Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1863-03-07
NEAnQrAETEGs L. S. SOLDIERS,
krni,un I.NI Erh IL la

G4tc Gig Of the same date
HE.nQrAErEas L. S. soLprErs,1
keoNuk, Iowa, Feb. ~, 70.
We, the undersigned sold :crs Of The L.
S. Army, being fully CONVINCED that the
influence OF a paper published in this city
called "The Constitution, edited by Thos.
Clagett. has exegted and is exarting a
reasonable influence GneXcuSable BY US
as soliers) against the Government for
which We have staked our oil, in the pres.
en-. crisis. We, therefore, consider j.
duty we owe TO ourselves, orr brethren in
the field, our families L, home, our Gov.
eminent and our God, to dcnIo,sh and
cast into the Mississippi river; the press
and machinery used for the publication of
the aforesaid paper. and any person or
persons who may interfere, so EELr Us
COP.
The Keokuk Constitution was Demo-
cratic paper, opposed like all others TO
the war policy of the Adminis,ra,;on-to
the radical measures that are so nanl(estly
forcing our country 10 the very brink Of
ruin. This in the estimation Of the radi
Gals is treason. This is the doctrine that
is being tangh: in. every radical press
throughout the North, and the act ofthese
soldiers is but the legitimate result Of this
teaching II the Constitution may thus
be demolished, then may every other De.
mocgat.c paper share the same fate. II
TnoS CLAGETr - guilty Of exestng a
reasonable influence then is every Olber
Democratic Editor also guilty and if the
opposite party is to pass upon our guilt
and inaict the penalty of destruction at
their pleasure. the time is close a, hand
when force must meet force. IF the laws
Of the land are poweress for protection
other means of defence must be provided
These soldiers are OF J instruments in
the hands OF others. They are less guilty
than their teachers-they will neither be
punished by the Government nor con.
demned by the radical press for this pro
ceed.ng. The State Register is a!ready
Offering excuses for them. 1t says in conl-
menting upon the transaction -
!. is true that men who have suffered
every privation and pain short Of death
itself in defence Of their government, can
hardly be expected to possess the calm
ness OF statutes when treason is boldly
paeached in their presence.
Synpathizers with the enemy can
Judge hy this event Of the indignation in
the ranks Of the Union soIdi-ry which
they have awakened by their reasonable
manifestations, and of the fate which will
awai! all such in the Free States at the
close Of the War"
When we remember that according to
the theory Of the State Register all, who
like CLAGETT oppose the policy of the
President are sympathizers with the enc
my, We have no diti,calty in understand
ing the meaning Of the above threat 1t
applies to every Democrat in the land
and they are called upon to take warning
! by the fate of CLAGE1T Of what awaits
them at the close OF the war. Viewing this
transaction with reierance to ultimate
| results, 1t ~ possible that we ought to re-
! Joce at its occarranc-,-it exhibits in
strong colors the animus Of the party IN
power. The arbitrary arrests and other
lyranical acts of the Administration have
done more to open the eyes of the people
as to the impending danger than ali Other
causes bat for these we might have failed
in the elections last fall The violent sun
preston of truth as it appear, in the pub
/, lie press IS but another scene IN the same
act. and the result will be the same
Every encroachment of arbitrary power
upon the lawful rights and liberty of white
men will recoil with terrible force. We
have firm belief that there yet remains
too much intelligence in our country to
submit to \ surrender of our own liberty
for the purpose OF reducing ourselves to a
level with black men. Our counsel 10 to
exercise patience and forbesrsnce.