anmosities of the war should die out
| They are determined that there shall no
be reconciliation and peace between th
sections They ignore the mingling 0
the wcarers of the Blue and the Gray a
Concord, Lexington and Boston, when tn
men Of Massachusetts clasped hands il
fraternal greeting with those of MARYLAND
and Virginia and South Carolina. The
care nothing for a united country, and 70
the prosperity which must result from
lifting the iron hand from the South The
cling to the bloody shirt under the deIu
sion that by this sign shall they conquer
Hence the howls and Kisses with whic
they greeted the words of reconciliatio
and peace to which Il gallant Fedora
| soldier gave utterance.