The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-01-29
From the N. Y. Tribune, Jan. II.
Stand Firm


The question having anew been raised
we deem it proper to say again what we
have said before, and we wish to be un.
derstood as saying it authortatiyely, that
President LINCOLN is not in favor of ma
king concession to the Slave Power,
either pretended concessions or real con-
cessions, nor in favor Of any measures
looking to the humiliation of Freedom
and of the Free States, no matter in
what pretences they may be Disguise d
nor by what seductions they may lie
commended. He believes, with the grea.
body of the independent Freemen of the
country, Democrats, Bell men, and Re-
publicans, that the first duty to be done
is to ascertain whether we have a Gov
ernment or not, and whether the Union
is mere delusion of the Imagination to
be dissolved at the first touch of actual
hostility, or a great and vital Power, as
competent to assert itself and defend it.
self against domestic sedition as against
foreign foes. We have reason to know
that he perceives and feels clearly that
this is the predominant question Of the
time, towering above every other. Iu
deed, of what avail is any compromise or
any arrangement whatever until it be first
established that the Union of the States
and the Federal Government are some
thing real and living, and not precari
Gus sham, built of nothing more sub
stantial than parchment and red tape,
and existing at the mercy of sneaking
traitors like Floyd, or noisy ones like
Toombs
No Compromises, then No delusive
and deluding Concessions! No surren-
der Of Principle ! No cowardly rever-
sal of the Great Verdict of the Sixth of
November Let us have the question Of
questions settled now and for all time
There can never be another opportunity
so good as the present Let US know
once for all whether The Slave Power is
really stronger than the Union. Let us
have 1t decided whether the Mexican
system of rebellion can be successfully
introduced in this country as a means Of
carrying IN election after il has been
fairly lost at the polls Ii will be time
enough to talk Of rcdressing grievances
OF long standing and Of minor conse-
quence after this startling novelty has
been disposed of Let us first yindicate
the majesty and assert the power of Law
IN general /; amendments Of particular
laws can be considered afterward.
What, then, will tho Republicans do,
are we asked We answer that they
will do the duty indicated by the exigen-
cies Of the crisis. And we are rotaware
that this duty has been anywhere better
expressed than in the platform laid down
by the Constitutional Union Convention,
which nominated Bell and Eyeretta at Bal,
timoro in May last, in the following
words
Rsso!red, That it is both the part of patriot
ism and Of duty 10 recognise no political priue.-
PIE otaer than THE CONSTITUTION Of TuE CoU>-
TRY TIE UNIoS or THE SrArEs, ASD THE Ey-
FoRcENEST or THE LAWS; and that, rs repre-
s"ntaHves Of the Constitutional Unon men Of
the Country, in National Convention Assem-.
blel. We hereby pledge ourselves 10 maintain,
protect, aud defend, separately and unitedly,
these great principles OF public liberty and ua-
tional SAFETY, against all enemies az home ana
abroad believing that thereby pcac, nav one
more be restored to the country, the rights Of
the people and of the States tabhshel. and
the Government again placed in that conditioa
OF justice, fraternity and equality. which. un-
der the example and The Constitution Of our
fdhers, has solemnly bound every citizen Of the
United States To maintain more perfect union,
establish justice, insure domestic tranquility
provide fer the common defense. promote the
general welfare, and secure the blessings OF lib,
erty to ourselves and our pos,erity'
This is the safe ground to stand on,
Away. then. with the idea of tiukering
the Fugitive Slave law, or Of legerde
main with New Mexico. or of combining
Carson's Valley. Utsh, Pixies Peak. aud
Dakota, in a single incongruous State
These are nosuums not suited to the dis
ease to be cured They are not even re-
spectacle paIia,ives. The only adequate
remedy is to be found in the Constitution
OF the country, the Union Of the States.
and above all, in the enforcement Of the
Laws.