The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-09-26
A Plain Talk-The President and
the DeDartment Of the Missouri.

must result-elther there must he change
in the policy which is being pursued here
under the sanction of the Federal Gov
or the President will hold a diff
ferent place in the regard of the people who
elected and have sustained him, from that
which he has heretofore held. It is no ex-
aggeration to say thatthe present condition
Of Missouri would not favorably compare
with that of Kansas under Pierce and Bu-
chanan, nor is it particle more creditable
to the present Chief Executive than was
that of Kansas to the Administrations of
the Presidents just named. We do not
know but that the case of Missouri is even
stronger, at the present time, against Mr..
than was that of Kansas against
his predecessors. They at least favored
their friends. The men who carried war
and desolation into Kansas for the purpose
of making it a Slave State, claimed to be-
long to the political party which sustained
the ruling Administration. There was in
this, at least, pretext for the course pur-
sued by the Government. But in the case
Of Missouri the apologists Of Mr.. Lincoln
cannot have even this fact to urge. Mr..
Lincoln, in the management of this depart
ment, has latterly given all power to his
political opponents, and dish0nored his po-
titicat friends. Gov Gamble, of this State,
who by the Presidents permission, as the
head and disbursing agent of formidable
name, yields probably as
large patronage as any officer in the ma
ton outside Of the Presidents Cabinet; ra-
Ideally differs with the President on all
party issues; and certainly at the outset of
the rebellion sympathized but partially
with him upon the subject of the Union.
Of the subordinate positions in Missouri
very small proportion is filled with parties
the Administration general
policy.
There is in the attitude o. the President
towards Missouri something which we
confess is unaccountable. Last fall, when
Missouri decided in favor of his policy by
electing majority of its supporters to the
National Congress, in opposition to the
course pursued by all the Northern States
holding elections, the President is said to
have declared that victory in Missouri
more than compensated for all the defeats
elsewhere. Yet scarcely were the ballots
counted in this State, before he suddenly
adopted a course which turned the whole
influence of his administration against the
men who gained him this victory. The
majority of congressman chosen were radi-
cal emancipationists, and were elected by
radicals. The triumph in which Mr.. Lin
coin claimed so large share, was the ac-
knowledged triumph of radical anti-slave-
ryism. And yet scarcely were his con-
CALCULATIONS ended, before he took from
the radicals of Missouri Department Com
mander in whom they had confidence,
Gen. Curtis, whom in the very act of his
removal he pronounced honest and compe-
tent, and as having done no wrong, either
of commission or omission, and at the in
stance of the radicals bitterest enemies,
appointed in his place man who, of all
his officers, was least acceptable to them
This has been followed by course of pro-
scription towards the Missouri radicals
which has probably had no parallel in the
political history of the nation.
If this course were such as to meet the
condemnation of politicians merely, it
might be regarded as a small matter. But
greater consequences are involved. Enc
mics, not only to Mr.. Lincolns admins
tration, but to the Union, have been en-
boldened by it. An impulse has been Civ
en- to the rebellious spirit in Missouri,
men. Loyal blood has paid the forfeit in
copious streams. Missouri presents to-day
a scene ofconfusion and ruin never before
witnessed, in consequence. The reason is
plain enough. The best Union men in
Missouri are the radicals. They embrace,
almost without an exception, those uncon-
ditional loyalists who expelled the traitor
Jackson, captured Camp Jackson, and
saved Missouri to the Union. In striking
at them the President has aimed atthe very
heart of the Union cause in Missouri. He
cannot strike radical without striking a
Union man. In proof of this declaration
we have what we regard as conclusive ev-
dence, in the undeniable fact that there is
not d. CoppesheGd journal published IN Ms
sours ,chich does not cordially i7edorSe the
present policy pursued by the National Ad-
n,inissrdtio,e toioords Missouri. We might
safely go further, and say that there is not
Copperhead in Missouri, from the mild
rebel sympathizer to the rowing guerrilla
in the bush, who does not give that policy
his approval so far as to hope for its con-
tinuance.
So much for that portion of this depart
ment which is included in Missouri DO
we hear no complaint from the balance?-
Is Kansas quiet? Is Lawrence content
with the existing state of things? Is the
blood of that devoted and heroic city
avenged? If not, why not?
We are not yet prepared to wholly con-
denim the President for the wrongs OF this
Department. We are aware that in refer
ence to it he has had some of the worst
counsellors. We are willing to attribute
even more than others may to his mis-
conception of facts. But this species OF
charity cannot be extended forever. It is
the duty Of President to learn the true
condition Of the nation, and so far as Mis-
souri, is concerned, her loyal people are de-
termined that he shall know their condition.
They have taken steps to bring knowl-
edge of existing facts home to him. He
will therefore speedily have to make
choice between doing justice to this Depart
ment, or separating himself from the Radi-
cal sentiment, not only of Missouri, bat OF
the nation.
The Missouri question is no longer con-
fined to State limits. 1t is rapidly becom-
ing nationalized. Already the Radical
Unionists (all who support freedom as a
principle as well as a policy,) of Missouri,
Kansas and Iowa-of the whole Northwest,
we might almost say-are unit. Nor do
the Radicals of Missouri find there only
support here. Not only do the farther
North and East extend them hearty SYM
pathy, but the uprising loyalty of Tennes-
see and Maryland stretches out its arms to-
wa rds them Where there is q common