Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-01-22

a.s TaE LroruHzT TUESDAY, EyENIAG.z<s..1TheEa En-.
turc Of our Country "on which volumes might
bewfitten, was the subject of the lecture at
fremont Hall Tuesday evening by the e'oqu mt
and patriotic orator and soldier, Henry
O'Connor, Esq.,-a subject to which he did
all'the justice the limited time allowed pub
lie lecturer. however Interesting the discourse,
by the patience Of his listeners.
1t was searching review of the mistakes
of the past, a plain, blunt and hooest criti-
cism Of the present, condition Of affairs, and
a square look in the face of the future, but
withal hopeful view Of the prospect. He
asserted that the past reversesof the seeming
!ly disastrous years of 1861 and '62 were
owing to tho non appreciation Of the great
prime Piles for which the war was waged, the
reverscs serving as lessons whereby the pop
ular mind was educated to its present state,
in which light the defeats experienced in
these years may be looked upon as blessings.
That Notwithstanding the seemingly glorious
victories vouchsated to our arms during the
year just closed, no substantial benefits were
in reality secured. S ates, although overrun,
we're not conquered, and in the Border States
dislovalty would be as rife and more intense
than at the commencement of the struggle, if
our armies were withdrawn.
The coming year is to be the most critical
of our history. The South, beaten and driv-4
en- to the wall, might be compared to q des-
perate man fighting without hope if defeated,
with nothing to lose but everything to gain
in the contest. We must therefore put forth
all the energies at our command to crush this
desperate man now, whilst possessing the
advantage. Then indeed would our country
be a subject for the apostrophe of its citizens,
wherein the oppressed of all nations should
be free the moment his foot touched its soil.
He was hopeful Of final, full realization Of
all the expectations and predictions of future
.sloss ~ QUE ne.on . - - - gy 4 ~
An EVE THAT SHOULD BE REMeD1ED = Our
correspondent in the 18th Iowa, who we have
reason to believe tells the truth, gives a sad
picture Of the increasing evil Of incompetence
among officers and men in the army
Drunkenness should not be tolerated for q
moment in men who hold responsible COM
mands. The lives of our brave soldiers are
too precious to be placed in the keeping Of
those who are in the habit Of supplying their
senses with strong drink. Nearly all the dis
asters our troops have met with during this
war are traceable to the imbecility of officers
while drunk. We hope, therefore, that the
most stringent regulations will be enforced
against those officers who so far forget the !
dignity and responsibility Of the positions
they hold as to indulge in the use Of intoxica-
ting drinks.
D1srRIcr CoURr.-Judge Isbell on the
Bench. Sundry motions and demurrers were
disposed Of. The jury in the case Of Estle |
vs.. Barclay returned a verdict in favor of the
defendant. Plaintiff attorney obtained leave
to argue motion for new trial. II
Z No. 355 Law, Emily Covellvs. John Mack
mer, action of right, Richman & Oarskaddan
Attorneys for plaintiff, Cloud and Wade for
submitted to the Court, but not
decided.
No. s. Law, Smith VS.. Pemirton, action on
note, Richman & Carskaddan for plaintiff,
and D. G. Cloud for defendant, submitted to
the Court, but not decided.
p No. 277, Quinn VS.. Else, Cloud and Wash
burn for plaintiff and Richman & Carskaddan
for defendant, jury trial, not decided at the
adjournment of ,Court.-Daaly, 18Th.