The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-09-06

FELLOW CITIZENS 1t cannot be said that
states or men loyal TO the Union, that re-
NAMED steadfast TO it until yanquished by
the superior force of a victorious usurpation
which induced all the civil and military au-
thorities within the states to subsurviency,
became rebels by submission. Much less
can it be said of such states or individuals,
entitled by their allegiance to the general
government to it protection, but which were
surrendered to that usurpatlon without q
blow struck in their defense by it, became
traitors by ceasing to resist when efectuai
resistance was no longer possible. Now, this
was exactly the case of the loyal people of
the south, majority of whom were unques-
tionably loyal before the fall of Fort Sumter,
but who found themselves at the moment alb
solutely at the mercy of the conspirators
against the national republic. This state of
things was the result of the connivauce of the
government of the United States with the
traitors, who, by the aid of secret societies,
had organized an overwhelming military
force and secured by political intrigue the
executive, legislative, and judicial power In
the slave states.
But mark especially the part which the
federal authority exerted il establishing this
usurping power in the south. The presi lent
of the United States, Buchanan, was their
executive. Every cabinet officer appointed
by him was of their diotatiOn. They had
controlling Snaj ority In both branches of con-
gress. The supreme court was at their devo
ton. The head of the army, the venerable
Lieutenant General Scott, stood alone. of all
Buchanan's controlling functionRries true to
his country. Every other head OF admins
trat'an, with the exception of this time-w worn
patriot, contributed to betray the south into
the hands of its enemies. The senate and
house of representatives In their debates
were converted into hot-beds of sedition TO
fire the southern heart. The supreme court
Illuminated decision, meant like the papal
bull which once consigned the newly-discov-
cred continent to the yoke of Spain. to reop-
en all that part of 1t which had been freed
by state constitutions or territorial compacts
to slavery again.
the president declared that If the slave
states seeded, as it was proclaimed by the
representatives In congress they would, if
baked IN their designs, that there was 10
power In the general government TO coerce
them TO submit to the constitution and laws
and to defeat even the attempt at coercion,
the army was sent under Gen. Twiggs TO the
Indian border OF Texas TO be surrendered to
the traitors there, and the navy were dis
persed in all directions 10 the ends of the
earth. This was the situation at the open
ing of the congress which was to usher Mr..
But in the interim between the meeting of
congress and the accession of Mr. Lincoln,
the influential men In the cabinet designated
by him, and those playing their last cards in
Mr.. Buohanans cabinet, were busted In in
trIgues with conspirator5, who were setting
up their power over the slave states Buch-
anan's secretary of war was doing all be
could to confirm II, by stripping the armories
OF the United States, surrenderiDg the army
and it's arms, and handing over all the NUM-
tons OF war and forts IN mis- power to she en-
envy. Toucey did the same with everything
in his power, by putting disafected or imbs
ellie officers in the navy-yards and fortified
naval places in the south, to make the con
quest OF them easy. Almost all were lost
before MIR. Lincoln had time to organize his
departments and look about him.
Meantime Mr.. Seward, as the designated
premier OF Mr.. Lincoln's cabinet, still retain
ing ms place IN the senate of the United
States, took his part in the game-played
Tor and against the Union-the contest, until
war in the field broke out, being confined to
the halls OF congress. Mr.. Stewards policy,
then and since, and his motives are still a
mystery; but the result of his Obvious course
was manifestly detrimental to the cause of
the Union. In response to the leaders of the
rebellion on the floor of the senate. and who
IN effect as the executive power directed the
conspiracy from its council chamber in eau
Gus In w Washington. Mr.. Seward answered,
nave such faith in this republican system
OF ours that there is no political good which
desire that am not content to seek through
It's peaceful terms of administration without
INVOKING revolutionary action. If others
shall invoke that form of action to onnose
and overthrow the government. thew shall
not, 30 far as it depends on me. have the ax
cuse that l obstinately felt myself to be mis-.
understood. In such a case / can az
ford to meet prejudice with Cancellation. ex
action with concession which surrenders no
principle, and violence with the right hand
OF peace"
This declaration was justly construed to
pledge him to sustain President Buchanah's
programme, mot to coerce q state" and
therefore. not TO resist the dissolution Of the
Union, the proclaimed purpose OF the sena-
tors and representatives OF the slave states
who were about to leave their It's In the ma
tional legislature, and call confederate con-
gress to assume all tae power over the south,
from which it was resolved that the conatitu-
ton of the United States should be banished.
The first step 1.-THE inauguration of Mr.. Lin
coin, IN March, acoomplished) after Mr.. Sew
ara was confirmed as secretary OF state by the
senate, brought John Forsythe, Martin j.
Crawforo and a. 3. Roman, commissioners
from the confederate states" who, to use
.ner own iahgurge asked audience TO ad
!us'; ~ spirit OF amity and peace, the new
, springing from a manifest and &C
81 H.: revoiuron IN the government of
m nMe Union. Inns was on the 18th of March
This application was not snsvsraa =. mar1n.