The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-05-15
oTTUMWA, IOWA, THURSDAY. MAY Is, 1862.

IOWA, THuRSDA
In al this God Is saying, as be did an
oiently, ~ have seen, I have seen the sffiic-
tons Of my people, and have heard their
groanings, and am come down to deliver
them" A voice to be hailed with thanks.
giving, even in the midst Of this storm oi
war through which Il lis heard. do, indeed,
rejoice in the recent manifest interpretations
Of God in causing the fighters for slavery to
Zee before the defenders Of liberty. Two
things indicated by these manifest interposi-
tions give me joy. The one is, that be still
guides this storm Of war, and holds even the
wicked in bit. The other is, that while he
has unkorked the visls Of his wrath inmercy
with the nation, causing even the wrath Of
man to praise him. But still, still I rejoice
with trembling.
Ifin his lifted hand there are Arrows ol
destruction for the oppressor, there is = fear.
full rod Of Reinstatement for the nation. II
we escape, II WILDE like Job, with the skin
Of our teeth" The chastisements that have
already fallen are severe indeed. Who but
God can measure the chastisements ye,
needful to humble US out Of our pride and
vain wisdom, into the fear of the Lord and
submission to his counsels-tc restore our
feet to paths Of justice and Righteousness
Who but God with whom are 'many such
things" can measure out the remedial chas:
tisements of his hand, till the wicked shall
quail and the heart Of the nation be 50 re-
stored as TO trust God, and break every yoke,
and let the oppressed 60 free !! Fearful
though such needed chastisements may be,
yet If God would save US, they must fan
and fall too, they in mercy, If they will debut
save us. In such . prospect our hearts may
well thrill with trembling joy and thanks.
giving. A few remarks shall close. Fee
1. In view of what has been said Il is
our duty to frankly boldly accept the issue
which the South have rendered. They fight
for Slavery. Let US boldly, avawedly, fight
for freedom and liberty. To falter here is
folly. II is to stiae the voice Of our ewn
consciences. It is to decline the sympathies
of the good At home and all the nations Of
the earth, and, what will be fatal, the SYM
pathy Of our God.
2. Let us meet the conflict understand.
ingly. The rage of the South is at its
height. Its increase is not to be feared, be.
cause not possible. All motives have been
spurned by them already, save that Of oyer
whelming and crushing power. The sooner
they are made to feel that the better for
them and for al concerned. There is no
kindness in the trembling or the faltering Of
the hand Of the Surgeon, in . painful but
needed operation. 50 ,r
3. The rebel slavcholders never hsd any,
moral right to hold their slaves. As they
have been kind enough, by their treasona-
BILE revolt, to Abdicate all constitutional or
legal right to their slaves. and to free tfe
nation from all fetters which have hitherto
impeded justice to the colorei man, let the
voice of the nation at once confirm the fer
fsiture, and throw its shield around the re-
covered legal rights ofthe long-suffering VIC
tim Of oppression. To subdue the traitor
and wipe out the guilt of national completely
with that great crime, let there be no with
holding. No sacriRes Of treasure, or blood
will be too dear, II thereby the peace of the
nation may be established upon the firm
basis Of impartial justice. But. as Car Is
possible, the expense should be made to fall
on the rebellious. sga .g,....sF
4. There are some loyal shareholders
who retain the legal right to hold the slaves
in their hands, Ifthe natior's curse is re
moved, their slaves must hs free say,
then, let the nation bear literally with them
the sacrifice needful to their emancipation.
Not, l am free to say, because the master
has any right to pay. Hto enancipate is !
loss, then TO hold in time pasthas been gain
for which in justice the master ought to pay
the slave. But a. wc have consented and
helped to put the poor slave into the tiger
mouth oflsgsl bondage. owe IL to the slave
to get him out Of that mouth, though We are
even obliged to give that tiger lamb ia or
der to get the child olt Of his mouth. We
have shared in the sin, let US cheerefully
bear our share Of the burden which that sin
has imposed II, for want Of such sacrifice,
the bondage af the slave should continue,
the guilt VII attach 10 us, and that others
may be moro guilty than We are win BY nc
means clear US. sse a3s
In conclusion: As the national oonscience
can only be restored BY the restoration ol
the consc;enoes Of the nation. let us serve
God with fear and rejoice with trembling
Let US use every legitimate means to reach
and quicken. and elevate, and purify the in.
dividual consciences Of al around US and
With whom we come in contact. We shall
then contribute our mits towards the desired
end. Having cleared our own skirts Of al
completely with sin, and discharged our du.
! ~ to our country, to the crushed bondsman,
| and to the erring, and the wrong.dosr, let VI
not cease to ,implore upon all the mercy o.
that God who giveth peace and none car
make war, and the Fastening on Of that day
whsn the peaeefql reign Of Christ shall al
the whole earth, ag .tssarm alll 73 ssos
When Gods primeyM reign restored y
1 Shall cause the wars Of earth to cease,