The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-04-02
PrOclama tiOm by the Governor.
To the People Of Lewa. Ig.s 80 .7Ec.asig

4
Proclamation by the Governor.
To the People Of Lera. lI 7aca>r
tais,# ExEcurrvE OrricR. Iowa,
Ga .,dsl o. March %, 1853.
! There is good reason to beliv. that .
very considerable number of men, some Of
whom have been in the rebel army, and
others Of whom have. as gurrillss. been en-.
gagged in p!undeiimg and numbering Union
men in the State Of Missouri. have taken rcf.
nge in this state to escape the punishment
due TO their crimes, and that instead Of
seeking to merit pardon for past offences
by living pcaceably aud quiet among us as
becomes good citizens, many Of them are en-.
dcaverins to array portion Of our people in
armed reels lance to the laws. And I very
deeply regret to say there IL reason 70 be-
lievc that some of our people have been
found weak enough or wicked enough to aid
them in their nischievous designs.
d These men, by bold and fierce dennncia.
tons Of certain acts of the President and Of
the Congress Of the United States as uncon.
stitutiona', and by industriouSly teaching
that the citizens may lawfully resist with
force what he dee ms an unconstitutional act
or law. and in other ways. are seeking to
array such a. may be duped and deceived
by these artful and wicked Vaccinations in
to armed resistance to the authority Of the
General Government, and to inaugurato civil
war within our limits, this exposing their
dupes to the punishment due to traitors, and
our State to the storm of war which has
swept - with Dire the State of Missouri.
These men are endeayoring to induce our
soldiers in the field n desert their scolors,
thus exposing them to the penalty OF deser.
ton, which is death and are eBdeavor,ne
to induce our citizens to violate the laws by
resisting the arrest Of doserters, and corr
scription in this State If ordered, thereby
exposing themselves to the punishment due
such criminal acts. @
1t is my duty, and therefore do, warn
these men their course is fraught with danger
to themselves and to the peace and good or.
der OF the state, and il Persisted in to the *.
trepity they intend, will certainly bring
punishment; and also warn 81 the coni
people of this State, as they value peace and
good order. and wonld avoid the horrors Of
civil war not IN be ,nisicd by thes. wicked
and designing men, hsring not hing to lose
hopes for plunder and profit IN the license
OF civil war The Laws Of the General Gov.
eminent uit M enforced aneng US al nny
COS. an al Al hsz rtis and the men who
array themselves IN armed resistance 70 the
laws will certainly be oyerpowe-ed aud pom
isbsd.
Az long as those who have sought shelter
in Iowa from other States behaved a. oniet
and pesceable citizens, I haye rad no dis.
position to interfere with or ,noest them.
but il cannot be tolerated that these men,
who have been compelled to flee from their
own State for fear OF the punishment of
crimes committed against the laws OF their
State Of the United States, should, while
enjoying the protection of our lsw. be per
| mtted to bring among our peaceful homes
and upon our peaceful people all the horrors
they have brought upon the State from
which they fed. We owe it not only to
ourselves and our families, but much more
to the families Of those who have left US to
defend. on the battle field, the life of onr
country, that we preserve peace and good
order at home 1t must be bitter reflec-
ton to our gallant soldiers that while thev
are enduring the hardships and dangers Of a
soldiers life in defence of their country, bad
men 1t hume are plotting to bring upon
their unprotected families the dangers OF
civil war. Moved by these considerations I
| have this day notified the proper authorities
Of the United States and Of the State of Mis-
souri,, that many criminals against their
laws are In Iowa, engaged. rs believe IN.
citing rebellion. and that shall insist upon
their arrest and removal where necessary,
and their trial for their crires, If their con-
duct shall continue to be snch as is danger.
Qua to the peace and safety Of the State ;
and enjoin upon al good citizens who
know that snch men are among them, that
they especially notice their deIneanor and
conduct, and IL 1t be seditious and danger
GUS, that they furnish the United States Dis
trio Attorney. or the United States Marshsl
Of either OF the Congressional District Pro-
vost Marshals TO be appointed, or himself,
with their names. and affi lavits, showing
their crim,rality before coming to this State
and their conduct since. II tho end that GU,
State may be relieved Of the danger If their
presence. SAMUEL j. KIItKWOOD