The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-07-09

marx HOURS LONG AGO.



In the autumn of the year 1914 the
prospects Of our country were as gloomy
as they are at present. We were in-
volsed in war with Great British which |
had been prosecuted more than two years
with llile success and less glory Ou,
enentr, who had Illus far been enabled to
faht us witb her left hand only, being so
deeply involved in the great European
struggle with Napoleon. was now released
BY his downfall from that embarrassment,
and prepared TO turn her whole force
against us. Her fleets swept every sea
We had no commerce. Our finances were
disorjered. Our currency was going the
dsxnhili way. Our territory was partly
in British hands. Our capital was threat.
saed, and soon after captured and burned,
The gar. which had begun by an inva-
sion OF Csnads on our part, was now
prosecuted on our own soil. ln short,
We seemed in bad way, and many
thought the Republic going under
Uuder these circumstances, the Fede I
ralsn OF New Jersey held large and
most respectable State CunyenllQn TO de-
nouncs the oondact Of the var, and clam
or for peace. We quote the following
formal declaration OF their views to show
how strikingly History repeats itself. and
how true Was Solomon's observation, that
There is nathng new under The sun
Readit. patriots, and, remembering how
SOON thereafter the clouds broke away.
resolve never 70 despsir OF the Republic.
Here is the New Jersey platform
TUE WALL vRoox PLATFORM OF 1914.
Deeply affected by the gloom which
surrounds the destiny oil these States, re-
duccd TO condition SO precsrious. by a
course Of m,sraie not to be parailsl-d.
this Convention nevertheless. conhdIng
in the & nsl discernment and virtue Of the
yeop'r, do not despair of The republic
We viii not contouad the people and the
men in five; our calsm,t,es and m,ntor
tunes are caused by the weak, violent and
fatal measures of the men in power.
This Convention would earnestly re-
commend to the people Of each county To
hold meetings. make nominations, AMI use
oil diligence and prudence to proven, the
reelection Of the ad ocate Of the war.
Where's. The right of the people to
express their opinions upon the conduct
of men in Office, their ab lily aud motives
is brought into question, the persons now
ia offi:e and their adheren,s denomina-
ting it moral treason" and "ennity to
the country" for the people to speak and
vote against them and their measures, as
if in their ruinous and Changing acts,
opinions and policy, were to be found
American liberty and independence.
We, the Gonxrn tton of Friends of Peace
in New Jersey, Tor ourselves and the
greet numbers Of freemen whom we rep
sent, do PROTEST. against such slavish and
ann republican principles. We hold it
the fret and most precious OF all rights,
that the people enjoy, perfect freedom OF
opinion, of speech and Of suffrage
lfthose who hare got into Office and
govern as they will, shall contend that
exposure Of them and the abuses Of their
trusts. whether from folly or wlfui meas
ures of violence and wrong, is Opposition
To the country and Government We re-
peat Our protest against such manifest mr..
rog.uee anc Insult 10 the common sense
Of mankind. Silence and passive obedi
enee to acts of folly and oppression and
national ruin never we're and never ough,
TO be imposed upon the good people OF
those States. On this point, those are
the real enemies Of their country who
support and oountenance the opinion that
the men in nthce are -iafalAhla, aaa gloss
over their mAlcopduct aud destructive
measures BY calling such measures the
"Gosernment."
How are the dreadful evils of power
abused, and of a whole people failing into
the depths OF public and private ruin I,
be sverted, II to complain Of and xpos,
and consi.utionally resist such men anc
measures SIS en,nity to the couutry r
III the constitution is violated by per
sons 10 Office. shall these acts pass int.
precedent and remain unredressed be
cause TO expose the Tact and delinquent i
Opposition IL the Government ~
Ii The President makes or interpret
laws. arming tile sub-ltcrn agents will
ileg,l instructions, giving them powe
over mems persons, property aud lives
without trial BY judge or jiry and th
forms Of legal procedure; il tie m. ri
ties II Congress should create new Sute
10 give preponderance to Southern y C
aud domination most destructive 10 Nh
constitutional weight OF ancient States o
an. II them :--lf the maj 'rty in Cor
Rfess should he found 50 rash and lost /,
con sqnyai es ~ 10 risk under su Ia cir
camsianees the UBi.n and great interest
OF these States 10 the chance of WAR:
the n'eu 10 power reject is,ice and ne
gsiIailon, preierllns to REX III. ir couatr
end ali rs rights aid blessings uLon .h,
Issue OF the sword /, il they ai,er maxim,
this war and directing ii, sl.oall fran "a,
beginning conduct il without ,n,elliyence
vigor or sysssin, il military command,
are given by the Ptesiden, under his eoun
rel 10 meo = no, one afaer anothe~, with
OUT exception, prove themselves laughin
ktorLs 81 the world, sacrificing the ike
Of thousands Of brave Aueticsns by rasi.
ness, ignoTsnce and cowardice, and br,r q
ing d'.grsce upon the Amesican name /;
scene uf b,undjess aud proDiyats vast