The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1861-08-24

eOns t0AS lnQuCe; Me " reuuQNAsu snss ~" Snu
rssponsible position.6 81, sgasi sa,sss yssa 4,sA
When last elected, our country was at peace
with the whole world, aod although political an
imosity was excessive and secession boldly
threatened, we all entertained the hope, inter.
mingled it is true With fearful apprehensions,
that a fair expression Of majority Of our peo-
pie at the ballot box would be followed by a
patriotic return 70 the support Of our common
country. But, alasl these hopes have been dis
appointed and all our painful forebodings have
been sadly realized. During the interregnum,
between the Presidential election and inalguia.
sion, treason lurked in Executive mansions and
in the ranks of our government of8cialA Our
nation was, in part, in the hands Of officers who
welded their power and used your means to ma
sure plans of National destruction. .asg
Before Congress assembled South Carolina
bad called her Convention for the avowed pur-
pose Of secession, and in; fifteen days after We
had assembled, before any terms Of copciliation
were proposed by her Or could be matHred BY us
Ion the goth of December last-she passed an
ordinance Of secession and assumed an attitude
of separate nationality and even hostility toward
our Government From that hour to the pres
sent no plans of compromise or Cancellation have
been proffered or listened to by South Carolina
or her allies except such rs contemplate the dis
memberment of the Union and destruction Of
our Government, formed by the sages and heroes
Of the Revolution, acknowledged even by them
TO be the freest in the world and the parent Of
their unexampled pl prosperity. mss.r5ts4 81.
1t is needless to follow the political events
that ensued. Iregarded secession az rebellion
and revolution On the 7th Of December drew
up, and soon after urged their passage, resDlu-
lions declaring it such and rendering 70 the Ex-
ecutive al the men and means necessary to sup
press it. At the same time expressed my viii
liDgness to seek terms of, Cancellation and st-
tended every meeting called for such purpose,
cordially uniting with my colleagues in the Com
mittee of S3, and in the Peace Congress, in
efforts Of honorable adjustment. ,i 81 80,
q But the cotton States spurned every overture
and hastsned to force even the border States
into . passive silence or to join them in their
suicidal course. Revenue vessels were seized,
Arsenals were taken, srmories were appropria
ted, forts were occupied or besieged, the public
money was stolen, citizens we're ruthlessly mob
bed, and finally Sumter, with its handful 0i fam
,shed men, was assaulted and taken by force of
arms. f ass $50 t....., Il
q The design, incipient steps, and final induc-
ton of civil war have all been premeditated and
consummated by the belligerents opposed to US.
So far as the leaders in the cotton States are
concerned, they can neither show sufficient
cause, a proffer Of adjustment, or probable
peaceful political result War has been forced
upon US and is prosecuted, on the part of our
enemies, with vigor and in vindictive spirit
II seems to me to be the most causeless, unnatu.
raj, end fatal that humanity ever conceived, yet
xe must accept the issue, and, while depluring
the rashness of those who have wantoniy under
taken to destroy this truly great Government,
there remains no alternative tor US but to defend
-
Ill the means and power that we can combine
and exert. Liberty, government, our prosper
,ty, our homes, are all imperied, all involved in
The issues OF this internecine struggle. All Of us
who revere the founders of our nation, who ex
ult in its former glory and hope for its future
prosperity, should share in the dangers and vi
cissitudes surrounding it at this time. Educated
at the Military Academy, have always felt it
my duty to tender my military services to my
country whenever involved in war. Hence, on
the breaking out of the war with Mexico, en-
tered the service, and Immediately on the com.
mencement of the present hostilities my humble
services have been employed to the best Of my
ability. On the 1st Of June was hoaored, by
unanimous vote, with the. Colonelcy of the
I'd (the lst three year, Iowa Regiment Of Volun.
eers, and under orders of Gen. Lyon, on the
18th and 14th, conducted column through
North Missouri, taking military possession Of
the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad, and in
different parts Of that State our three Iowa reg.
I'M. nts have since been on constant and severe
duty.
Ny acceptance Of the Office of Colonel Of
The State Volunteers did not deprive me OF my
seat in Congress; and the opening Of the special
session, on the 4th day Of July, I assumed my
duties here in the 37th Congress. The prosecu,
ion Of the war seemed to demand the whole
.ttention of Congress, and we have devoted our
,elves mainly to that subject.
have not, however, forgotten our desire for
Pacific Railroad, and have presented the bill
which has heretofore matured for a central
route, and which has been referred to epecia
committee, of which am chairman. The South
ern mail route is now abandoned, and all the
California mail is now concentrated on our cen
raj route. We have recently secured daily ser
vice from Council Bluffs TO Fort Kearney, where
we connect with the overland mail route. W.
therefore have daily service on the centra
route, starting from the Missouri and Iowa, run
ling through to the Pacific in less than ffteer
lays. The pony express also secures early tran
its over this line, and q telegraph is in rapid
progress of construction. We have thus con
centrated the public transit and travel on our
central railroad route, where settlements and
Increasing necessities will stimulate con.tan,
xertions of future Congresses, and secure the
final contamination which We have so long and
50 earnestly desired.
am now tei.dered military promotion-the
Office of brigadier general. That being fed
eial office, its acceptance would deprive me of a
right to remain in Congress, and must there
fore choose whether will remain Colonel and
member OF Congress as am, or resign both and
accept the position of brigadier. Ny pleasures
and profits will be largely diminished, while my
duties, dangers, and responsibilities will be
greatly increased by the change. Indeed, such
is the anxiety and impatience of the public
mind, that an officer can only satisfy his friends
bv the performance of military miracles; and
high places are so vulnerable that they should
oe more Stunned than sought after. But dc
not hesitate. Irelinquish pecuniary advantage
high political position, personal ease, and per
sonal security, with conscious conviction thai
ny country and my constituents expect me tc
change the forum for the field, and with sin
cere hope that may be more useful in the mil
itary service Of my country.
do not relinquish my place in Congress be-
cause have accomplished all my desires, or be
cause am weary Of the position Neither do
wish you to attribute the change to love d
military title or trappings, but mainly and en-
tirely to desire to aid our country IN her houI
of need, aud participate with our patriotic vol
unteers in the privatons and endurances neces
sary to secure their early and complete triumph
over the enemies of our country.
Recent and unexpected reverses, and the
wider extent Of hoslilities have fastened thi.
determination to devote my whole time to tn,
military service. Not that l can hope to escap,
the accidents OF ~ar, but because am willing
TO share all the dangers Of the field.
Justice to our cause, more than for myself, in
duces me to ask your indulgence. Confdsnc
and unity of action are essential to the success
of armies. Suddenly called out to act as sol
diers, after long lapse Of peace, officers ant
men can only premise patriotic devotion, and
generous and sustaining confidence on you
part will steady their nerves and encourag
their energies aud exertions.
also crave your patience, for the popular ide
of war too often erroneously supposes con
slant Succession of battles, and the unitiate,
think that armies have nothing to perform bu
fight and butcher their advcrsaries wheneve
and wherever thew can be found. On the con
trary, the science and success Of arms teach ns
tions and commanders the advantage Of strste
gy, whereby an adversary Is circumvented o
ovprw whelmed with the least possible loss Of hu
man life, and obtain more complete and salutar
victories without display of savage cruelty o