The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1861-05-22
Opinions.

AS possible index to the course of the
government we clip few paragraphs from
statements made by prominent men of the
country. 1t is fact, however, that the
Cabinet has this far kept its secrets ad-
mirsbly, and we place no great stress upon
what any gentleman has heard Mr.. Lincoln
say. The first clip is from letter written
by Hon., w. L. Underwood, NJ. G. from
Kentucky, to friend in St. Louis, urging
him in the strongest manner to stand by
the Constitution Of the United Stotcs
"In reference to Kentucky, Mr.. Lincoln
told me he hoped Kentucky would stand
by the government in the present difficulty;
but if she would not do that, let her stand
still and take no hostile part against it, and
no step should tread her SOIL The same is
true with Missouri and other border states.
The temporizing policy with reference to
the assaults and capturing Of the forts, ar
senals and property, is over. Heneeforth
they who make war will have war made on
them. God grant that the border states
may stand firm"
Here follows a clip from letter written
by Hon. Robert Dale Owen, late Minister
to Switzerland and one Of the ablest Demo:
Gratis Of Indiana:
"What we may expect reasonably to do
by warfare is to bring the seeding states in
to such frame Of mind that we can treat
on reasonable terms as the President has
reminded us we shall have to do, before war
or after it. The unanimity shown br the
North at the present moment must have it's
effect. But one decisive battle at least, may
be necessary before we can begin to talk Of
accommodate ion: -
Cassius NJ. Clay published the following
memoranda in the Washington papers,
The date is back a little, but the events Of
the past month show Cassius to have been
a good guesser at least:
"WAsuINGroN, April 20, 1861.
The undersigned, on all the responsible
ties Of q Kentuckian, a patriot, and a ma
desiring the pcrpetuation Of the Union, and
the liberties Of the people-opposcd alw avs
to aggressive war, believing that civilization
cannot be advanced by arms, but that only
pre-existing ideas can be so fixed-,n favor
of peaceful emancipation by the will Of the
sovercignties, and against servile war and
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS upon his own res
possibility the policy Of the Administration
to be peace if consistent with honor.
!. lie re-asscrts the avowals Of President
Lincoln in his Inaugural Address and late
proclamation to make war upon no State;
much less upon Virginia or the Border
States, whose Union men he would concii-
ate aad save as friends. For this reason he
retires from lIarper's Ferry as he did from
Sumter, acting clearly on the defensive, that
he might stand before the world gulltless of
this great fraternal suicide. For tho same
reason, he refuses to avenge the blood Of
peaceful passage to the seat of the common
Government.
2. But the President will not, when press
cd to the wall, fail to assert to his full abil.
ty the power and safety Of the National
Government, unless the people ,ososs seruant
he is, should otherWise decree.
3. ANY attack on the national forces or
property in the District OF; Columbia will
be regarded as declaration Of war and
fatal blow at all hope of peace.
4. He will not deceive Maryland Or Vir-
ginia, or any state, by false professions he
will continue to strengthen his position in
this place Of National exclusive jurisdiction,
at all hazards, and by all the defensive
'aeans in his power, and this he feels abun-
daptly able to do.
5. Virginia and Maryland may keep the
peace and give time for the passions Of men
to cool by avoiding the invasion Of the Dis
lrict or ohstructing our movements. Vir-
ginia must confins herself to her own SOIL"