The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-06-13

DsughfaCs DcfenRcFs Of Rrbri
% Righas.
The loyal Union men Of the South are
distressed, and the traitors are encour-
aged BY the position Of Northern dough
faces. The Nashville Union, the organ
Of Andy johnson, in its issue Of the 18th
Of May, says:
Tho New York Journal of Commerce
Of the 10th inst. has very labored and
not very lucid article on martial Tar, the
Whole argument Of which is designed to
prove that the Government has no right
to divest rebel Of his property perrna-
nently. 1t says: s.Thcre ia a war power
under the Constitution. but it has no sle-
gal etfsc, beyond or against the Consti-
tuition, 1t may be exercised for certain
Purposes, but must be exercised cofstitu-
tionslly. A man killed in war is killed
constitutionany, and property destroyed
in suppressing an insurrection is destroyed
constitutionally. But these arc acts Of
war. accomplished by the war, and the
war power caunot destroy property by
proclamation, or produce permanent legal
disabilities to hold property"
It says, again, that .General may for
the purposes Of war, have the power to
take slave from his master, loyal or dis
loyal. and employ him for Government.
Or he may, for war purposes, prevent the
master from exercising authority over the
slave. But the property of the master in
the slave is not affected; and the instan,
that the physical and actual deprivation
of the use of the slave is discontinued by
the General, that instant the master re-
sumes his right"
Without casting the slightest imputa-
ton upon the loyalty of the journal of
Commerce, we must acknowledge our in-
ability to understand the objects Of its
efforts, with those of some other Northern
journals, to prove that the Government
should scrupalously respect the rights Of
rebel and traitor. arraycd in arms
against itself, and seeking its overthrow,
to the undisturbed possession of his prop.
srty. Is the vigorous and successful pros
ecution Of this war matter 80 trivial that
the loyal people can afford to turn aside
from the blockade of the coast, from Rich
mond, from Corinth, and from the gper-
rillas Of Missouri, Tennessee. and South
ern Ksntucky, to return some rebel run.
awsy horse or negro, or TO pay him for
provender or provisions taken FROM his
farm? So far Is this from being tho case,
that we make the assertion, which is sus-
tanned by the general voice Of history
that the re,y last question srhich should
concern as, Is the protection Of the proper
IT, Of traitors, seeking the destruction of the
Goeernmemf, and Tie enslare,aent Of loyal
people. II, az the Journal Of Commerce
asserts, fsthe instant that tho General dis
continues the actual deprivation of the
slave, that instant the master resumes his
right" will not this rule be as applicable
to the CUR, or the lead, or the powder, or
the warlike stores Of the rebel armies p
The journal makes no discrimination be-
tween taking property FROM loyalist
aud disIoyalist /, coolly ignores the
fact thai treason has always been regards
by universal consent ~ ontlawing The Of
lender and stripping him of his civil rights
and privileges. Il 10. in fact, political
ssaieiae--A civil tslo de Ne. We hear far
moro about respecting the constitutional
rights Of rebels, who are trying to destroy
the Constitution, from some quarters, than
We do about quelling the rebellion. We
are told that 90 :aanst carry on this wnr
according to the Constitution. Granted,
% far ~ respectsa loyal mon, but not as
respects rebels in arms sgainst the Gov
eminent. The Government was institu.
ted to protect the rights Of faithful citi-
sens, not Of those who have disfranchised
themselves. Tho Constitution is bond
and covenant to be observed between our.
selves---not as regards enemies who are
endeavoring TO destroy our whole pohti
cal fabric In other words, we DO not
recognize the Constitution as conferrine
any privileges on those who claim TO b
without III pale. The Journal brands n
"ndical' the idea Of an inde6uite wal
power. Why. all war power must. in it,
very nature, be indefinite. War is moth
ing but violence. It's whole operation il
one Of compuIsion, Of force, of coercion
The best war ever waged can be nothing
after oil, but most fearful necessity, an,
they whose wickedness and folly hav
brought it on should Be the very last I
complain Of its terrors.
Andy JsAusen en- the SlavehelAlnI
/ ArislocTAcy.
In bis speech at Lebanon, Tennessee
Governor johnson DISTINCTLY recognize'