The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1862-07-19
9 invited TO cooperate Throughout the State
THE BEST TEST.
BURLINGTON, Iowa, july 18th,

BURLINGTON, Iowa, July 14th, 1862,
G. DUNHAM, ESQ, EDITOR HAwK-EYE:
Sir: In your paper of the 9th inst, you di
rect at me an article headed, '7he Best KIT,
(of patriotism, presume) in which, by name
you invite me to the battle field, and as one
holding Office, seemingly with the authority tc
dispense it to others, you prefer me the com.
mission Of Colonel, with its high rank and
big pay.
Waving for the present, any discussion Of
the motives by which you are actuated, l beg
to make you my profound acknowledgment.
for this unexpected manifestation Of your con.
fdence and friendship-the first with which
have ever been favored by you or any of my
political opponents, and the more gratifying
because it comes to me at time of unusual
doubt, mistrust, and angry feeling, among ou1
excited countrymen.
You are pleased to speak Of me as military
man, . distinction to which regret
and especially at this time-that neither
my education Dor training will justify me in
laying claim. Whatever knowledge may
possess Of military affairs was acquired % I
private in the rsnks, in which served in two
Indian wars. Declining, for the present, Il
become An applicant for the Office with which
you have so generously associated my name,
allow me respectfully to coll your attention to
. singular, suppose an unintentionsl omis.
sion on your part to pledge yourself to follow
where you advise me to lead, or to mention
the names Of any of your leading and inauen.
tial friends who would be willing to do 20.
Asyou have favored me with an offer having
reference entire to myself beg to reciprocste
your courtesy, with one whith will be Of
mutual interest, and II accepted hope of some
benefit u the service. My proposition is this:
will bind myself and eleven Democrats to
enlist as privstes for and during the war, il
can be honored with your company and also
that of eleven ardent war Republicans, resi-.
dents of Burlington and its vicinity-a list Of
whose names will furnish you. They are
all gentlemen Of the first responsibility, and
being principally Of the learned professions
their withdrawal from home at this time vii
bear lightly upon the laboring interests.
propose that the transaction be reduced Il
writing, and made obligatory upon all the par
ties, pledging myself to conduct it in perfec
good faith and upon the most honorable prin
ciples. -
Retired to private life, asking no favor. .
the people or the administration, destitute q
all power and influence / might Justly com
plain OF the unfriendly spirit with which W,
pursue me for no other ofFense than daring 4
Differ from you and your party as have Al
ways done. claim that it is the birth riah
Ell every American citizen to express his view
and sentiments touching our public Affairs
and l intend to exercise this right upon ii
proper occasions forbear any further com
ment upon your uncalled for attacks upon me
because in view Of the proposition made I
yourself and some of your immediate friend,
/ am anxious to cultivate none other than IN
most respectful and kind feeling towards yo
and them.
If you and I cannot agree in all things. i
two let US unite, in despising secession an