Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-01-11
MUsCATINE, IOWA, FRIDAY, JANUARY II. 1861.
The Crisis.
Near WrrroN JUNCTION., Jan. !, 1861.

i The Crisis.
Near WrIroN JUNCTION, Jan. !, 1861.
EDrroR JousNAL:-You and many othe
appear much concerned about the secessic
of tho slave States of the Union. Wel
every body that is acquainted with me know
that I don't know much, but it does appear
me to be the best thing for the free Stste
that has taken place since the Revolution.
all the slave States leave Us, l, for one, vi
rejoice. l can't sleep Of nights, am .
"msde up'' about it. Why, the united fire
States would prosper beyond any precedent
The good people Of the South, who are no
welded to slavery, will become alarmed at tn
impending crisis, and commence moving =
the free States. Emigrants from the "Olt
Country" almost to a man, will settle in th'
free States. In short time, some Of th'
slave States will want back in the Union, bu
| hope and trust they won't be received unit
they emancipate their slaves. But l greatly
fear that the North will kneel before the
slavsholders, and come to their TERMS and
that compromise viii be made, and we 60
jolting along ~ we have for many years past,
the thoughts of which make me feel faint At
heart. Itappears from the tone Of the public
writer's in the North that, if slavery can only
be kept where it is, and not be permitted to
extend any farther, they will be satisfied; but
that will not satisfy me. I want to hear,
before I die, the glorious news that there is
not slave State in America. But they say
secession will lead to war. think differently.
The President is opposed to going to war
about such matter. l did not vote for Bu-
chanan; neither have I been satisfied with
bis administration; but I do approve of his
forbearance toward South Carolina. hope
Lincoln will pursue the same policy. "But
the slave States will tax our produce that we
ship through their dominions." Let them.
We can tax their sugar and tobacco that
comes up this way. No need to fight and kill
men about such triAes. I would sooner sell
my produce for fourth less than to have
bloodshed about such matter.
But the great difficulty will arise about
The fugitive slave. / confess this 10 hard
place-s difficult matter-but it can't be
worse than it now 10, We are now bound
% give up to them their runaway slaves.
II all the slave States secede think it will
oe better to enforce the Fugitive Slave law
hen, than to become involved in war viii
hem, although I do abhor the law FOL
top man who is flying for his liberty md
'eturn him to cruel master is bad in)eed.
would far sooner te taxed to pay # him
md let him 60 free. But, oh, the hotors Of
var! May the good Lord save US fom it
Now, Mr.. Editor, suppose coapromise
8 effected and the Union is agaI restored
won't the Fugitive Slave Lsx be main
aimed and dear knows what oil else We
must submit to. vii! peace harmony and
,oed will be restored 2 Iguess not. be-
ieye the contention will increase. 1t can't
70 otherwise, unless they make gag laws
md it appears to me some men would socn- |
y submit to that than that the Union should
70 dissolved. Ipray and hope they will all
70 soon. AID will never again be received
nto the Union with slavery. hope the
limo is near at hand when it can't be said
# US, as it has been, that we belle our pro-
'essions of liberty, because we hold in
bondage 100000 slaves. Not only the
liagrace but the great sin for which we are
held accountable to high Heaven; and if
persisted in some awful calamity will sure
y befall this nation.
It appears to me that the hand of God is
n this matter of secession. The friends
If slavery appear to have lost their fore
sight in this matter; they are takinga course
that will weaken the bands that now bind
Ehe slave. How long will it be till the
slaves will far outnumber the free people
10 the slave States how long will it be
before free white woman will not stay in
that country for fear of insufrectioR. If
they remain in the Union, the Union must
fight for them. The free States must send
over an army to guard their slaves, if need
be. If they leave the Union there certainly
will be great emigration from the slave to
the free States, which will reduce their SOL
diers. 1t appears to me if they leave the
Union they will 60 to destruction.
This from your old friend,
MlSES w. BYERS.
The retiring Governor of Michigan
in his message to the Legislature, delivered
on the I'd inst, takes strong ground against