The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-10-11

engaged in establishing . separate and indie. |
pendent government, with the intention of
opening diplomatic intercourse with foreign |
powers.
w. ara told however, that their action be. |
ing unconstitutional, it is the duty of the fed
eral government to call into reduisition the |
army, the navy, and the military of the nom
secession states, and with them invade the re- |
voting states, and enforce the laws. Sir, can
we, by this process, compel them to elect
members of congress, to accept the othoes OF
Judge, marshal, postmaster, collector OF Gus
toms at the various ports, or perform any
other of the various duties under the govern
ment? No, sir we might possibly have for
ces enough to subjugate and hold these states
as conquered provinces; make them hate,
not respect our laws. 1t this method be re-
sorted to on the part of the government, with
q view of coercing states or enforcing the
laws, it will be on our part an act of war, and
will be so regarded by the civilized world,
and we will be forced, in such a conflict OF
arms, to recognize and observe all the laws of
war.
Sir, are our hearts sufficiently steeled
against our erring brethren to witness oil the
horrible scenes of such an unnatural strife
For one, sir, my heart sickens at the very
thought. They are not our enemies, with
whom we should be willing to measure
swords, but part of our people. They are
our klnsmen, and should be dealt with kindly.
Their return from their wanderings may be
looked for at some future day, if our action
shall be tempered with forbearancs and mod
GRAFTON; but if you'let slip the dogs of war;"
never neverl
Sir, it is easily seen that the enforcement
OF the laws, at the point of the bayonet, will
not cement this Union again-wlll not make
as friends; nor will it settle the slavery
question but the fruits of such an attempt
will be; that the first blood shed will operate
as a signal for fresh and more extensive
slaughter dark veil of terror and death
will cover our whole land.
Those who are now apparently thirsting
for the blood of their fellows will shed 81
lent tear over the awful scenes of blood car
mage, and desolation with which they will be
surrounded ; feelings of the bittsrest horror
will be excited in the breasts of those who
will not have lost all sense of humanity and
Christianity, to see our own native land deyo-
ted to all the imaginable atrocities OF deep
seated revenge; thousands and thousands
| will fall before the enraged and constantly
| increasing forces to rot In one common grave.
All , sir, then you will have weeping widows,
bereaved orphans, mourning fathers, and dis
augurate the fatal policy. which insures war
| and not peace, when asked why these wild
ows and orphans, why this weeping and
| mourning, why this carnage, why these rlv-
ers of blood ?-what will be your answers >
I'VE are merely enforcing the laws against
| our fellow citizens and kindred Can it be
| possible that any of the friends of Mr.. Lin
coin will attempt policy that will bring up
| on this country ali the disasters of civil war,
| when he himself was so conscientious about
the spilling of blood in an unnecessary war,
| that he opposed his own government when
| engaged in war with Mexico, an enemy, and
on foreign soil? Surely, surely, they are not
| serious. If collision must ensue between
| the government and any of our own people,
| let it come when every other means of settle
| ment has been tried and exhausted and not
then, except when the government shall be
compelled TO repel assaults for the protec
ton of Its property, flag, and the honor of the
country"
It will be observed Mr.. Logan said, and
that sometime before Sumter was fired upon,
at will not do longer TO regard this revolt in
the seeding states as a mere insurrection or
| rebellion" and he added, 'In six states this
rebellion has attained the dignity Of sue
CgssFUL REVOLUTION"
| 1t is not my purpose to offer any com.
ments, but cannot refrain from saying that
| if six states" by merely declaring in favor
| of separation from the Union, revolution
| lied" the governments, any steps On its part
to maintain It's unity and preserve It's charac-
ter were unauthorized. In other words, If,
| as MIR. Logan voted, the general government
has no right to ''coerce" state, and the sim
pie act of portion of the states declaring g
separation from the government success
| full revolution" as he claims IN his speech,
what right had he to take up arms for the
subjugstion of said states
To admit that the question had passed be-
yond instruction" or rebellion" and "at-
tanned the dignity of a successful revolution,
was yielding everything the rebels could ask
by laying the broken fragments Of shatter-
ed and dishonored Union at their feet.
| Nj.
| Quincy Sent 81 1866