The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-09-24

AAoi"eo "halo. II uoeo hot 70 upon the
theory that the people may not sometimes
make mistakes, but it does go upon the
theory that men have intelligence to see
those mistakes and correct them. That
is the theory of a Republican system ol
government. Now after battle of eight
long years, the Republican party came
into power last fall, or rather were elect,
ed last fall, and came into power on the
4th of March last. Our Southern friends
rebelled at that election. They said mis-.
takes and wrongs had been committed
Very well. What was their bounden
duty? 1t was to appeal to the intelli-
gence and honesty of the people. Near
ly all the South and some of our North
ern friends said mistake had been com
mitted, and said they would not trust to
the good faith, intelligence and honesty
of the people to correct it, but would
right their wrongs by arms. That is
what our Southern brethren have done.
They have said they will not submit. If
they have such rights as these, then a
Republican form Of government is not a
government, because such attributes
crush out its vitality. Suppose we Re
publicans, four years ago. had said, ave
will not submit TO be ruled by Presi-
dent Constitulionaly elected" Suppose
that when Buchanan was elected in 1856,
the minority had said, 1--WE will not
trust majority of the people TO correct
mistakes, but will resort to arms" Then
we would have had our rebellion four
years ago instead of now. Establish this
precedent and you may look for REBEL
ion every four years. The defeated par.
,y always would appeal to arms for what
they claimed they should have. The
United States would be thus converted
into another Mexico on larger scale.
Even those who have placed themselves
on the Mahonv platform condemn the
Administration because they say it is
imbecile, and has not been strong and
energetic enough. The Administration
has done its duty. 1t has dealt with
those in rebellion as an indslgent parent
would deal with forward child. Ii has
forborne TO strike. 1t has dealt with
those men mildly, leniently. generously.
Ii sought TO conciliae them, but failed
The time has come, and l am glad to see
it, when a different policy is to be pur-
sued. This policy is foreshadowed in
the late proclamation of Gen Fremont
in Missouri. Tremendous applause !
The late Administration had the power
10 put down this most wicked rebellion
in It's beginning. by single effective
blow, but II let the opportunity pass.
The present Administration has come to
a point where it is determined to pu,
down this rebellion by The strong hand.
1t has sought by every means in the
world TO bring the rebels back TO their
duty. | think it has done right. 1t was
bound to exhaust every honorable means
of Cancellation before it resorted to ex.
treme measures. | do think, yiewing
the subject from my stand point, there
never Was more causeless and wicked
rebellion. This government has given
the South prosperity, security. peace. Ii
did not infict a blow until they became
SO arrogant and overbearing that war be.
came necessity for national existence
They had grown as no people ever did
before, cursed with such Institutions as
they have. The Government blessed them
with every valuable institution they pos
sess. 1t has protected them. supported
them, nourished them Aud because a
majority have exercised their Conslitu
tional right and duty 10 control and reg
ulate national affairs. they have declar.
ed that it they could not rule they would
ruin.
And now my friends, what is our du
ty? 1t is this: (: We must put down
H. bellion Some gentlemen say peace,
They say, You cannot subdue and sub
Jugate the South, and have them ike
peaceably with You" They say the
South are determined to 20. aud why
not let them SO in peace - Bat wher
YOU yield that much, YOU sign the death
warrant ot your government Ii The
Southern States may secede to-day, the
Northwestern States may tomorrow.
the South may rebel this year, then New
England may next. Establish the doe
trine OF secession anywhere and voI
leave no life, no vitality in your Who'll,
system ef Government. |, sinks at ono,
from the rank Of nations. becomes wha
Mexico is, a Kissing and BY word, anC
leaves You no security for life. liberty o
property. 1t cannot be in the nature o
things. There are bur two ways: Yo,
must either put the Rebels down. or th,
Rebels will put YOU down lou canno
compromise with them. You cannot es
tsbish peace with them. You canno
concillate them. viii you have tn
mouth of the Mississippi river closed b,
Louisiana Will YOU allow the inhabi
tants of the lower Mississippi TO toll ,h
produce OF the Upper Mississippi?
You will not do it You cannot do il
/ lonr fathers risked war TO acquire tha
River and their sons will fight to main
tain II. Deaienins applause. A thou
sand plans may be suggested for peace
tul solution OF this question, and Yet yo,
must reject them all Recognize th
Southern Coniederacy, and you csnno
keep peace with them five years.
There are some strange characters
ties 10 this contest We are in the habi
OF attribuling 10 our Southern friend
honor. chwalry. highmindedaess an,
they attribute 60 Us ayariee, cuwardice