The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-06-13
The Experience of q Soldier.
HELENA, Ark, Nav 26. is

l am a native of the State of Virginia
whence emigrated in the spring of 1857, tc
Iowa, and, being a Southerner by birth and
in principle by southern teachings, fond.
ly prided in, and chung to the name of q
lSoutherner, believing, as had been taught
that Southern man was greatly the supe.
rior of a Northern one in strength, skill and
courage-and this, in connection with the
teachings of the institution of Slavery, as
being morally and religiouSly right, rem
dered me wholly incapable of approaching
the worth and merit of Northern home. -
Being young and inexperienced, I was
easily influenced by persons whom look
ed upon as worthy advisers. Having set
tied in neighborhood in Iowa, principally
of Southerners, I was still influenced by
the old fogy doctrine of Southern superi.
ority. This, combined with many other
prejudices, caused me to under-value and
overlook that which, to an American, is the
most dear and most necessary to be cher
ished above all other earthly institutions,
the liberty, welfare, happiness and pros
perity of my COUNTRY. a1..
1t was in 1850, during the most noted DO
litical campaign of the age, that this vile
doctrine had for the time being, its most
serious effect. For looked upon slavery
as being one of the most sacred and benefit
cial institutions pertaining to domestic life,
and therefore | considered the present adj
minlstration party the most detrimental to
the free institutions of the American Gov
eminent, of any thing that had arisen since
the colonies We're rescued from the oppres-
sive hand of Great Britain. But why did
L thus think? Because they, (the Republic
cans) were opposed to the extension OF
slavery, and their unwillingness to recog-
nize property in human beings. Thus, l
suffered political prejudice to get the better
OF my Judgement, and was to it slave.
And therefore, at the breaking out of the
present rebellion, thought of home, kim
dred and friends. And the idea of nv ma
tive home, the place of my birth, being
overrun by Northern abolitionists, (usinS
Southern language) fred my soul with
bitter indignation, and readily joined the
hell-deserving horde Of treason sympathi-
zers in their false accusations against the
President of the United States.
Not once did I think of the benevolent
government that gave me a home and pro-
tected it and me against all enemies what
ever. Notwithstanding, my motive was
honest; what did, was done in good faith
and conscience. But it was like the blind
leading the blind. I had listened to the
dictates and predictions of others till they
had led me astray and blinded me to all
sense of duty.
Fortunately, had relatives vet in the
old States that were Union; they lived in
the part which remained firm to its loyalty.
TO these wrote, inquiring what they
thought of secesh? Their reply was such
as would be expected from all good loyal
persons. Thus l was led to reason and
examine for myself. I saw my error and
turned from its ways. And I am happy to
say, that to-day finds me true to my coun-
try, and one OF its defenders. Isupport the
Administration with all my heart and soul
in its every effort and policy to put down
rebellion and wipe out slavery, the accursed
cause OF all our national troubles, forever
from the continent. No longer do uphold
the institution which binds one man to
another, with the privilege of selling and
bartering him as property. 1 have full
confidence in the ability of the government
to sustain itself, root out treason, and es-
tablish peace that will be permanent. I
have been soldier for ten months. have
plenty to eat, plenty to wear, plenty of
money, and glad that l am the "hireling'
of as good a pay-master as Uucle Sam.
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