The Hawk-eye and Iowa patriot. (Burlington, Iowa) 1839-1843, 1841-01-21
To the Democratic Whig Cifi-
gems Of Iowa Terrftnrv.

dom from party feeling in elections-.an
impartiali.y in Legislative proceeding
which has heretofore added SO much I
the felicity Of our civil rights.and llbertie
has been wantonly insulted, and trample,
upon by the Loco foco members Of tn,
last Legislature.
! We all know that perhaps with 3 or
exceptions the members of that Legisla
| ture were not elected on party grounds
The people generally were not prepare,
TO vote in that mode; and in some instan
ces actually demanded, and obtained
pledges of the candidates not to appoin
the officers of the Legislature, or dispose
OF the public printing Oh such grounds.
/ No sooner however had the Loco focc
members ascertained they had maiori,,
OF one in the Council and 4 in the House
OF Representatives, and were met togeth
er at the seat of government, than they
banded themselves in the links of party
organization, and concocted an arrange.
ment in night caucus, by which every
officer so far as the House Of Representa-.
tives was concerned, being 8 in number
nearly all of the officers Of the Council
and all the public printing, which con.
sis's Of the incidental printing, the Jour.
nal OF the respective branches of the lie.
gislature, and the publication of the Laws;
was to be distributed exclusively among
their partizan friends.
Under these extraordinary circumstan-
ses it would be perversion of language
to say the public printing, was disposed Of
and the officers of the Legislature were
elected by the Legislature. That body
was called upon merely to give the sane
ton of Law to the arrange nents and plans
which the locofoco members had pre-ar-
ranged in their caucus meetings.
Had the Loco foco members been con-
tent to carry out their plans for division
of the "spoils'' among themselves and
a general prescription Of the wing candi-
dates by voting against them; their ma
chinations, intrigues and partizan conduct
would not have appeared in such moral
darkness and offensive view. But they
were not content to rest there. They APP
peared as it were for the moment drunk
and madlened with success. Calumny,
detraction, and SANDER Of Wing men and
measures were promiscuously resorted to
by them, sometimes for an excuse for
their conduct, at other times to crafty
their party malice, hatred, and revenge.
On all subjects connected with politics,
thew made reason the slave of passion
and prejudice, and the arguments used,
facts stated, and appeals made in support
of right and justice by minority members
were met by rage, spleen, and sneers.
To point out the many instances Of
prosecutions and party bitterness against
Wings, manifested by the loco foco
members of the Legislature at its last ses-
sion would require more time and space
than COMFORTS with the intention of this
address which designs mere reference
TO facts which the reader may examine at
his leisure. The journals of the Legisla.
ture when published will more than cor
roborate all the statements made in the
preceding lines.
The Loco foco members conscious as
they must be that in their partizan conduct
they have perpetra,ed deliberate wrong,
and without just cause of offence outraged
the feelings of the Wings; and moreover
that the more moderate and honest of their
party among the people, cannot and will
not sanction their vindictive measures !;
will no doubt upon their return home at
tempt to palliate their conduct in the Lee
gislature. and resortng 10 the syren song
as heretofore, of "no party and "person-
| al friendship" endeavor to conciliate the
Wings and secure of them generous
support at the next election.
Wings Of Iowa; the political ground
you now occupy is that of patriotism and
defence. It was not BY your doings, or
at your desire that this political contest
was commenced. 1t originated in the
selfish, restless, and ambitious schemes
OF prominent men among the opposition.
And did not your own honor, and safety,
require no small degree of suspicion to be
exercised on the movements. and work
| ings of the Office holders, and assistant
partizans, we would hope the past could
be forgotten, and in subsequent elections,
or at least till our Territory was admitted
into the Union as state with all its rights
and privileges and the political influence
it might then exert on the affairs of the
general Government which at present it
don't possess ; honesty, capabilty, and
personal merits, without any regard to
party predilection might constitute the
only basis of elective partialities.
But we pray you fellow citizens, not
to be deceived, by the wiles of the oppo-
sition. Believe not that there can be peace
or real friendship with those malignant
partizans, who have lately done you all
the harm they could, still' act duplici,ly
and breathe in heart vengeance against
you, and who will again, and again wrong
you and insult you as often as they have
| it in their power. Depend upon it, the
dark Cimmerian banner Of loco focoism
hangs out against you. Yourselves, and
your candidates will be bitterly opposed
al the next election; in those places where
the opposition are in minority it may