The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-07-28

man on earth to show me any one act
done, of which they can complain, as
placing their rights in jeopardy. Zap
plause What one act has been omitted
to be done of which they can complain ?
l proclaim to these assembled thousands
that so far as the constitutional lights Of
the Southern States are concerned so far
ne the rights OF shareholders are concern
ed no one act has been done, no one du-
t} has been omitted 10 be done, under
this administration, of which they can
complain.
There has not been day from the time
when George Washington was inaugura-
ted as the first President of the United
States down to this moment, when the
rights OF the Southern States stood firmer
under the laws Of the land than they do to.
day. There has never been time when
those States have not had as god eaus.
for disunion as they have to-day. What
specific cause ca" III D assign as eristing
NOR, ,ehfeh has not under erery admins
tration front The days Of Washington to
this moments
But my countrymen, we must remem-
Der that there are certain restraints upon
mems actions in time of war. We must
never forget that we are civilized and
Christian people, and that war must be
prosecuted only for purposes, and in the
mode recognized by christian nations.
There must not be war waged against
the constitutional rights of any people on
earth, nor must ii be war against #etttett
and childrenand innocent persons. Saw
ages must not be let loose, nor the hor-
rors OF indiscrininate destruction encour-
aged. / say TO you will never sanction
such acts of warfare upon the rights Of
others but / will beseech and implore my
countrymcn never to lay down their arms,
until they recognize our constitutional
rights.
We were born under Tie constitution
of the United States. Its provisions and
its guarantees are our birtbrieht. / am
then prepared to demand and enforce tha t
inalienable right to the last extremity.
We have peculiar reasons, from our posi-
ton in the centre of this continent why
we cannot recognise the right of any
number Of States TO secede at their plea
sure and break up our government When
you admit the right of one State 10 Sc
cede, you eonccde the right Of every State
10 do the same thing. When you recog-
nize the right of secession you not only
destroy social order You have upturn-
ed all the foundations of society, and in
aucuratcd anarchy in its worst forms, and
will soon experience all the horrors Of the
French revolution.
Then my friends, VIC have solemn
duty to perform. 1t is to use al the pow
ers that God has given rs 10 maintain the
constitution and government that cur
fathers established for US. The more
energy and unanimity we display in the
performance of this great duty, the less
will be the destruction of life and proper
ty and the sooner will come the day of
peace.
am aware that we have had some diff
Guilty and prejudice to encounter in pro-
ducing unanimity. 1t is not surprising
that such should have been the case. We
must remember that it has been but
few short months since We came out of a
fierce political strife, which engendered
much bitterness Of feeling. 1t takes
some little time to Danish those passions
from the human heart, and substitute un-
alloyed patriotism in their place. Who
ever is not prepared to sacrifice party or
ganlzations and platforms on the altar of
his country, does not deserve the sup
port and countenances of honest people
How are VIC TO overcome partisan anti
pathies in the minds Of more Of all par
ties SO as to present united front in sup
port Of our country. Wemust cease dis
cussing party issues, make no illusions to
old party tests, have no ordinations and
recriminations, indulge 10 no taunts one
against the other as to who has been the
cause of these troubles.
When we shall have rescued the gov
ernmsnt and country from its perils, and
seen its flag floating in triumph over every
inch of American soil, it will then be
timel enough to inquire as to who and
what has brought these troubles upon us.
When we shall have country and a
government for our children to live in
peace and happiness, it will be time for
each of US to return to our party banners
according to our convictions of right and
duty. Let him be marked as no true pa
triot who will not abandon all such issues
in times like this. My countrymen, l
have said more than | intended when
commenced.
II you refer to the territorial question,
it so happens, as an extraordinary fact,
that for the FIRST time there is not an act
of Congress prohibiting slavery any
where.
II you refer to the enforcement of the