The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1859-12-12


who are the Censervaxfyess
One who is in the habit of reading South
ern papers exclusively. or hearing the decla-
nation OF the doughface politicians and wa
ding through the rhodomontade Of the dough-
face journals Of the North, would think that
the North was hot-bed OF fanaticism and
the South was region OF cool, considerable,
steady conservatism. That is representa-.
ton that is perpetually held up to view, an
idea that 10 sedulously sought to be impressed
upon the public mind. And yet, there is not
on the continent human being Of ordinary
intelligence who does not know that it 10
untrue, and that it would be more nearly
correct it the statement was reversed. A
man cannot well open his mouth at the South
upon that question with which they eel.shat
their interests are peculiarly bound up, with
out being liable to gross personal indignity.
Publicly to treat Of the subject as an eco
nomlcal question, as a Southern man inter-
ested in the matter, unless it be treated OF
from the Southern side; to treat Of it from a
religious or philanthropic point of view, ex-
cept it be considered divine institution in
vented for the benefit of the mass of human
beings; privately among friends, where no
bondman can listen, to discuss it as compan.
ions canvass the common topics of life; in
almost any phase or manner to examine the
subject, the relations which men hold to it
and the obligations which they are under
with reference to it, is not now and has not
for long time been safe and prudent pro.
oeeding, in most parts Of the South. All
their conduct in relation to it and to those
who question the Southern view of it, all
their public speeches concerning it, their leg
relation, their political intrigues, their social
intercourse, which in any manner bears upon
1T, is marked by violence, fanaticism, an
intolerance unparalleled by any other PEG.
pie or class 10 the country concerning any or
all other subjects. 1t would be difficult any
where in human society to point out deep
er and more pervading fanaticism than that
which prevails at the South with reference to
the subject OF slavery, taking their own ora
tors and presses as authority, and the public
events Of the last few years as evidence. 1t
10 the discussion of that subject which raises
the bludgeon in the hands of the defenders
OF human bondage, and strikes down Sena.
tors in their seats; which elicits threats of
"spastering the walls Of the Capitol with
blood,' If legislators refuse to paddock their
lips, and disregard the rights ane conscien-
ces of their constituents which leads South
ern men to talk Of treason and threaten the
integrity OF the Union as though they were
light and trivial affairs, thus attempting to
coerce opinion and public action by threats
OF perpetrating the highest crimes known to
the laws; which causes the confiscation Of
property by them, and the violation OF the
most sacred personal immunity which the
constitution guarantees to the citizen; which
prompts them to expel, to traduce and tor
ture almost without measure and without
mercy. IL this conservatism Is this the
evidence OF cool, conciliatory, rational state
Of mind? Not if the common acoeptation OF
those terms 10 the true and proper one. On
the other hand, any mar, from any section
OF the country or any ouaraer.of the world
can, any where in the North, discuss freely
and with perfect impunity every subject, so.
cial, moral, political or religious, which mos,
intimately eerce-rs -: --e..sa-s .ca Lappi,
ness OF the community wherein the senti.
ments are uttered. Richmond offers $40 ,OOl
for the head of Gddings. Boston invite,
Toombs 70 It's lecture rooms and ito hospital
ity. One section 10 irritable, impatient Of
contradiction, retaliatory, when the Question
OF human rights is raised. The other leave,
al things 10 the test Of argument and reason
Are not these things substantially, notori
ousiy true All the conservatism does no
exist at the North, nor all the fanaticism a
the South but the pretence that the North
10 all a.fame and the South ell discretion ant
consideration and law-abiding, is the mos
impudent OF humbugs. II incxcusable ant
prepostcrous ultraism exist any where In til,
Union, il 10 Ut the South. II candor and pa
thence are any where conspicuous, it 10 at th,
North.