The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1863-06-13

Va Ms ne WITHOUT having hrSl
been guilty Of treason in some form O,
other; and l now hold up before nv
country the authors of these vile false.
hoods as traitors to the government
too base and too cowardly. it may be,
to take up arms with her enemies. vel,
like the midnight assassin, ready at ey-
cry opportunity afforded under cover
OF darkness, TO thrust the dagger to the
heart Of the nation.
But how can it be that you "sayed
your life by leaving here and Joining
your fortunes with the rebels aeains,
the best government God ever dcigned
TO bless? you. who, after the fall OF
Fort Sumter. delighted patriotic assem-.
ones with Union speeches and loud de-
nunci.tlons of secession you. who,
having The confidence of those enpow-
cred TO elect. was elected Lieut.. Colonel
OF one OF the regiments of Kansas State
Militia; you. who. with up lifted hand,
IN the presence of Almighty God, in
voklng Him to witness your solemn VOW,
took sacred and binding oath tina. gu
would Support, protect and defend the
constitution and government of the
United otrtes. against all ene-
mics. whether domestic or foreign"
and that you would shear true faith
and loyalty to the same?" Would mol
community in which you had given
such marked evidences of devotion to
The Union. be as "safe place to re.
main until the warts over" as in the
face OF hostile army-in front of fed
eral bayonets and cannon?
Your Pretext for entering the rebel
army is the "change of policy OF the
Federal Administration from a war of
constitutional limits, TO war of subiu
CATION and ruin" Sir, conclude from
your own statements. with other facts
of which am in possession, that YOU
not only enlisted in the rebel service
before The change Of policy 10 which
you refer, bat that you left Kansas for
that purpose. think l have reason
to believe that your sympa,hies. your
:,sires and hopes were with the trait
DIS from the Inauguration OF The rebei,-
on. Tn. charge Of dup'icity AMI un-
treatment comes with bad
grace from one M'hose soul is SO deeply
tanned with The blacA crime Of perjury.
" hat right have traitors, WHO. without
:ause or provoca,ion, haze deGed the
constitution, laws and governme At. tho
lave violated The IN ost sacred constitu- |
ional obligations, and have been guilty
# the most savage and inhurnsn bar !
'arilies. TO talk about a constitutions,
node of warfare? Let rebels lay down
heir aims. return to their allegiance.
md resume their constitutional abliga-
ions. before they prescribe the manner
# conducting Tie war for the govern
nen, they are attempting 10 overthrow.
| lol! en-! maintain that tie policy
dapled in S ptember. 1856 :. and re az
rmed by proclamation of The Presi-
ent in January. 1868. Toes not super
EIDE the constitutional powers granted
S COMMANDMENT Chief of the army
nd navy; but tina; the action Of the
President was clearly within the pur
lew Of a distinct and express provis
On Of the constitution. Tie very cre-
tion of government imposes upon
bat government tile duty Of se!fpreser-
alton; and every measure Mat is neces-
arg TO be adopted for tie Suppression Of
asurrecttoa and rebellion, sDhich does not
onJatet wiM tie recognized rules Of cira-
zed warfare, IS legitimate and constifu-
;onul. No government was ever es-
abIished whose trainers and founders
Ii opposed i. contained single element
f self-dcstruction: but the right of
Elf preservation is inherent. and the
uty imperative anu he rho opposes.
r refuses or Aesitqtes to afford. he iegit-
nate means Of preservation in tie hour
f peril to his government, is at least
,orally, If not legally. an enemy to lis
,unt,y.
I haze no doubt that. with you. The
ass Of the Southern people "desIre
.ace;" and are hear.,::ly sorry that
icy were duped into war so herce. '
cody and protracicd. all, as ley ssaus'
Nv know. for the qualification OF the
nbiiion Of few political mounte-
inks. O.
We, too. desire peace. We never
.s;red war We are now fighting for