Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-12-09

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the same God and the same natural
rights to freedom and the great law o
our nature-pr0gess! Even if in his
lower, barbarous African state, Ameri
can bondage were better for his devel
opment, and so appointed by Provi
dence, yet has he not arrived at a stage
when he can get along better and faster
without it? Has he not labOred long
and fully remunerated the master fol
his agency in thus far developing him
If Providence appointed the master as
his agent for the purpose, giving him in
payment the labor of the slave, has he
not reciprocal duty imposed on him tC
faithfully and efficiently discharge his
trust? But has he thus discharged it
On the contrary, think of the tyranny
and cruelty that have certainly to .
great extent been imposed on him-o1
the violation of the most sacred relations
of parent and child and husband and
wife, and the abuse of power over fe-
males; and finally, instead of keeping
pace with his progress, and affording
every facility of education and improve
reposed in him by Providence, has he
not deprived the slave of all these, and
determined to imbrute him and keep
him as brute and q slaCe forever? Has
not God heard the cry of his wrongs, and
looked in anger on this wicked violation
of his trust by the master, and is infiict-
ing terrible punishment therefor 3
Shall we not, then, as Il great demanded
Justice to the slave, as being ourselves
partly responsible for the evils done him,
is a duty to the God of nations and to
avert his wrath from ourselves, destroy
slavery.
Heretofore, in time of peace, under
the civil law, it was beyond our pow
er. 1T would be so again hereafter
Now, during this great upheaval and
revolution, and war, in its interest,
against the life of the nation, By slavery,
we have grand, most rightful and ap-
propriate and donlyopportunity to destroy
it. Heretofore, while claiming prOtec-
ton in the Union, though feeling it to
be an evil and disgrace, we were will
ling to award it and support it in every
But its representatives wickedly and
wantonly trampled upon the Constitu-
ton, and, $50 far as their act was con-
cerned,) withdrew from the Union and
tried to destroy both; and have and
claim no right under the one or in the
other. BY the laws of all civilized ma
tions and our own, part Of the punish
ment of treason is the conficat;On Of
property. They hold slaves as proper
ty. BY these laws we have. a right to
take and emancipate them. : BY the
laws of nations, and as commonly prac-
ticed, if either belligerent of war have
slaves, the other has right to take and
dispose of them so as to weaken his en-
emy and serve his own cause. We have,
then, now most perfect and just right,
on a number of grounds, to destroy
slavery. We have right and opportu-
nifty which we never had before, and
would not have again in time of peace.
And another reason; it can be done
now, in this period of .disorganization,
with far less injury, and far less shock
and arrangement, and care for it, affect
ing those most concerned, than any
other time. Then is there any true pa
triot who does not earnestly say, to re-
move the only cause of danger to our
government and secure the life and
grand future of our country, and it's
blessings to ourselves and our posterity,
and liberty to the world, do justice to
the slave, and remove Il curse to the iia-
ton and a foul blot upon its name, let as
n0,V and fO1'eUer destrOY huniUn slavery
from oU,. i0nd. 1t will surely. be fatal
madness if we do it not. -
Even if some more precious blood and
treasure might be required (Which may
be shown would not be the easel to at
tain such grand ends, would they not
be worthy of the price, and would it not
be our duty to God, Oul country and the
world to pay it? In the terrible ordeal
of fire and blood we are undergoing, our
country is evidently in transition
stage, when having worked out old
evils and destructive elements, it will
establish firmly and permanently it's
foundations upon higher plane and
enter upon a new and more glorious
epoch. All the nations that have be-
come great have passed through such
trials--England, France, Spain, Russia,
and all the important nations of Europe.
Also, our nation above all others seems
chosen by Providence to lead in the pro-
gress of the world. To be worthy of our
high trust, we must be willing to suffer,
and offer up life and treasure, according
as may be the need. Then let us rise
above all low motives. narrow selfish
ness and shortsightedness, and be equal
to our time, worthy of our country and
our trust. and worthy of the gratitude
that all future generations will award
us. A. J. d.
6,.r.Ns