The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1863-05-20
MCGREGOR, Iowa, Nav 10. 1863.

Eds. Times II want part of column
to offer few words in vndication of the
right of public discussion Of the principles
and policy Of government founded on
the wW Of the people. L do not wish to
make an argument-that has been done by
two very eminent gentler EN- from whose
productions l propose to extract. The ex.
tr"ordinary trial Of Mr.. vallandigham, just
concluded at Cincinnati, suggests the pro.
priety Of putting something in the papers
slightly different from the orders of Gems.
Burnside and Hascall. VIM. II. Seward,
in dispatch to Mr.. Adams, our Minister
to England, under date Of Nov. 10th, 1862,
says: 10. 80 hi" .'-''t@
I'm this country especially, it is habit
not only entirely consistent with the Con-
stitution, but eUen essential to its stability,
to regard the admin istration at any time
existing, as DISTINCT and separate from the
GOVERNMENT ITSELF, and to canvass the
proceedings Of the one without thought
of disloyalty to the other.'
Mr.. Seward regards the right of discus
sion as essential to the stability cf the Con.
stitution itself: therefore when you stile
discussion by arms, you have no Constitu-
ton and hence no government. Our PEG.
pie should be extremely careful how they
educate themselves to back up this alarm.
ing stretch Of power. day, those who
sustain the mum theory may revenge them.
selves on their political opponents and re-
joice in the undisguiscd modification of
proud spirit that cannot bow the knce to
master, but to morrow the pendulum of
time puts your opponents up, and then you
discover that you have forged chains for
yourselves and your posterity which moth
ing but the blood Of your countrymen and
the ashes of your cities can break. DANIEL
WEBSTER, in one Of his great speeches, in
allusion to threats made to stop the discus.
sion of Folks Mexican war policy, spoke
out in the following magnificent language.
Let every man who is being allured, moth.
like. toward that military, fame which will
lead to the destruction Of US all, read care
fully the words of the Great Webster; if
these fail to animate him with the love of
liberty which underlies ourform of govern.
ment, he is already at heart either tyrant
or slave, as interest or cowardice may
suggest: ...s-...... ...... rs. ,.... ...-,.. ss
ut is the ancient and undoubted prcroga-
tive of this people to canvass public meas.
urcs and the merits Of public men. 1t is a
'home-bred right" fireside privilege. 1t
hath been enjoyed in every house, cottage
and cabin in, the nation. 1t is not to be
drawn into controversy. 1t is as undoubtcd
as the right Of breathing the air or walking
on the Garth. Belonging to private life
| as a right, it belongs to public life as duty,
and it is the last duty which those whose
representative | am shall find me to aban-
don. Aiming at all times to be courteous
and temperate in its use, except achen the
right itself is questioned, | shall place N.Y.
self ON TIE EXTREME BOUNDARY OF MY RIGHT,
AND BID DEFIANCE TO ANY ARM THAT WOULD
MOVE Me FROM MY GROUND. .4aut
This high constitutional privilege shall
defend and exercise within this house and
in all places; IN TINE OF PEACE, IN TINE OF
| WAR, AND AT ALL TINES. Living shall as
scrt it; and should leave no other inheri-
lance TO my children, by the blessing of
God I will leave them the inheritance of
free principles and the example of a manly,
Independent and constitutional defence 81
Mem." ,.. .-r:r. ..... .. r.