Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1863-03-18

titutlon, and punish them who imprison-
ed them Considering that nearly if not
quite all who have been arrested, have
been offered their liberty upon merely fa-
king the oath of allegiance. and have been
detained because they refused, their case.
though exceedingly interesting in con-
sdtational point ofview, can wait an hour
of the breathing time Of peace, for final
adjustment
2 These Illegal arrests are very bad,
but they fall upon white men, and that
could be endured. But the objectionable
sin OF this administration, it's blasphemy
against tn holy ghost of politics. is the
EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION.
A democrat might consent..to be imprison-
ed himself, but it breaks his heart to think
a niger may be free
Why are we told by men l,lack in the
face with wrath, it is unconstitutional
Well that is my understanding of it. But
able to give the subject, am of opinion
that the rebellion Is unconstitutional also
If the plaintiff demur to my defense, |
may attack his statement of action, and
Judgment must be given upon the whole
record. 1T an accomplished soldier be
set upon by painted saw &c at midnight
blow not taught by the rules OF art? If
traitors attack the government by uncon-
stitutional means, may not loyal men de-
tend 1T by the same means? ? Or does the
constitution only tie the hands of its own
friends No one justifes the proclama-
ton except as an exercise ofthe war pow
er. In and of itself it acc pmplishes moth
ing; it merely announce the future war
policy OF the government. When the war
ceases, the war power ceases with it and
the south can return to their duty to-day,
and thus end the war, and plead the con-
stltutIon in defense of themselves and
their property
The white population of the south are
under arms, and fed by crops raised by
slaves. Without this resource the rebel
lion could not sustain itself month If
its provisions protect to the traitor the
only means he has for continuing the
struggle, then the constitution is giving
and and com Ort to its O,cn enemies, and
ought to be sent to Fort La Fayette for
treason. If one Niger can be captured
and sent out of the South. then one mig
ger is withdrawn from aiding the rebel
lion; and if a proc amation can seduce
him from toiling for traitors in arms then
| say good for the proclamation" This
is no question of philanthropy with me.
| am no Abolitionist If we have a right
to enslave blacks for our benefit, have we
not as good a right, if our salvation re-
quires it, to set them free | do not sup
port the proclam IN atinn hecause it NAV e.
mancipate slaves, but because 1T may
withdraw slave labor from furnishing sup
plies for the rebellion. | am not trying
to free slaves bat whip traitors; one way
In my belief The quickest and e,siesE way
Is to cut off Their supplies. 1t may be a
part of the pred which many years
of read ng anG speaking upon this sub
Ject have generated, yet do not believe
1t an act of kindness to emancipate them
But when God visits Il nation in wrath
the Innocent and guilty, men, women and
children, black and white, bond and free,
even the cattle ON the thousand hills must
suffer together
1T 1t Is really necessary, We must har-
den our hearts, drive the fat happy black
man from his kind master, and his genial
home IN the sunny south, Gland of chival
ry and beauty, so precious to niggers) and
compel him to endure in some cooler re-
gion the buffetings, the temptations, the
outrage and horror of freedom III This
disposes of complaints from the slave If
his master, rebel in arms, look north to
say your accursed proclamation has Ge-
prived me of ten niggers worth $4,000,
and thus, and so far, reduced my ability
to continue this war against you, | reply
my only regret is, that we cannon also
take your forfeit life by a proclamation"
1t the proclamation withdraw one slave
from toiling for the rebellion, then it will
do good thing; if it cannot produce, as
some say, the least effect, if it is merely
l.. 81. 1AJ
to make a great rumpus about. But it is
said all infractions of the constitution are
dangerous, and should be resisted Well
which do you think endan.ers the exist
ence of the constitution most, proclaim
alton, which you say eau do neither good
nor harm, or 500, 900 rebels with fixed bay
onets rushing on the Capital? After ex-
ercising all the charity God has given me
/ do not believe these extreme technical
scruples arise from a tove Of the conStitu-
ton. .
What is the meaning of this craven cry
ing for peace, while traitors are levying
war a strange thing to come from the
Democratic party. Oh course We all de-
sire peace if it can be had with honor and
the Union. But it is we'll known no peace
can be had except upon the basis of dis
solution. The South must be recognized
or subdued Therefore to declare for
peace is to declare for disanion And are
you ready to say peace at such price p
Shall the Democratic party at last accom-
plish the dissolution of the Union it has
spent its whole efforts in preserving2 If
there is one article in its creed more es-
sential than another it is the preservation
of the Union at the expense of all life
and property inside and outside the Union
And they who now cry for peace, dishon-
orable peace, by separating the states aud
rending the flag, will 90 down to political
graves with Hartford Convention FEEDER
alism, and every other party and ism that
when tried by the sirgle standard Lore
Of Country-Right OF Wrong" has been
found wanting.
Our great trouble is, that we have no
acknowledged leader of national reputa-
ton; no one great exponent of Democrat
ic faith, hope and duty. If the famous
statesman could rise again from his grave
on the margin of the murmuring Michi-
gan sea, and say once more to the discor-
dans angry elements peace, be still then
we should see again the marching battal-
!, lions and exultant thousands Of Demo
Gratis whom his voice first called to war
But alas the dust Of death has choked
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