Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-06-27


allied to realize the magnitude of the rebellion
md had no conception of the bitter maglignity
With which it would be urged on the part ct
the conspirators. Believing that conciliation
and compromise would restore the Union to
its original peace, and return again the era OF
good feeling between the citizens Of different
sections, counsels of moderation prevailed.
Anxious to disarm the imaginary fears of the
South that Republicanism meant Abolition
ism, the President and Congress assured the
citizens of the revolted States that the Gov
eminent had no desire to interfere with this
domestic institutions.
Later events have demonstrated the inexpe-
diency and fallaciousness Of this course. The
rebels were determined on SCI Aration and no
inducements could bring them back to their
allegiance. Then it became an open issue be-
tween the Government and treason. The
choice of war or compromise was offered.
Treason chose war, and got it. The work
began in earnest, and the most strenuous ex-
ertions were made by the rebels to conquer.
The bare suspicion of feeling for the Union
instantly relieved the owner Of every cent OF
his property, and he was considered lucky il
he escaped even with his life. Nothing was
spared to crush out whatever love for the old
flag that yet remained in the seeded States
and the most terrible cruelty was visited upon
Union men wherever they were found. Time
passed on, and the vindictiveness Of the
rebels remained undated Gradually there
arose all over the North sentiment tina
called for redress Of the wrongs visited upor
Union men, and the people demanded tina
retaliation be meted out to the rebels in pro
portion to the crimes Of which they wer
guilty. Who will undertake to say that thi
feeling was not natural, right and just ? L
there man in Iowa who is not convinced
that it is worse than useless to attempt t
conciliate SO bitter an enemy? If there i
such man we pity him, and are sorry tina
he had not lived in an age anterior to tn
present.
| The exigencies Of the times imperativel
demand that every exertion be made by tn
Government to crush this rebellion at once
Ruin stares loyal men in the face and tn
vast commercial interests of the country CT
out for the end. 1t has already carried desc
lation and grief throughout the land, an
many once happy home circle mourns owe
a son, father or brother whose bones now Ii
bleaching on the battle fields of the South
Humanity, justice, mercy, and every interes
that can move a Christian community, de
mand with one accord that this rebellion b
Immediately quelled.
Is it not right that every possible means b
resorted to to accomplish this purpose
the arming of the Southern slaves will haste
the wished-for end, in God name let them b
armed. If the emancipation Of the negro b
remunerating the loyal master will aid u!
emancipate him at once. If the confscatio
of rebel property will aid in paying the e1
penses of this war let the rebel property b
lconfscated
To the winds with the cry of "Constitr
tional protection" That instrument wa
never made as a protection
treason. This Government was neve
formed to protect traitors. If it was, the Cor
stitution is farce and this Government is
failure. Circumstances frequently chang
opinions and we ask if the idea that tn
rebels can be conquered without punishmer
is not about defunct? We mast punish ther
and punish them severely by coniscatin
their property, emancipating their slaves an
hanging their leaders.