The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-02-27
l;roans Of the Rebel Congress.

Groans Of the Rebel Congress.
NEW YORK, Feb 25.-rhe address of the
Rebel Congress to the people Of the Con-
lengthy. 1t says that the course of the
Federal government has proved that it did
not desire peace, and would not consent to
it on any terms that we could possibly con-
clude. In proof of this wo refer to the re-
peated rejection of ali terms of Cancellation
and compromise, 10 their recent contempt
tuous refusal to receive the Vice President
who was sent to negotiate for softening the
asperities of war, and their scornful rejec-
ton of the offer of a neutral power to medi-
ate between the contending parties. The
motive OF such strange conduct is obvious.
The Republican party was founded to de-
stroy slavery and the equality of the
States, and Lincoln was elected as the in
strument to accomplish this object. The
Union was a barrier to the contamination
of this policy, because the Constitution,
which was its bond, recognized and pro-
tected slavery and the sovereignty of the
States. The Union must therefore be sacrl-
feed, and to insure its destruction was de-
termined on. The mass Of the Northern
people are not privy TO and syInpathized in
no such design. They loved TIE Union
and wished to preserve it. To rally the
people TO the support Of the war, its object
was proclaimed TO be restoration OF the
Union, as if that which implied voluntary
assent OF which agreement was an indis-
pensable element and condition could be
preserved by coercion.
1t is absurd to pretend that a Govern
ment really DESTROYS OF restoring the Uni
on, would adopt sach measures as the con-
iiscat!on Of private property, the eman-
cipatiOn OF slaves systematic efforts to in
wife them to instruction, forcible abduc-
ton from their homes and compulsory en-
listment in the army, the division OF a
sovereign State without its consent and a
proclamation that one-tenth OF the pOpuia-
ton OF State, and that tenth under mill
tary rule, should control the will of the re-
manning nine-tenths. The only relation
between the two sections under such poll
cy, is that OF conqueror and conquered,
superior and dependent.
1t would hardly be fair to assert that all
Northern people participated in those de-
signs. On the contrary, there exists pow
erful party who openly condemn them
The administration has, however, been
able thus far, by its enormous patronage
and its lavish expenditures, TO seduce or
buy its legons of Hessian mercenaries, to
Overawe the masses, to control the cleo
tons, and to establish an arbitrary despot
ism. 1t cannot be possible that this state
of things can continue. The people OF the
United States, accustomed to freedom, can
not consent to be ruined and enslaved, in
order to ruin and enslaye us.
Moral, like physical epidemics, have
their allotted periods, and must sooner or
later be exhausted and disappear. When
reason returns, our enemies will probably
reflect that a people like ours, who have
exhibited such capabilities and extempO-
rized such resources, can never be sub
dued. That vast expanse of territory,
with such population, cannot be governed
as an obedient colony. Until some evil
dence of II change o. policy is given on the
part of the Government, and some aSSur-
ance is received that efforts at negotiation
will not be spurned, Congress is of the
opinion that any direct overtures for peace
would compromise our self-respect, be
fruitless for good, and be interpreted by
the enemy as an indication of Weakness
We can only repeat the desire of the people
for peace, and our readiness to accept
terms consistent with the honor. integrity
and independence of the States, and COM
patible with the safety of our domestic in
situations.
We have no alternative but TO do our du-
ty. We combat for property, homes, the
honor Of our wives, the future of our chill
dren, the preservation OF our fair land
from pollution, and to avoid doom which
we can read both in the threats Of our enc
mics and acts of oppression we have allI-
ded to. The situation is grave but furn-
stead of harsh criticisms upon the Govern
ment and our Generals, instead of be-
wailing the failure to accomplish impOSsi-
bilities, we should rather be grateful for
the results that have rewarded our labOrs.
Remembering the disproportion in pOpu-
latioH, in military and naval resources, and
the deficiency of skilled labor in the
South, our accomplishments have surpas-
sed those Of any people in the annals OF the
world. There is no Just reason for hope
leSSneSS or fear.
Since the outbreak Of the war the South
has lost the nominal possession of the Mis-
sssippi river and fragments OF her terrific
ry. But Fedora! occupancy is not con-
quest. The fire of patriotism still burns
unquenchably in the breasts of those who
are subject to foreign domination. We yet
have in our uninterrupted control "A terri
tory which, according to past progress,
will require the enemy ten years to over
run. The enemy is not free from difficult
ties, with an enormous debt. The finan-
cial CONFUSION, long postponed, is slowly
coming. The short crops in the United
States and abundant harvests in Europe
will hasten what was otherwise inevitable.
Many sagacious persons at the North dis
cover in the nSurpatiOnS of their Govern
nent the certain overthrow of their llber-
ties. A large number revolt from the UNI
just war and VIC uld gladly bring il to an
emu. OtnefS LOOK With alarm OH the COHl-
plete subsection OF constitutional freedom
by Abraham Lincoln and feel in their own
persons the bitterness OF the slavery which
three years OF war have failed TO intlict on
the South. Brave, earnest men at the
North have spoken out against the usur-
patton of cruelty daily practiced. The
success Of these men over the radical and
despotic faction which now rules the North
may open the way to peaceful negotia-
tons and a cessation Of This bloody and un-
necessary war.
In conclusion we exhort our fellow -citi-
zens to be of good cheer and spare no la
Dor nor sacrifices that may be necessary 10
enable us to win The campaign upon which
we have just entered. We have passed
through great trials OF affection; but suf-
fering and humiliation are the school-mas-
ters that lead nations to self-reliance and
independence. We beg tina. the supplies
and resources of the country, which are
ample, may be sold to the Government to
support and equip its armies. Let all spir-
it OF faction and past party differences be
forgotten in the presence of our cruel foe.