Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-05-06

you shall answer these questions, fellow
citizens, so vote. rag-y4 sfra. CD t.f-
| Upon these questions The Wing part,
have ever pursued a uniform course; anc
il is their boast that they can point to the
past and claim to be the advocates of the
right and duty Of the general government,
to make Improvements in the States; ia
aid in making Railroads; to improve the
navigation Of our rivers, harbors and
lakes; and make all needful appropria-
lions for the general welfare, prosperity
and Improvement of the country. No
matter how great the noise and con-
fusion;' no matter what the effect in par
iicular localities upon the popularity of
the Wing party; you find every sound
Whig upon this question the same to-day,
to-morrow and .all the time equivocation
o: mental reservation. rg fsfs a.sa .Etf f4
The Inconsistency of the Democracy
upon this question is like unto hun
dred do,hers Of a similar character. They
build platform to-day, and tell you that
your safety is nailed to il; tomorrow
they will tear up the last plank aud with
it your interests, if necessary to observe
their ends. We have seen, and still see
our own beloved Iowa, one of The young
est, one of the most beautiful and prom.
ising ofthe sisterhood of States. chained,
bound and gagged to the policy of par
ty Who seem determined to 'rule or ruin. !
Let us briefly, fellow citizens, look
calmly and dispassionately at the con-
dition ofour State and federal relations.
forgetting if we can for moment party
names and prejudices. We address not
ourselves to those few political zealots.
o: either party, who can see neither hon.
esiy nor patriotism in political oppon-
ent; but to those who think as all ration
al men must think, that the great masses
Of both parties desire The happiness and
prosperity Of their fellow men and their
children. and that our differences of o.
pinion, however great, are sincere and
honest. 300 '.''
The Whig party glory in the doctrine
that the people are capable offs lf-govern
ment. and, consequently, they have o.
right to govern themselves. T.. No organic
law should be allowed to stand as an i'm.
pedimen. TO the prosperity of State.
Ii becomes necessary in the formation of
governments, TO guard the various de-
partments. of State; protect the rights of
minorI'ies, and the interests of the gov
erned; but when it is assumed that The
people are not to be trusted in making
laws for themselves; are no, capable of
regulating their own commercial and
monetary affairs, then indeed it may
be said truly that they are not capable
OF self-government. .ar .-.. s.-s
The present situation of Iowa, is a
rovel one; and we would that every ci.i-
zen within its boundaries could realize
our real position. Our model Constitu.
tion' declares to the governed-you shall
not create, renew, or extend any corpor-.
alton, with the privilege of making, issu-
ing. or putting in circulation any bill,
check, ticket, certificate, promissory note,
or other paper, or the paper of any bank,
TO circulate as money thus leaving the
people of Iowa The choice of two evils,
viz-.Banish trade, Danish commerce.
Danish yourselves, or receive as circu-
lating medium such trash in the way OF
foreign bank paper, and doubtful shin
plas,ers as chance or sharpers may throw
among US. A currency, be it remem-
bered, over which you have no control.
A currency perhaps that would not sell
at home for ten cents grab, may flood
the State at any time, and the unsuspect-
ing be swindled out of their hard earn
ings, and appeal in vain for protection or
redress. D l-
lfthe Democracy Of Iowa, who crea-
ted your Constitution, and seem deter
mined TO make you keep il, unaltered and
unalterable, would carry out their pre-
Tended principles, and while they pro-
hibit the creation of sound currency,
would also prohibit the circulation Of any
and all paper money, you could at least
give them credit for consistency. You
could give them the credit of confning the
circulating medium TO a specie basis; uu-
til they stand convicted of glaring incon-
sistency, and direct assertion that you
are not capable Of seli-gove-nment.
Again, fellow citizens, your Constita-
lion presumes that you are NOT capable
of making your contracts, or that you
have not honesty Of purpose enough to
be trusted in making them. i provides
that you shall not in any manner create
any debt or liability which shall singly,
or!in the aggregate with any previous
debt of liabilities exceed the sum of one
hrhdred thousand dollars. Now you are
asking the government Of the u. States
to make to this State magnificent dona-
tions, oflands worth millions, for purpos-
es Of internal Improvements. Already
the question has been raised in your
Legislative halls, as to the right of Iowa
to receive this grant, with the condition
appendedEo it: Should our State be so
fortunate asto obtain this grant, may we
not expect to encounter serious difficult
ties? 1t is a stern reality that the re.
sources of Iowa are crippled by this
model Constitution and every citizen
win frankly acknowledge it, except such
as are blinded by party drill, and willno'
concede anything if they believe it viii
make against the success of the party