The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-05-19
A Question Answered.

ET The Dubuque Herald asks the
Times Of that city few questions, and
the CiOilian extracts one, substitutes the
Guardian for the Times, and demands
an answer from US. Well, sir, we are in
favor Of inviting the Southern seeding
States to return, and are in favor Of
granting them all the immunites and
privileges which the constitution guaran-
tees to them, and are willing that the
Supreme Court shall decide as to the
power and extent Of those immunities
and privileges. Thus you will perceive
that we are for the "Union as it vas"
Are you answered?
Perhaps you are not, for the question
was decidedly disingenuous. II, sir, the
question meant: care you in favor Of re-
storing affairs throughout the Union to
their former status-in favor of putting
DAVIS d Co. in the Legislative halls OF
the Nation-in favor of restoring to reb-
els con6scated property-in favor of re-
turning to bondage the Slaves declared
free off the question involved a will
iingness to do these things. we certainly
respond with an emphatic "No." And
while we would be very glad to see these
States return to their allegiance, come
again under the shadow of the constiiu-
ton, and assume those rights of sover-
eighty which, under the constitution
land not outside of it) belongs to them,
we do hope and pray that the legitimate
and lawful result of this contest will be
authoritatively declared to have been
such, that throughout the length and
breadth Of this land, it shall be impossi-
BILE for any man to hold another man in
bondage. We trust that the Supreme
Court Of the United States, aud the Ex.
ecutive and Legislative Departments of
this government, each acting within their
legitimate spheres. may decide, as we
think they must, agreeable to. well estab.
lished principles, that there is no power
under our constitution, to reduce man
once free. to Slavery. We fervently
trust that the acknowledged right of a
-,military commander, in times of war, to
declare the confscation of the enemy IS
property-to declare the freedom of the
enemy's slaves--wil be upheld aulhor.
tatively and legi,imately by the proper
authorities Of this nation, hereafter. We
desire, above all things. the restoration
Of this Union. but we do sincerely trust
that when il is restored, the infamous
crime Of man-selling and man stealing
may have been wiped from our account.
We hope for this, primarily, because
Slavery is wrong in itself, and yiolalive
of the rights Of humanity. Secondaiily,
because il is the great disgrace of our
country. Thirdly, because il is clog
upon our national interests, and is foe
10 tue eitSallOu OI tue iaUoTeT. TOuTtu-
ly. because it is opposed TO the true
principles Of our government. and breeds
en- aris,ocratic and exclusive class
LASTLY because lis acknowledged antag,
onism to Democratic principles will rem
der concord and peace impossible in This
country SO long as it exists among us.
For these reasons. while, like President
LIScoLS. We would have saved the Un
lou and left Slavery untouched, we shall
heartily rejoice il the Union is saved aud
Slavery killed.
DR.. SMITH, lately of Waterloo, has a