Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-12-07

time express our own views mere iully, thar
by publishing the following communication
from citizen w ose position, experience anc
abilities qualify him to speak on the presen,
condition of our country. We ask for hi;
communication candid and careful perusal
[For the Journal
FRIEND MAHIN:-There are times, in the
history of country like ours, when tht
humblest citizen should let his voice be heard
on the subjects that agitate the minds of the
people. Sucn time there was in the days
Of the United States Bank, when, to accom-
plish the object of that moneyed corporation
would, through its influence, create "panic, y
when banks must curtall their discounts OF
suspend, and frequently both; trade be par
ayzed, public confidence destroyed, the price
of prod1ce rapidly decline, mechanics. and
laborers thrown out Of employment, and ruin
and bankruptcy stare all in the face. This
was the way that aristocracy of wealth "
sought to coerce the people to renew its
charter Fortunately for the country, we had
jackson President in those days, who, while
he fully appreciated the influence of the Bank,
did not fear its power, but determined to
stand BY the interests of his country, and, if
need be, fall in its service. The result is
known. The people sustained him, and put
down those who, for the sake of power and
office, would sacrifice the best interests O! our
nation.
We have such crisis now - we have an
influence attempting to coerce the people, BY
panic, by bankruptcy and distress, in every
imaginable way, more powerful than the
United States Bank; and to its power may
be added immortality, inhumanity, and all the
evils that follow in the wake Of Slavery. An
attempt is now being made to force the non-
slaveholding States to submit to the influence
of slavery-to consent that it shall not only
20 into all the Territories, but ultimately into
all the States This is now attempted in the
old way-by panic. In time Of plenty,
when we have more specie in the United
States than ever before-when our exports
are larger than at any former time-when but
little specie is required to be shipped to Europe
to pay our balances in trade-now, we must
have panic, and the people must be made to
feel the slave power by distress, stocks falling,
bar ks suspending, the price Of produce falling,
and every evil that disappointed politicians
can bring on the nation, when they are backed
by the potency Of the slave power. And what
is this for? Why, because the fire. voters OF
this nation have dared to elect President of
their choice. This is the ostensible reason.
The true reason is because the pro-slavery
oarty in the United States, now called the
Democratic party, can no longer enjoy all the
offices in the gift of the President. Shades
of Jaffersonl almost wonder your dust does
not rise up and rebuke those hypocritical
politicians who so abuse the name OF Dem
ocracF.
Ih4ve been led to these reflections by seeing
an editorial in the Revieac, of the 9th uit.,
IN which occurs the following: -
"Suppose, for instance, we never had
Republican organization or Republican
EDITOR in this country, does any TO- day suppose
these difficulties would be upon US! We
answer, ' ' =4
I entirely agree with him, and say, no.
And that proves what have before stated
that this s.panic" is all the work of pro-slavery
politicians, for the purpose OF crushing out
freedom in the name Of Repubiicanism.
Suppose, for instance, We never had pro-
slavery organization il this country, does any
today suppose these difficulties would be
upon US? We answer, no. And l will 60
further and say, if we had no such "doush,
faces in the free States, We should have no
such a financial crisis now. They are the
a.dcrs and abettors Of the seceders. Look at
the New York Day-Book, the Herald, and
from these down to even the Reuieao, and see
how they are daily kissing on those secession
lists. If Rhett, Toombs & Co. should be
hanged for treason, these editors should be
banished as accessories before the fact"
Bat we do not wish any one hanged or ban
ished. We do wish those blusterers to know
that, although their "panic" Injuries US, yet
we will not be driven from our determination
to prevent the extension of slavery in our
Territories. Their clustering we treat with
contempt. Their. threats we defy. Their
language we despse. Of their acts they must
, beware. Their conduct in driving civil men
from their States, and even numbering them
outright, has already reached that point
where forbearance ceases to be q virtue, and,
if hot soon put stop to by themselves, will
assuredly produce retaliation. And how can
we expect such things to cease, when the
Northern ''doughfaces" are extolng such acts
as showing the "pluck" Of the South-when
the Northern papers publish, without any
rebuke or condemnation, such passages as the
following:
"Tbe Charleston and Savannah booksellers
have returned Harper's publications, as being
tainted with aboliuonlsm. Steerage .passen
gers from Northern steamships are not per
ntted to land at Charleston"
i Men, without being guilty of any crime
are refused landing in city of the United
States, in direct violation Of the Constitution
of the United States, and such conduct no
even rebuked but upheld by the presen
Democratic party. Oh! Democracy, wha
evils have been done in thy name!
As far as secession is concerned, if Soutl
laro ina, Or any ether State, wishes to leay
. the Union, |, for one, wish them to dist iactl,
understand that they can go whenever the.
please. We do not wish them to leave US
we 90 for the Union as atis, and for ever.
State ana individual to have all the ishts an
t privileges which the Constitution guarantee
, to them. But, whan they threaten to dissolv