The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-09-03
Le,,er from a WAR pemocrat.

ACster Irvm war DcmOCrats
MR.. EDrroR:-I am an old Jeffersonian-
jackson Democrat, hard-money Democrat
and temperance Democrat and that is not all.
was during the war of 1872, although not old
enough to vote, and through out great rebellion
war Democrat, and now how can vote to +
Gen. Anderson, and give him seat in our
House of Representatives at Washington?
That is the question which agitates my mind at
this time am anxious to preserve a consistent
political character And how can do SO and
support Gen. Anderson as candidate for
representative? Shall vote to give him seat
among the Southern rebels in Congress who are
working hard to gain the power they once
exercised in our country? 1 sent one son to
the war for the Union and he was engaged in
several battles and at last died N one of the
Southern prisons. And while he was engaged
in these battles under the old flag and risking
his life to preserve it. what was Gen. Ander-
son doing all that time? What did he say
when the sad news reached Maine that our
brave boys were compelled to run for their
lives in the battle of Bull Run? Did he ex-
press any sorrow or regret at that time? Far
from it. He rather rejoicei and chuckled
over our defeat, for he believed we ought not
to fight for the old flag, but let the South have
its own way as they had right, a legal and
constitutional one in his opinion, to go out of
the Union. ~
know what he said on that occasion. 1t is
not hearsay evidence, for heard it from his
own lips both in private interviews and on
public occasions. The truth is he was opposed
to the war from the beginning till its end. And
if he could have had bis own way or had bis
advice followed. we should now be divided
country and four million of human beings
would be in bondage. Do you suppose I can
consistently vote for a man of such feelings
and opinions to represent me in the halls of
legislation? To tell the truth am afraid to
give him place among the Southerners in
Congress. 1 fear it would be "hale fellows
well met If they were all like Stephens of
Georgia or majority of them like him, the
risk might not be so great But as it is can
not give him my vote to represent me in Con-
gress. 1 have always been what might be
called strong partisan, and once l believed
nothing could prevent me from
voting the regular Democratic ticket, but
0eu. AuutrsOus pOittCal CudrdCtoE through
the war for the Union, aud his record during
that time, together with the death of my son
in a rebel prison, has done the work and l
must scratch his name from the ticket.
His political record through the febe lion is
quite enough to prevent me from voting for
him. But II that were not enough his opinions
on the financial question would be. am hard
money Democrat; and how can consistent
ly vote for q man to represent me who attempts
to ride two horses at once when they are
galloping in opposite directions, a feat which
the most skillful circus riders never yet PEI.
formed, and if the General does that can
assure him that Barnum would give him
more generous salary than his pay would
amount to in Congress.
remember meeting brother Democrat the
next day after we heard about the battle of
Bull Run. Now this friend was not like Gen.
Anderson for he was sorrowful and expressed
much regret at cur defeat. He was afraid the
rebels would capture Washington, and told me
what Gen. jackson once said, "By the Eternal
the q MON it must and shall be saved" and it
was saved at that time, and the whole country
rejoiced. He also repeated what Daniel
Webster said about the dissolution of the
Union in his great speech in answer to Hayne
of South Carolina. There, said he, "Who that
loves his country and this glorious Union can
be willing to see itsevered That, he continued
is the most eloquent appeal for the preservation
of our Union ever uttered by any American
orator or writer. What future Webster has
friend Anderson should be willing to look
upon such picture with composure." He
alluded to Gen. Anderson because he was one
of the most outspoken and blatant opponents
of the war in our State.
A WAR DEMOCRAT,