The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-06-21

directed my attention to an article in it owe
the signature Of Douglas" This write
seems to be in an i'll humor with me, simpl
because, in communication to you on tn
1st., took the liberty Of stating some I'm
welcome facts, touching your debate her
with Mr.. Street. .. -..
douglas" seems to think that man i
not bound to discuss the Bible aspects o
Slavery, MERELY BECAUSE he believes the in
stitution to be of Divine origin. fully agret
with him in that view; but when man pub
licly proclaims, as he has done, that h,
WOULD discuss the question with ANY re
spectacle Republican, the case has very
different face; and men will hold to the
opinion that douglas" is morally bound tc
accept the challenge, or submit to the public
verdict of a PREVIOUS DEFEAT. But, says
douglas" eff slavery is proven right, wha
does it amount to?" He lays it down thai
because Slavery does not legally exist il
Iowa, the people of Iowa, have no business
talking about it. He seems to think it none
of our concern, whether it is Divine and
beniffcient institution, or one which is al
deadly war with the Dispensation of Christ
outrages natural justice; or tramples hu
manity in the dust. Douglas" to-day is, on
this matter, very different man from him.
self sixteen months ago. THEN, he felt it tc
be his DUTY to expose the "rotten and decay.
ed theory" and a pretty expose he made
of it. Now he thinks we have no interest
in knowing anything about it. Whence
comes this change Of opinion? The public
know whence. "a burnt child breads the
fire."
Still his pregnant questions "what does Il
amount to? what is going to be done about
it?" rises up and demands an answer. 1t is
easily given. 4 thousand millions Of acres
ofpublic lands yet remain to be settled up
These Territories viii mainly be settled by
cmigrants from the Free States, Qowa among
the rest.) If the population of these Free
States can be taught from unquestionably
authentic statistics, that Slavery is, in So
cial and economical point of view, source
Of National prosperity; and also, God given
institution; then the electors of those States
will assuredly cease to oppose the further
extension Of such National blessing The
well known springs of human action, will
insure this. But if, on the contrary, it is
proven to be source of National weakness
at war with the fundamental principles OF
Republican government: and intensely anti.
christian then the people of Iowa, and their
co-laborers in Freedoms cause, will continue
their efforts to stay the further spread of the
National blight. Now the question naturally
arises, now are we todecide the point wheth,
er Slavery ought, as wished il, ''to pour it.
self out without restraint" or be restricted
to its present limits How do this except
by instituting an inquiry as to WHAT Slavery
is; and by footing up as far as we can, the
respective balances, in the Christians and in
the Nations ledger? freely confess that !
know no other way. Perhaps Douglas
can erect a finger board for us. 1t is certain.
ly true that the question of the extension Of
Slavery in the Territories, will hencelorth, a.
heretofore, have to be decided by Congress
How can our members in the House vote
upon such question intelligently, without
previous investigation +? Our Senators from
Iowa, are elected by our State Legislature
How tbof ,l,t,, ,1o,,la -, , L.:
without knowing the relative value of Free
dom and Slavery? How decide upon great
National question without an index to the
public mind. How shall that index be
formed, if not by investigation? Here we
come to the root of the matter. Ignorance
at the fountain springs, would entail ignor
ance in the mighty rivers flow. This is
what ''it would reasonably amount to-" if W.
adopt the plan of 'Douglas," and walk po
LITicALLY DLINDFoLD on tho great issues O
the day.
"Douglas" seems so determined that there
shall be no such thing as a candid Demo
crat in his vicinity, that he graSely proposes
date for museum. This is TRYING to bea
Mr. Street, who said, som, months since
"there was NOT ONE HONEST MAN in the Dem
ocratic party" Apretty brace Of politicians
One denies having an honest man in tn,
ranks; whilst the other proposes to EXHIBIT
a "candid' Democrat in cage, if caught
Nevertheless there Is orc "candid" man il
Blakesburg who was Democrat up to tn
evening of the debate in question, but is s,
no longer. The curiosity is found Bu
about the museum; that won't do--can'
spare him; he is, in more senses than one
, an useful man in his calling in life A
, douglas" has seldom anything to do, per
haps he would favor the community b,
going as a SUBSTITUTE Cor . few years. Bar
mum, the mighty humbug, could no doub
make ''wooly horse" affair out Of him
whilst the public would have the benefit o
keeping Candid useful MAN at home.
Ny very dear friend ''Douglas" loses hi
A temper, because said ''your religious cree
! is none of their business" Look at my al
a tcle, you will there find me charging tina
e certain persons said "you have no right t
: quote such passage Here am on sol
: ground, so far as rights go; whether i
matters ofreligion or politics, desire to sc
: speech untrammeled. You quoted you
G passage, showing that liars will 90 to he'll