The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1861-08-10


Mr.. DuNHAM.-Dsar Sir An effort is now
being made by certain men in Iowa-the Plain
dealer editor of Fort Madison, in last weeks is
sue for one, and others who do not name at
present-to create the impression that there are
certain members of the Republican party whose
views and course are too 'ultra" for what they
call conservative men to act with. The object
of the Plaindealer appears to be to divide the
Republican party, who put the present Govern
ment of the country in power, and who, to a
man, stand up to sustain the Government in it's
present trial and attempt to form what it calls
Union party to take its place. Such move
ment does not appear to suit the people of Iowa
in the present crisis, if the late reports from
60 into the discussion, on the stump or else
where, of questions of local or party nature
or even secondary national issues, if such dis
cussion will tend, as believe it will, to draw
the attention of the people, to some extent,
from attending to other main duty which is to
assist the Government to conquer a peace, re-
store order in the nation and establish its au.
thority within oil its borders.
The Republicans have declared that each
State has full and exclusive control over its do
nestle concerns while acting under the Consti.
tuition of the Union; that Slavery is an institu.
ton of q purely local character, existing no
where except by special enactment creating it.
They stand by the first principles Of the Gov.
oromopf and tno;r or,ho d;,nart - %ba N,t;orol
Constitution, and will be as ultra" or go as far
% others in maintaining them.
The Liberty party of Iowa, which the editor
of the Plaindea,er calls the Aboltionists of the
State, but which at its organization in ls47
contained, as far as know, no anti Union
anti Constitution Garrison Abolitionists, as such
men could not and did not adopt its principles
without giving up their own, nor adopt its course
Of action, which was to use the political power
they had to reform the Government in accord.
ance with the Constitution. It is true the liber.
tv men were abolitionists in one sense. They
wanted 10 abolish or dissolve the connection
existing between the National Government and
Slavery, which connection showed itself by
said Government at that day giving countenance
to it and it's supporters in national capacity.
1t is true the liberty psrty in Iowa did run can.
didates for State and County Offices for several
years. The party aimed at securing CERTAIN re-
suits, and when they had, by steady and per-
severing effort, got thousands in Iowa to 20 with
them, As they were practical men, they did not
hesitate, when the proper occasion presented
itself, after the passage Of the DILL to repeal the
their party and withdraw their candidates for
Governor and Congress, in order that their
cause might triumph under another and indie.
pendent candidate for Governor. The result
showed that they had some power and that it
was used with success. The people of Iowa
have since that time had men to represent them
as State officers and Congressman who use their
influence to advance the interests of the free
while they are very ready to do justice to the
slave States. You will see by the foregoing
that it is not true, as stated by the Plaindealer
that the liberty men of Iowa dictated to another
party its principles or course Of action. The
leaders Of the Wing party in the North found
that longer political action with their party
friends in the South was impossible, If they meant
to maintain their own self.respect and the rights
Of their section, and they adopted such princi.
Piles and took ground in favor Of such reforms
as the wants of the times required. This led
the liberty men in the first place TO clear their
candidates from the political track and after the
race was run and won BY the man they voted for |
they avowed themselves ready to merge their
into another that promised results |
they had been long striving for. No doubt such
lctioo Vas looked upon BY some Of the Denoc-
.acy Of that day a. ultra" The editor Of the
plaindealer may still call II BY the same name.
& appeared 70 me then and still 10 considered by
No 40 practical conservatism. see that what
70 may call the anti.war Democrats Of Iowa,
lnder the lead Of Kahoney, Of Dubuque, are At
smpting 70 get up an issue on she question Of
uataining the present Government They,
vh,ls protesting resolve TO sustain the Gov
rnmsnt, are ct the same time trying 70 with.
odd the means from those in power in this
late 70 equip and sussain The force necessary
) do 70 BY declaring their action unconstisu-
lenal, although the Supreme Court havs a.
naAv aetSled the mstteI aGainst than.