The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-02-26

horrors Of which no pen can portray. We
have solemnly sworn to bear true faith to
this government, preserve its Constitution,
and defend it's glorious flag against all its
enemies and opposers. To our hands has
been committed the liberties, the prosperity
and happiness offuture generations. Shall
we betray such trust Shall the brilliance
of your past achievements be dhmmed and
furnished by hesitation, discord and dissen-
sion, whilst armed traitors menace you in
front and disarmed traitors intrigue against
you in the rear We are in no way re.
sponsible for any action ef'the civil authori.
ties. We constitute the military arm Of thu
Government. That the civil power is threat
ened and attempted to be paralyzed, is the
reason for resort to the military power
To aid the civil authori ties (not to oppose
or obstruct in the exercise of their anthori-
ty is our Office, and shall we forget this du-
ty and and stop to wrangle and dispute while
the country is bleeding at every pore, on
this or that political act or measure, whilst
a fearful wall of anguish, wrung from the
heart of distracted people, is borne upon
every breeze, and widows and orphans are
appealing 10 as to aveage the loss of their
loved ones who have fallen by our side in
defence of its old blood-staine6 banner, and
whilst the temple of liberty itself is being
shaken to its very center by the ruthless
blows of traitors, who have desecrated oaf
flag-obstructed our national highways de-
stroyed our peace, desolated our firesides,
and draped thousands of homes in mourn.
ing?
Let us stand firm at our posts of duty
and of honor, yielding cheerful obedience
to all orders from our superiors, until by our
united efforts, the Stars and Stripes shall be
planted in every city, town and hamlet OF
the rebellious States. We can then turn to
our homes and through the ballot box peace
fully redress all our wrongs, if any we have.
Whilst rely upon you with confidence
and pride. blush to confess that recently
some Of those who were once our comrades
in arms have so faI forgotten their honor,
fully desert us, and skulkingly make their
way to their homes, where, like cuIprits,
they dare not look an honest man in the
face. Disgrace and igneminyGf they escape
the penalty of law will not only follow
them to their dishonored graves. but will
stamp their names and lineage with infamy
to the latest generation. The scorn and
contempt of every true man will ever follow,
those base men, who, forgetful Of their oths
have, like cowardly spaniels, deserted theil
comrades in arms in the face of the foe, their
country in the hour of its greatest peril. Ev
cry true hearted mother or father, brother
sister or wife, will spurn the coward who
could thus not only disgrace himself, bnt
his name and his kindred. An indefble
stamp of infamy should be branded upon
his cheek, that all whe look upon his vile
countenance my feel for him the contempt
his cowardice merits. Could believe that
such conduct found either justification OF
excuse in your hearts, or that you would fol
moment falter in our glorious purpose o.
saving the nation from threatened wreck anG
hopeless ruin, would invoke from Deity thu
greatest boon, common grave to save US
from such infamy and disgrace. The day
is not far distant when traitors and towards
North and South, will cover before the in
dignation of an outraged people. Marco
BRAvELY ONWARD Nerve your strong arm
to the task Of overthrowing every obstacle il
the pathway of victory until the shouts o
triumph the last gun is. fred that Proclaims
US united people under the old Flag ant
one Government PATRIOTS SOLDIERS =
This great work accomplished, the reward
for such service as yours viii be realized
the blessing and honors ola grateful people
will be yours.
JoHE A. LOGAN, Brig, Gen. Como, e