We are living in the midst not simply of a revolution
unparalleled in history, but a rebellion against all the improvements in Government,
in science, in law and in society. The
men who refused to stand by the Government in this crisis cannot stop this
revolution. They cannot save Slavery, but they may temporarily wound the
Constitution and the Union. Radical
remedies are always the offspring of grave diseases. The ingratitude and savage atrocities of
Slavery have turned the heart of Christendom against it and have made the
severe medicines of men who were called fanatics a few years ago, palatable to
those who have been among the moderate classes of our people. The true statesman accepts things as they
are. His duty is first to his
country. He must put down her foes by
every means, and if one weapon fails he must try another. – Such a leader can no
more ignore the revolution against Slavery, brought about by slave-owners, than
he can blot out the undying memory which preserves for eternal veneration and
example the great events which have changed the civil polity and religious
systems of other nations.
One of the incidents of this revolution against Slavery is
the extraordinary transformation wrought in the minds of intelligent and
conscientious Democrats. I have just
received a letter from a gentleman who bears an honored name as a consistent
member of the once respected Democratic party, which I publish as one of the
thousand evidences of the change that is taking place in the minds of men.
“The leading article of the Press this morning speaks the
language of truth and necessity. You
remember it was my policy from the outset – no more legislation, no more talk,
no more compromise or conciliation. The
Government must show sterner stuff. We
must treat those heaven daring and hell-deserving offenders, those highwaymen,
those assassins and pirates as the worst of foes. Mercy to them is cruelty to the civilized
world, which on its broad expanse is more or less interested in the maintenance
of this Republic in all its integrity.
Our Government should and must ‘press them to the wall,’ follow them up
on their way, defeat them until they are dispersed, lay down their arms and
return to their allegiance, are subjugated or exterminated. We must decide at once and sternly – no indulgence
of domestic traitors in our midst. We
must imitate Baltimore everywhere all over our country, and drive the traitors
and their treason from our streets. No
more talk of consanguinity, affinity, or sacred friendship with barbarians and
assassins. They dissolve in thin air before
the true patriot, who must bury the recollections of all ties in the proud consciousness
of duty to God and his country from which source he will be sure to receive his
reward. For God’s sake urge, by all
possible means at your command, the necessity of the most stringent measures,
nor hope for any peace or restoration of the Government by other means. You are doing much persevere [sic], call men
and things by their right names, and [illegible] our thoughts turn to
subjugation or if need be extermination, American and Christianity demand it.”
You will tell me this is strong language, but remember, it
is the voice of one who has not only been foremost in the ranks of the
Democracy, but foremost among the defenders of the South. He speaks as tens of thousands of Democrats
feel. Mr. Lincoln told the Border States
of the “signs of the times” and there is none that suggest a more solemn
warning that the revolution in regard to Slavery among the masses who have been
its ardent advocates and apologists.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye,
Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 1
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