Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-08-19
"WOuld You Help to Catch a
Runaway Slave

A&GAAAsA '" a.
Reader, we address this leading question
, you., Deliberate upon it, and at the ballot
box, in October next, give US your candi
answer-a plain, straightforward Yea or Nay
This question is one that, in spite Of wha
noisy demagogues would fain have youbelieve
Immediately concerns you. There is law Q
our country that puts it in the form of
command are you ready to obey it? S. }
Kirkwood, the man of our choice for the offic
of Governor, under the proyocation of debate
first put it in its present form, in order tt
elicit the true sentiments of his opponent
Subsequently, Mr.. X. answered it for himsel
with an emphatic "Nor' This reply. says
the Oskaloosa Times, democratic paper,
was characteristic Of double dealing dema
gogism." Now, let US for a moment examine
the character Of Gen. Dodge's answer to the
same question. Here it is, as reported by
that paper:
"Sir," replied the General, instantaneously
as he rose to his full hight, with the proud
consciousness of the nationality of the senti
ment he was about to utter, "Sir, l stand
prepared, as an American citizen, to perform
each and every duty required of me by the
Constitution and the laws Of my country
Such. sir. is the difference between Democrat
and Republican of to-day"
Straight ht-forward enough, perhaps, but mark
what it embraces. This reply Is given in
reference to the Fugitive Slave Law, the topic
Just then under discussion, and the Fugitive
Slave Law requires every citizen Of the United
States to lend his aid in carrying out its pro
visions. We are entirely right, then, in
asserting that this degenerate Roman, without
equivocation, offers to .telloD in the blood
hounds track, assisting 10 run do,0n the poor,
dstsnseless, .famishsd and tsr~or-stricke"
fugitive, fleeing from cruel and debasi"g
bondage!
There is, however, latent evasion, after
all, in the manner he applies himself to the
question proposed We are charitably inclined
to think he barely missed giving his reply
that artful construction he designed, and in
that case, had he stopped short at the word
"Constitution," we should have rejoiced at
the indication that he was not lacking in self
respect sufficient to shirk the odous require
ment of catching runaway slaves. He might
have affirmed his loyalty to the requirements
of the Constitution, without absolutely affirm
ingloyalty to hatrequirement of the Fugitive
act which constitutes its most tyrannical, most
intensely offensive feature in the eyes of free
and high-minded and generous people. The
Constitution (mark thatD does not require
any man to catch runaway slave, and hence
we wonder why the "Artful Dodger" did not
attempt to shield himself from popular con-
tempt and disgrace by creeping under the
ample folds of that huge piece of parchment.
With the most perfect sincerity zoe could have
endorsed his reply, and at the same time
maintained our inexpressible detestation of
that outrageous requirement in the Fugitive
Slave Lao that obliges you and US to chase
the wretched fugitive and deliver him to
cruel, and revengeful master. But no! He
stands fatty committed to the demeaning task,
and we turn away from him in unfeigned
disgust. The Democratic press says this
affirmative answer for such undoubtedly
of Gen. Dodge struck genial chord in your
breast, and wrung deafening "thunder'' of
applause from your lips. Hear once more
what the Oskaloosa Times says, and what our
own Enquirer plucks as "a gem Of puIest ray
SERENE" and plants in the most conspicuous
constellation of its brazen crown:
"The thunders of applause which greeted
this bold, direct and well timed answer well
attested the fact that note had been stricken
that finds its echo in every true American
heart. The nationality of the reply rang its
clarion tones on the air of Union, and found
its response in the welcome plaudits of host
of freemen."
How do you like that, eh? We think that
gaseous explosion exceedingly odoriferous,
and base and malicious lie or He-bel (don't
care which) upon your fair fame. May such
as Gen. Dodge has shown ever continue to be
the difference between Democrat and
Republican of to-dayT
"Would you help to catch runaway slave?"
-<>>----
Flcrs To T,IINE ARoUT During the preS.