The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1861-05-16
t IL T. w A II
Nix. EDlroR:

few thoughts upon the all absorbing
topic, viz: War. War is sad calami-
ty at any time, and under al circum-
stances, and is to be dcplorcd by every
humane person; and, hold that the
war spirit is wrong, that the desire to
take the life of q human being, is con
trary to the Divine precept, "Whatso-
ever We would that others should do un
to you, do We even so unto them" I
also believe that there never was, and
never can be war in which both par
ties are right, and are justified in resort
ing to arms to redress their grievance,
and believe that there usually is no
necessity for going to war, but that it is
much better to settle all difficulties
amicahly and without bloodshed. But
there are circumstances in which such
q settlement cannot be effected without
= resort to arms, when no foreign pow
er can act rs 1 referee, viz: when .
part of q nation raises up in rebellion
against it's government. Such is the
case with us. 4 part Of our nation arc
now in open rebellion against the gov
eminent which they havo lived under,
and whose protecting care they have
enjoyed for over three quarters Of cen
fury, in peace and prosperity; yet their
object is to overthrow this government.
The question arises, are they in the
right or in the wrong. Let us see.
Their object is to overthrow this gov
eminent which was founded upon the
justice and equality Of all men, and
raise on its ruins, government whose
greatest aim is to make q distinction
among men, create an aristocracv, and
grind the poor man into the dust, to
give one man the unlimited CONTROL
Of the life, the property, the soul,
and the body Of another; and this
power to be exercised over any one
who is obliged to labor with his banda
or living. Perhaps you will say that
l am exaggerating. But it is true,
nevertheless. The Richmond South, .
leading Southern paper, came out three
years ago in Al Editorial and used the
following language:
"We hold ths: the proper sphere for
any man who is too poor to own slaves.
= that Of q servant, and we are in favor
Of enslaving all persons who would
come under this class, irrespective of
nation or color, for they are = danger
GUS class to be among IL. often melting
our slaves to insurrcctioil."
This .entimen. was fully endorsed by
such papers as the Richmond Enquirer
Charleston Courier, and many other
leading papers South. Now We poor
men Of the North, what d. You thiuk #
this: Are you willing to take the
place Of the slave of the South? Are
you wiling 10 have tho proud Southern
or crack his whip over you? Are you
willing to see your wife or children
placed upon the auction block and sold
rs you now sell your cattle, and il yon
offer to resist, to have your back l4cerat
Ell with the lash, or be tied to the
stake and burned? Every freeman
will answer, No. Yet these papers al
voeate this. Now are we justified in
resorting to arms? say, Yes. There
is no power on earth that has right to
Interfere between our government and
its rebellious subjects; there can be but
one way Of setteing the difficulty. The
North with its government must be
overthrown, or the rcbsllion must he
qnelled, and the traitors brought to jus
tice. Let the North arise a. one man
at the call Of the President, md let
traitors know that they have no sympa.
thy here; that our government and our
free institutions must be respected; that
ourrights must not be trampled upon by
their rebelious feet; that the Stars and
Stripes are forever to wave over the
Federal Capitol, and over q reunited
nation.
And now let Us - Christians, A. free
men, as lovers Of liberty and free insti
tution,, each s'Pledse his life, liberty,
and sacred honor to bring about this
great object; when it can truly be said
of US that we are the happicst-the
freest and tho greatest nation on the
earth.
OLIVER.