The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1861-05-04
BURLINGTON, SATURDAY., NAY 4, 1851.
ned.tapel.,n Invoked s. secession.

| Secession ~has been maryellously cunning in
the agencies it has Summoned to its aid 1t has
| not only grasped the material Of war within its
reach, but with successful hypocrisy has pressed
into its service moral and religious power. With
certain class il has succeeded in placing the
Federal Government in the light Of violent and
tyrannical power. to savert whose bloody de.
signs, it was necessary to secure the m, diation
of neutral governors. foreign ministers, chris
tian association, AMI teachers of religion, while
with restless energy it was maturing its own
plans for making rebellion success. Failing
| in this-reiusng to acknowledge that black is
| white and white black, the Government is to be
annoyed by a piece Of red tapeisn, which will
! We fear prove more difficult to escape than some
snares already disposed of.
The oblig ,tion of treaties-is the new cry
1t is said that by treaties, to which in common
with other nations the United States has become
a party, stipulated that notice of ninety days
must he given before blockade can become
efective--that this had not been complied with
in the present ;nstance; therefore the blockade
~
foreign powers, who will not only evade it if
they can, but break it if they mrst.
While one would respect the "faith of treat
ies"-we do not see that in this instance it sheuld
be made to fetter the legitimate Government
and strengthen the hands of rebels. We pre-
sumo the "artice' referred to, contemplated var
between two independent ard recognized gov.
ernments, and was intended to cover theinter-
ests Of each alike. The present contingency
differs from the one contemplated, and the en-
forcement of the observance would throw open
to one party all the advantages for carrying
their designs to aruccessful issue, and involve
the other in incalculable trouble. This is not
war between rival empires, but an unnatural re-
bellion of subjects against their rulers. With
it none of the etiquette of war should be obser-
ved No time should be given to foster its
growth or extension. The only remedy for it is
quick and farce ertiactioa. 1t is the policy of
secession to claim to be considered govern
ment-it would be suicidal in us to acknowl.
edge it. In this matter then treaties, as between
Nations, have no authority. The nations of
shis or the other hemisphere, have nothing to do
with it. The view of the matter they must take
is this-the United States Government has seen
fit to close for season few of its ports-all
the others are open--commerce is not destroy.
ed, only temporarily diverted.
To listen to the special pleading of treacher.
Gus counsel!ors at this juncture will be fatal
The South is beginning to feel the pressure of
recent action and would gladly wriggle out Of
tight place, by any MEANS fasehood or force, trail
tors at councillor aid from abroad Heaven and
Ea, lh will be moved TO secure for her free navi-
CATION for few weeks. until she has shipped
her produce, filled her graneries, and scattered
along our shores her piratical fleets. But this
must not ba-' necessity hath no law" said Crom-
well when he sprang to the helm of State, and
in this awful crisis no red.tapeism must fetter or
intimdate government to whose support, with
generous ardor, millions mastering. Euro
pean nations in such case, would laugh at the
texts now quoted to turn our trusted men from
their iesolute purpose. Should Ireland rebe!
against England, or Savoy against France, and
it became necessary to guard their ports in er
der TO prevent succor reaching the rebels, would
that be regarded as coming under the provision
of the treaties. No!-and no intrusive inIpu-
dence would be permitted, if Tor a moment
contemplated by another nation. 1t is only the
vaunting folly of Southern rebellion that asks
for itself the consideration due to nation in
Vulyed in RIO nteuus war.