The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-10-04
Gov. Gr,uc. an x.u..,


Some OF the journals of the Black Demo-
cracy, and the BUCCANEERS generally through
the state, have set up howl at Gov. Grimes,
on the strength Of letter which he is repu.
ted TO have written to the President respect
ing the freedom of commerce upon the Mis-.
souri, River. lie is represented as having
said to the President that if the general gov
eminent would not exercise its authority 10
guaranty that immunity of person and Free
dom OF trade upon the public waters TO
which the constitution entities every citizen,
he should take measures to see that the eiti-
aens Of Iowa should be protected in the en-
loyment OF their constitutional rights, and
that the arms and resources Of the state
would be put in rcquisition for that pur-
pose.
That communication upon this subject
was made to the President BY tho Governor,
we believe is true. The particular contents
OF that communication are not within our
knowledge. But we suppose the tenor OF
the communication has been reported with
substantial accuracy. And we take COCA
sion to say that it meets our full and cordial
appreciation. 1t is right. II was called for.
More than that, the Governor would have
been dcreict Of his duty to the citizens Of
the state who had called him to the position
he occupies, as the guardian Of their legal
rights, and the protector Of their personal
interests so far as they are guaranteed by the
laws, il he had failed Of taking some SINH.
lar steps. 1t should be no occasion of call
ing down odium or ridicule upon his head
Ii is an occasion Of commentator and eulo-
gum. IL was duty,-an unpleasant du-
ty,--but he discharged it. faithfully and
hrInly, like a man Of honorable spirit and in
flexible integrity. Let him be thanked and
applauded for il.
Let us examine the case n moment. Tho
Missouri River is a national highway. 1t is
free for all purposes Of travel and trafhc to
every individual in the nation. That privilege
IS constitutional one,--the highes. and
most obligatory stipulation tina, laws can es
tabiish. IL is fact that for many months
th's river has not been free. II is notorious
that for long time a self Reconstructed police
along the line OF it from Kansas some way
down 10 81. Louis have taken possession Of
IT, and controlled all the commerce that has
been transacted upon it, They have KEEP,
gnns planted upon the levees at the various
landing places, to compel the detention OF
such boats AS they chose TO hail. They have
stopped boats tina, were sailing upon its wa
tiers, and compelled them TO return, up OF
down the river, as in their wisdom they chose
70 dictate, on threats Of being fired into and
sunk. They have subjected boats and their
Passengers to the closest and most particu-
lar search Property has been taken from
them at the pleasure Of this irresponsible
authority Arms, ammunition, valuables
goods, merchandise, and provisions, have
been rolled from the decks OF vessels and
appropriated 10 the use and aly antage Of the
robbers. Money hns been taken from the
pockets and the trunks of persons, while a
pistol was held 70 the head or q bowie knife
70 the heart Of the rossessor Travellers
have been subjected 70 the grossest inaign,.
ties that ruthan outlaws could pu. upon them
These are the acts Of pirates. They are such
aeEs as the laws OF our nation. of every ma
ton. denomnate piracY. II by any can
nan meanr the people from any section ha,
been restrained Of the privilege Of free com
nerce rpon the Missouri River. it was th
duty Of the general government to inierpos
ts authority and protection but especially
when The restraint was exercised in 4,
outrageous and la~ess u manner, il WA
the du'v Of tue government 10 have tn
ken the most active aai summary cours
within its means - sialirate the law
and secure the enjoyment af private rights
Il did not do that. Ii did nothing. l,pcr
mi,sed the vast commerce Of that stream i,
remain in the care Of the pirates Who hal
lawisssly and violently assumed 10 exerci.
authority over it. l,gaye no sign Of an IN