The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-03-11
You're a Spooncy. and my Brother has
been to the War!

Ey- Most of us will probably recol-
lect, among our boyish companions or
school. fellows, some gross, dull, lubber.
ly fellow--the butt and sport of his
brighter, more vivacious, more energet-
ic playmates--who was won't to close up
his part Of a quarrel by holding up to
hisopponent the terrors ofhis "big broth
en-" and to turn the current of an argu-
ment going against him by the exciting
declaration, my father can lick your
father, anyhow" 1t may, perhaps, not
be strictly correct to say that the editor
Of the Independence Civilian was, in his
e-pubescent days, such gross, dull,
Iubberly fellow, but it is as certain as a
mathematical problem that he well learn
ed, and still has faith in, the lubber's ar
gument--that he still relies upon the
" big brother" to get him out of an un-
pleasant predicament. For instance, We
have said to the fellow substantially as
follows:
Sir, last fall, during election time. you
charged this rebellion to the account of
the Southern pro-slavery Fire Eaters. and
declared that it must be put down at all
hazards, and advocated the formation Of
a party simply on the basis of the Union
and the prosecution of the war. Now
you turn about and charge the Repubi-
cans with the responsibility of the war,
thereby not only showing your insinceri-
ly last fall, but endeavoring to make
treason appear Unsuitable, and thus as
sisting it. What have you TO say to
that
why, that am as good a patriot as
you are, because, my brother has gone to
the a0ar"
But you don't urge the prosecution OF
the war, but instead say that the Union
cannot be reconstructed. That's an ar
gument favorable to secession. Is il
not ?
Il amt secessionist, because, my
brother has been to tie acdr."
But you carp at the expenditures, and
denounce the administration for the ex.
, pense which the war entails. That is
not patriotic spirit.
am patriot, because, my brother
enlisted for the va,.''
; But you defend BUCHANAN because
you say he was willing the South should
separate in peace. That shows you would
prefer a breaking up of the Union to 6
prosecution Of the war. Therein you be
come an ally of JEFF. DAVIS.
Its false. I'm as good Union mar
as you, because, ny brother acsnt TO Mt
. arar."
But when you persisten1y discourage
the idea of Union sentiment at tht
Soath, in the face of facts, and declare
u dat the war must be fruiiless, becaus,
the Southern States can only be held a
y subjugated colonies-when you, weel
. after week, rail out at the expenditure
: the war requires, and the taxes it vii
. entail-when you strive TO draw sym
y patty from the administration and its eff
: forts by charging it with the war-whe'
= you try to lift the responsibility Of tn
!. bloodshed and villainy from the Souther
conspirators, making them appear tn
u martyrs of fanatical idea-when yo
: attempt to excite prejudice against tn
~ war by referring with sneers, to the 10,
y price of produce, and to the prostralio
. of other material interests, as the resu
= simply of Republican rule, you but re
: produce the arguments, and place your
} self alongside of the MAuoNYs and OIL
!" ers whom the people everywhere regar
and brand as Secession sympathizer
Ie Don't you know that
L hHOW lIlat All no more Oh 81
ct cessionist than you, for my brother hc
At been to the aear.'
N And thus he goes or with the lubbe
% ly argument, the virtue of his eau:
at resting entirely in his "big brother"-
,S That's the ponderous logic which
or Yields.
le And then we have the other editor
ID for il seems that the valuable concer
- has rot only a multiplicity of proprietor
nj but at least duo of editors-and til
?t fellow, a little sharper than the othe
Us thinks he's worthy of his wisdom teet
m because he has got to the ability of coli
b. ing senseless epithets, and flinging thel
ont when he gets in tight place.
Here" said we to him, you gras
;" eagerly at reflections upon the reliabIlit
/, of cur correspondent, and yet you ha'
:" misrepresented Mr.. WooDRrFF. Mr.. Do,
: NELLY and Mr.. WHITE entirely, as re,
y 4 ID