The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-10-11
To the Voters of the 4th Con.
gressiOmal District Of Iowa.

To the Voters of the Ath Con.
/ gressiOmal DISTRICT OF Iowa.
/ Inasmuch as an important election is ap
preaching, we deem it becoming in US, ir
this crisis Of our country's peril, to address
you few earnest words
We believe with the patriotic Executive
Of our State that "lhe cause of our country
may be as fatal" lost at the ballot box as on
the battlefield" and that II is the sacred
imperative duty Of every man who enjoys
the inestilnable privilege OF the elective fran
chise to exercise it promptly and wisely or
every occasion.
| Alta Convention called at Montczuma
Iowa, on the 9th day Of August, last. tc
select candidate for Representative in Con
! gress from the 4th District Of Iowa, all per.
sons in favor Of sustaining the National Ad.
rninistration, and bringing the Rebellion to
speedy end. were invited to meet.
At that Convention number. who had
been Democrats and friends ofthe lamentsd
Dougisa, scted with Republicans. The
Convention unanimously nominated Hon.
j. B. Grinnell, of -Poweshiek
This gentleman stands upon patriotic
platforms war platforms platform which
recognizes no other issue before the country
than that Of sustaining the Government
while 1t uses all its powers, and every means
which the usages OF war sanction to sup
press this csusless, unhoy Rebellion against
its richtful authority. The platform adopt.
cd by the late Republican State Convention,
declares for the most vigorous and decisive
MISUNDERSTANDING confidence In our Pres.
ident and pledging him cordial and hon.
est support. It approves Of the Homestead
Law, which gives to every citizen, and to
every soldier though he be minor, and to
every foreign-bnrn soldier who has fought
in the Armies of the Union, free Home
stead Of 100 acres. Itapproves of the Pa
cific Railroad law. which seeks to bind TO-
gether IN indissoluble union the States of
the Atlantic and Pacific by increasing The
facilities for mutual intercourse and com.
merce. Itendorses that great Act which
freed our National Capital from the curse Of
human Slavery. II endorses in emphatic
terms the Confiscation Act-which provides
that the cost Of this civil war shall be paid,
as far as possible, by the property of its
wicked authors. It approves of the law for
the employment Of the slaves of rebels in
the labors Of tle camp aud trench, and
wherever he can relieve the white soldier
from that menial labor, and that exhausting
toll to which he ought never to be subjected
in the miasmatic climate to which he is un.
accustomed. Such are the principles of the
platform on which our candidate cheerfully
stands.
A Democratic Convention, afterwards
called, nominated for the momentous trust
Of representing you in Congress, Mr.. Martin.
of Iowa county, and placed him on what is
Familiarity and truly styled the Mahony
Platform. 1t was drawn by Mahony who is
now military prisoner for reasonable ut
terances and disloyal practices for discour,
aging enlistments.
"a stream cannot rise above its fountain
"Men do not gather grapes Of thorns, nor
figs of thistles." That platform coutains no
word Of encouragement for--no expression
OF confidence in--our true and trusty Pres-
dent. 1t calls upon the people to rebuke
the Congress for freeing our Capital and
territories, Cor the confiscation Of rebel prop.
erty, and for the relief of our soldiers from
the onerous labors they have heretofore per.
formed to the detriment of their health and
the sacrifice of their health and the sacri-
nee oftheir lives. 1t asserts that the sup
preston Of traitorous presses, and the ar
rest Of fthose known to be disloyal are acts
to be resisted. Without single specifics
ton it complains of the Tariff and Tax Laws
as unfair and ENTHUSIASTICALLY opposing all
taxes whereby our National Credit may be
sustained, and the money issued may be
made of any value to the Government and
to the soldier. 7 -.
Gan loyal men at home--can soldiers in
the field-sustain candidate on such
platform ? Can yeu sustain candidate who
has evaded direct question A. to his ,ap-
proval Of measure so vital as the Con6sca-
ton Act? Shall the rebels, by confiscation
of their property, be made to pay, as far Is
possible, the expenses Of the war Mr..
Grinnell, If chosen 10 Congress, will say
they sha.l-Mr.s Martin, by his platform, de-
nounces the measure As unconstitutional,
and calls upon the people to rebuke its
friends. v a ssrh ssA sa
We adjurs you, Is you desire the cordial
support Of the National Authorities, as you
desire speedy and etfectuaI suppression Of
the Rebellion which threaten the very life
Of the Nation, to send . man to Congress
who Il known, beyond doubt, to be
true and trusty friend OF the President no
will vote for vigorous war measures, and
who will remember with warm heart the
gallant soldiers Of the Republic.
Permit us to add that no man IN the State
Of Iowa has given more substantial, practi-
cal aid and sympathy to her volunteers, than
has Mr.. Grinnell-and no man has done
more to encourage enlistments. We also
remind you that Mr.. Grinnell is man of
the people-a man whose interests are iden-
tical with those Of the people whose sym
pathies are all with and for the people. and
who has laborei for their welfare, in season