The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1861-03-07
wAsmuxGroN ON COERCION

We beg of our anti-coercion readers
to carefully pertse the following proc
lamation issued by George Washington
on The Whisky Rebellion in Pennsylva-
MIA.
"WHERrAs, From q hope that the
combination against the Constitution
and laws Of tie United States ia GER
tain Of the western counties Of Pennsyl-
vauia, would Yield to time and refec-
ton, thought it aficient in the first
instance rather to take measures for call
ing forth the militia than Immediately
embody them; but the moment is now
come when the overtures of forgiveness
with no other condition than sublniss-
ion to law, have been only partially &C
cepted; when every form Of conciliation
not inconsistent with the being Of gov
crnmcnt has been adopted without ef-
feet; when the wcll-disposed in these
counties are unable by their influence
and example to reclaim the wicked
frcm their fury. and are compelled to
associate in their own defence: when
the protfered lenity has been perverslv
misinterpeted into an apprehension
that the citizens will march with reluc.
tance; when the opportunity Of exa'nin-
ing the serious consequences Of a trea-
sonable opposition has been employed
in propagatins principles of anarchy,
endeavoring through em;ssarics to al-
icnatc the !ren.is Of order from its sup
port and i,lvitin. its enemies to per-
petrate similar acts Of insurrection !;
when it is manifest that violence would
continue to be exercised upon every at
tempt to enforce the laws; when, there
fore, government is set at defiance, the
contest being whether a small portion
Of the United States shall dictate to the
whole Union, and, at the expense OF
those who desire peace, indulge des.
perate ambition:
Now, therefore, I, George Washing
ton, President Of the United States, in
obedience to that high and irresistible
duty consigned to me BY the Cons;i'n
tian 80 take care that the. laws b,
faithfully executed" depioring that the
American name should be .ullied by tn,
ou:ragcs Of citizens on their own gov
ernment, comniserating snch as remain
obstinate from dcluson, but resolved. in
perfect reliance on that gracious Provi
dence which SO signally displays his
goodness toward tliis country, to re
lucc the refractory to due snbordina-
ton to the laws. do hereby declare and
make known. with satisfaction which
can be equalled only by the merits OF.
the militia summoned into service from
the States Of New Jersey Pennsylvania
Maryland and Virginia, that have re
ceived intelligence Of their patriotic,
alacrity in obeying the call Of the pres
ent, though painful, yet commanding
necessity; that force which, according
to every reasonable expectation is ale
quatc to the exigency, is already in mo-
ton to the scene Of disatfection that
those who shall have con!ided or shall
confdc in the protection Of government
shall meet full snccor under the stan
lard and from the arms Of the United
States that those who, having offend
ed against the laws, have since entitled
themselves to indemnity, will be treated
with the most liberal good faith, if they
shall not have forfeited their claim by
any subsequent conduct, and that in.
structions are given accordingly.
And do moreover cxort all individ-
uals, officers and bodies Of men to con-
template with adherence the measures
leading directly or indirectly to those
crimes which produce this resort to
military coercion; to check, in their
respective spheres, the effects Of mis-
guided or designing men to substitute
their misrepresentation in the place Of
truth, and their discontents in place of
stable government; and to call to mind
that, as the people Of the United States
have been permitted, under the Divine
favor, in perfect freedom, after solemn
deliberation, and in an enlightened age,
to elect their own government, so will
th.ir gratitude for this inestimable
blessing be best distinguished BY firm
exertion to maintain the Constitution
and the laws. 4s
And lastly, l again warn all persons
whomsoever and wheresoever, not to
abet, aid, or comfort, the insurgents a