Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-11-01
Public mcetlsns.
MUscArlNE, Oct. 20, 1861.


Pursuant to the call in the Journal for a
public meeting, the citizens met in the Court
House at the appointed time. The meeting
was called to order by DR.. Sherman, on whose
motion Rev. G. II. REMINGTON was chosen
chairman.
On motion, L. H.. Washburn, Esq, was
elected Secretary.
1t was moved and carried that commit
tee of five be appointed to draft resolutions
of the sense Of the meeting.
On motion, j. Scott Richman, Esq, was
chosen chairman, and the chairman appointed
Messrs. Henry OConnor, John Wiley, I. D.
Smith, and D. Veile, the remainder Of said
committee.
During the absence of the committee, DIR.
Sherman entertained the meeting with re-
marks concerning the progress of the war,
dealing out some very just anathemas on
those who, in sleeps clothing, are striving to
ruin the fair fame of Gen. Fremont and there
by iniuring the cause of the Government in
in its efforts to crush out treason.
The committee ON resolutions reported the
following, viz:
l. Resolved, That, whilew cordially sup
port the Administration in its efforts to crush
out the Rebellion which threatens the life Of
the Nation, and that while we have and will
suffer to pass without remark many acts hav-
this end in view which do not commend them
selves to our Judgment, we cannot, in JUS
tice to our own convictions, witness the at
tack, official and semi-official, direct and i'm
piled, made upon Major Gen. Fremont, with
out expressing our unqualified dissent to both
their spirit and their intent
9. RESOLVED, That the order issued t. Gen.
Fremont, by the Adjutant General, dated St.
Louis, Mo-, Oct 14th, 1861, does not exhibit
in very amiable light either tho head or the
heart of the said Adjutant, nor those or the
Secretary of War that it is mean and con-
temptible, both in its conception and mpo-
stion that it bears upon its face evidences
of its parentage, envy and malignity that its
attempts at the humiliation of Fremont will,
in our opinion, recoil upon its authors and
only strengthen the determination of the
Great Vest to sustain Fremont against all
assaults breathing such spirit.
3. Resolved, That 10 the face of great diff
| Guilty, without that countenance and support
from the authorities that be" which he had
right to expect, with deficiency OF arms
and accoutremcnts, with means scantily
furnished, Gen. Fremont has, by his own in
domitable will, organized and equipped an
army, such as no other man in the United
States could have organized and equipped, in
| Il II
der the same circumstances.
4. Resolved, That it were better to dis
solve twenty Cabinets than to remove Gen
Fremont, that in the West, and for the
West Fremont is the man to lead our army
and that his removal would be bold defiance
of public sentiment in the West, such as nc
well advised and sincere lover of his country
would venture upon, without more controlling
reasons than can be furnished by all the Con.
stitutional advisers of the President, and al
the politicians who are seeming their prey
from afar off.
5. Resolred, That the public journals of the
West which demand the removal of Fremont
do not represent the opinions of the West
and so far as we know, every journal which
has demanded or acquiesces in his removal ir
this section of the country, is not above the
suspicion Of being actuated by mercenary mo-
tives.
6. RESOLVED, That while we do not claim
that Gen. Fremont is free from the infirmi,ies
of human nature,-the liability to err in
Judgment and to be imposed upon by others
we do aver that, if If nerert make a mistake
is the qualification for office, either in the
civil or military department Of the Govern
ment, those without sin in that respect should
be required to cast the first stone at Ere
mont.
| 7. Resolred, That in the insidious attempts
which are being made to ruin the fair fame Of
Gen Fremont, we can see the ear marks OF
political rivalry and jealousy; that these two
deadly enemies of true patriotism, are-in
sensibly, perhaps-impeling men in high
stations in the Government to connive at, il
not to perpetrate acts, SO dishonorable and
undignifed that they cast a reproach upon
the honor, dignity and magnanimity of the
Government.
| s. Resolved, That while we do not wish to
make any comparisons which may be termed
odious, we point with pride to the condition
of the Department of the West at this mo-
ment, as compared with that Of the Poto
mac. That of the West has risen to its pres
ent state of efficiency through the energy and
perseverance of Gen. Fremont, who has had
every imaginable obstacle thrown in his way
while that of the Potomac has literally had
the WORLD at its command. Sums of money
untold troops without number every appl!.
ance of art and science, comfort and convent.
ence have been lavished upon the Department
of the Potomac and as a result, it is grayely
telegraphed by the Secretary of War tina,
"Washington is safe"
| And whereas, the history of the rebellion
in Missouri for the last six months has devel-
oped treason in it's meanest and most danger.
Gus form and approximations in that State
having formed frequently with arms in their
hands against the Government, and in the
ranks of the rebels one day, and the next day
quietly at their work, their arms concealed
and they claiming the protection of the Fed
eral troops and authorities
8. Rcso1red, That the doctrine of Gen
Fremont's proclamation was, in our opinion
the true remedy for the missouri disease,
and that we learned with regret and disap-
po;ntment the modification by the Govern,
ment of said proclamation, and that the fore
going resolution, it is believed, expresses the
ALMOST unanimous sentiment of the North
west.
10. Resolvea, That while we do not wish
to advise, dictate, and much less to find fault,
with any &C, ion of the Government, we cor
daily endorse and second the views now being
expressed throughout the country, that the
success of our cause, the morale of the
army, ard the true interests of the country,
demand an active and rigorous prosecution Of
the war during the present fall campaign.
On motion they were received.
When Judge Thayer offered the following
resolution, as substitute for those reported
by the committee
WHEREAS, Abraham Lincoln, President of
the Unitet States, and commander -in-chief Of
the Federal forces, is presumed to be compe-
tent to perform the duties Of his high Office ;