Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-11-01
The Meeting Tuesday Night.

paper the proceedings. of rather singular
meeting held at the Court House last Tues
day night. We say singular, because, as
the meeting was called to further the inter
ests of the government in prosecuting the
war, its effect, if any, will be to retard rather
than advance the Administration in its en-
deavors to overthrow the great rebellion.
The gist of the resolutions adopted is this:
The Pre- sident and his Cabinet are all wrong
Fremont alone is right. In other words,
We have no confidence in the Administration,
but will stand by Fremont at all hazards.
We do not charge the men voting for these
resolutions with having design to impede
the Administration in prosecuting the war,
nor DO we impugn their motives, Gas some
OF them have ours,) but attribute it to their
blind zeal and worshipful alteration Of FIRE.
mont. In taking exceptions to these resoiu-
tions we wish it distinctly understood that
we believe Fremont has honestly and faith
fully endeavored to discharge his duty. We
shall rejoice if be proves himself capable,
as well as honest and energetic. His failure
to reinforce Mulligan, or to withdraw him
from his exposed position, Ono one will deny
that he could have done one or the other
weakened our confidence in his ability
as a general. If, however, he yet succeeds
in retrieving tho loss sustained by that blum
der, we shall not hesitate to give him due
credit, and will cheerfully acquiesce in the
popular desire that he should have further
time to prove his efficiency as commander Of
the Department of the West.
Our object in writing this article, however,
is to protest against the action Of grave
asssmblage Of citizens, such as that Of Tues
day night, in setting in judgment and con
demning the acts Of the Administration. II
our country passes safely through its present
fearful ordeal it must be by the loyal people
of the North sustaining, with united hearts
and hands, the constituted authorities in
their efforts to put down rebellion. At any
other time resolutions expressive Of distrus,
or debating different policy might with
some degree of propriety be adopted but at
this time it is the duty Of loyal citizens to
lay minor considerations and personal preju-
dices aside, and unite harmonously with the
Administration in putting forth their best
efforts in behalf of the Union. When conf
dence in the Executive is lost, all is lost.
We believe that whatever President Lincoln
does will be done with view to the best in
terests o: the country. If he removes Ere
mont, it will be for good and sufficient reas.
ons; and while, with our limited informa-
ton, it may appear to US unjust and impoli-
tic, it is only safe for US to trust in
the judgment and fidelity of the Commander
in-Chief, who stands at the helm of our tenn
pest-tossed craft.
Judge Thayer's substitute to the resolu-
tons of Mr.. Richman covers the proper
ground, and we are sorry it was not adopted,
as we believe it will be endorsed by the
sober-second thought Of the people. 1t was
rejected, We regret to say for the honor of
our party, by almost strictly party vote
She Democrats voting for aid Republicans
against it.
The meeting, it will be seen, was barren Of
any good results. The 9th resolution, abou.
which there appeared some sqeamishness, is
the best Of the batch. If the meeting lad
appointed committee to obtain names to a
petition praying Congress to pass law at
its ensuing session, incorporating that part
of Fremont's proclamation in regard to the
slaves of rebels, it would have taken prac,
teal step. We believe Fremont enunciated
the true principle in his proclamation to con-
fscate the slaves of rebels, but it is contrary
to law Of Congress, and the President did
right in ordering 1t to conform to that law
Let the law be amended, and let this princi-
pie be acted upon, and we will be enabled to
carry on The War more consistently and eff
GENTLY.
We have been thus free in expressing our
views, because they are our honest senti-
ments. We Indignantly repel the imputa-
ton in one Of the resolutions that the policy
of this paper has been dictated By mer-
cenary motives. Not the least intimation
has been received by us from a superior
in office as to what our policy should be.
We know that we are opposed by nearly all
the leaders Of the Republican party here,
and perhaps by majority Of the people,
but We trust to time to develop the correct
ness of our position. If the people of this
nation desire to escape the evils of anarchy
and revolution, they must shun the spirit of
disrespect towards the government and in
subordination to its authority, which is be-
coming so fearfully prevalent. Let them
look upon the condition Of Mexico, and
beware