The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-01
ADDRESS
or the Wing Executive Committee OF the
State of Iowa.
ADDRESS
TO THE CITIZENS OF IOWA.

TO THE CITIZENS OF IOWA
AT convention of delegates of the Wing party
ior the State of Iowa, held at Iowa city ON the Goth
OF February last, it was resolved, among other
'hIngs, that the executive committee prepare and
publish an Address to the People Of Iowa, at as
early day as convenient. The undersigned, APP
pointed by that convention said committee, in
obedience to said resolution und ertake 10 discharge
that duty, thus imposed, as briefly possible.
The timo has been, feow-citizens, when party
triumph would be- motive Sufficient to excuse, il
not to justify, exultatiop at the fuiment of pre-
dicuon OF our own, failure Of the policy of our
political rivals. That time has passed by Men
of all parties have followed the lead and obeyed
the behests OF their fellow men, either mistaken or
too ambitious, until the nation has been carried to
the surprise and CONSERVATION of all patriots to the
very verge OF destruction. That this is true il
proven by the fact that, when the fearful crisis did
come-when the patriot hearts of all parties quaed
at the possible events Of each succeeding day
great men, party men--the men in some in stances
who had done most TO raise the storm, (but who
calculated not its powcr,) forgot for time that
they were party men, and became really and truly
Patriots To their credit be it said that they eunk
the politician, took their stand as statesmen in a
common cause. resolved to stand to and abide by
the Union OF these States Noby did they act their
part; and by "a strong pull, long pull. and pull
altogether" cave our glorious Republic, at least
tor a time, and let Us hope forever
The system OF measures adopted one entire
system to save the country, has yet its bitter and
unrclentlng foes. neither lew in numbers nor in
significant in power and influence. The serpent
OF disunion lies bleeding and ;nangled, but not
dead; hence 1t 10 with regret we in some drec-
tions course Of action the part of our political
rivals which seems predicaed upon the prcsump-
ton that the battle ls over, the victory won, and
that now 1t is time to resume the struggle for the
loaves and fishes OF office. II is the pride and boast
OF the Wing party that her leading men and
statesmen have always been found on the side of
the country, and particularly in every crisis threat
enlng the disunion Of these States II opposed
to the whole series of measures which produced
crIs hut hon I 10;
principles. 1t rallied as the side of the
Union May we not also feel proud, Whigs,
that although go many OF our Democratic brethren
battled with US in this good cause, our generals
simo, WILLARD FILLMORE, whom. Providence had
given US as President Wing? To his posi-
ton, prudence, and frmness, more than that of
any other man living, were indebted for this
great salvation; ond no Wing can falter one mo-
inent In the support Of his entire Administrations
We can point to his Administration and challenge
the world for its equal in mastery craftsmanship
Occupying position that exposes all concerned
to a thousand attacks, the Democratic party have
sought in vain to find one vulnerable point for
assault
The inflexible firmncss of purpose indispensable
to the late crisis, manifested by Mr.. FILLMORE and
his Cabinet, and by which alone the tempest could
be allayed the seadfast opposition to fact tons and
political demagogues, and the final success and
triumph OF patriotism over scdition and dsunion,
called forth the heartfelt applause Of all good and
great men.
The Wings of Iowa, through their delegates in
the late convention, have declared their full conf
dence in President FILLMORE, and will ever be
found ready to man TO battle for him, or any
other good and true Wing ns his successor The
undersigned do not deem it necessary at this time
to call the attention of their fellow Citizens to eve-
ny principle that dsting cuisines the Wing party
from modern Democracy, but take occasion to gay
that the great leading measures of our party are
intimately and directly identified with the inter
est safety, and perpetuity Of our glorious Repub-
lie strictly repudiating whatever may tend To en-
tangle our Government abroad create dissen-
sion at home. We cannot, however, omit 10 call
the attention of the citizens OF Iowa to measures
which more directly interest them and which we
are proud TO claim as long established Wing doc
trine.
