The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-09-18


which shall witness the overthrow of all our
country's enemies, and the return of peace
with all its attendant blessings TO- our be-
loved land.
The Union mon risiding within the rebel
States ask no compromise of the Government
They ase willing and anxious to be obedent
to the Constitution and laws. From their
mountain fastness in east Tennessee thew
are pleading for arms with which to smite
their oppressors and crying unto us, .come
over and help u.s." Shall we turn away from
these men to make terms with traitors p
Rather let the arms go forward, escorted by
the brave soldiers Of the Republic, who shall
give the help which loyalty asks for. Let
the Government make haste to deal Justly
by those who are true to il, and forego the
waste OF time consequent upon an attempt
to compromise with men reeking with crimes
against its laws, and who, as was remarked
by the lamented Douglas, would not com.
promise furnished with blank sheet of
paper wherein to write their own terms.
Nlgor, energy, earnestness, devotion must
constitute the rule ofaction Of every depart.
ment OF our Government, until the great
work OF national redemption shall be accom-.
plshed. There must be no halting-no lott.
erlRg by the way-side, to impede the steady
advance Of the army which shalt plant the
Stars and Stripes over all the cotton fields Of
the rebellions South not in a spirit of re.
yense, but because Of right the flag belongs
there.
All good men must lament the present un-
happy condition Of our country. All good
men desire peace but when peace comes,
they want it to be permanent. A peace
based upon terms dictated BY rebels, will
serve no other purpose than the establish.
ment ora precedent for all wicked and am
bilious men to act upon in the future, in ap-
pealing from the ballot box to the arbitra-
ment Of the sword. One such appeal is now
upon the country and its decision should
be SO emphatic rs to bar all others forever.
It is painful to contemplate the expendi-
tue OF treasure and blood, which may be
required to secure the blessings of perma-
nent peace to the country. But the main
tenance of our Government, upon which hang
the hopes of the world and happiness Of un-
told millions, is worth more than the sacrifice
which will be required to secure it.
Peace, when it comes, must find our terri
torial limits just as they were when the re-
bellion commenced No State must be lost.
No star must be blotted from the flag. Mani.
fest destiny" must not reverse its order and
diminish our national boundaries. II our
possessions were worth the expenditure Of
treasure and kfe 10 secure them, they are
certainly worth quite as much now Is then.
The sacrifice made BY our fathers must not
be forgotten by US. We must stand by our
country--our whole country. We must see
to it that the last page of the history of the
present rebellion shall, not close the history
of the thirty -four United States as one COM
mon nation, Anything short Of this would
be betrayal of our trust, and an exhibition
Of arrant cowardicc ahA hEa
The present national administration went
into power with my warmest sympathies en-
listed in its behalf. In the memorable con-
test of 1860, my humble effhrts were exerted
IN behalf of the election Of the present Chief
Magistrate ofthe nation. Through all his
trials he has had my warmest sympathy
Closely have | watched his efforts to dis
charge the obligations of the oath by which
ne is bound to protect the life of the nation.
The responsibility resting on him is fearful !;
and in its discharge he should receive the
support of every loyal citizen,
The material interests of the District
should not neglect. Any inequalities which
may have attached themselves to the legis-
lation Of the late session Of Congress, where
by the burdens of war are not distributed
with strict equality among the whole people,
it will be the duty of your representative,
whoever he may be, to cndeavor to correct.
In conclusion, | may say that the present
contest has demonstrated the fact that the
Pacific Railroad must be built upon the
great central route, in which this district is
vitality interested. And this great measure
must not be lost sight of amid the smoke of
the battlefield and the din of war. We all
hope that peace will return to our country
before the lapse Of many months: Let its
return find the great central route. for which
your late representative so faithfully expen-
ded his efforts, the established route over
which shall, in the future, pass the trade
and travel Of the Pacific
Should | be selected to represent this Dis
trict in the National Congress, you have
above an index to the course should pursue
in your behalf and in behalf of my country.
JAMES F. WILSON.
Fairfield, Sept. 0, 1891.