The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-09-18
Address of Jas. F. Wilson.

Address of Jas. f. Wilson.
To TIE Electors Of the First Congressional
District Of Iowa:
Gen. S. R. Curt having resigned his seal
in Congress, the duty of electing his success
sor at the coming October election, is de.
volve upon the electors of this District My
name has been presented To- you for yonr
consideration; and it is but Just that should
fairly state my position touching the great
issue now pressing upon the country for de-
cision. A personal canvass Of the entire dis
trict is impossible in the time which will
elapse between this date and the election
therefore resort to the press to place my
views before you.
The body which pla ced me in nomination
resolved:
"That the first great and leading issue now
press ng upon Ms is the perpetuation Of the
Government, the preservation of the Con-
stitution and the maintenance of the
Laws"
This declaration regard as true, as must
all citizens who have . Just appreciation Of the
present condition Of the country. To this
issue, for the time being, all others are sub
ordinate: for without Government we can
have no use for other ISSUES.
1t is well to keep in mind the facts which
have forced the country into its present posi-
ton, and which go to make up the great is
sue now presented by our people. hc'
On the 9th day Of November, 1860, the
people Of the United States, in q constitu-
t'onal manner, and of their own free will, de.
termined that Abraham Lincoln should be
the chiefexecutive officer of the Government
for the term Of four years. This determin.
alton of the people was seized upon by Ger.
tain vic ed, ambitions, dissatisfied men, q
pretext for carrying out a scheme Of rcvo-
luton which they had long been maturing
The doctrine Of seoession-subversive Of Ill
Governmert--was declared to be Hghtful
and State after State proceeded to put it in.
to practice. Acts of war, upt n the part Of
the secessionists, succeeded each other rapid
ly. From the able speech Of Tennessee's pa.
triotic Senator, / quote the following table OIL
events
dec. a.. Fort Mouitrie and Castle
Pickney at Charleston, seized.
"Dec. ~. The revenue cutter William
Aiken, surrendered by her commander, and
taken possession Of by South Carolina.
"Dec. 80. The United States Arsenal al
Charleston, seized.
"Jan. 2. Forts Pulaski and jackson, and
the United States Arsenal at Savannah, seis.
ed by Georgia troops. t.ais 4, ~
Jan. 2. Fort Macon, and the United
States Arsenal. at Fayetteville, seized by
North Carolina. p a.a far'
"Jan. 8. Fort Morgan, and the United
States Arsenal, at Mobile, seized by Ala
bama. ..fr.
::Jan 8. Forts johnson and Casewel a,
Smithville, seized by North Carolina. 2 !,
"Jan. 9. The Star ofthe West fred at ir
Charleston Harbor. fr. .a;..4 q .t...
"Jan. 10. Fort McRea, at Pensacola, seiz
ed by Florida.
Jan. 90. The steamer Marion seized by
South Carolina a
Jan. Is. The United States Arsenal, al
Baton Rouge, and Forts Pike, Phillip, and
Jackson, seized by Louisiana.
"Jan. IL. Fort Barrancas and the Navy
Yard at Pensacola. seized by Florida"
These forts cost $5.947, 900, and were
erected by ard belonged 10 the General Gov
| eminent.
The traitors proceeded to establish gov
eminent of their own, levied troops-issued
letters of marque and reprisal, and threaten
ed to march on the capital of the natiCn.
All these things were done before Abra-
ham Lincoln was inaugurated President Of
the United States. They were all acts Of
war; developing the determination of trait
ors to destroy our Government. What these
wicked men have done since the Inaugural
ton of President Lincoln-what they arr
doing now, need not be recounted.
| In knr,s
the country was made up. This issue is MOI
triangular-two sides only it presents. Fol
or against the Government is the question
There is no middle ground-no neutra
ground. HE who is not for US, Is agains
u.s."
The people have no time now to stop anG
enquire into the real cause originating The
great calamity resting upon the country
When the smoke of the battle shall have dis
appeared-when peace shall have returned
and our army shall have resolved itself into
its natural element of civil life, all causes
and men connected Herewith, will receive
due attention. The life of the nation is ir
danger, and it's proper defense is work
enough for the present
4 The nature Of the contest demands tha
there shall be no occasion for the people t
doubt the position of any man who may b
presented as candidate for seat in Con
gress, or for any other public Office Plair
wo DIS should be spoken to the people by
candidates for public positions. This Is NJ
time for the use Of ambiguous language
Doubtful meanings, and declarations suscep
tible Of double construction, have no fines!
for times like these. The body which pla
ced me in nomination resolved,
''That every man and every dollar neces
sary to suppress the present wicked and un
holy rebellion, and for the vindication of tn
Government, should be furnished withou
hesitation and all traito S must uncondi
tionally submit to the Constitution and tn
laws" aEa
This resolution breathes the spirit of tru
patriotism, and should receive the endorse
ment of every loyal citizen. For more thar
seventy years our nation has lived, prosper
ed, grown strong and great under the Con
stitution as formed by our Fathers. NJ
other nation ever SO prospered. No othe1
Government ever rested so lightly upon it,
citizens. While the Constitution and laws
wer. ample for the protection Of all the di
versiied rights and interests Of our millions