The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-01-15

y comnsndahle and patriotic enactmsnt
has signally fAiled 70 accomplish the OBJ
ject intended. In counties who're ma
jority Of the Supervisors are friendly to
tho Union and the prosecution OF the
war, this relief has been furnished to
limited extent; but in many others,
where that majority j. with the opposite
party, they have persistently Refused to
appropriats single dollar to this hunane
and Christina purpose.
In considering the question, We should
not con6ne ourselves to the theory adopt
ed by some, that this i more county
matter, aud, therefore, not the sppro-
pirate subject Of State action. From
whatever county the maa entsrs the SER
vice he becomes soldier Of the State.
fighting for one county a we'll as another,
and has an equal claim upon the gener-
osity and gratitude Of all our people. In
the absence Of adequate law, providing
relief for these meritorious families, out of
the public revenue, these burthens, neces-
sarily, fall upon few liberal and patriot
ic individuals in each community. This
is clearly wrong, and should not be per-
mitted. None should be allowed to es-
cape this imperative public and patriotic
duty. Every individual in the State
should be required to contribute, for this
purpose. his full share, in proportion to
the amount of his taxable property. l
therefore earnestly recommend that a
liberal appropriation be made for this pur-
pose, out of the State revenue to be dis
bursed through the agencies of the State
Sanitary Commission, in such manner as
you may deem it wise to direct. The
Commission, recently organized and in
corporated, has acquired responsible
character, and enjoys, as it should, full
degree of public confidence.
BY such an act, We shall seal, in per-
petual memory, the gratitude so eminent
ly due to exalted patriotism and unrival-
ed valor.
The soldiers of Iowa need no eulogy
now TO secure for their deeds the admira-
ton of history. Their unselfish devotion
to the cause Of the country; their patient
endurance of the untold hardships Incl
dent to service in distant and strange
climate, and the sturdy heroism they have
illustrated on so many fields, have given
to our young State record of valor as i'm
perishable rs the bloody annals of the
war; and aided in securing Tor our COM
mon country fame co-extensive with the
civilized world. On every battle ground
from Wilson's Creek, where, amid the
deadly hail Of an unequal contest, they
rallied around the heroic Lyon, and freely
mingled their blood with his, to the CORY
mountain heights and passes in front Of
Chattanooga. aud the now glorious field
of Chickamauga, the flag Of Iowa has
been borne by brave hands to triumphant
victory. Where all have done so we'll,
to particularize would be invidious; and
could not name all who are entitled to
honorable mention for noble and valorous
deeds, without calling the entire muster
rolls of reglments, battalons and batteries.
Impartial history will attest the signii
cant fact, that no great battle has Jet been
lost, in which Iowa troops were engaged /;
and none gained, on western fe.ds. in
which they have not borne conspicuous
part. Among the first in the field, and
ever to the front, their numberlessI graves
are scattered from the plains of Texas to
the banks of the Cumberland, and fir m
the shores of Lake Michigan to the waters
of the Gulf-sad, yet truthful witnesses
Of how bravely they fought and nobly
died.
Fathers and sons, husbands. brothers
and friends, sleep in those narrow tene-
ments, far from their beloved Iowa; but
enshrined in the hearts of grateful peo-
pie, their memories like the unfading
laurel. will survive the dreary winters of
coming time.
Contemplating the condition and af-
fairs of our own State, let us not be un-
mindful that our common country is still
involved in cruel and relentless war. The
god OF ambition is yet unappeased, and
the demon of civil strife is making sad
havoc in the land. The great struggle for
the integrity of the Union and tbs pres
ervstion Of the National Government is
yet to be decided. After trial Of nearly
eighty years, embracing the most com.
prehensive experience, and aHording am.
pie proofs of its power, utility and benef.
lcence, the existence of this unrivaled
Government "a committed to a bloody
conflict between its own citizens.
The constitutional right of State, or
any sunber of States, to withdraw from
the Union, is no longer a practical cues |
ton for discussion. If that right be con. |
coded, the action of the Federal Govern.
ment, in compelling obedience to its laws
is indefensible, and the war, on our part
clearly wrong. The determination Of
that question was preliminary to war; and
to any effort by the Government to re-
duce the seeding STATES to submission.
ln the absence of constitutional right |
to disnember the Union, by secession, the
attempt was treason and insurrection.
which the President Of the United States.
inder the solemn obligations of his oath.
was as much bound to suppress, as he
vould have been to repel az. invasion of
Dur soil By foreign enemy. Existing
avs, adopted in the sasly years Of the
Republic, clothed hisa with ample author.
ty over the snh5eoa, aad made his duty
Imperative. IN promptly meeting the 40.
yresslons Of treason, and placino tho Gov