The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-01-15

Me heritage Of Postcrisy, and cUmmitss~s
monstrous crime.
NO true patriot, no sincere wisher Of
restored and honofed Union. could desire
the wicked and infamous leaders Of this
rebellion reinstated in their places under
this Government, where, By repetition
Of their gigantic frauds, and intrieues,
they might again attempt what they have
so signally failed to accomplish by the
gage of battle. Every motive Of self
preservation and the sternest dictates of
patriotic duty, demand of us to guard
well this vital point. Let us expunve
forever these infamous names from the
roll of the Union. Let US appeal directly
to the less criminal offenders and the more
tractable masses. To none Others would
it be safe or expedIent to extend the boon
of amnesty or reimbursement, and not
to these even. except upon the just and
easy terms OF being purged of their trea-
son and plightiDg anew their faith to the
Union.
Any effort at restoration, to be sub
stantial and productive of satisfactory re-
suits, should be inaugurated upon theory
which will inspire mutual confidence be-
tween the parties, and constitute basis
sufficiently comprehensive TO embrace all
VINO, by recantati0n of their disloyalty,
may qualify themselves for and become
entitled to its benefits The initial point
is obviously the most vital, and difficult;
for if we start with wrong reckoning,
our future course will be one Of constant
embarrassments, and fail Of ultimate sue
cess.
Profoundly impressed with these con-
victions, and firmly believing that no more
feasible mode has yet been devised for
securing speedy and honorable adjust
ment OF our disordered Union, am pre-
pared to fully endorse the late eminently
plain and sensible proclamation Of Pres
ident Lincoln, and until Withdrawn, or
superseded by some more authoritative
act, shall yield to it my earnest and une-
quivocal support
can see, in this proclamation, much
to admire and nothing to condemn. If
it be objected, that one-tenth, being the
number of persons therein designated as
the basis Of reorganization, be TOO small,
the appropriate ans yer is, that it bears a
fair proportion 80 those who, f9g the last
half century, have controlled the politics
and usnrped tie desiinies OF the South;
and viii exceed, in each State, the num-
Der Of those who kindled the fires Of this
rebellion, and whose treason created the
condition OF things Of which this restored
tenth have become the sad and unwilling
victims. Il is but the beginning OF
great consummation, and forms nucle-
US, around which the returning loyalty Of
the South may, daily, aud rapidly gather,
as they comply with the just aud easy
terms Of the proclamation.
The procla nation prescribes only the
minimum number necessary to constitute
the basis OF reorganization, excluding only
the more criminal actors, and those who
persist in adhering to their treason
Amnesty Is a boon, not right, and as
criminals before The Jaw, they are in no
situation to dictate its terms, but must
submit to those which the Government,
in the exercise of its clemency, may deem
il wise to grant.
Ii this mode Of adjustment engenlers
revolution in the political relations of the
South, it will be revolution of right
against wrong, and Of which the oppressed
and injured masses will derive the bene-
fits.
4 By steadily adhering to these princi-
pies, as ] trust We shall, we may succeed,
after much wandering, and great tribuls-
ton, in bringing this Government back
to its ancient and safer landmarks of uni
yersal freedom, and perpetual unity
l cannot close this communication, and
forego the opportunity presented to con-
gratulate the General Assembly, and the
people, upon the suspicious condition of
the State. A kind Providence has bless
ed US with adequate harvests, and faIl
measure OF prosperity in all our under
takings. By His mercy We have been en-
abied to pass through the trying scenes
now drawing TO a close with honor and
success. All efforts by bad and reckless
men, TO obstruct the execution Of the
laws and disturb our domestic peace have
been promptly thwarted. Our obliga-
tons 10 the National Government have
been faithfully performed, and our people,
4 W AtNhSt al hOitc " ~ Tue utAh. nave
nobly indicated their devotion 10 the
Union. The financial at{fms of the State
were never in souadkr condition. Not
withstanding the extraordinary e1pendi-
lures, rendered unavoidable by military
Operations, the revenue On hand, and due
from the several soarees, exceeds. by
many thousand dollars, the total indebt-
edness Of the State Without hazard 10
our credit, we may challenge comparison
with any other State in the Union. For
this, much credit is due and should be
awarded to the ontgong Executive, who
has administered the affairs of the State
with marked economy, and discharged
his onerous and complicated duties with
an ability and patriotism deserving Of the
highest commentator.
Entertaining implicit confidence in
your intelligent and patriotic regard for
the public interests, and conscious of no
motive on my own part inconsistent with
their advancement, / 81 all indulge in the
hope that our mutual counsels and joint