Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1854-03-16
THE DIES MONIES COURIER.
To the People OF IOWA.

~ thAC \ CORAS va WV -
FELLOW CITIzENs:--Hastily, and I'M
sough, on my part, am before you as
candidate for the Office of "Superintend-
en-, OF Public instruction." which office
you will. by your votes, fill on the third
Of April next.
By common consent, this Office is re.
garded by those competent to judge, one
of the most laborious, as well as fespon.
sible, of any in the gift OF the people of
The s.ate-hence your duty, as well as
r ght to inquire as to the Moral Char
acter. the business Capacity, and Per-
Sonat Interest of the respective candid
ates.
First, then, as to "Moral Character"
reply, let those with whom, in Iowa,
tor fifteen years l have been associated,
answer. | have not been concealed
and fear not the verdict. ...... -.
Further: "Business Capacity. -
From to ten to thirty years OF age, my
time was divided between Intellectual,
Horticultural, Mercantile and Mechani-
cal labor. Nor have | ye. found time
or place when those, all, more or less,
were not necessary.
Again: Is he personally interested
with and for US, or is he here for office,
TO retire if unsuccessful! 10 this say,
for fifteen years have neither sought
nor desired any other home than Iowa.
In this we speak advisedly. fifteen years
of labor or residence in thirty or more
coL niles, with all our secular attractions,
with al last, after years OF sojourn, sur
rounded with family and friends, and
with the sombs of ''memory's cherished
ones"--when we saJ we are greatly in
,erested. And further, in matters ct ed
vocational interest, remark, for near two
years have filed a station directly con
nec,eG herewith; and laboring therein,
.my hear, has burned within me;" and
no kindred subject fas had more of my
thoughts for years, than this--to devise a
plan by which liberal education might
be at the command of all, even the most
destitute.
/ am pleased with the growth. reputa
ton, prospects, and name of WA:
when abroad. if it could be done. would
make every letter syllable, in its full
Indian accent.
Our common schools, though imper.
feet. our school houses, high schools and
colleges. and the manner in which the
State, Denominations, Associations, and
Individuals, are laboring in their aprro-
pirate fields, with zeal and harmony
commendable, in q work which honors
God and eleva.es man. ore subjects on
which the philanihropis. delights to
dwell.
The Office under consideration, we
conceive, was not by the formers Of our
law intended 10 be political one-hence
its separation from the general election
in August. And with nearly, the same
propriety might the politics OF Pastor
Of Church, Professor Of College, a
Teacher of School, or Minister Off
cia,ing or Wedding or Funeral occasions,
be made test; and though we are "neu.
trail in nothing" yet many of our init.
,imate friends know not what our polite
al views are.
The Office is also of Moral and So
cial character, and opens field fraught
with interest to all who look to the well
fare of the generations rising and to rise.
Many OF those we knew. in an early
day in Iowa, have ceased to live and &C,
such as a LUCAS, a CLARK, an Ed
WARDS, and hosts of others as excellent,
though no. as noted: ye, we have seen
the children and youths of 1899 to ls45
the substantial men and women in the re.
sponsible, honorable and highly useful
labors of life in 1916 to 1854, to sup
ply the places of the former.
We add. doubtless we are anxious to
be elected, and if SO, we hope to be great
full and useful; if not (which we shall
Labor TO avoid,) you shall not hear US
loudly complain.
Your Fellow Citizen,
l. |. STEWART.