Semi-Weekly Dispatch

Pursuant to notice, published in the several Democratic journals of the town, convening the Democratic party of the county in County meeting on the evening of the 13th inst., in the Court House, we, in common with others, attended, in expectation of hearing an exposition of the views of the Democracy of Franklin, through it self-constituted leaders, of the present momentous and unparelleled [sic] position of our distressing National affairs. It has been the custom of all parties, heretofore, in county meetings immediately preceeding [sic] the formation of County Tickets, to adopt resolutions expressive of their views of State and National policy, embracing such questions as a Tariff, for instance; internal improvements, the License System, or some other more or less important question--we say, this has been the uniform practice of all parties heretofore, and none came forward in this respect more boastfully and ostentatiously than the leaders of the Democratic party. They were not afraid--not they!--of proclaiming their principles, and emblazoning them upon their banners, so that even they that run might read.

We are now in the midst of a Civil War, the most terrible evil that can afflict any people--the Country is convulsed from centre to circumference--every interest of our people is paralized [sic] and stricken down--the very existence [sic] of our Government and Union is threatened--Treason and Rebellion is rampant in one-half of the Republic--fortifications, and ships, and treasure have been stolen--battles have been fought, the National Flag has been dishonored, perjury has been committed, pirates are jubilant, and in the midst of such a state of National affairs--we almost hesitate to tell the world--the Democracy of Franklin county held a county meeting, organized, passed a resolution calling for an election of delegates to attend a nominating convention, and adjourned without even noticing in any manner, by resolution or otherwise, the terrible condition which our Government is now occupying.

What!--the bold, the fearless, the unterrified Democracy, assemble in County meeting, almost within the hearing of the thunder of the rebel artillery--when the Capitol of the Republic is not only threatened, but almost invested by Treason's troops, and yet adjourned without adopting an expression, by resolution or speech, of assent or dissent, approval or disapproval, of satisfaction or condemnation of the present terrible state of affairs in which our Country is now involved! The thing is without a parallel in the history of politics, or of men pretending to be leaders of parties or of public affairs.

Why was this? Was it a dodge, a political maneouver, from which some political aggrandizement may grow? Is our Union so little worth, that the leaders in this meeting could not find a word of sympathy for it in its present terrible agonies?--not a word of regret for the scores of their heroic fellow-democrats who have already shed their blood and laid down their lives in its defence, and not a word of encouragement for the thousands of others who are now in the tented field ready to offer up their lives also for the Republic?

We are pleased to say here, that we believe fully three-fourths, if not more, of the men who belong to the Democratic party of Franklin, are unconditional, uncompromising Union men--favorable to the enforcement of the Constitution and Laws of the country, and who are opposed to a Peace procurred [sic] upon any other terms than a full, complete and unconditional surrender of those in arms against the Government. While we are free and proud to say so, we feel grieved to be compelled to remark, what we believe to be the truth, and what we believe this meeting plainly indicated, that there are men in Franklin county who would now compromise with Traitors--who are more partizen [sic] than patriotic, and, therefore, prefer Party to Country! O! land of Washington, have you given birth to such children!

The enemies of the Union in the North, (there are many of them, and not confined to the Abolitionists either) who, for the purpose of crippling the Administration, and strengthening the hands of Southern Treason, are crying Peace! Peace! We are for Peace too, but not a Peace secured at the sacrifice of the integrity of the Union; it must be a Peace brought about by the complete submission of those in arms against the Government--an unconditional surrender of the rebels to the authority of the Constitution and Laws, and a recognition of the Union in all its length, breadth, depth and heighth [sic]. A Peace obtained upon any other terms would be more injurious than war, and the men or the party that counsel such a Peace, are masked enemies of the Union, more to be dreaded than all the open and more manly enemies in the South. We adopt the language of an influential cotemporary [sic], who remarks:

"A Peace Party in the North is nothing more than the reserve forces of Jeff. Davis. Both are animated by the same purpose. Mr. Davis wishes the North humiliated; so does the Peace party. Mr. Davis wants Northern bacon and Northern arms; the Peace party have both to dispose of at reasonable terms. Mr. Davis wishes to ruin the Administration; the Peace party is laboring to the same end. The only difference seems to be that Davis has armed his Virginia "Peace party," and stationed it at Manassas, under command of Beauregard and Johnson, two very distinguished members, while his "Peace party" in the North is commanded by Breckinridge, Bayard, Vallandigham, and Wood. The whole six of them are very faithful officers, and Mr. Davis is as efficiently represented by his Northern servants as he is by his Southern."

Bangor, Me, August 12.--At one o'clock to-day, the Bangor Democrat, a Secession sheet, was completely cleared out by a large number of people, the contents of the office being burned in the street. Mr. Emery, the editor, was unharmed, but Jones A. Barber, who made some demonstrations, was badly used, but subsequently rescued and lodged in jail.