The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-11-21

The Richmond Enquirer protests against the
reckless manner In which the radical press ca
lumniate the south. We extract a portion Of
its remarks
s'There is something ndescribably ungenerous
and mean in this persecution of the few by the
many, and in the breach of faith and the shame
less falsehoods through which it is carried on.-
The radical press are now telling their people
that che amendment will not be adopted by the
south, because of 'stubborness, says Greeley !;
because of 'contumacy, says Forney. They
represent US as seeking contest with the north.
The south still presents united front to the
north, and is as ready to fight now as it was in
1881 more ready, perhaps, Gays Greeley
The men who begun q war to force slavery in
the territories, may fare better in the contest
they are now provoking, -says Forney. Thus
these bad men echo and reecho their mutual nc
cusations, which are not only false but absurd,
and which are noticeable only as showing their
determination to fasten quarrel upon US. The
fable of the wolf and the lamb i. being reenacted,
in all its cruelty and false preteuce.
We testify to the northern people. and we call
the world to witness, that whoever represents
the southern people as DESTROYS of issue or a
contest with the people of the north, speaks as
absurdly. Why should we desire it? Was it
for this that we have just abandoned a contest
with the north? We testify fu, Their, to the
north and to the world, that whoever represents
US as declining to rstify the constitutional
amendment from 'contumacy, or 'stubbornness,
bears the most notorious false witness. Mr..
Greeley and Colonel Forney may subssrve some
present purpose, but they blacken their souls
with moral perjury, by these wicked and murder
Gus hbels. The southern people are not the
contrivers of the constitutional amendment
how then can they be charged with seeking an
issue upon it? And when it is brought to them
jnr Aar fiAn fhay cir IL 10 ok
action upon it as the constitution imposes, aud
they do this In accordance with their best judg-
Ment. They invade in this the prerogatiye of no
other state, They invade no prerogative of con-
gress. They show their respect for both, and
discharge duty to both. How then, with any
show of deceney, can it be asserted that we are
seeking contest, or are 'contumscious,' or are
Stubborn And surely it would be most IN
manly in the people Of the north to seek con
test with US F! Surely it would be very little to
their credit after inviting our surrender to push
US for quarrel And for congress to plan to
drive us into difficulty ,-copgress, select body
of sworn legislators, assembled as statesmen, to
act for the whole country,--would be disgrace
that would stand for an example while history
endures.
The south does not desire any issue or any
quarrel, and she asks that none be thrust upon
her, and then alleged to be of her making If
fresh vioiences are intended let them at least be
Inflicted without the cover of pretences. If the
wolf designs to devour the lamb, let him do 40
without charging that muddy water runs up hill.
Surely, this is not much to ask The southern
states, it is true, do not concur in the wisdom
or e1pedency of the proposed constitutional
amendment. But if congress has the right to
dictate that measure to the states, it has the
right to ordain it of its own. WILL without state
agency At all. If it has 10 such right of dicta-
ton, it has no ground of complaint, and 10 ex-
cuse for resentment"