The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-10-04

municipal institutions swept By the board,
and martial law takes the places of them"
These assertions and arguments Of that
veteran statesman, made in time OF peace.
have never been successfully contradicted
There is no limitation in the constitution IN
on the mode ia which Congress shall carry
on war. The only limitation is found in the
usages of war as practiced by civilized ma
tons. The constitution gives the war ma.
king power to Congress. Our articles of war
governing the army are passed by Congress,
and the generals themselves are subject to
the restraints that may be imposed by Con-
gress. Except solar as restrained by Con-
gress, therefore, the President, as the com.
mander-in-chief of the army and navy, has
power to do any act of war allowed. by the
code of civilized nations, including the liber-
alton Of slaves as reward for assistance in
war, or for desertlon from our enemies, OF
to weaken the power Of enemies. Washing
ton and jackson acted upon this principle in
special cases. Slavery was abolished in
Columbia by both General Murillo, and by
General Bolivar, under the war rower ; and
the enfranchisement has continued to this
day, 1t is plain that It is one means OF
prosecuting successful war. 1t will take
away the productive labor by which the re-
bel armies are supported. 1t will take
away the element of safety which keeps the
planter in the army, while his fields are till.
ed as well and as securely as il he was at
home. 1t will compel the soldier to return
to his fields, instead of waging an unholy
war for our destruction, repeat, it is NO
party question. 1t is peoples question:
The army is nearly unanimous for it. ~
THE CLAIMS OF THE PRESIDENT TO THE SUP.
PORT OF THE PEOPLE.
I have now reviewed the position of my
competitor, and the platform which he is
solemnly pledged to support. I do not
think it platform on which really loyal
man can stand, except At the cost of his con
science. II assails the President and Con
gress As guilty of unconstitutional acts, and.
condemns the conhscatiOn law which is, Der.
haps, the most popular law ever passed by
Congress. fit does not express positive
sympathy with the rebellion, it fails to ex.
press positive sympathy with the country.
1t gives no word Of cheer, but only insult
and condemnation, to President whose vast
burdens and difficulties enttle him to the
sympathy of the civilized world. 1t pledges
no support to the Administration in carry.
ing on this war. It cheers and encourages
all rebellion with the prospect Of a divided
people in the loyal States, and with the hope
Of party to cooperate with them in their
great purpose Of thwarting, resisting. and
defeating the operations of the United States
Government. Whatever may be your real
motives, my Democratic friends, you can
not organize and support an opposition par.
ty, pledged against the Administration in
this time Of war and danger, except by
helping our enemies in their work, AMI stim.
ulating them to the greater activity. Why
should you hesitate to endorse Mr. Lincoln!
If ever President has shown determine
ton to be the representative of a people in
stead Of party, that man is Mr.. Lincoln.-
All questions affected by old party issues he
has awaited the clear expression Of the pub
lie will, irrespective Of party before action.
He early honored with his highest appoint.
ments men Of political ties different from his
own, as well as men of former political sym.
pathy with himself. The chief commands
Of your armies. under him, he has involved
on those who had been Democrats all their
lives. Not content with this he called an
old lifetime Democrat to his Cabinet and
his confidence. His public Administrat ton
has won praise from all parties, and so bit
ter an opponent as the London Times has
declared him the most popular man in
America, and that his wisdom, prudence
and ability have surprised alike friends and
foes. He has right to call, az he does
call, upon all loyal people, of whatever for
mer party ties to come TO his support in this
great war of our national integrity. Do not
refuse it in the spirit Of the partizan, but
rally around him IN the spirit of the patriot.
When the war is over let us divide as we
please into political parties, and upon polti.
cal issues. Our first duty now is 10 pre-.
serve the country and maintain the Govern.
ment. God grant that we will fail not in
this highest duty.
THE CONSTITUTION AS 1T IS, AND THE UNlos
AS IT WAS"
My hour is nearly out, and have only time
to touch upon the captious cry of the Maho
ny Platform declaring in favor of the " Con
stitution as it is, and the Union as it was. )
| have here also repeatedly demanded of nv
competitor what this meant, if it means any.
thing. No person in the United States,
within my knowledge, is now proposing any
other Constitution except the secessionists
themselves. All loyal men are in favor Of
the Constitution as it is. certainly do no,
propose to change it. The Constitution
stands, the beacon light of all nations, the
hope of mankind aspiring to freedom every
where, the grand work of our fathers, the
tower OF defence to their children, for the
supremacy of which our Government il
stretching every nerve. and bracing every
muscle to perpetuate which, over 800 900
gallant men are now offering their lives, and
the whole people their property without
stint. Glory to God in the highest, five
are able to maintain it in the face of armed
enemies in front, and concealed traitors in
the rear. Does my competitor propose to
make the Constitution any better? What
does he mean by the Union as it was? II
he means that we should regain every State,
and hold every Territory, that ever belonged
to the Union, with the rights of all loyal
men maintained securely, then am for that
Union as it was. But il he means that he
don't want the Union restored unless Ma
son and Slidell, Wigfall and Toombs, are al.
lowed back in their seats in the Senate,
with their Confederates with hands drip
ping with loyal blood, then am not for
that "Union as it was" If he means that
he wants Breckenridge permitted again, as
Vice President to hold up perjured hand
to'swear hypocrite's oath to support the
Constitution of the United States, and Floyd
and Cobb to sit in the Cabinet and steal
what they have not scattered to the four
winds of heaven of Government money and
munitions then am not for that "Union
as it was" 1.-The means that he wants the
Union as it was by wiping out from our