The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-04-04

uy5Ixyy 5J6Sy u Jks EssIkS;S eISBss3
Without admitting thst they ars utterly |
to the genius Of our free inst. |
ntions and irreconcilably opposed to the |
heosy Of our government. Md yst every
lns k9o~s that tb6e tyr I'd, honti6,
nd ,rbarous co.. (srs doiat 80
leady for the prsasi tiossf the saap
u1oom, even 10 tho Slafk nys q elsJG-
~ rule which existed before the present
var awakened to its true and real life the
moral sense Of the nation, and forced its
pvsr-ssdssing light into ths beclUudsa
minds Of the bondmen Of this land. quick
sniug their perception into that keen APP
every mans right to ssiife,
liberty. and the pursuit Of happiness.
which bids defiance to slave codes, and
effectively asserts and nsintsios the right
Of every man to own himself The System,
being pure dsepotism, vas forced 10 re-
sort to despotic laws for support, defense,
and perpetuation.
Ii wss perfectly natural for the com
paratively lev men who held four million
human beir g IN = bondage which puts
to shame eli other kindred systems which
aver cursed man for their mildness, not
only to resort to cruel and despotic laws
for aid in their diabolical act. but also to
seek refuge in the anti-republican dogma
that s'lho right to govern resides IN
very small minority; the duty to obey is
inherent in the great mass of mankind"
Domestic slavery, backed by immense
capital and political power. knitted its
lethargic web closely and firmly around
statesmen and parties. and soon forged
letters for holding the mass Of the people
in governmental slavery. The minority
commanded, and few to arms to destroy
the government when the macs of the
people refused to obey; and the war
which is now SO severely taxing the ener-
pies Of our people, and drawing so ex-
haustively on the resources Of the coun-
try, is the legitimate offspring Of the
attempt Of reckless, iDsolent, % de-
PRAYED .laveholding oligarchy to mould
this government into . political counter
Fart Of that barbaric domestic despotism
which asserts the right Of property In
man. "The state of entire subsection Of
one person to the will of another, struck
hands with "the right 70 govern, resides
in very small minority; the duty TO obey
il Inherent in the great mass of mankind"
Domestic slavery and political slavery
we're Joined in unholy wedlock in the
temple of the Republic, and their internal
progeny are nov trying to demolsh the
grand edifice in which their incestuons
parents plighted their criminal vows
The entire combination, from minut.st
nefarious particle TO its aggregated atroc-
ity, i. an anti-repubiican. de-po,ic whole.
the sworn enemy cf all that is good, the
bane of all that is just
Mr.. Chairman. We csn cast our eyes
upop no page Of this nations history
whereon it is not written, "Slavery is 10
compatible with free Government
We have tried to close our eyes against
this constantly repeated and self-ev'dsn'
truth. We have tried TO reason it away,
TO practice arts which should carry us
around it, or over it, or under it. We
have failed to accomplish the desired re-
suit, As immutable az the laws Of God
stands the declaration. "Slavery is incom-
pa,ihle with free Government Deck.
ed with the habiliments Of death. sur
rounded by all the dread scenes OF war
this incom pstibilty is numbering at the
gates of the citadel of the Republic. de-
msndine recognition. The loyal inmate.
command us to obey the summons. But
we have not yet had enough OF sorrov
desolation. and death We must stor
and reason. while the national treasure
pours ont in streams Of increasing volume
while the life-blood flows from othel
hearts. while graves in untold number,
are preparing. and the ashes of desolatior
are cast upon unnumbered shearthstones
We must not act rsshly. We must b
calm. discreet. digui6ed We mus. in
quire why this great thunoerer is thu
disturbing orr old traditions and confu
sing our conservative ideas Well, let U,
examine this demand. and ascertain upor
/, what facts it is supported.
To order to understand perfectly the OBJ
j.cts which the people had in view wher
they ordained the Constitution OF th,
United States. we must turn TO the pre-
smble which introduces us to that instru
ment. When we give it our attention ",
find it very plain-spoken guide, void o
guile or assimilation. 1t discloses to rs
] first, that the Constitution is the work o.
the people; and this at once develops tn,
thoroughly republico- democratic charac
ter Of the Government established.
was grand creation Of the people 70
their own security in the possession Of tn
great objects expressed in the preamble
All Of the powers embraced in the Con
stitution we're placed there for the sol
purpose Of putting these objects abov,
interference from any source and beyons
the hazard Of loss. These objects are no
only compatible with; but absolutely nee
essary to, the existence and eniovment o
free Government. No one OF them ca,
be destroyed without detriment to tn
whole; and anything which by its natur
is incompatible with either stapds in tn
same relation to al the rest. and must. i
permitted TO acquire supremacy. Ultimate
| ~ subvert the free principles ofthe Gov