The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-02-16

nearer removal than before?
When the Union is dissolved and an indie
pendent slave kingdom is set up in the
South, free from all Northern influence, free
to declare war and make conquests, can any
man satisfy himself that slavery is any
nearer abolition or extinction than at the
present moment1 And this after all is the
real point at ISSUE the real object aimed at
We do not, however, believe there is any
danger at present, and on the grounds usual
ly alleged, at least nor that it is seriously
contemplated as probable result by any
considerable number, even of our politicians
who talk so pathetically about it.
The Union is too firmly seated in the affec-
tons of the people, has been cemented by
too much blood and toll, is. hallowed by too
many memories belonging in common to us
all, and is too evidently necessity and "a
law, to be so easily surrendered or over
thrown.
Politicians may chatter and threaten, mad
caps at the South, instructed by the too easy
submission of the North how to use this bug
bear to most effect, may buster and grow
red in the face; ambitious northern men,
looking to the South for promotion, may be
frightful or pathetic on the theme; but once
let the IDEA of the dissolution of the Union
he forced upon the people of the country as
a thing likely to occur, and there would be
a storm Of indignation bursting from the
heart of these States, and rally of the bone
and sinew of the land from Southern planta-
tons and Northern hills and Western prai-
ries, that would sweep the gambling dema
gogues who should mediate such TREASON
into an oblivion that would know no resur
recton!
Politicians, it has many times been said,
did not make the Union, and politicians can
not destroy it.
We are no believer in the modern Carlyli-
an theory 'that the highest political attain
meut Of mankind is Subsection to wise and
heroic, but absolute WILL in other words,
despotism 1--WE believe 'there is strength
of nobleness in the human heart, to sCoRN
such prosperity as even perfect despotism
could bestow; for no humiliating happiness
will it sell its birthright of freedom. Men
would rather be freemeu, aye, and die for
freedom in rocky gorge of Hellas, or on
barren moors in Scotland, than slaves amid
the vines Of Campania, or on the fragrant
banks of the Gauges"
The sternest task ever attempted by ma
tion is that of inaugurating and SUPPORTING
freedom. To maintain it seems to us to de-
mand the very last agony Of national effort.
1t was sublime DUTY, not an alluring
pleasure, whose distant gle I'm lit the eyes of
cur "heroic fathers as they looked into the
future and saw the fabric they were rearing
preserved in all its beautiful proportions.
And if we, who have inherited the possess
sion shall suffer single stone to be re-
moved we shall cover ourselves with ever
lasting infamy and dishonor, and our fathers
from their high thrones will look down upon
us with shame and coaterapt.
1t is in view of the foregoing considera-
tions, and others ''too numerous to mention"
that recommend the passage by your hon
orable body, of such joint resolutions as shall
forever set at rest the question of the loyal
ty of the State of Iowa to the principles of
one Federal Constitution and Union.
Also that you take it under serious consid-
Grafton, whether, if you were to recommend
Congress to expel from its halls every men,
Der guilty Of uttering a disunion sentiment
or threat, and that he be sentenced to hard
labor for life, such advice would be needed.
In relation to local matters in our own
State very little need be said. Your atten-
ton is called to the usual subjects of legsla-
ton. 1t seems desirable that we should as
speedily as possible swell the size of our
statute books to that Of the older and larger
States. Indeed, there seems to be no danger
of having too many laws. 1t would add
greatly to the respect which other States en-
terrain for us as a law-making and law
abiding people, and it is believed would
greatly tend to increase the practice of those
whose business, as expouniers of the law,
seems now to be limited. "Where there is
no law there is NO transgression," and no
clients. .......u
In the further discharge Of my duty, sug-
gest the passage of a law making it misde-
meanor, punishable in suitable penalties,
for any clergyman in this State to
preach political sermons or make stump
speech during the coming Presidential cam
paign, and that any person who shall be
found peddling Helpers Impending Crisis,
the Charleston Mercury, the New York Tri-
bune, or other incendiary publications, for
political purposes, shall be brought to con-
dign punishment as the author of an afro
cious crime.
recommend you so to amend the code that
on every occasion of the holding of Demo
cratic conventions or mass meetings, a suffi-
cient police force be detailed to preserve the
peace and prevent the anti -Lecomptonites
and old line Wings from disturbing the meet.
ing. This provision is deemed necessary by
the state of things in Wapello county.
recommend the passage of an act requir.
ing the Republican party so to define thei,
position as party, that the Democrats may
know whether they have joined the Adolf.
tionists or the Abolitionists the Republicans
thus saving the Democrats the necessity and
labor Of manufacturing the usual amount Of
political capital with which to commence the
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