Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-06-07
To the People of Muscatine
County.

n,
June 4, 1861.
Fellow IT1zENs-Many of you are aware
that for some years past it has been my bust
ness to speak to the public through the press,
and though, at present. the pen of the editor
is exchanged for the pillow of the farmer, yet,
in view of the extraordinary times that have
fallen upon us, sense of duty compels me to
submit a few suggestions to your considera-
ton; and to do this claim the polite indul-
gence of our Muscatine editors.
Men of Iowa, be assured that the present is
a most momentous crisis in the history of our
country. The very existence of our great Re-
public is at stake, and it is the duty of every
one of us, in our several positions and circum-
stances, to do all that is in our power to
strengthen the arms of our government, and
to use every means that may contribute to
maintain the Union, the Constitution, and the
laws. To this end we must be united and act
as one man, and for this reason it is absolute
ly necessary that partizan prejudices, partizan
rvalries, and partizan schemes be laid aside.
The existence of our nationality among the
powers of the earth, is of far more importance
than the existence of any mere political party,
and the good of our common country is far
superior to the success of any partizan organ
ization in the land
These are truths now beginning to be well
acknowledged and acted upon throughout the
length and breadth of the Free States of our
Union. We see thousands of men, native
and foreign born, of all parties, now hand in
hand and shoulder to shoulder to shoulder,
rushing forward with patriotic emulation to
support our government in its terrible strug-
gle for national life There are no Questions
| asked as to whether that or the other man has
heretofore voted Republican or a Democratic
ticket The question is simply: Is he Union
MANS he patriot?
| This is as it should be, and the heart of
| that party man must be selfish and narrow
indeed-yes, and even traitorous to his coun-
try, who would do aught that might disturb or
mar this harmony of our union as a people, at
the present time You will say amen to this,
fellowcitizens, and yet there is reason to fear
that we have few men in both the old par
ties, in our midst, who, by reviving partizan
rivalries and dissensions, would do this very
thing. 1t is against these men and their plots
and schemes you need to be on your guard,
whether they call themselves Republicans or
Democrats.
| In all communities there are some individu-
ais who arc incapable of entertaining senti-
ments of an enlarged patriotism. Some minds
are so constituted that they think there is
nothing good outside their own clique or party;
that there is no knowledge worth knowing
but what they know; no virtue beyond their
own limited circle, and no patriotism outside
their own contracted hearts. Very frequent
ly such men occupy prominent positions in
party organizations, for they are always what
is called "good party men; y but in times like
these, they are dangerous and unsafe leaders,
and should not be followed in the paths of par
tizan strife
If there are any such inveterate partizans
in Muscatine county, they will make their ex-
istence known before the coming October cleo
ton, by attempting to revive their respective
party organizations, Or by putting before you,
names exclusively from their own party. If
any of these things are done, it is the duty of
the honest masses of the people to rebuke the
act signally and efectually. Fellow-citizens,
let us teach the partizan schemers that the
present Is no time for them that we prefer
our country to party, and that popular Union
and the triumph of our national flag are dear
er to our hearts than the triumph of any par
ticular party candidates for office.
In the present awful struggle of our Repub-
} lie with the monster of disunion and dissolu-
ton, let us all be Republicans, or all b.
Democrats US by what name you aoill
!, but let as all be united until the battle is
fought and the victory Don.
On this subject have conversed with some
| of the most intelligent and liberal minded men
of all parties, in the county, and they essen
tally agree with me in the following PROPOSE
ton, namely:
Let a convention be called, without distinc
s ton of party, and let that convention nomi
nate sound Union men from both parties, ir
proportion to the votes cast at the last cleo
ton for Presidential candidates. By Unior
t men, mean men without regard to their pre-
|, vious party affiliations, who are now known
supporters of the government in its efforts t.
10 sustain the Union, the Constitution, and the
. laws.
3 A ticket thus nominated and thus appor
10 toned, will be satisfactory to the people a
y large, and will be Union ticket in reality
% and certainly no patriot will lift his voic
% against it. @
DO In other States, and in other portions Of gu
% own State, men are thus sinking partyism il
~ patriotism, and why shall not we of Musca
is tine county go and do likew isc.'
90 For myself I can say that will vote n