The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1865-07-05

Wlorth Sn'lva Titues.
McGREGOR. JULY 81: :: 1866.
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Some politicians seem to regard the death Of
tie late President, and particularly the manner
Of II, As having sancti6cd whatever opinions he
may have had while living. The Saviour of
the world ID the oul, character Who, before this
Nmc, has been 80 respected, but his teachings
were moral, strictly, and had no reference to
The mutations which control mere political
events. There was once Spartan Law giver
Of great capacity and integrity, who Was desr.
Gus Of holding his countr ymen and their de.
scsndsnts to certain line Of policy; and in
announcing that policy to the people who 70
much respected him, he required an oath that
they should observe the laws he gave them till
his return. To secure this observance he LETT
the city, destroyed himself and ordered his
ashes to be scattered on the sea. For many
years the pledge was kept. but time wore out
the obligation and other requirements of the
people suggested another policy. Thus says
some history which We have either read or
heard Of Had the writer, seeing things az
aodcrns do, lived in Sparta then, go soon as
proof Of Lycurgus' death was made, he would
have moved to administer upon the estate of
the dead man, both a. to opinions and property,
and they would have been disposed Of for what
they we're worth. ,, ..... .......
The idea that because man has passed the
portals Of life bis judgment on the issues Of
the present or the future hour are Better than
that OF the living participants who srs to be
Immediately affected by their own action, is
unworthy our people. Washington. Jefferson
and Jackson were ilustrious men: their names
will be held in generation and their language
OF advice will ever be regarded by patriotic
ireemen, but-to bring the subject before u to
point-what did either know of railroads.
tslegraphs, monitors. armies Of Two hundred
thousand and the numerous other things which
arc row familiar to the school boy7 How
many Of the Constitutions with which the
States originally entered the Union, are now in
e1istence7 The Northern states have almost
universally changed their first organic docu.
ments, and yet are there discussions of other
needed changes. These changes are evidence
OF no disrespect to the men of the past, who
are ny the course of time, either in dotage or
in eternity. Other questions come before the
living, and the living alone can decide them.
These thoughts come to the surface of our
thinking apparatus on reading 90 much about
what MIR. Lincoln designed, what his opinions
were and how he intended to settle the re.
construction question, &C., &c. On these
points his late supporters differ widely, but the
dne OF their writing is that his plan, If it could
sow be ascertained, would he acceptable to
them. Some insist that he was too lenient.
Others that he would have "cut up rebels and
the bpoIogists Of slavery, root and branch
Perhaps no might have disappointed all had be
lived and retained the power of control which
bis friends, politically, seem willing to have
conceded him. We know not what he would
have done, nor does it much matter to us now
20 indulge in speculation about it. JOHNSON
Is eonstitutionally the President as much a.
was Mr. Lincoln; to him and to the other
"o'ng men who compose the republic, do We
look for guidance out of the desert into which
ioag cultivated sectional hatred has led u.s.
Ills responsibilities and cares are a. creative
are not sure but greater-tban were his prede.
eessor =, and to him, his judgment, his advisers
ana the ablest minds Of our living countrymen,
re must lend assistance; or, in the exercise Of
our legal rights ~ citizens and subjects of .
''~stten lasc. direct our ccnsure.
Mr. Sumner, in one of his late Boston
speeches, detailed something, going to show
that MIR. L. designed to enforce negro suffrage
IN the rebel states as the price Of re-admission
and peace. II this were true, our argument is
that 1t would be no guide for our action: illus.
trasions Of the folly of such adherence to the
SIGNATURE opinions OF the dead could be multi.
Piled, but VIC have given suggestions sufficient
70 satisfy the thinking readcr-the unthinkiue
We do not write for. But is it true, as stated
by Mr.S.7
The late President was eminently c.rcfu, in
s's movements Is a statesman, and on all occa.
SONS be seemed to travel only as public opinion
ana the necessities Of the case compelled him.
10 illustrate: He issued his Emancipation
Proclamation only as war n,easure-to weak,
en the enemy ard secure European sympathy
ard in that Proclamation he assured the
rebel states that return to Federal fsalty
Within Ninety days would save them from the
los Of their eolored chattels! But is it prob.
able that Mr. Sumner was the only coniidant in
anis plan OF rc'construction7. The same Mr.. 8.
stated also that the Ex President, in the Illinoi.
senaaosial debate Of 1858, professed 10 favor
negro sufrage. In this, MI. s. mistakes,
w''iiuliy Of course, because he can have no ex. |
eose Tor ignorance relating to question occu. |
W'ns most Of the chambers Of his brilliant |
mind. The lawyers say, in substance, "falsc |
10 one' false in ALL" and hence We conclude !
that the simplest credulity will put little faith
in what the Hon. Senator says about bis private |
conversation With the illustrious dead. Toward
tho close Of the memorable canvass "a which
re have referred, Mr. Lincoln in reply said:
"judgc Douglas has said to you that he has
mol been able to get from me an answer to the
question whether ! am in favor of negro cit;.
1enen,p. 50 far ~ know, the Judge never
asked me that question before. He shsll have
no occasion to ever ask it again, for / tel him
cry rc.kIy Aet ! am not in faroy of nsoyo
"'"'
"Ay opinion is that the different states have
the power to make . negro q citizen under the
CONSTITUTION Of the United States, if they choose.
Inc Dread Scott decision decides that thew
ma, nave not that power. II the State Of Illinois