The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-09-26

trament of arms. The Abolitionists of
the North and the original seces-
sionists of the South acting and re-
acting on each other, have in all proba-
bility proved themselves the most skillful
architects of ruin that any age has produ-
ced. Slavery has suffered more injury
during the last two years than probably
would have befallen it in the long sweep of
fifty years under the old Government. The
peculiar champions of the institution have
placed it, we fear, on the high road to ex-
tinction. And just here, we beg leave to
say to the Observer, is the source of one OF
the most serious apprehensions of our peo-
PIE. The sudden emancipation OF our
slaves in our midst would be the greatest
blow which could be inflicted on Southern
society. 1t would ruin this generation be-
yond redemption, and Its effects would be
felt for ages to come; Nor would this ruin
be partial. 1t would include the nom
STAKEHOLDER, as the STAKEHOLDER, and finally
the slave himself. Subjugation, if it should
be In reserve for us, would be emanclpa-
ton. Hence our people, while they are for
continuing the struggle, and while they are
still anxious, if possible, to make good
their "hnaF' separation, are nevertheless
disposed to pry into the future, to see II IN
the last resort, something better than inn
mediate emancipation can not be obtained.
II the worst should stare them in the face,
as it does not now, but as it may, they
would have peace under certain clrcum-
stances; yet if the worst should come, and
they could see no honorable mode OF es-
Gaping it, they would all die, together with
their slaves and their little ones, fighting
with a desperation which the world has.
never witnessed.
The Observer is disposed to twit us On our
declaration in May, 1861, that this State had
pledged to her cause her Eastman and last
dollar Let us see il this pledge has not
been redeemed. This State has sent 50, 900
men to the field. This comprises all her
mean to include the old men and yearling
boys), say those between forty and fifty,
now being conscripted, and about 10000
able bodied original secessionists, who re-
fuse to redeem the pledge which they au-
| thorized us to make in May, 1861. So much
for the "last man. Our debt, county and
State, is equal in amount to one-tenth Of
what the whole State would bring in mar
ket in silver and gold. The ''last dollar
in specie, or in convertible paper, has long
since disappeared. The State could, no
doubt, borrow Confederate money at a pre-
MUM of two for one; that is, she could sell
one of her one hundred dollar bonds for
two hundred dollars; but ten dollars in gold
will purchase one hundred dollars in Con-
federate money; and it follows that she
could sell her bonds for only ten cents on
the dollar in specie. So much for the last
dollar" We regret to have to make these
statements, but we are obliged to do so in
self. defense.
The Observer, very ingeniously and very
justly, in one SENSE. says that negotiations,
for peace can be instituted only through
the Confederate Government. But we
must look at things as they are, and not as
we would have them. If Mr.. Lincoln
should so far recognize Mr.. Davis as to
open negotiations with him, he would sur
render the whole question of the war. To
treat with the Confederate Government for
peace is to recognize that Government
Will Mr.. Lincoln do that? No. He iciH
never do it. Not 11aless Northern Govern
Daents and Legislatures shalt rise up and
&C annadnd him to do it. Is that probable?
Not IN the present status of things. We
must aoo,ry the Northern people to such a
point, or we might so interest foreign Pow
ers as to induce them to take steps which
would lead to such a result; but are these
things probable? Not just now-not, we
fear, for some time to come. What then?
Shall we again invade the Northern States,
and 80 distress them by fire and sword as
to compel them to sue for peace? Can we
do that? If the Federal Government will
not hear the Confederate Government, it
may hear the sovereign States. The peo-
Pile of the States, North and South, by mu-
tual cooperation, may obtain an armais
tice. If that can be done, the Uar ViU be
at an end. Is it not worth the trial? If the
two armies should once rest to listen to
the voice of negotiation, our word for it
hostilities would not be resumed. The
whole question would pass, and pass IL
nally into the hands of the statesmen Of
the two sections. -visaged war would
smooth his wrinkled front-the arbitra-
ment of the sword would give place to the
voice of discussion and negOtiatiOn-rea-
son would be substituted for passion and
revenge, and the eXasperations OF the two
sections, cooled and sobered by reflection
and calm survey of the entire situation,
| past, present and future, would leave the
mind of the country in a condition to de-
wise some means for restoring peace on
terms honorable to all. Nor will these
movements by the States depress or dis
courage our soldiers in the field. On the
contrary, they will fight and endure with
renewed cheerfulness when they know that
their friends at home are emitting no steps
that may promise to crown them with the
reward of all their toils-a just and honor
able peace. But it is said that some of the
cotton States are already distressed, and
that they may soon indicate a wish for ne
gotiations. But they are already sub
jtgdted, and at the mercy of tie en-
emy. Mississippi ,,o, and Louisiana
They have ceased, so far as their people at
home are concerned, both to fight and talk
| for peace. They are powerless. South
| Carolina and Alabama may soon be in a
similar condition. Must we await the ac-
ton of these States? And five do, are we,
with arms in our hands, unsubdued, with
the port and spirit of freemen still charac-
terizing our people, to be bound to what
they may agree to? They are in no condl-
ton to offer terms, but we are. We may
interpose to obtain terms for them and our
selves, but they are comparatively power
less, with the hoof Of the invader already
on their breasts. The Observer says: ''If
we had gained some great victory, or series
of victories lately, there would be some
sense proposing to negotiate" Butwhen
shall zoe gam eUen one great Uictorys Still,
suppose we should, as we hope we may,
what would be the result? What is to be-
come of Maryland, Kentucky, Missouri,
and Western Virginia? Does any one be-
lieve that great victory would not encour-
age our Government to insist that all these
States shall go with us? Will one great
victory, or series of victories, wrest from
the enemy the Mississippi Valley? Are
we likely to recapture Vicksburg, Port
Hudson, Memphis, Natchez, Nashville, or
aifhor of fhamS Wa faar (tlo ,po p,.e,,