Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1868-10-16
What is a Freeman's Duty?

In view OIL the various anu cOnHtctt''5
statements made by the different political
candidates and their supporters, it be-
comes duty to inquire into and consi1er
the bearings of all these antagonisms, and
then decide what should be our action in
the premises. In order to arrive at just
and correct conclusion, We need to exam
inc the historical aspect of affairs.
1t is too we'll known to excite dissent
that from March LIST, 1857, to March LIST,
1861, the whole machinery of the govern.
ment was in the hands of the Democratic
party, under James Buchanan, their Pres
ident, and managed by heads of depart
ments all Democrats likewise. 1t is also
well known, that at the beginning of that
presidential term, the affairs of the nation
were in very different state than at its
close.
The Treasury was overlooking. Before
four years had elapsed, in time of pro-
found peace, the Government was in the
market, asking loan at ruinous rates, be-
cause its resources had been squandered
and its funds stolen by its Democratic ser
wants.
1t is also we'll known that at the close Of
that administration, War, with all its hor-
rors, was upon us, not with foreign ma
ton, but among our own peoplc-waged
in the interests of Slavery as against Free
dom of so-callcd Democracy against Re
publicanism.
1t is also as we'll known that during the
few months between the election of Mr..
Lincoln and his Inauguration, and while
the retiring Democratic administration
was in Office, the most fragrant outrages
were perpetrated all over the land Con
ventions were called, which carried their
States out Of the Union, rs they claimed
Congressman in their places gave vent to
| defiant arrangues-threatcned the demo
lition Of the Union entirely; threatened
war, rapine, and violence to all opposition
and then, with their pockets filled with
gold, wrung from a depleted treasury. has
tened to places secured for them in the
Rebel Congress. Soldiers and sailors, fed
educated, and promoted at the expense Of
the United States, violated their oaths, and
prostituted their honor in mad haste to
bury their swords, at the bidding oil
Democratic traitors, in the bosom of the
mother that cherished them. ENJOYS and
Ministers abroad used their positions to
injure and misrcpresent the land of their
birth while others, of more or less note,
began to open " fire in the rear" of the
liberty-loving' masses which were moving
to support the administration of their
| choice.
Every department of the Government
that then held Office was actively employed
in furthering the nefarious and devilish
scheme, and labored with might and main
to secure its success. Howell Cobb, Of
Georgia, entered upon his duties as Sec.
rotary of the Treasury in March, 1857,
and found the chest plethoric with depos-
its, and the Treasury prosperous beyond
example. In 1860 he had so far wasted
the funds in his charge that he had to 60
to New York to solicit loan to provide
for the wants of the Governments loan
which only commanded S5@S7 cents on
the dollar, in consequence of the crippled
credit which Mr.. Cobb had produced.
When the new administration came in
to power, it found the Treasury exhausted
even to the verge of bankruptcy. Up
wards of six millions had been stolen, and
most likely used in furthering the plans of
the Democratic Rebels. Cobb had, how
ever, resigned, and taken Office under the
conspirators, and Dix finished up the
financial affairs of Buchanan's administra-
ton as best he might.
John B. Floyd, of Virginia, was Secre.
tary of War. He emptied the arscnals in
the Free States, sending the arms to arse
nails in the South. 10000 stand of new
muskets were thus transferred from Spring
field and Watervlet. In addition to this
he sold muskets to different Slave States,
worth $1,000 each, for $3.50. A vast
amount of cannon, mortars, balls, shells,
and powder were also transferred to the
South. Lest the small army Of the U. s.
might prove hindrance to the Democratic
plot, and prevent the seizure o.
| the vast stores and ammunition put with
| in the reach of the rascally crew, Floyd
by the 18th of November, had SO disposed
the troops. that Fortress Monroe was gar
risoned by only eight companies of artil
lery; the arsenal at Fayetteville, N. c., by
one company; Fort Moultrie, in Charles
ton harbor, by so men; Key West by 40
men; Barrancas Barracks, near Pansaco
la by one company; the well stored arse.
nal at Baton Rouge by one company, while
the New Orleans Mint and Custom House,
the Custom Houses in Charleston, Savan-
nah, Mobile and other places were entirely
without guards. Norfolk and Pensacola
Navy Yards, with many millions of prop.
erty were held by only 60 men each. The
rest of the army was scattered in remote
| Dlaces so as to leave the government forts