Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-01-21

elector and claimed the protection of the
Government, now in the day of the Nations
peril, being unwilling to bear its burdens,
claim to be subjects Of a foreign power, and
To avoid the draft bring forward proof that
they were never entitled to vote, thus pub
ishIng their own wrong; that some have
been in the habit of voting under assumed
names that others have voted more than
once at the same election. These evils, if
they exist should be corrected. The purity
and permanently of our institutions depend
much upon the proper exercise of the elective
franchise. The election laws should be
thoroughly examined and so amended as to
properly guard the exercise Of this sacred
right.
NATIONAL AFFAIRS.
In conn enting, as we have thus far, upon
subjects more Immediately connected with
our State affairs, we are not unmindful that
we owe allegiance to the General Govern
ment, and have duties to perform in connec-
ton herewith go -.--
Notwithstanding peace and plenty reign
within the borders of our State, We cannot
lose sight OF the fact that the nation is en-
gagged IN War-a war of great magnitude and
Importance ; of immense Importance to US as
State; OF immense Importance to the
world.
The interests, the hopes and fears of mil
mons now hang trembling in the balance and
he position OF our State may turn the scale
How important that. We examine carefully
the ground on which we stand, and that we
are found arrayed upon the side of Justice
and humanity =.
Wisconsin is now standing side by side
with all the free States in support of the
General Government; in support Of law and
order; IN support Of freedom. The import
ant question which presents itself to our
mind is, are we right in our position: If We
are, 1t is our duty to 60 forward, press on the
war with renewed energy until victory and
peace shall crown our efforts. If wrong
our first duty should be to place ourselves
IN true and correct position. In judging
OF this matter, we may very properly ask
ourselves the question, are our minds free
from prejudice and passion? 1t is natural
that the monarchs of the old world, as well
as the arist0crats upon our own SOIL i'm
pressed with the dangers that threaten their
tenure of place and power from the spread of
our free principles, should desire the down
tall OF this Government, and to accomplish
this end should counsel the withdrawal of our
armies, and the final separation of these States
There may be those also in our midst whose
narrow prejudiees, whose love of gain or
fear of personal harm, will induce them to
withhold support from the Administrative
favor the withdrawal of our troops and the
consequent destruction of the government.
Our faith, however, in the integrity and 10y
atty OF our people is too strong to permit US
to believe there are many Of this class of
persons in our State. 1t is true some within
our borders may have arrayed themselves
against the Government, but we have the
charity to believe that most of them were
but temporarily misled, and that they will,
when their eyes are opened to their true po-
sltlon, place themselves on the side of law
and order The large numbers who have
gone forth to battle, the voice of the people
of this State heard in the late election, af-
ford incontestible proof that with the great
| majority of our people, patriotism rises above
prejudice and passion: that the hearts of the
people are rightly attuned to the music of the
Union.
Our people in taking their position, calmly
reviewed the ground and candidly asked, have
the South any real grievances?
eternal separation from the working
classes, the mud-sills of the North: destruc-
ton to the government" was the answer
they received from those in rebellion The
only answer to their request for calm discus
sion and consideration was the booming of
the rebel cannon, the fall of Sumters walls,
and the trampling of the Stars and Stripes in
the dust. Yet, with all this provOcation, our
Government has prosecuted the war with
great NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. in sorrow than in
anger.
At this late day, we would again calmly
ask, what are the grievances of the South, or
upon what do those now in rebellion base
their action? Can they find an excuse for
their course III the claim they first set up, of
the right Of secession ? This poisonous doe
trine needs no retutation at this day. 1t is
working its own cure. Even in the South, in
the boosted Confederacy, among those who
first started and urged this doctrine, it is now
repudiated. States that pretended to unite
their fortunes with the sO-called COnfederacy,
have already denied its authority over them,
and claimed this same right of secession,
which Is denied and coercion threatened by
the rebel Congress. Do they base their
cause upon the righteousness of slavery? 1t
has long since written its own shame and dis
grace. The world has written infamous over
against it, and thus pronounced its doom.
Did they complain Of a high tariff? The
tariff was reduced to revenue basis.
Did they ask representation for their slaves
in Congress? 1t was conceded
Did they require the Missouri Compromise {?
1t was granted.
Did they, after enjoying its benefits, ask its
repeal that they might not be bound by those
provisions that initiated against them? The
North yielded to their request.
Did they require southern men as diplo-
matte agents of the Government abroad. in
order that their peculiar institution and their
particular interests might be guarded? They
had them, even at the expense Of the COM
merce Of the Union and the interests of the
North
Did they desire southern men-men in their
interest, upon the Supreme bench? They
had them.
Did they require that majority of the
officers OF the army and navy and a majority
of all the civil officers of the Government
should be southern men, and men in their in
terest? They had them.
Did they demand that their runaway slaves
should be caught and returned to them >
United States officers were upon their track.
and the poor sun-dyed African too dearly paid
the penalty which southern chivalry affixes
to love of freedom
Do they rest their cause upon the Injustice
or oppression Of the North History, as well
as their own best statesmen, deny the base
SANDER The only fault Of the North, if it be
fault, is that they have but too faithfully
Kept the bond and given the pound of
flesh"
Why then, let me again ask, do we find the
South in hostility against the best Govern
ment the world ever saw Let their own
men, the men who are now foremost in the
rebellion, answer. eve desire (say they) to
found new Government whose corner stone
shall rest on slavery. For liberty, equality,