The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1861-08-21


papers In lows, and hasa widely extended cirvu-
iation throug Des Moines Valley North
srn Missouri, snd ws.tern Illinois.
Jnsstce - Rebels ana - oar Patr,or
Soldiers.
We had always imagined that our nation
was one, and not thirty and more. We had
fancied that ~ had one supreme and Federal
Government, and not thirty -four sovereign
gcvernmsnts, allied until the unquestionsble
nat OF some one or moro should decree the
alliance ended. We had conceived that men.
acting - individuals or - masses, can form
unions, contracts, alliances, promises,
WHISTLER matrimonial, financial or politioal,-
which yet ono party cannot dissolve at will
without consent Of the other parties con-
eerned. We had supposed that "the people
Of these United States" had actually formed
: Union and oonssisuteda Government which
only "the people" could sonssitutionally set
aside or destroy. And accordingly We had
snssrssiasd the idea that disloyalty, rebel.
lion and treason sgsinst free constitutional
Government like ours we're not psssadillos
or good jokss, bat tremendous felonies.-i
Nor have ws seen sBy rssson 10 change these
opinions. Intellect. apart from passion,
sesld never Be prevailed upon to think any
thing else.
II, then, these things are felonies, outra-
ges upon the moral sense OF mankind, a.
ssults upon the foundation Of republican
government and constitutional liberty, let
thea be viswed and treated aceordingly.
Men, it is true, have been misguided. They
have bsen cheated By the phsnsasm Of State
sovereignty, bswildsred in the psstilent cloud
Of lies which the Soushsrn prsss has exhaled
around them. TO tho blinded masses, there
fore, justice demands degree Of lsnity.
But that men guilty Of the enormous crime
Of armed rebellion should 70 ssotfrss, thu.
persons perpetrating overt treason should
pass unpunished, i IN egrsgious wrong to
tho cause OF government and law, discourse
giDg to oil the loyal parties in the struggle.
Can men Who do not stop 1t treason and ~
bsllion be reasonably expected to hold sacred
their honor or their oash 2 And TO allow
rebels taken sepond time In arms to renew
the moekery Of IN oath, and to be discharged
upon parole, 10 burlesqus upon civil or
military justice, weak and suicidal policy,
With which We hope the country hes dons.--
Child's play with desperadoss neither wine
respect nor conoiliatss good viii. II simply
adds contempt to tho hatred they before
cherished.
Let these felons have their dues. Justice
and self.prsservation demand it. Let them
experience the indignation Of government
And~country which they have madly srms
themselves to destroy. Give them, not death
for the misguided multitude, but constraint
and labor. Let them serve the country they
have willsd TO destroy, and share the toll
and sufeaing they have found necessary, and
help TO pay tho cost Of the fearful quarrel
they hsse raised.
But Il desperate felons, lsagusd TO destroy
their country, are entitled to their dues, q
also arc the mon Who have taken arms x
defend and ornah this rehel sonspiraey--
Thsss men arc pstriotic citiseus, men O.
business, many Of them men Of mind. The,
have No wish 10 vaste their labor or thsi
blood, and yet are ready to expend both
when the actual demands OF the serviss an
the necessities Of their country REQUIRE Cd
sacridce. And many OF them have com
from homes and couohes and tables q Dom
Portable, gentle reader, a. our own or your,
They sre used to wholesome food, and ID,
10 plentiful supply. But home and comic,
and security. quiet slssp, the luxur les Of liz
and the dearest objects Of earthly regsl
they hsvs left, in exchange for tent,
blanket, their mother earth, the open sky.
broiling sanmsr's sun, and . soldiers b.
ksn rest and hardy fare. Instead Of Il
melodies Of home, they have the roar Of Il
eoenies' naskstsy and ssansn; for the o.
Of wife and mother, soldiers hosp it4l, vi
the chances Of . hsro's instant death. NJ
Who 81 such sacrifice make their bodies 4
bulwark Of .heir eoantry's liberty, and III.
blood the offered price Of it. prsservati,
and safety, -such men, Ne say, have right
and their fellow. eitissns and the natl
should SO that they receive their duss.
And IN this patriotic and peril GUS ssrvi
their first right i TO have loyal, eonpeser
reliable, and, II possible, sxpsrisscsd %,
nAndsss, else their lives, 90 precious
themselves, 70 their friends, and TO the eau
Of their sosnsry, are thrown away. Il
their right, that their SACRIFICES and exposul
Be nadsso do the utmost possible sc- 1
sauss for which they have vsntur ed I'll.
sowsrdIy Or disloyal officer may undo
service Of : regiment. Through the want