The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-09-25

terity. y Freedom must survive or perish
in this contest. Let us prove ourselves
worthy Of our day and generation, worthy
of our ancestors, and equal to the awful
responsibilities devolvsd upon US.
seek to escape public controversy, but
! may suggest our reciprocal duties. Iowa
soldiers consider their cause your cause,
and your liberties are theirs. We prose-
seeute offensive war trusting our force
into the enemy's lines. He never gives
battle except where he has superior num-
bers or choice of position, and yet the
enemy has gained no decisive victory.
and we have no cause to despond. The
progress of our arms through the strong
holds Of rebellion has shaken it to the
foundation. You cannot realize the dis
asters Of war. Tie path of hostile armies
everywhere 10 vide field of desolation.
These disasters in the s nth arc enhanced
by cotton burnings aud conscript laws,
and general mutiny of the slaves Slavery
has received death blow. The SO called
Confcderacy has resulted only in anarchy
or despo,ism. Wide spread ruin and
wretchedness follow the fag Of rebellion,
and the people feel that it is like lighting
the emblem of storm.
| The inhabitants Of the south west were
deceived or coerced into the fed. They
sadly deplore their lost liberty and Sc
curity. The only power that governs in
the South is military power. To-day it
may be the Union army, tomorrow the
rebel force that sways their destiny. The
unarme ed peaccably disposed citizens can
not control their own affairs. They are
obliged to yield obedience to the dominan,
powers, and do yield. But shifting and
changing as our forces are, they dare
not, they cannot avow absolute uncondi-
tonal attachment to either, and must shift
and change with the force.
They all desire that cne or the other
shall prevail and become perl anent and
IN my judgment large portion, probably
a majority Of the whole South conyiEccd
of the fallacy If secession. hope the power
Of the Federal government may predomi-
naie and prevail. Pride Of character and
dread Of humiliation, and hatred of Yam
Aees, cannot much longer deceive and
delude the masses.
The power of the old Government,
pressed with unAinching undivided force,
not against geographical sections, but
against rebels everywhere, vi. secure ul-
innate success,
Break down the rebel armies, confs-
cate the property of their supporters, de-
prive the rebels Of their slaves and their
substance, prostrate foes and elevate
friends and the Union men in Thousands,
who now tremble in the presence OF. the
apprehension of its return. will proclaim
their devotion to our government and un-
rte with us heartily in restoring peace and |
prosperity in our once happy country.
] have campaigned through three Of the
so-called Confederate States, and express
to you my observations and convictions.
The republic cannot be severed. There
Is no geographical, moral. or political line,
on which to divide. No foreign power
ooald prescribe one that would satisfy ell
ther party. We have embarked in death
struggle and have no alternative but to
steadfastly press forward the engines of
war and All honorable disturbing elements
I'LL rebellion, weary and worn out. and
oSerpowered. abandous les wicked designs
and yields to the Constitution ana Laws.
Bands of robbers, such as we see in
Missouri and elsewhere. will survive the
war, and society will for long time be
pestered with thieves and vagrants who
only carry on their raids for plunder but
local organizations will ultimately stiHe
such elemcIts, aud peace and security will
gradually return. i,
While Thus advocate the prosecution
OF the war BY theexercise of every means
known to civilized warfare, that will dis
turb, weaken and demolish the confeder-
ate rebellion, / would never lose sight Of
the only legitimate object Of war, which
is to secure honorable and permanent
peace. for ourselves and posterity. Laying
aside revenge. malice, rride and nredir-