Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-01-09

The Procl0matkon-Wh tho
People Should DO.
While our armies are moving forward to
victory, there should be no divisions or dis
sentions at home. There must be strong,
united effort to crush the rebellion at the
earliest possible period of time. Let not the
attention of the people be Withdrawn from
the mighty struggle to the consideration and
revival of former partizan issues. Ours is
the mighty effort to preserve Republican
institutions, and not to insure party success.
We must be united in the loyal States, or
the grand experiment of selfgovernment
becomes failure. We can recognize but one
Commander-in-C Chief of our Army and Navy
the legally chosen President. His COM
mands are imperative upon all subordinates
Had Mr.. Lincoln deemed the utter destruc-
ton of great city, North or South, "as fit
and necessary war MEASURE" there can be no
doubt as TO his power in the premises. If
the seizure or destruction of the crops upon
Jacob Thompson's plantation was fit and
necessary war measure, there can be no ques-
ton as to Mr.. Lincoln's duty in the premises ::
Why seize Mr.. Thompson's crops and leave
his negroes to raise another the coming sea-
son? Why preserve the city that may be
rebuilt, and preserve to the inhabitants their
basis of wealth and power These are really
the practical questions of the hour.
George W. Thompson, the secession Pro-
vislonal Governor of Kentucky, in his mes
sage of November, 1861, said:-"rhe pres
encc of the negro race adds greatly to the
military spirit and strength Of the Confeder-
ate States. They till our grounds, while our
sons fight our battles, and our ordinary pur-
suits are scarcely interrupted by the war;
And who can doubt the truth of his declara-
tons? AS Commander int Chief, the Presi-
dent has declared that tilling the ground for
rebel support is a source of military strength !;
it must therefore cease. Let the people yield
a cordial support.
We repeat that upon this Proclamation we
cannot afford to be divided; and as there
seems to be disposition on the part of former
Democratic editors and politicians to ALLEVIATE
the people from support Of the war meas
ures of the Government, We cannot refrain
from quoting in part the biennial message of
Gov. Yates, of Illinois, delivered on Monday
last, that the memories Of our Democratic
friends may be refreshed, and their action
governed accordingly. Take it, with the
dying declaration of Douglas that there can
be but two classes, patriots and traitors" and
you have our answer as to what the people
should do. If you act upon the proposition
of Mr.. Breckenridge, 60 with him; if Mr..
Douglas position was correct, cooperate with
the friends of the Government.
Mr.. Breckenridge, in speech in the United
States Senate, on the LIST day of August, 1861,
said:
Eight twelve months longer and the al
ready opening differences between New Eng
land and the Northwest will develope them
selves. You have two Confederacies now
rlSut tWclEc IuOuIuS, anu you Will nave tOTee !,
twelve months longer, and you will have
FOUR
On the 1st day of May, in the city of Chi
cago, Mr.. Douglas said:
81 know that they (the secessionists) have
expected to present united South against
divided North. The conspirators have been
led to the hope that in the Northern States It
would be a party question, producing civil
war between Democrats and Republicans, and
the South, being united, would step in with
their legions and help destroy the one and
then conquer the victor. The scheme was
bloodshed and civil war in every Northern
State"
Mr.. Douglas further said
81 am a good partisan hater and fighter,
in time of peace; but you will find me as
good patriot when the country is in danger.
* 1t is your duty to lay aside party
creeds and party platforms. Then appeal
to you, my Democratic friends, do not let
modification, growing out of defeat in a
partisan struggle, convert you from patriots
to traitors to your native land. Whenever
our Government is assailed, when hostile
armies are marching under rude and odious
banners, the shortest way to peace is the most
and unanimous preparation for
war;"