The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-04-03
Three WAYS.

/. BY prompt, resolute. unhinching re-
sistance-by the use of force TO repel force,
whenever the laws are resisted and the au,
thoritv of the Government defied ;-or
g. BY complete aeqaescence in the Secos-
sion proclaimed by the insurgents. and the
recognition Of the revolted States rs absolute.
" independent Of the Federal Union; or
8. BY Fabian policy. which comedies
nothing, vet employs no force ia support If
resisted Federal authority, hoping to wear
out the insurgent spirit AMI in due time re.
establish the authority of the Union through
out the rcvolted or seeded States. by virtue
Of the returning sanity and loyalty of their
own people.-N Y Tribune.
The first Of these ways is the one which
would best comport with the honor and dig
nifty Of the nation, AMI the one which would
doubtless be sustained promptly and efficient
ly by almost the entire people Of the free
and loyal States, and by numbers in the
South, and numbers, too, sure to increaS sc in
proportion as the Federal Government made
itself felt. But it cannot be concealed that
force, that war; however necessary or newt
sble even, or however vigorously waged when
once commenced, as il would be, would be
dire calamity, one from which even the
most loyal citizens shrink with natural and
commendable repugnance. War, civil in
testine war, everybody will say, should be
avoided il possible. 1t is the last dire alter
native. Not the greatest evil that might be
fal a people, it is true, for to national di>hon-
or, to a cowaraly, craven spirit which would
Lrook insult and submit to injury rather
thar, risk its chances and endure its conSe-
quences, it is far preferable. This must not
be. We must not be dsgraced in the eyes
Of The world !; we must not and will not lose
our self-respect Fifty years:of war would
be far preferable to this. But this is not ex
actly the idea on the part Of loyal citizens
who hesitate to adopt the first of these alter
natives. They are not towards, and they
do not intend ultimately, to decline the ar
bitriment Of the sword, if they are compelled
to appeal to it but they so arlently and sin
cerely love the Union, that they are willing
TO bear and forbear 10 tho utmost limit of
enduran e, consistent with their honor and
manhood, to give the people of the South
time and motives to see the folly Of their
course, and return to their duty.
The second Of these ways Of meeting the
present difficulties, the acknowled ement of
the independence of the Southern Confeder-
acy, which is persistanuy and insoiently de-
manded by the leaders Of Secession, has ar
guments in its favor, but il cannot legal be
done without the consent of all the States
represented in National Convention. The
President and Congress have no power to
consent to seces sion. Besides, it would be
fatal to our system to admit the rigat Of Sc.
cession, and furthermore, the Federal gov
eminent owes its protection to those citizens.
more or less numerous in seeded States,
who are yet loyal. There is Abundant evi-t
dcnce that secession is an usurpation. The
people nigh. vote it down if they could get
Z chance.
The third soursc i. tae pn2 npon Wi h