The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-12-10


ion were not free from apprehension on
this point. This was soon settled defn-
itely, and on the right side. South of
the line, noble little Delaware led of.
right, from the first. Maryland was
made TO seem against the Union. Our
soldiers were assaulted bridges were
burned, and railroads torn up within her
limits, and we were many days, at one
time, without the ability TO bring single
regiment over her soil, to the Capital.
Now her bridges and railroads are re-
paired and opened TO the Government.
She already gives seven regiments to the
cause Of the Union, and none to the enc
my. And her people recently have sus
tanned the Union by large majority,
and larger aggregate vote tlan they
ever before gave to any candidate on any
question.
Kentucky too, for some time in doubt
is now decidedly and unchangeably ran
ged on the side of the Union. Missouri
is comparatively quiet, and believe can.
not again be overrun by the Insurgents.
These three States of Maryland, Ken,
lucky and Missouri, neither of which
would promise single soldier at first,
have now an aggregate OF not less than
10000 in the field for the Union, while
OF their citizens not more than a third in
number are among the insurgents, and
they of doubtful Whereabouts and eXjs-
tence, After somewhat bloody strug-
gle Of months, winter closes on the Union
people Of Western Virginia leaving them
masters of their own country. An in
surgent force Of about fifteen hundred,
for months dominating in the narrow pc.
nlnsular region constituting The counties
of Accomac and Northampton, known as
the eastern shore of Virginia, together
with some contiguous parts in Maryland
have laid down their arms, and the PEG.
Pile there have renewed their allegiance
to and accepted the protection of the flag.
i This leaves no armed instruction north
OF the Potomac, or east OF the Chesa-
peake. We have also obtained footing
at each ofthe isolated points on the South
ern coast, of Hatteras, Port Royal, Ty-
bee Islands, near Savannah, and Ship Is
land, and we likewise have some general
accounts Unpopular movements in behalf
OF the Union in North Carolina and Ten
nessee. These things demonstrate that
the cause of the Union is advancing
steadily southwark.
Since your last adjournment Lieut..
Gen. Scott has retired from the head Of
the army, During his long life the ma
lion has not been unmindful Of his merit,
yet on calling to mind how faithfully,
ably and brilliantly lie has served the
country from a time far back in our his
tory when few of the now living had been
born, and thence forward continually, |
cannot but think that we are still his
debtor. | submit therefore for your con
sideration what further mark of recogni.
ton is due TO him from ourselves as a
grateful people. With tie retirement of
Gen. Scott came the executive duty Of
appointing in his stead a general ii.
chiefof the army. 1t is fortunate cir
cums,ance that in neither the Cabinet nor
country was there, so EAR rs know, any
difference of opinion as to the proper per-
son to be selected The retiring chef
repeatedly expressed lis judgment In ia
vor Of Gen. Mcclellan for the position,
and in this the nation seems to give an
unanimous concurrence. The appoint
of Gen. Nc Clellan is therefore in con
siderable degree the selection of the
country as well as of the executive, and
hence there is reason to hope there viii
be given him the confidence and cordial
support thus by fair implication promis-
ed, aid without which he cannot with SO
full efficiency serve the country. 1t has
been said that one bad General is better
than two good ones, and the saying is
true If taken to mean no more than that
an army is better directed by single
mind, though inferior, than by two SUI
perior ones at variance and cross purpos
IS. The same is true in all joint opera
tons, whenever those engaged can have
none blu: a common end in view and can
differ only as to the choice Of means. In
a storm at sea no one on board can wish
the ship to sink. and yet not unfrequent-
y all 60 down together because too many
will direct, and no single mind can be
allowed to control.
1t continues 10 be developed that the
instruction is largely, not exclusively
war upon the principle Of popular gov
eminent, of the rights of,he people. Con
elusive evidence Of this is found in the
most grave and maturely considered pub
lie documents, as well as in the general
tore Of the insurgents. la these docu.
ments we find the abrogaton of the ex.
listing right Of suffrage, and the denial &c
the people OF all right TO participate il
; the selection Of public officers, except
: the Legislative body, advocated with Ia
bored arguments TO prove that large con
troll of the Government in the people i.
, the source Of all political evil. Monarchy
: itself is sometimes limited at as possible
refuge from the power Of the people. In
my present position could scarcely be
: justified were | to omit raising a warning
voice against this approach Of returning
despotism. II is not needed nor fitting
here that a general ar gument should b.
made in favor Of popular institutions, bu
there is one point, with lis connections
not so hackneyed as most others, &c
which ask brief attention. 1t is the