The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-08-06

WA, THURSDAY.
The American Citizens Duty.
There is at least one delusion which has
heretofore been very wide spread, which
this war and its incidents are rudely dis
pelling-the notion that this nation, more
than any other, is, to use Burke's language
"Nothing better than partnership in
trade Of pepper and coffee, calico and to-
bacco, and some such other low concerns,
to be taken up for little temporary inter.
est, and to be dissolved BY tho fancy Of the
parties" 1t is this notion, diligently ex-
plotted by traitors and demagogues, which,
more than aught else, has been working the
havoc which has disgraced this city during
the last week. Ever since tho war began,
the men who are bent on pushing their for
tunes at the cost Of everything that is re-
spectacle, or valuable in our institutions and
manners, have devoted themselves to in
flaming the laboring classes, and particular
" those Of foreign birth, against the govern
n,ent on the avowed ground thatit was car
rying on the war, that the war was produc-
tive Of loss and suffering, and entailed heavy
sacrifices on most classes of the community.
They have labored to spread the idea that
every man who came to the United States
and became citizen, acquired ipso .tacto,
. right to lifelong ease, comfort and pros
perity, and that any action on the part of
the Government in defense of honor or ex-
istence, which curtailed the smallest of the
working mans comforts, was q fraud and,
imposition. According to this theory of the
national organization Of the National gov.
ernmept is sort of swine herd, whose sole
business is to see that its hogs get their
meals and their sleep regularly, and are not
troubled by anything that impedes or delays
the growth Of fat. The cares, ,anxieties, du.
ties and sacrifices of citizens are all very
well for the down trodden serfs of Europe,
but once on American soil, the man rises
into the full dignity of q swopping, trading.
hording animal, and any attempt tc make
him raise an arm or contribute a cent for
the defence of the common honor, or digni-
ty, or even safety, is declared to have no
counterpart except in the ferocious caprices
of the Gar or the Shah.
This war has dispelled much of this delu.
sion already it will dispel more Of it be-
t f're it is over and the riots and the draft
in this city will, we hope, give it in this city
and all over the land, shock which will
finish it. We want to have every man in
every corner of the earth, who dreams of
making this country his home, know and
remember that we offer him nothing but an
ample and unrestricted field for the exer-
else of all his talents and all his energies,
for the development of whatever is best and
noblest in his nature. We guarantee him
freedom for mind and body, and promise
him wealth and honor in proportion3 to his
merits. But we warn him that when he
comes here, it is not t. roam over rich pas
lures and chew the cud, a fat cx amcng fat
oxen. He comes to be freeman, in free
community, jealous Of its honor. of its in
tegr'ty, and Of Its glory, and prepared to
make whatever sacrifices, down to the last
cent and the last drop of blood, to preserve
every one of them without stain or blemish.
We are, in short, it is time that all should
know, nation like any other nation, except
that we are freer, more progressive, less
burdened by bad traditions and bad laws
We are not commercial firm and If any |
body insists on forcing this construction of
Dur social and political organization upon us
Is the rioters and ruffians have been trying
20 do. the assumption must be repelled, if
need be, at the point of the bayonet and the
mouth of the cannon. No American with
drop Of manly blood in his veins, will ev-
II allow foreign powers or domestic cut
'hroats to hold this theory of the nature
Ind aims Of this community without pro.
esting against it both with the pen and
he sword.
If the world does not know already. we
re determined that 1t shall believe that, to
'eturn to Burke's definition, the American
,ation sis not q partnership in things sub
'ervient only to the gross animal existence
II temporary and perishable nature It
partnership in al science, . partnership
n all art, q partnership in every virtue, and
n all perfection" And every body who
oins it, must make up his mind to lend his
inforwarding these ends when
he constituted authorities shall call upon
lin to do so, and whether he likes virtue
nd protection" or not. The majority here
las come to the same conclusion as most
ther communities, that without national
nifty, freedom of speech. of labor. &C., no
rogress is possible and that without them
o Gar from becoming better or nobler than
re are, we should rapidly degenerate, like
ne Spanish American States, into the prey !
Or for buccaneers or tyrants. rich and fat [
nough to be robbed, but too cowardly to
i've the task of robbing US the smallest
pice Of adventure. Into that condition we I
hould never consent to be dragged, and
ertainiy not at the tail of the Woods and
Indrewses, or for the momentary gratfica-
on Of the thieves and prostitutes aud bull \
es Of our alleys and grog-shops, let it cost /