The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1865-06-03
from Des mo,nes.
DIS MolNEs, May Is. lst


My DEAR SiR:-foIr suggestions fol
the consideration OF the Convention soon
to be held in this State, are worthy of al
commendatioP, 80 far as they enjoin pru.
dence, harmony, unity, &c. 1t 10 the duty
of the Convention to avoid Committing it.
self to any error OF doctrine or practice. O.
hastily drawn conclusion. but, is it wise
10 avoid the living issues ant. questions
growing c1t Of thus war; Is it right TO ig-
more them9 Where aud when can the peo-
pie of Iowa so properly speak to these
questions as when assembled in state Con
ventiOn to select q candidate for Governor
and TO inaug1.atea campaign for the cleo.
ton Of q Legislature? One Of The first acts
Of that Legislature viii be an approval of
the proposed Constitutional Amendment,
abolishing Slavery throughout the Union.
A timid and time serviny policy will not
serve us at this iuncture. We have Moth
have net the living isspsssas they. have
srisen during tbis war, boldly. and cue.
cessfully. We declared forth destruction,
OF slavery, as war measure. The people
have triunphantly sustained the position,
after long and bitter struggle. The arm-
ing of the slaves sinst their masters aud
Of the free blacks also, was demanded by
the loyal seI.timent of the country. 4
howl Of disapr rotation from various acur.
ces, met the suggestion. But its justice
and propriety commended it to the co.n.
try. and no man nov gainsays It.
The extension OF the right Of suffrage 70
every loyxi black man, who has ss5rEe
arms in defence Ut the country. or in any
manner contributed to national success ia
the late contest, AZ step SD eninentiy pro-
per. it woul: not tAii to carry the state. il
fairly submitted to the people a. q oonsti.
tutinnal amendment. An expression 1T
sentiment 60 st.s effect, wpu.u u. an ad-
vance IN the right direction.
It is true. az Jou state. that the great
questions grow ing out Of the late rebellion
and the peace just achieved, are 70 be de-
cided by Congress, the Judiciary and the
President. But Presidents and Congress.
men are expected to reflect the sentiments
OF tho people, and their sails will inevita-
bly, be trimmed to catcl, the popular
breeze upon these questions.
There are certain sharply defined issues
that may as well De made and met at once
The popular heart is now full of patriotic
fervor. It IS IN frame to settle great is
sues justly and upon their merits, unaf:
fected by political intrigue aud party chi.
canery. It is safe to trust the people te
loyal black man who flung to the wihdt
the starry banner his master had shun
ned.
We, Of Iowa, have a work to do at home
with regard to hitherto down-trodder
race. Our State Constitution should b,
purge6 OF the last vessige Of injustice to-
wards this race. The State Convention
should say SO, unequivocally, that is mi
Judgment; and in this respect l find little
diversity Of opinion among my politica
fr!eacs. The legal men Of the State will
wheE an opportunity is given to them
blot out the black record made by the pop
ular vote 8 Few years since. That was ID,
offspring c. an 5I-foa1ded prejudice, ane
fleet the enlightened patriotic senti,aent 6
| the State
Yours, DEs MONIES.