Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-11-27
A,B.F. HILDRETII, Editor.
Charles City, Iowa, Nov. q, 1862.
Our Duty.


have failed of success doubt trcmb
lingly whether we can, if we will, re-
treive all mischances and regain all
lost ground, correct our own errors
and whip the enemy too? That would
be not only cowardly but suicidal
The obligation upon a great people is
to show their greatness under tenn
porary adversely, even when in it's re-
peated adversely, by gathering up
their energies for fresh cxcrtion.
And this obligation, our share of it,
is to be discharged mainly where we
stand, right here at home. Without
seeing this fact ana acting upon it,
much cannot be accomplished by spec
ulating about matters and things on
the Potomac and elsewhere at dis
lance. We must be sure that we we
are doing our full share of the work |
before we have gained the right to
comment upon the doings of others,
as if they alone were responsible.
What is our share? To be unani-
monsly persuaded that our first bust
ness-the business Of every man, wo-
man and child, who can think and feel
and act, is to drive back and destroy
the enemy. This must be the deep
and universal conviction. Ithas been
so to good extent. 1t would be IL
belous to call in question the zeal and
activity Of Western patriotism. Not
syllable is to be taken back Of the Gu
logy bestowed upon it. Still, (simply
because the peril of the hour has not
been felt, the fullness of its devotion
to the republic has not appeared.
Now let it come forth-bringing with
it every hesitating and tagging agcn-
cy, insisting upon the paramount con-
secretion of all minds and hearts to
the rightful claim upon their loyalty.
Considerations of interest demand
this. To save the investments already
made, further Investments are requis-
lite of time and labor, as well as Of
money. The credit and solvency of
the country are the security of indi-
vidual wealth for, if the country be
impoverished, nobody can be rich or
prosperous. What will any property
be worth, and where will be the safety
for self-indulgent and exclusive living
if the rebellion prevails? The North
bankrupt and virtually conquered a
Confederacy on its borders, pledged
alike by its hate and by its necessities
to be in every way the commercial, as
we'll as the political foe of the Free
States does that promise we'll fol
trade, for capital, for labor, for tn,
keeping of the wealth too many arc
even now quite busy enough in heap
ing up and watching, instead of Civ
ing themselves to the service of tht
country
But we are community capable
when aroused, of fidelity to ideas, as
well as of diligence and vigilance in
the way of traffic. We know what
principles are liberal, righteous and
humane, working out and maintaining
the highest civilization. We know
that to contend, at all cost, for sucl
principles, is the way and the only
way to insure multiform and abiding
prosperity, law, order and peace. w,
know this, and are ready to act upol
the knowledge, whenever satisfied tina
those principles are in danger, or thai
being imperiled, they need more helF
than has yet been afforded to rescue
them.
We ought to be satisfied of this TO-
day, and act accordingly. 1t may be
said that any such triumph of treason
as we have described, is not possible
still less probable. So we believe ::
but we believe it, because we hope to
see the energy the crisis demands ex-
hibitcd everywhere. The right inhu-
ence and activity of every individual
is needful. One of the causes of de-
feat has been allowing this trcmen.
dous contest to be managed too much
as mere political strifes aud imbrogl.
los are managed in ordinary times
Intrigues for party purpose, plans
of personal aggradizement, lust Of
office and the spoils of office, have
been busy adulterating and weaken
ing the force that should be pure and
strong and wholly engrossed in fight
ing the common foe This has enfee-
bled if it has not demoralizcd the army,
and prevented harmonious counsels.
The blame for such condition of
things, rests in measure upon the
people, who are thoroughly loyal, but
not politicians or partisans. They
have given of men and money what
ever was asked for; and then turned
to their usual avocations, feeling that
all would soon be well The masses
have been true to the flag the rank
aad file in the field have been sincere
and brave but quarrelsome factions,
party and personal jealousies, fayorite.
ism. spcculations and peculations, and
rivalries and disputes among leaders,
civil and military, have hindcred uni
~ OF aims and persistency of opera
tIons. So in this tempest-hour, when
it should have been STEADILY steered,
and all hands on board of one mind
and heart. the Ship Of State has been
left to drift toward the breakers threat
ening to wreck it.