Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-03-27

Our Prospects and our Duty.
The result of the last October elections in
Illinois and Indiana gave the rebellious hordes
of the South fresh CLEAN Of hope that, in
those States at least which were foremost in
their response to the appeals of the Govern
ment, great reaction had taken place-that
the people were sickening of the bloody strife
and had declared in favor of peace. Con-
firmatory of this belief came the election Of a
Democratic Government for the Empire State.
The opponents Of the war throughout the
North, the friends of rebels everywhere, re-
joiced. The people having seemingly de-
clared in favor of concessions with armed
traitors, National Convention was agitated
and imperiously demanded by those who, if
their bodies were with their hearts, would be
in rebellion also. -
So confident Of success were northern to-
ries, that overtures were made to the rebel
Government as sort of feeler, to ascertain
their wishes. The rebel government scorn-
fully refused any terms that did not recognize
it free and independent. Yet the South was
vigilant. To secure the Northwest, with its
great inland waters and cereal productions,
was with them great desideratum, and there
were men protesting loyalty who gave the
traitors aid and comfort and adhered to the
plans and purposes Of our enemies. New
York was to be the guiding star in the recon.
struction. Five months have not passed
since the Empire State elected man who
was supposed to be in favor Of peace and
concession, to-day, the guiding star of the
reconstructionists leads the van, and by
mighty uprising of the masses Of all parties,
surprising if possible the great uprising fol-
lowing the fall Of Sumter, there goes up one
long, loud pledge Of support to the Govern
ment, without any condition, and demand
for peace only when The rebel government
surrenders to the authority of the Federal
Constitution. The echoes of that cry are
caught up by the sleepless picket on his lone
ly beat, awakes the faithful patriot stretched
upon his damp and strawless bed, and infuses
new life and energy, zeal and devotion, into
the ranks of armies fast wasting away from
decentralization With hearts full of patriotic
notwithstanding their country and hating
treason, whether in front or rear-our armies
have spoken in unmistakable terms. No lies,
no Misrepresentation Of traitorous dema-
gogues or sheets at home, can conceal the
truth that our soldiers, from the lowest in
rank to the highest, are yet willing and anx-
ious to DIE, if need be, rather than beg peace
at the price of humiliation and sacrifice Of
national honor.
With the Legislatures of nine loyal States
in session since the New York election, not q
single State, unless it be New Jersey, has
provided for National Convention, or being
represented therein. Kentucky, uoon whose
soil the traitorous crew of reconstructionists
proposed to assemble, exhibits her contempt
by refusing to invite them to Louisville or
meet. them in convention. Small demagogues,
pot-house politicians, fossilized place hunters,
treason mongers, and martyr seeking editors
still whine for peace.
In the meantime, the South finds its fond
est hopes crushed, its brightest dreams van
shed into thin air. The people of Europe,
who make Kings and Emperors, Kingdoms
and Empires, have become our faithful allies.
From mediation the South has nothing to
hope. For reconstruction of the Union it
has nothing to hope. Their people starving,
their currency deprecated to less than one
fourth its face, foreign credit gone, their
population exhausted of active militiamen,
their entire coast blockaded by formidable
fleets, their principal seaports menaced by
indestructible iron clads, and well disciplis.-
ed veteran land force Missouri, Kentucky,
Arkansas, West Tennessee and Louisiana
hopelessly gone, the Mississippi river open
from its source to its mouth, save two OBJ
structions, their supplies from west of that
river cut off, we'll may the organs Of the reb-
ell government despair. They freely admit that
the events of the coming three months will
determine their fate. Already they acknowl:
edge Hooker as the conqueror of the Rich
mond base. They fear Hooker, where once
they admired Mcclellan. They warn the
South to be prepared for serious reverses on
the Rappahannock. Already the heroic
Rosecrans moves his grand army to the dead
ly conflict, from which we may hear exciting
news ere this is put in type. Banks has ere
this made land attack upon Port Hudson,
with its terrible batteries on the water front.
A cooperation from the feet must reduce
that post By private intelligence we learn
that Vicksburg had been shelled for sixteen
hours Grants plans for immediate attack
had been submitted to his fellow officers, and
approved. Any moment may bring us stir
ring and we believe joyous notes Of victory.
While all these movements are taking place,
what should we do? Be united as one man
and uphold with strong arms whatever the
Government may do to forever crush out this
thieihdi IeoeAioH. Come luen, Heeiueu, I'LL,
everywhere, let US strike hands for our coun-
try. Let no divisions continue in our coun
clls until peace be restored by the victorious
march of our armies. The blood of our sons
slain in battle, the mangled forms of many
patriots in our streets, the widows and Or
phans' weeds, the toll and privations of our
friends in the field, the bloody sacrifices of
our fathers, the hopes of the oppressed mill
ions Of the earth, all call upon us, citizens Of