Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-10-06

the feebest pulsation responsive to this hrob-
bling of the great national heart would have re-
fused to take part In the patriotic demonstration
am describing 1t has been recently stated by
one of MIR. Tilden's supporters that he was
present at the meeting. l deny it. AT all events,
/ deny that he was any one OF the numerous
stands or platforms which were vocal with elo-
qucnt aud patriotic words. lie was not one of the
forty-eight speakers, whose speeches were report
ed in whole or in part. He was nowhere seen or
heard and, if he was there, as is asserted, he
must have been secretly prowling around
concerned spectator Of scene in which he re-
fused to have any part. take it upon myself to
say that he refused to participate In it.. had from
the lips of a democrat of the highest char
acter the statement that he called on Mr.. Til
den and urged him to unite in it; that MIR. Tilden
declined; that he begged Mr. Tilden to reconsider
his refusal; that he called on Mr.. Tilden the next
day and renewed his request, and when Mr.. Til
den again refused, he said to him, THE time will
come when you will regret your determination.
Fellow-ctZens, the time has come; and, thank
Heaven! there is no statute of limitations for dis
loyalty to the Union. | wish to do Mr.. Tilden no
injustice, and l admit that he could not have taken
part in this movement to uphold the Union with
out doing violence TO his own published opinions.
10 a letter to Judge Kent the year before he said
that the trainers of the Constitution Recognized
right oil constitutional secession but they left
revolution organized when it should be demanded
by the public opinion of State; left 1t with pow
to snap the tie of confedei alton as nation
might break a treaty, and to repel coercion
as nation might repe INVASION. 1t was under
the influence of these teachings by Mr.. Tiden
and other coDgenia thinkers that the Confederate
States undertook to snap the tie of confederation,
and this meeting was held to keep the Union to-
gether by the very coercion which he said those
States had right to repel How then could he
participate in 1t without giving the lie to the dis
organizing doctrines which he had proclaimed
How could he take part in this moveme Mt to pre-
vent the States by coercion from dong what he
had told them they had right to do? The di-
lcmma certainly embarrassing one, for
whether he took the Northern or Southern horn
he was sure TO be gored. His instn, IS counseled
him to take no part against his Southern friends,
aud he must be allowed the praise of consistency
in this respect to the very end of the war. Dur
ng the four years of its progress what word of en-
coursgement did he ever address to Il ose who were
carrying it on What counsel to his fe " citizens
which any patriotic man would acepti What sup
port by word or deed to the cause of the Union
Some of his indiscreet supporters have made abor
tive attempts to prove him patriot and support
er of the war. These attempts are founded upon
pretended conversations with him from twelve to
fifteen years ago; whereas it is well known that
he was an open opponent of the administration,
denourcng 1t for disregardng the Constitution,
violating private rig hts, and bringing The country,
to use his swn words to the Verge of rum" No
word in favor of the war, word against its
thors, has been quoted from any speach, document,
or paper which emanated from his lips or his pen
during the whole course of the rebellion.