Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1864-01-20


once at the same election. These evils, if
they exist should be corrected. The purity
and permaneney 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.
In commenting, as we have thus far, upon
subjects more Immediately connected with
our State affairs are not unmlndtui that
we owe allegiance to the General Govern
ment, and have duties TO perform in connec-
ton Herewith
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
lions now hang trembling in the balance and
the 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 it is our duty to go forward, press on the
war with renewed energy until victory and
peace shall crown 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 aristocrats upon our own soil, i'm
pressed with the dangers that threaten their
tenure of place and power from the spread of
our free rinciples, should desire the down
! fall of this Government and To accomplish
| this end should counsel the withdrawal of our
( armies, and the final separation OftheSe States
/ There may be those also in our midst whose
narrow prejudices, whose love of gain or
fear of personal harm, will induce them to
| withhold support from the Administration,
| favor the withdrawal Of our troops and the
| consequent destruction of the government.
| Our faith, however IL 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 arTayed themselves
| against tie 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-
sition, 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 shat 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 the booming OF
the rebel cannon, the fall of Sumter's walls
| and the trampling of the Stars and Stripes il
| the dust. Yet, with all this provocation, oul
| Government has prosecuted the with
| great moderation,-mor in sorrow than IL
| anger.
At this late day, we would again calmly
| ask, what are the grievances of the South, OF
upon what do those now in rebellion base
their action? Can they find an excuse fol
their course in the claim they first set up, o.
the right of secession This poisonous doe
trine needs no refutation at this day 1t Is
working its own cure Even in the South il
the boosted Confederacy, among those who
first started and urged this doctrine, it isnow
repudiated. States that pretended to unite
their fortunes with the so-called Confederacv
have already denied its authority over them
and claimed this same right of secession
which is denied and coercion threatened b,
the rebel Congress Do they base thei1
cause upon the righteousness of slavery? /
has long since written its own shame and dis
grace. The world has written infamous Owe
against it, and thus pronounced its doom.
Did they complain of high tariff? The
tarin was reduced to revenue basis.
Did they ask representation for their slave
in Congress? 1t was conceded.
Did they require the Missouri Compromise
1t was granted.
Did they, after enjoying its benefits, ask it
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, il
order that their peculiar institution and thei
particular interests might be guarded? They
had them, even at the expense of the com
merce of the Union and the interests of tht
North.
Did they desire southern men--men in thei
interest, upon the Supreme bench? The.
had them.
Did they require that a majority of tn,
| officers of the army and navy and a majOrit,
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 slave
should be caught and returned to them ,
United States officers were upon their track
and the poor sun-dyed African too dearly pai(
the penalty which southern chiyalry alike
to love of freedom.
Do they rest their cause upon the injustice
| or oppression of the \ orth History, wei
as their own best statesmen, deny the bast
SANDER. The only fault of the North if it b.
a fault, is that they have but too faithfully
Kept the bond and given the pound o
| flesh"
Why then, let me again ask, do we find tn,
South in hostility against the best Govern
ment the world ever saw 3? Let their Owl
me-, the men who now foremost in the
rebellion, answer. 1--WE desire (say they) L
found a new Government whose corner stone
| shall rest on slavery. For liberty, equality
fraternity to establish slavery and subordina
ton" Here, then, we have anwer in thei
own words: They are arrayed against Thu