The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1861-10-24

From the last number Of the Topeks
Tribune We take. the following extract.
1t serves to show in what light our neigh
Dor is looked upon by the press of Kansas !:
No HALr-WAY HoME.-The onion aod
Frontier newspapers, at Junction City, are
having quite warm time, BY way Of va
riety, the trouble, it seems, growing out Of
a charge by the Union that the Frontier
editor was a traitor, and in the habit of
promulgating traitorous sentiments. We
trust that some good may come of the dis
cussion, notwithstanding it may have been
called up more with view Of influencing
the approaching election than anything else.
Both editors are candidates for Office, and
respectively run on opposition tickets. We
should be glad to see the Frontier change
its course somewhat. Its extreme sensi
tiveness on the slavery question argues
badly, and the solicitude 1t nsaaitests for
the "rights" freLels an arms against the
Government is rather ont Of place, consid-
ering circumstances. Let rebels take care
of themselves, neighbor. If an enemy
stood with drawn blade, ready to sever your
windpipe at single thrust, we hardly think
you would be over fastideous in the matter
of hurting him and shedding his blood.
No; the issue would be, fight or submit.
If be has rights, let him look after them
himself; it's quite clear they have no claims
upon you. Nor, zee would not be SO ua-
charitable as to call you a Traitor. BUT
IF WE HAD NO BETTER PATRIOTS
TO STAND BY THE FLAG, WE
MOULD HAVE LONG ERE THIS
BEEN THE CROUCHIN1 VASSALS
OF A PROSCRIPTIVE AND LORDLY
SOUTH. There can be no reserve; there
is no middle ground. Your influence, di-
rect,y or indirectly, must so to promote the
the interests of one side or the other, for or
against the Government. Are you sure
your position is not one to encourage the
rebels, and TO discourage men on our own
side! Do you not exert an influence which
rebels understand to be favorable to grant
ing their claims to independence-favorable
to their being allowed to 'depart in peace
-and while they have their bloody fingers
upon the throttle of our Government, favor
able to their sinking the knife to the vital
flow? Is not your position that Of the
soldier who goes out to battle for our flag
yet who stands back in the rear and clamors
for the "rights'' of the enemy? He regrets
that the war against the enemy cannot be
carried on with better feeling-mcre in q
spirit of loye-he loads and fires blank
cartridges, shouts that he is in favor of a
"vigorous prosecution Of the war" yet
creates anything but unity Of sentiment
and concert of action by his cornsels and
influence, and by his actions, which speak
louder than words, says to those in advance
of him, Boys, l think we had better lay
down our arms, and let them depart in
peace" which, if logically translated, means,
let them ride over US rough shod, let them
transfer their government to Washington,
and by aid of the spiritless, liliputian ele-
inent at the North, garrison their soldery
in every city and town. This is the legi,i.
matc tendency of the "depart in peace
doctrine, which many weak kneed brothers
advocate Indirectly, if aot in so many words