Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1861-08-16
Freedom of Speech.

hat freedom OF speech Is the rISlCo every
American citizen, cannot for a sneineat be
doubted 1t IS a right of which every free
man may boast, and justly feel proud. Aed
yet, like every other right guaranteed TO the
citizens of America, 1t is subject to abuse.
At the present time, the unhappy condition
of our country is the theme IN every family
Without provocation from the Federal Gov
eminent, the South have taken up arms and
forced upon the North bloody war, IN which
citizens from almost every town and neigh
borhood are taking part. Former political
differences were swept away like cbaff before
the wind when Fort Sumpter W bombarded
By rebels against the Government that had
protected them from their infancy--a Govern
ment they had sworn to protect. While Sc
cesslon was question open tor argument,
and lis advocates content to put forth their
views in peaceful acquiescense to the laws
that protected them, but little harm could re-
suit from discussion of the subject. But now
that 1t has grown TITO an open rebe lion,
bloody war against the very existance of the
Union, there can be but two parties. Those
who are loyal to the Government are ready 20
defend il by word and act against the aggres-
sions of rebels, while those who advocate the
cause of rebellion, and use their Influence TO
persuade others to pursue a similar course,
can be looked upon IN no other light by all
Eight minded men, than enemies to the Gov
eminent whose protection they claim This
Is no time for discussing abstract questions
of Government policy, or halting between
two opinions. In the language OF JEFF DA-
Wis. when speaking against the Topeka. Leg
isature:
" The position Of the insurgents is that of
open rebellion against The laws and coustttu-
tional authorities, with such manifestations
OF a purpose 10 spread devasj alton owe the
land as no longer iustIfies further hesitation
or Indulgence Patriotism and humanif, alike
require that REBELLION should be promptly crush
cd I"
# patriotism and humanity, FIVE years ago,
required that rebellion should be prompily
crushed, WI en- il was only claimed that a few
individuals in Territory We're the argressors,
how much more important is il when open
hoStilities have been waged against the Gov
eminent by a number of States that the peo-
pie rise up in their might, and put down the
most unnatural ana unholy rebellion ever
known in any civilized land
1t is not ia human nature to remain neutral
when country IS IN a position like the
present. :" He who IS not for, is against the
Government" The times neither admit nor
tolerate neutrality, and il is folly tor men to
talk against the Government in favor of Sc
cession. and at the same time claim to be Tn
ion men.
There IS no doubt quite too much said by
over Jealous men on both sides. il relation to
oCr present troubles. Our advice to all such
would be TO evade discussions that lead TO
unpleasant results Let every man enjoy his
own opinion, as IS his right. but let there be
less discussion upon the existing topics and
there wll he little cause 10 regret silence.
We can hardly believe that those " no lend
aid and comfort to the enemy by talking in
opposition to the war and expressing sympa-
thy for the South, are at heart secessionIss
who desire a dissolution Of the Union Many
ot them take this Moe.e of expressing their
bitter feelings towards tie Republican party.
which fas thrown them out of power, and
while they have really little desire to see the
Union dissolved, they have still less to see
a Republican administration successful 9th
ers feel pride in acting as party leaders, and
a JoHN RANDOLPH once expressed it, would
sooner lead an Inconsistent minority than fol-
low a consistent majority" Oilers again