The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-03-07
..~uArToRs PROM THE sTAar."
tn. uecsya 81 q Champion OF Reass
and DlsuniOn.

is the recent proclamation policy Of the
that has divided the
North, and arrayed the Democracy against
the Government.
No man gifted with the faculty of mem
CRY and,a regard to truth, however. can
sustain that position. Mahoay, now the
martyr leader Of the Copperheads Of Iowa,
wss the leader of the opponents OF the
war. 10 this State in 1861, before he had
bseh perseouted for his treason.
In his paper. the Dubuque Herald. he
early euiogized the Constitution adopted
by the seeded States and stated distinct
~ that he was willing to repudiate the
Constitution of our Fathers and accept
the Constitution of the Confederate States
instead. He said distinctly:
"For our own part, We would willingly
accede to the amendments of the Oonsti-
tution of the United States proposed by
the seeded States"
Again, in the "pursuit of peace under
difficulties" Mahony's Herald urged upon
the Administration the acKnow edgment
of the Independence of the confederate
traitors in an editorial of which the fol-
lowing is an extract:
"Were we in Mr.. Lincoln's confidence
we would advise the opening Of negotia-
lions It once with the seceders. and en-
deavor to make such treaties with them
a. would secure to all the States free
interchange of commodities among them,
free, of commercial restrictions, and il
possible. uniform rate of imports by
both Governments upon commodities Of
foreign growth and manufacture. SIEVE
raj other matters of not less importance
might be made the subjects of treaty stip-
ulalions, and when this was done the
separate existence of the seeded States
should be recognized de jxre. If Mr..
Lincoln waits much longer. the seeded
States will have become both in name
and feeling foreign to all intents and for
every purpose. They will become in
many respects enterprising competitors
and successful rivals, and when they will
have reached that position, it will be in
vain that any effort may be made to a.
quire those commercial advantages and
privileges which would now be easily Sc
cured. We commend these suggestions
tcthe consideration oithc powers that be,
not TO embarrass their action, but to clear
the waylas much as possible for reaching
a~cond,slou of smity, repose aud prosper
ity for our beloved country"
The followers of Mahony in the Legis-
lature, at the extra session in 1861, voted
against all war measures and against the
loan proposed to raise volunteers. And
Mahony's Herald endorsed their action
in an editorial OF which the following is
an extract:
"lowa Will, when the second sobe,
thought seizes the people, curse the log
islators who voted to saddle ON the Stat,
an unconstitutional debt and increase,
taxes. TO 100 per cent. So keep -thos
names prominently before the people
those who voted against the loan bill, an
the people will say to them, well don
good and faithful servant"
And the call for State Convention
the Summer Of of 1864 drawn up by N,
hoay contained the following expressio
Of sentiment in opposition Of the war:
.tThe Federal Constitution il bein
nulh6ed, the Federal Government sui
verted and the personal liberties of th
people endangered by the assumptio
and exercise Of arbitrary power BY Exec
utive functionar;ss of the Govsrnmen,
who not only assume the exercise OF 81
traordinafy Acts of Executive power ar
warranted by Law, but who also arrogat
the functions of Government invested
the Constitution in, the co-ordiuats "a
independent branches of the Federal Go,
eminent, and who, by . stretch Of pc,
or unknown to the Constitution, he,
subjected the judicial department Of Il
Federal Government to = despolism
military force.
All this occurred long before the Go
ernment had announced any policy
regard to the war. And yet Nahony So
ceeded in controlling the State Convex
ton and nominating Mason, (whom son
OF the party regarded as traitor) f
Governor Of the State.
80 the record shows that opposition
thswar and to the Government is not
late thing, springing up in consequent
of the policy adopted by the Governme,
in carrying On the war, but it is as O
Is the war and in opposition to the W
and the Government per.e.
The present position Of Mahony n
his Dubuque Herald Is the same nov
was IL morths ago. and the only diffe
Nnea To ha nr,AAd a tbat %La nl.x