Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-01-25
For the Journal
Gov. Stewards Speech.

Whoever hopes to see any man arise and
suddenly adjust our National troubles i.
ignorant of their extent. Great, patriotic
and wise as all admit the Senator from New
York to be, he is not vain enough to lay
down any specific plan to calm the troubled
waters. The World is disappointed that h
has let so magnificent an opportunity pas
without proving himself equal to the occa
sion. Other great men think his speech st
brilliant string of generalities," without any
point. With due Difference to these pro
nunciamentos, it seems to me, and, believe
to most men, that it is not only great but
the very speech for the time and the cir
cumstance. With the extreme South
demanding the Republicans to give up every
thing, even the man of their choice; and his
own party, flushed with victory, determined
to yield nothing; what could he do but ash
both to pause, look at the fearful abyss
before them, and see if they cannot egree tx
make mutual sacrifices for the Union. Thu
greateess Of the speech consists in hi
so speaking as to command the attention ant
respect of both parties. Every momen
spent in calm reflection is clear gain
Secessionists, 10th North and South, or,
madly hurrying on the strife, because they
know full well that if the people Of the two
sections knew the Utmost views and wishes
of each ether, no war would come. Those
who say Mr. Seward has proposed nothing
to pacify toe country do him injustice. From
beginning to end it is powerful argument
for mutual concessions and, cautious as he
is, fear he has pointed out more than his
own party ID ready to make. But, fellow
Republicans, are not our National blessings
worth the sacrifice of some OF our cherished
opinions? Says one, am unwilling to COM
promise with man pointing pistol at my
breast. It's hoped that our navy is block
aiding every port refusing to pay over the
duties collected. With starvation thus star
ing them in the face, is not their condition as
humiliating as ours3
A mass meeting of the county is about to
be called, for mutual consultation. In such
"a time ~ this, the whole North should be a
unit. Scarcely Democrat or Be'l-nan b,t
has united with US in condemning the South,
Cannot the Republican party of the State
afford to exercise little more forbearance
and long-sufYering kindness with such
interests ct stake? In this en-
Ig!,tancd age, shall we, like Luther, Just
emerging from darkness, on being asked to
tyy AID agree with the other reformers, say
"cursed he this concord, cursed be this
charity down, dowa with it to the bottom
less pit OF help" Or as he. when approach
ing the table with Zwingle, Melanethon and
Occolom padius, to argue the question Of the
real presence of Christ at the Eucharist,
wrote on the table-cloth "This is my body"
for fear t4ay might convince him shall we
meet our brethren ,gho differ with US with
our platform in our pockets. ready to hold it
up as an answer to every measure proposed
for peace? The border States will listen to
concession. Can Republicans not agree
with Lincoln, when, answering Douglas, he
said: III Il State with slavery Constitution
in other respects conforming to the Consti-
tution of the United States should apply for
should, though reluctantly,
yote for its admission y
An OLD CLAY WHIa AND
SEWARD REPUBLICAN,.