The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1863-09-09


there is as little room for doubt as there is
to doubt that others arc seeking to destroy
the government by force. But the conser-
vative men Of the whole country have the
strength and power, by unity Of action, 10
crush the one and defeat the evil machina-
tons of the other.
To better assure the friends Of constitu-
tioual government of our security against
such danger, few suggestive thoughts, by
way of strengthening their confidence and
assuring their faith and hopes, may not he
amiss. 1t should be borne in mind that we
have now, and will have at the close of the
rebellion the identical constitution which
the extremists seek to dcstroy-thc one by
innovation, the other by force. 1t cannot
be altered except in the manner therein
prescribed The same facts exist in refer
ence to each state-loyal and disloyal.--
Rebellion has not altered, or changed or
modified, either in federal or state consti-
tuition. Nor has the rebellion destroyed
the existence Of the states Of the
Union. Their revolt only suspended the
action of the civil authority of the federal
government within the revolted districts,
pending the rev Il, and substitutes the mil
itary authority until the rebellion ceases,
and they consent to accept the civil instead
Of the military rule.
No reconstruction is necessary. The
government is completc-not brokcn-not
destroyed; but, by the blessing of God,
shall endure forever. A revolted state has
nothing, therefore, to do butte cease resis
lance to duty and law, and return to its
fealty, organize under its constitution as it
was before and would be now but for the
revol,cd, and thus place itself in harmony
with the federal government Thus, all
that was suspended by revolted will be re-
stored to action.
But will not the dominant powers require
terms other than these? Will they not re-
qurc the r vol ed states, a q condition pre-.
cedent to a restoration Of their relations, to
adopt either immediate or gradual enamel
patton? These are grave questions, and
sugg stive of dangerous and wicked eX-
pertinent. We trust to plighted word and
institutional f,ith as guaran e.s against
such an issue.
The states, by rebellion, did not lose their
status, as states of the Union. Their harmO.
NOUS and peaceful relations only were disturb
cd. By rebellion they invoked the military to
supersede the civilr during the time of re.
bellion. Revolt did not disorganize and remit
them to a territorial status for revolution at
tempted, but failing, is no Notwithstanding
is changed, everything remains. 1t is the sue
cessful attempt, WHICH revoutionizcs--ch changes
-destroys--lt follows, therefore, that no terms
can be demanded except to submit to the con-
stitutiOn and laws as they are. TO demand
anything more would be to change sides with
the rebellion to make war upon the constitu-
ton, at the moment the rebels became willing
to submit to it,
But may not the rebel states be required to
assemble conventions and so modify their con
situations as to meet these demands No such
convention can be called, to have any legal
power, until after the state is organized under
the constitution, and makes the call pursuant
to the mode fixed in the constitution. WheA
organized so as to be in position to call a
convention, it will be in harmony with its Fed
eral relations, being all the time in and OF the
Union and sOverei IN state of the Union, and
no p:rty or power would dare to attempt to
lay terms in violation of Federal and states
rights. To require such a convention would
be an admission of the right; to admit the
right of such convention would be to cOncede
the right OF secession, and thus vindicate the
right claimed by rebellion.
1t is because We deny the power of such con-
ventons either to bind or loosc, and regard
their acts as utilities, that we claim the revolt
ed stat, s as still OF ns--bound to us by cOnsti-
tutional obligatons--and therefore, we are en-
forcing the observance of duty. We cannot,
mithout ourselves Incoming rt'ls TO the coahi-
tution, deny the return Of s'aie to its peaceful
relations 10 tie government, precisely upo" the
terms it stood rhc, those rel tons nere broken.
1t is The duty of our government, when the
armed rebels are driven from or subdued in 1.
re VOTED state, to protect and encourage the
| loyalty disposed citizens remaining, in at once
organizing their State, and by the election of
al its officers state and iedcral--as provided
for in their constitution and laws, place the
state in organized harmony with the govern
ment Humanity and the cause of constitu-
tonal liberty demand this course Who shall
be punished, will be a question for the civil
tri unas to determine. TO prevent crime is
the object ofhuman punishment ; not to revenge
wrong Revenge finds no sanction in the laws,
and awakes no responsive throb in tn bosom
of humanity. If the prodigal returns, let a
nation rejoicel The earnest and dearest rela-
tons OF lie have been rudely severed by the
rebellion. If return to duty by submission to
the laws, with penitencc for the past. and am
| nesty judiciouslv proclaimed has Il balm for
our many wounds, let it be applied let us be
healed of this great woe