The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-05-07

tablish her separate independence. Aoout
the same time,a a similar inquiry was ad-
dressed by the French Consular Agent at
Richmond, to one of the Texan Senator's
This simple inquiry, to which civil an
swer was returned by the Governor and
Senators of Texas, was denounced by Mr..
Secretary Benjamin As an act "of hostility
to the Confederacy" Mr. Slidell was order
ed to call the Emperor Louis Napoleon to
account for his alleged completely in this
''intrigue;;" and the unfortunate Vice Con-
suls were ordered by Mr.. Davis, "to be ex-
PEELED from the Confederacy'' At twenty
four hours notice. STEPPED to the lips in
the blood that he is shedding to vindicate
the right ofa sovereign State to secede, he
expels couple of foreign consuls from the
country, because they inquired Of the Gov.
ernor, and Senator of the State Of Texas,
whether it might not be for her interest to
exercise that right
So absurd. 81 fagrantly insincere, SO OPP
enly repudiated oy its authors, are the pre-
texts Of this unholy war. What remains
but that we should strenuously and 10y Atty
support the Government Of the country in
bringing it to victorious result. Peace on
any other terms will be nothing but hollow
truce, lasting only till fresh causes Of con-
troversy arise, and the means Of renewed
aggression and outrage are accumulated.
Toward the successful prosecution Of the
war, every good citizen is bound to contri-
butte to the utmost, by word and oeed, BY
personal service, if Of agsto render it, by
his counsel, with his purse, il need be with
his life. If he can do nc thing else, let him
at least speak words Of patriotic cheer, seek
ing to inspire the community with conf
dence, to strengthen the arm Of the Govern
ment in the discharge of its arduous duties,
and to animate our brave fellow citizens in
the ranks Of the army. What we now want
Is not SO much strength in the field, as un-
Jpn at home or rather till we have cordial
union at home, we never shall have over.
whelm,ng strength in the field. Do not,
for Heaven sake let US re-enact the fatal
blunder that has been committed by free
States since the dawn of history. The
strength Of Phillip Of Maccedon was in the
divided counsels of the Greeks. DO not let
the strength Of the rebellion be in want of
harmony in the loyal States.
But it may be asked, how can men sup
port the Administration in the conduct of
the war, # they do not approve its measur-
es; how, | ask in return, can any free Gov
ernment carry on war, If every one is to
stand aloof who does not approve all its
measuress That the war must be carried
on, till the rebellion is subdued, IS the all
unanimous sentiment of the loyal States
1t is as much the interest of the South as
Of the North to hasten this consummation,
f,r she suffers infinitely more than the
North BY the continuance of the war, and
there can be no return to state of general
and permanent prosperity on any other
condition. That errors will be committed,
errors ofjudgment certainly, errors of pur-
pose perhaps, on the part Of individuals, is
sure to happen in all wars. Commanders
of armies, members of cabinets, members of
Congress, Generals, Secretaries and Presi-
dents are fallable men, subject to like pass.
ions as we are. I.do not at oil deny that
it is our duty to watch and criticise their
conduct, but we must nat forget that crit
les, editors and orators are also fallible.-
While we sit in quiet and safety by our fire.
sides, and inveigh agains. those who hear
the heat and burden of the day who carry
upon their shoulders the thankless burden
of foficial duty and the heavy responsibility
Of results, which often depend on the ele,
ments and on casualties beyond human con
troll, we must keep in mind that we have
also our interests. our prejudices and our
passions, and that it is much easier to find
fault, than to pursue any course Of conduct
which will escape censure in fault finding
There are two ways of doing
everything and when duty constrains US
to find fault with the shortcoming Of our
rulers and our generals We should, If possi-
BILE, do it in such manner as not to give
hid and comfort to the rulers and generals
Of the enemy.
Tho existing Administration came INTO
ofice, in the result Ola strenuous party con
Test, and il was, therefore, Datural that it
should be organized on truly party basis.
Could ii have been foreseen that in less than
nix weeks the country would be plunged in-
o contest which would task to the utmost
IL its strength, and require the employ
nent fall its resources, ma rial and NOR
i, the attempt perhaps would have been
made, to place the Administration on .
,roader basis. This. however. could not be
oreseen, and the president has not yet |
ound it practicable. or, ifpracticable, not
xpedisnt, to assume ? position independents
# party. Efforts, in fact, have been made
o induce him to organize the Executive on
still narrower party basis. Meantime it
must, in Justice, be stated, that that Ad-
has been - literally supported
y those yho did not, as by tbQss who did,
to place it ip power, and - for
nidably assailed by its nominal adherents
s by its reputed opponents. belonged,
iced not say. 10 che latter class, not that
gss much ofa Bell and Everett man, for il,
n parliamentary phrase, it had been possi-