Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1863-05-01
~ HAT GOOD Z

@ TUsK. Secretary.
WHAT GOODs
10 accordance with the proclamation
Of the President, the people OF the
Northern States have tasted and
humblsd themselves before the Great
Ruler, and have, with heart and voice
united, plead for the cont nued welfare
Of our once happy country-for strength
to overcome the enemies Of the Union
which sur fathers gave ~, and for the
constitution that the wise men OF the
early dsysof the coustry made for our
guide in oil things pertaining to the well
fare Of our rich inheritance.
But have We stated the matter - il
iss Upon second thought, We fear We
have not. Could any OF us, with the
eye Of Omniscience, scan the great scroll
upon which the prsyen-privste and
publie-of yesterday are recorded, whs,
would they ind Not unity-not even
aim larity-scarcely two petitions alike.
T 10 is . solemn fact. Toe hearts and
wishes Of the people are rs various and
~ distracted - tie people ,hemselves
One asks for one thing aud another for
another thing. One bsseeches that the
old Union shall be restored prscisely -
it wss; another calls loudly upon the
same q ures Of power for the formation
Of . new Union, different entirely from
the o.her. One petitions that SLAYER,
may be wiped ont from the face Of IL.
land, no matter what fvllo~s; another
be continued. One is thankful for the
Proclamation Of Emancipation, while
another asks for something that eomsa
more 10 the point-a proclamation the,
will tree slaves where they csa be
reached, instead Of freeing those who
cannot b reached. Ooe prayer is for
Uuiou With On "if;" another for the
Union with "bui," and . few, DO il
known, are in favor Of the Uuioa with.
out any conditions the Union with
slavery or without it, ~ the csss may
be-but the Union anyhow. The pray
sss OF the people are many and differ
ent. Were such batch Of petitions
pro aad coa-veering this way and that
way-ssking for this thing and plead
Ing for ito opposite-plAcsd before any
mortal, it 10 greatly 10 be feared be
would never bs able to decide upon 40.
gener i answsr that would answer the
petitions and grant the requests Of all.
This people 10 not united, but distracted.
There is not ono point upon which they
approach unison and harmony. How
then can il be expected that any answer
will be granted TO our requests We
are not even united upon wishing victo-
~ TO our arms. One dont want vico-
~ unless it wipes out slavery; another
don't want it if it does and . third
panty wants victory whether it wipes out
slavery or not.
Thus the people have prayed or Il e
national Fast Day. There IL no posi-
bllity that oil will DO answered, and
strong doubts may b entertained
whether either will receive any espe-
cisl attention. To have effect, there
must b . usison Of sentiment. The .
has been zone yet. The people ere oil
graspisg after something that is placed
beyond their reach-not contsnted 10
labor along and let che Ruler Of the
Uaiverss work out Ills own plans a. lie
sees best. Msn assume. too much.
therefore be is 20 frequently broaRh,
into the vale Of humilialion. We trust
that our country 10 the better or for
this day Of fasting, but, uoder the Cit
eumstances which have attended it, the
strosgest dosb,s lnust s.ise. Our Pc
tii'sas have gone up il strasgl;sg, de.
joiatsd and discordAat masnsr, and To-
Day the people come forth uschsaged 10
thsi' bia'es. 9th y much party st,ife
- much d the spirit Of wraneline
= their heeTts = ever. Il vaa ! mare
epss@. Which, apasaisg Of, leaves the
ersss Political frame snsnapqsd. aail
.rsEl
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