The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1861-03-13

are respectable and the South is given the
benefit OF the doubt. He now approaches
the marrow Of the subject We quote LID.
orally here, italicising the explanatory
language to show how carefully this
message is put up and to vindicate the
President from the charge Of rashness which
few papers on both sides make against him.
The reader will 500 how defcrentially he
refers to the points at Issue between the Z.
States and the Cotton Government, and how
completely all his intended acts Of enforce
ment are qualified by conditions which rem
der coercion almost impossible. Read this
language very slowly because the man who
wrote it meant every word 10 weigh ton:
II therefore consider that, in view of the
Constitution and laws, the Union is unbro-
ken, and to the ertent of my ability, ! shall
take care as the Constitution expressly en-
joins on me, that the laws Of the Union be
faithfully executed in all the States. Doing
this, deem it to be doing only simple du.
~ on my part, and shall perform it 80 far
as practicable, UNLESS, my rightful masters,
the American people, shall withhold tho re.
quisite means. or in some authoritative
manner direct to the contrary"
Fearing this may be construed into coer.
cion at the lannon's mouth, no adds:
~ trust this will not be regarded as a
menace, but only IS the declared purpOss
Of Union that will constitutionally protect
and maintain ITSELF In doing this there
need be no blood shed or violence, and there
shall be none Unless forced upon the nation
al authority.
He now makes very strong declaration
With "but" in the middle Of the sentence
to soften its asperity:
The power confided In me will be used
to hold, occupy and possess the property
and places belonging to the government, to
collect duties on imports; but beyond what
may be necessary for these objects, there
will be no INVASION by force against or
among people anywhere"
Having got out the coercion" clause OF
the message, he proceeds to shear it Of its
strength:
When hostility to the United States in
any interior locality shall be so great and
so unusual as to prevent competent resilient
citizens from holding federal Offices, there
riH no attempt to force obnoliOus strangers
among tho people. While the strict legal
right mag exist in the Government to en-
force the exercise Of those offices, the at.
tempt to do so would be so Irritating and
nearly impracticnblc withai, that deem it
better to torego for a time the use Of such
Offices"
This is q very guarded rentencc and
means that where no resident" citizen will
do duty to the u s., the President will not
insist. This being the case throughout the
Cotton States, it is difficult to imagine how
the arscnals, interior forts, custom houses,
etc, etc, arc to be r, taken.
The mails, unless repealed. will continue to be
furnished in all parts Of the Union, 50 far as pos
sible. The PEOPLE everywhere shall have, 50
far as in my po,oer lies, that sense of perfect secu.
sity which will be most favorable for calm
thoughts and reflections.
Now comes the sum of The whole matter
Coercionists are particularly requested TO note
cvery word of this sentence:
The course here announced will be followed
unless current epents and experience shall sho,o a
Odifcntion OF change TO be Proper and in every
case and eAigency my best discretion will be ex.
ercised according to the sircums ance actually
existing, and with view and a hope Of peace.
ful solution of the national troubles, the restoIa.
tiun Of fiaternal sympathy and affection.
The balance OF the Message 10 more advisory
than argumentative, and when PROPERLY read it
is all "sound as o dollar" Some object 10 the
Supreme Court reference as showing want Of
respect Tor that August tribunal. The language
of Mr.. Lincoln is almost identical with that
used by President Jackson on the United States
Bank question, and We swallow it without "a
mental reservation" That Court is our highest
authority but it is g infallibe only for the time
being; it cannot bind posterity nor riyet the
O, inion of succeeding Bench.
In allusion to the amusing game of War
which some are 50 feversh to see inaugurated,
the Presden, significantly says:
SUPP ose You go 10 war, you cam OF fight al
WAYS, and when after much loss IN both sides
and no gain on either. sou cease fighting, the
identical questions, as 10 terms Of intercourse,
are again Vi OIL you.
The concluding sentence Of the Message is
one Of the finest passages that atliotic hear.
ever indii ed-the man who would not like il
would deny the mother that bore him:
The mystic chords of memory, stretched
from battle field and patriot grave to every liv-
ing heart and hearth stone all over this broad
land, will yet swell the chorus Of the Union
.od ~
the better angels OF our country.
The acts of the Administration will soon
show who is right in guessing at the somewhat
double meaning Of this remarkable state paper
Approaching the difficulties surrounding the
President, we do not sec how he could have
written otherwise than he has. Every word
he says docs not suit US, but recognizing the
Mefsage as kind, fa,herly, sensible and eace
FIJI, We are ready 70 say ''God bless the mar
who can forget that he is Republican or Z
Democrat and only remembers that he is ~
AkiMcAS. Confusion to all others.
wcsther, Markets &e.
The weathcris cool though Spring-like.
The ice, in the west or main channel of tn,
river gave way on Monday and foated dowr
to point below town; it is gorged above thu
mouth Of the Wisconsin and, if the presen
cool weather continues, may not leave fo
the South under several days. The ice il
4 the east channel is crossed with horse-sled
the passengers and mails being transferred
| to small boats and rowed across the opeI
channel to McGregor. Capt. Sherwin'
Steamer ALANAKEE is over week behin
her first trip of 1860. The Officers of tn
of the War Eagle have have arrived at Nc
Gregor and are inpatiently waiting tn
opening Of navigation. Sugar making
going on round about US.