The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1862-10-01
stand by the Constitution.


We regret to say that since the outbreak
of this unhappy, disastrous war, the MINDS
of the American people have been insidi.
ously undermined by a grave and fearful
political error, owit they have been led
to regard the checks and pledges Of the
Constitution Of the United States as a mat
ter Of little relative importance. We can
not witness the growth of such fallacious
and dangerous ideas, without rcmonstrance.
We lay down this proposition, that the
first step to the ruin Of any democratic or
,l,onarchical government, is indifference to
the obligations CT the organic law o. the
government. Thus the leaders in the pre-
sent rebellion first indicted the southern
people into the belief that the federal Con-
stitution was Of no effect whenever it con-
" fiicted with the law of the states. This
led them to regard lightly the supreme law
Of tbs land, and prepared them for forcible
separation. Does any sane man suppose
that without this first process of induction,
the issue of separation could have been
successfully thrust upon the southern peo-
pie by the rebel leaders? .. .... .ra.,. Z
In the northern states also for long sc
ries of years class of fanatical men have
urged that notwithstanding the Constitu-
ton allowed the states al powers which
were not expressly reserved to itself, yet
that the executive and legislative branches
Of the government, should disregard this
provision Of our organic law, for the pur-
pose Of giving freedom to ali the slaves in
the land. This idea was combattcd vigor:
ously by the Democratic and Wing parties,
and subsequently by the Republican and
Democratic parties, nevertheless the advo.
Gates of the movement persisted in thei.
views, until finally, even Senator Wade
of Ohio, could rise in his seat in the U. s.
Senate, and declare the atrocious sentiment
Sthe man soho quotes the Constitution in thi,
great crisis is a traitor"
We warn the people of this country that
there is greater evil to be dreaded than
separation, and that evil is annihilation.-
In the day when the American people and
the servants of the American people arc
regardless of the obligations and covenants
of the Constitution Of the United States
the Union Of this republic is gone and We
are thirty-four individual states, With di
verse interests and inevitably bound to an.
utilization ssa.5a f .@"e.
There is yet time to avert this danger
of humiliation If the people are agreed Il
it. Tho rebellion also can be suppressed
within the Constitution if it can be sup
pressed at all, for the instrument has
clothed Congress and the President witt
the necessary power. In short, the way j.
open to national prosperity and unity if VIZ
will but obey the injunction Of our text
"Stand by the Constitution. -.....-....
EDS. TINES viii you be kind enough
to make known through your columns tn.
pressing needs of more than 900 sick ane
wounded Iowa soldiers in the hospitals a
st. Louis. The Western Sanitary Com
mission, Through their agent Mrs. Ameigb
makes an urgent appeal that hospital store.
sh suld be forwarded with the least possibl,
delay ~ ~--- >-#~
The following articles are most needed
Cotton and svoolen yarn, shirts, drawers
socks, handkerchiefs, towels, slippers, nit.
tens, 'suspenders, thread, needles, buttons
scissors, combs, fines and coarse, tooth
brushes, soap, bandages, flannel bandages
for throat, rags, reading matter, canned
and dried fruit, blackberry syrup, tomato
catsup, picktrs, and dressing gowns.
The McGregor Sanitary Society will
thankfully receive donations of money,
materials, and ready made articles. Ma.
terials may be left with Mrs. Kennedy
Depository, and money with Mrs. G. c.
Cone, Treasurer. v.~.. =. = =
BY order Of the Society,
Q: GILcHnIsr. Secretary.
Business Notices. E A rs