The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-06-16
Col. Curtis Address To the People
of the First Iowa District.
FELLOW CITIZENS ::

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u The proportions of this
District are so vast-extending over 80 coun.
ties, and containing at least three hundred
thousand people--it is impossible for me Ia
become intimate with all yourinterests and
although have traversed Southern Iowa in
every part, and madea great number of pub
lie speeches, my personal acquaintance is
comparatively limited For the purpose OF
promoting close intimacy, and bring before
you some matters of grave importance to you.
and our whole country, take this occasion
and mode of approaching you at leisure
hour in the morning, noon, or evening, when,
from the toll of the day, you have time for
rest, repose and reflection. Itender you my
grateful acknowledgements for your conf
dence expressed by your support in 1856,
which made me your representative in the
3jth Congress, which has recently termina-
ted and also for the further kindness in
electing me to the 36th Congress, upon the
duties of which am soon to enter.
Ientered the political arena Immediately
after TIE adoption Of the Republican platform
of 1856, which was in Jrne of that year
and the conservative construction which
gave toit, triumphed in this Democratic dis
trict, and secured prestige for the Repub-
lican cause which had some influence through
out the Union. The positions have taken,
have been construed little different; some
good Republicans have departed from my
views on immaterial points; but in the main
I have found great unanimity III the con-
struction given to our principles, and spirit
of liberation generally prevails among the
leaders and supporters of the Republican
organization. Our opponents have labored
hard 20 alarm the masses, by falsely charging
that we are fo.. revolution, intervention, and
instruction whereasw we are in fact opposing
fanaticism and innovation that threaten the
peace of society and the safety of the Union.
Coarse epiihets, scornful reproaches, and
revolutionary threats, were exhausted by our
opponents to save them from national defeat
in 1856; but truth is gradually vanquishing
error, reason has resumed her natural peror-
ative, and the naughty leaders of the Demo-
cratic party, with a few exceptions, now as
sumo weapons and language becoming their
own dignity. and our determination and
probable future destiny.
The repeal of the Missouri Compromise,
''canonized in the hearts OF the people," was
the first frightful step that alarmed the coun-
try. The immediate advance of slavery, the
Kansas imbroglio, the contempt expressed
for free labor, the undue influence given to
Southern politicians, and the announcement
ofpripciples that stifie freedom and give slave
ry endless bounds and duration, have aug
mented the public >ety and apprehension.
Slavery in the territories, re-opened the slave
trade, slavery every where, was bodily ad-
vocated bv Southern fanatics and the Dem
ocratic organization was moulded and shaped
to support and establish these monstrous
heresies in our political system. The Adj
ministi alton, enteebled by the infirmities of
years, easily yielded to extravagent assump-
TONS and in the face of repeated popular
| apprehension, the persistent leaders still hold
defiant attitude and WELD the national
power to support these revolving and ruinous
uSurpationS. In the meantime extravagance,
"a large national debt, frauds at the ballot.
box, frauds in the territories, frauds in the
award of contracts, and frauds every where
have been announced to the people, and
general apprehension and alarm increase
with every revolution Of the political circle.
The people are moving The human sea is
agitated, and its wares roll high and deep.
The corruption and frauds that are exposed
and brought to the surface, shock and shame
the public morals and mortify the national
pride. The rise and progress of the Repub-
lican party and power are the natural conse-
qnence of Democratic RIGHTEOUSNESS, folly
and extravaganza. Reasonable men of all
parties and all sections cast about and seek
remedy for the dangers and ruin that seem
to threaten our Republic The name, plat
form, the power and policy of the Republi-
ca organization offer rational and successful
remedy for threatening disasters.
What is the Republican platforms Simply
reproduction of the principles of those who
founded our government, and an expression
of our determination to abide by and develop
their glorious designs. So much has been
said to misrepresent us, that | will insert
that portion of our platform which our ad-
vcrsaries most assail, and which believe to
DC most impregnable:
Whereas, this Convention of delegates,
assembled in pursuance O: call addressed
to the people of the United States, without
regard to past political differences or divisions,
who are opposed to the repeal of the Missou-
ri Compromise, to the policy of the present
administration, to the extension of slavery
in Kansas. and in favor of the admission of
Kansas as free State, for the restoring the
action of the Federal Government to the
principles of Washington and jefferson, and
for the purpose of presenting candidates for