Unfortunately for the prosperity Of the West and
western interests, our political opponents have
quiesced In the doctrine that the General Govern
ment cannot constitutionally make. engage in
general works OF internal Improvement; or 10 be
more SPECIFIC, that 1t ia unconstitutional to expend
the public funds for works OF Improvements within
the States. The representation Of Iowa. in both
branches OF the National Legislature, subscribe TO
this doctrine, and yet, under instructions Of their
have session after session, asked Con-
gress to appropriate large portion Of the public
domain In Iowa 10 purposes o! improvement with
in the State Thus far their applications have been
In VAIN whilst other States, with certainly bet
ter Claims have received s'materal aid" from the
General Government, Iowa has appealed in vain
Tor grants Of land TO aid in her proposed improve
ments. IL becomes the voters of Iowa, OF all par
ties 10 inquire into and consider whcthcr this fail
ure Is owing to want Of influence, want of will. or
whether Is not the result the absurdty Of their
position Ia asking what their pvowcd principles
condemn. IA you shall answer these questions.
fellow citizens, 30 vote.
Upon these questions the Wing party have ever
pursued an uniform course; and il is their boast
that they can point TO the pact and csim to be the
advocates oil the night and duty Of the GeneralGo-
vernnent 10 make improvements in the Ststes: TO
aid in making railroads; TO improve the naviga
ton OF our rivers, harbors, and lakts; and make
all needfui appropriations for the general welfare,
prosperity, and improvement Of the country. No
matter how great the "noise and confusion;" no
matter what the effect in particular localities upon
the popularity of the Wing party; you find every
sound wing, upon this question, the same to-day.
and call the time" without equivoca-
ton or mental reservation.
The inconsistency Of the Democracy upon this
question is like unto n hundred others Of a similar
They build n platform today and tell
you that your safety s mailed 60 il; to- morrow they
viii tear up the last plank. and with il your in
teresis, II necessary 10 subservc their ends. We
have seen and still sec our own beloved Iovo, one
OF the youngest, one OF the mOst beautiful and
promising of the sistcrbood Of Statos, chained,
bound, and gagged TO the policy Of n party who
seem determined 90 "rulo or ruin"
Let us briefly, fellow Citizens look calmly and
dispassionstely at the condition Of our State and
Federal relations, forgetting, IL VIC can. for
ment, party names and prejOdicos. We address
not Ourselves to those few political zoalos Of either
party who can see neither honesty nor patriotism
ia political opponent bot 20 those " ho think as
al rational men must think that the great moses
OF 10th parties desire the happiness and prosperity
OF their fellow men and their children" and that
our differences Of opinion, however great, arc sin
cere and bOnest.
The Wing party glory in the doctrine that the
people arc capable Of self government, aud consc.
qoently that they have right 10 govern them
selves. No organic Law should be allowed TO stand
as an impeachment 10 the prosperity of State. IL
becomes necessary, in the fcrmntion Of govern
ments, 70 guard tho various departments Of State;
protect the rights Of minorcs and the interests Of
the governed; but when IL lie assumed that the peO-
pie are not TO be trusted in making Laws for them
solyos-ere not capable OF regulating their ogn
commercial and monetary afairs-tben, indeed, IL
may be said truly that they not capable Of self
government.
The present situation OF Iowa IL a novel one; and
we would that every citizen within I've boundaries
could realize our real position. Our ''rnOdcl con
stitutioh" declares 10 the governed: you shall not
create, renew, or extend any corporation, with
the privilege Of making, issuing,- or putting in
circulation any btu check ticket. certificate. pro.
rnissory note, or other paper, the paper Of any
bank, TO circulate as money! thus leaving the
people OF Iowa tho choice Of two evils, viz. 'lsn-
ish trade, Danish commerce." banish improve
ments; in fine, Danish yourselves, or receive ~ a
circulating medium such TRASH, in the way Of for
ogn bank paper and doubtful shinplastcrs, M
chance or sharpcrs may thro~ among ms; cur.