The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-07-22


yet the work is not complete. Other hat.
ties are to be fought, and other victories
to be won, and they will be fought and
won. and that speedily, for the armies
which have accomplished these grand
achievements, have thereby demonstra.
ted their ability TO take and hold any
position which our enemy may essay to
defend
II 10 TO take part With such an army,
engaged in such cause, that YOU 90
IRON us. We believe most sincerely that
you go to aid in giving the death blow
10 the monster, treason. And we bid
you God speed, trusting that you may
go with the Old Flag Of our fathers to
the last stronghold Of the Rebellion. and
plant 1t there firmly 70 wave in triumph.
terror to traitors ever, and q sure pro-
seeLlon TO all who are faithful and true to
the cause OF our country. am COM
niss'oned by large number of our fell
low citizens, TO present you this sword
and these pistols, which they request that
you Will receive az token Of their re-
gard Tor you as soldier and an officer.
and ~ an expression of their devotion to
the great cause in which you are en-
gagged and for which you 60 forth to bat
tie. Take these, Lieutenant, in the spiri.
OF kindness and confidence in which they
are rendered, and let them ever remind
you that wherever your duty may call
you. the donors will follow YOU with their
earnest prayers for your safety and pros
Psrity.
To which Lieutenant Ball responded ::
SIR Through you address the citi-
zens OF keokuk. am man more prompt
In act than speech yet would be- recre-
ant to the best emotions that swell an
honorable beart we're ] not to give some
expression TO my feelings on this occa-
sion.
That have eudeavored to perform my
duties at this post faithfully and fearless-
~ without respect to parties or persons,
is true but / never dreamed that my
conduct would win such high appreciation
from those among whom have lived and
labored, and therefore receive this testi
monial Of your regard with a gratitude
not less fervent that have no language
to give 1t utterance. and a promise that
this sword shall only be drawn in a loyal
cause-that of liberty and union. A SOL
deer knows no political parties. But il /
we're a general, unconditional surrender
should be my motto, and if President,
unconditional submission. But as Deith-
er OF those exalted positions are likely to
be my lot, am content to draw my sword
IN my country's cause in whatever capac-
lily may be assigned me, nor sheath il I'M
I'll Der proud banner unfurls to the breeze.
from every lake, from every mountain,
until 1t waves over every acre Of Secessia,
and every traitor, North and South, shall
bite the dust.
That 'eternal vigilance is the price of
liberty WAS never so well sxemplified.
A great aud prosperous nation lay upon
the bosom OF the sorld In seeming peace,
all unconscious of the volcanoes within.
fhc so-catfed wise men labored assidu=
ously to close the crater mp. But all the
power thus applied served only to force
the virus Through the unseen veins
Of the entire republic, poisoning the life
blood and forming new mouths from which
to burst forth with increased fury. On
the very verge of the horizon was seen
the first cloud that darkened our prosper
ity. AS the 6rst peals from FIT Sumter
reverberated through the land the nation
sprsng to arms, eagerly, earnestly; not
realizing the nature OF the impending
struggle, nor it's magnitude. While the
rebellious States laid claim to njnred
rights, the border States sympathized,
and finally Joined their maynard sis
ters' But when, through this additional
strength, they expected TO carry the war
into Africa, and the fash of the musk ct
and the roar Of cannon might be seen and
heard from the kissing fangs to the ever
active tail Of the great anaconda, the
mask was torn from the bideous monster,
which thus stood in bold relief, an oris-
tocracy, q Whits head and black Jodv.
A nation may be unanimous on some
points, but never in the prosecution of
war: nor is the present struggle an ex-
ception. The rattlesnake of the South is
defiant, and warns you on approach. But
you only know the presence Of the cop
perhead when his hiss is heard among the
smouldering ruins Of your domestic al
tars. With an exterior Is fair as that
serpent of old which 6rst brought sin
into the world, he winds his willy folds
around the weak and the unwary, and
under the sacred name Of Democracy he
brushes out the light of truth and ravens
in the blood and plumber of burning cities
aud murdered women and children-as
hendishly, as cowardly he skulks at mid
night to secret societies to urge on atroc.
tiles that he is too cowsrdly to commit in
the day. Beware of them Watch them!
Hold them as the deadliest foes to free
government Look at New York, and
let Iowa take warming!
| am ordered to join my regiment in
the field, and who, in these troublou.
times, can say that we shall meet again |?
but be sure, friends, that / carry to the
field loyal heart and . willing hand to
WELD this, yourgift. accept this sword
and these pistols as . testimonial of your
appreciation apd friendship; and while
am thrilled with emotions of delight at