The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1858-03-10
Free Thought.


Just at this time there is little floating thought
in politics, than experience heretofore has enabled
US to observe. VI. call it floating, to distinguish it
from the prescribed conventionorms Of opinions which
have for years been patent. 1t would lie difficult
day to ascertain the exact relation Gny man holds
politically to any other man. Partial agreement Is
maintained between men formerly adverse as the
poles those who till lately were identified found no
diculty in denouncing each others ro,tons, and
consequence of brothery quarrcls, personalities of
ungeperous character not unfrequently indulg
ed in. Mr.. Douglas, recent occasion, in referring
to this general stampede Of pent-up thought, thus
forciby and happily aludes to the threat Of turning
him scout Of the party"
81 think however it will Re found that we are in tho
party, intending to do our duty, expressing our on
Ions freely and fearessy, without any apprehension
OF being communicated or having any penalties
inflicted upon us for thinking or speaking as VIC choose
That this remark Is applicable not only to the De-
nocracy but to their OPT opcnts, need but look at
the shape things are assuming in Congress, and
throughout the country. 1t seems that species of
political Lutherism has broken fom the c!osters
OF former wirepullers and the have resolved
hereafter to decide grave questions y the Light of their
own judgments In this Trustworthy effort to substi-
tute honest investigation for party machinery, Eve
uSut tuy, tue ldNh uLC ul1 nave IelOTe
them examples Of revolt from the talest leaders
each grand army The four important subjects already
discussed in the present Congress Utah. Nicaragua
Kansas and the Army BILL On the first the country
is with the President, the second, nearly
all the Republicans and probably half the Democrats
are with the Administration the third, all the Re-
publicans for expedency, and fourfths Of the Demo
crat for principle, with Mr.. Douglas the Army
defeat in the Senate, though supported, siugularly
too by him whom it had eaon to believe would be its
most able and determined opponent, Seward of New
York! Hale, OF n. H., may be seen Ponnsy lvania
Avenue arm in arm with Foote, the Mississippi Senator
who formerly expressed desire "to hang the Abolition
scoundre, if he visited the alligator state'' Sew.
ard is in close counsel with JEFF Davis, to the best
of sustaining the Army ELL. Douglas, Il. J.
Walker, Stanton, Vie, Bancroft, and hosts Of the
eblest leaders OF the Democracy backed by O public
sentiment large to he almost unanimous, tell the
President that neither his oson, his logic their
desire for the success of Democratic Administration
influence them to consent that the will of free
people shall be overridden ty legal technical Titles,
where there denial that the legal advantages were
obtained ty fraud. Hale reproaches Seward for de-
parture from "RepublcaI" ground, while Seward re.
pies SCHtH3H alpne, TO us late
dinncr-rarty. Doolttle of wiconsin, comes to the
eide Of Mr. buchanan, on tine Nicaragua question,
while Davis, of Miss, denounces Com. Paulding and
oil his apologists.
The events Of the last ninety days, are wonderful
beyond precedent, and to those who study politics
merely for success the late chapters Of Con-
gressional history highly alarming. ''Where shall
we 60 to- is the cry of the tmid. If do not sus-
tain Lecompton, the Executive will osracise usif
50 against it, hope with the people is gone. II
hurrah for the Army Bill, accept Of iSe,rart as
leader-f we against it, the Mormons will eat us up
and MIR. u. will he mad about it. II we cay Gen.
Walker was right in his senpiratical in Central
America, VIC may incur the dpcasure Of the Govern
ment,-if We admit him to be bloody minded villain
we'find ourselves in company with "a these black
Republicans"
These are troublesome times for towards. Many pa
pcrs which take up absolutely interesting in the
tkil with which they hold to popular favor and
official patronage Good Lord good devil" never was
more beautifully exemplifed. Editors who led OF in
July on the popular tide Of the Kansas nbroslto got
peep at the Treasury of the United States or hint
from high authority, kick from some one to whom
they were playing spaniel and presto! the question as
sumcd entirely different features. From advocates Of
'popuar sovereignty" they became defenders Of saw
and erder," secured by notorious ard boosted VIOLA
tons of the ballot-box. Those who had humbly fol-
lowed the lead Of these distinguished editors but Who
refused TO sneeze when the leaders took snuf we're
turned upon, and with that energy which suay marks
new converts, and that honesty which characterizes
mercenares the recusans were told that no opinion
could be genuine faith saving unless it was pro-
mulged from the Cabinet and, We will add, indorsed
~ the Treasury Department! This effort to stife
thought and repress speech, has met with but little
SUCCESS. The roz iclrli demands an audience, and
though those whom has elevated may "cut fantastic
tricks" for brief period, the time not distant when
they will descend to the level of ordinary mortals with
the marks Of popular disapproval pretty efectuay
branded upon them.
The finale Of the present uproar and nsubordination
IN politics is vsrously predicted in all other cases.
''the wish is father to the thought when we attempt
to scan tho future That the Democratic party will last
- len3 as the Union as long as free ri nc
pie ind an abiding place, there is no question 1t is
simply the embodiment Of American sentiment. and
hence its strength and ucces Its leaders may be cut
on ~ fraterna qusrrel its ranks dccimated by deser
ton, its organization temporarily suspended by contra
rety OF per onal interests and weakness of its oppo
nen but its principles founded in justice and they
cannot die The party in opposition have studied the
Democracy to but little purpose if they are led to b.
heve in its "extnction." The folies which are now
oeng rerpetrated at the expense of tie party organ
aal'on' ana which may result in feries of local and
etate defeats this spring. will lead, before the next
fretidential election to union Of Democratic seut
ment which will number among its supporters many of
the dstinguis he'd names which have until now been
quoted against it. Its organization will be less power
iui IN the mere matter Of party obligation, but it vii
possess the strength that arises from unanmy of
rather than from compromise Of differences It will
DC protected from disintegaton by the sounness Of
W Views and its leaders will have learned that to Sc
cure public respect, no future attack be made on
"Free Thought"
Lave We no sign pointing to this result! "Terrtori
al Intervention by Congress, was the last slogan Of
our opponents. It waived by all, and declared
oosoAfe BY many. With the laws of emigration 70
Overwhelmingly against the slave States Is there any
probability that the "Wilmot Provso" will again come
upf Calhoun's equilibrium" has failed The "bsl.
An aof s~c