Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-09-11
For the Journal.

Mr.. MAnlN.-I understand Mr.. Thayer has
been giving vent to his feelings by attacking
the young ladies in Muscatine for their laud-
able efforts to improve, in their feeble way,
the condition of their brothers and friends,
who, far from the endearments Of home, are
periling their lives for that government which
is so dear to the hearts of all loyal people,
calling them "Abolitionists," accusing them
of circulating Abolition Iapers among the
soldiers" &c.
have not seen the article, as do not read
the Courier, and never expect to; but if this
is so, l would say to him, that l am surpris-
ed that a man possessed of an ordinary de-
gree of intelligence, and with the facilities
which he enjoys to keep up with the times,
should imagine for moment that he could
offend any loyal man or woman by calling
them an Abolitionist.
The time has been when the lest men of
our nation were obliged to keep their senti-
ments to themselves in regard to slavery,
tearing to offend the Southern Chivalry, but
their very unchiUalrOuS conduct for the few
last years renders that no longer necessary.
| When they inaugurated civil war and fred
upon the nations flag, our eyes suddenly be-
came opened, and we discovered that we
were all Abolitonists who loved our coun-
try and were willing to die for it.
| 1t seemed necessary that the flashing OF
their cannon and the glitter Of their bayonets
should be required to cause us to see slavery
as it was-a foul blot upon our nations hon
or, viper, gnawing at the vitals of our gov
ernment.
! Our attention had been repeatedly called
to the subject by the manner in which North.
ern people were treated by the shareholders
when they went among them, but shaving
ears we heard not, and having eyes we saw
not the things which so nearly concerned our
temporal welfare" But the South compelled
us to see by seizing our public property and
marching an army against the Capital of our
nation. The film dropped from our eyes
then-we saw war with all its horrors was
upon US. The first thought was to ascertain
the cause, the next to apply the remedy
Can a physician successfully treat patient
without first discovering the cause of his i'll
ness, and having discovered it, does he not
attempt its removal Should we not call him
quack did he act otherwise? Our Govern
ment discovered that slavery was the cause
vi 'io wal, 0uu tlioh WlSely attehipCeo us IT,
moval.
ALI this Edward Thayer knows-he cam
not be so ignorant as not to know the diff
Guilty is hsdOss not choose to knoao at: because
it will not place him in Office and put money
in his pocket; it suits not his selfish purposes,
and knowing this, he prates about our Alb
clifton war, which is the shareholders own
war, and that which has made US Aboltionists
Well, Mr.. Thayer, we take the name you
give are proud of it-and being Yankee,
GUESS you will discover in due time the great
Ruler Of all things, who holds the destinies of
nations in His hands, is an Aboltionist, too,
and you will find it more difficult to contend
against Him than against Union Leagues and
young ladies societies.
would say to the young ladies', that it is
not pleasant for them to be attacked by 4
public paper, but do not be disheartened.--
Scores focked to your tables who would not
otherwise have gone. Keep on in your good
work. Send loyal papers to the boys. Send
this if you please The soldiers will thank
you. Those of us who have friends in the
army, will thank you; and moro than all,
you will have an approving conscience.
heartily wish Mr.. Thayer would admit his
error, for | am confident he sees it, and be-
come an honest man, which Pope says is the
"noblest work of God" | sometimes think
I could overlook almost any fault except trea-
son in one reared among the hills of my loved
New England. But if he will not admit his
error we will leave him to himself to show to
he..world what contemplate thing traitor
can become S. M. B.
ATALIssA, Sept 7th, 1868.