The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-09-17
ter ffon Gov. stone.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE.
DEs MorNs sent u 1884


/ ing that persistent efforts are being made
by certain partisan journals to convert the
oath prescribed for officers Of the State Mi
litia into purposes Of political capital, and
by gross perversions 81 its language and
obvious intent to create the impression
that it was designed as Z measure of pro-
ecription against those who act with the
Anti Union party,I have deemed it advt
sable to direct Q slight modification of ~
terms a. indicated BY the copy here enclos-
ed. This change, rs you will observe, pre-
serves the substance and meaning Of the
original oath, and at the same time re-
moves all reasonable ground of objection,
with those who are disposed TO act in good
faith, in uniting with their neighbors TO
carry out the militia law, and assist as IN
completing these indispensable prepare
tons for State DEFENSE
In my opinion the necessity ior an lm-
mediate and thorough organization OF our
State Militia, though heretofore apparent,
was never 80 imperative ~ now.
The condition Of thiYgs in adjacent
States and Territories beyond our power
lated to create . we'll founded distrust In
the safety Of our borden and the security
Of our homes. The precariOus and con-
stantay shifting tide of war may soon
change its direction TO this State, and, II
finding as unprepared as 1t hso others who
G0emS8ly8S
destroying power upon Iowa cities and de-
'yastate our undefended fields.
The recent troubles In Missouri, which
for time presented the alarming features
ola general war. have been temporarily
checked BY the activity of Federal troops,
fbut far from being permanently subdued,
the hostile elements may be revived at any
moment, and, under the direction of more
determined leaders, assume q holder form
and wider field. II is no secret that the
guerrillas and shwhackers of Missouri,
tor many reasons, entertain a feeling Of in
veterate hostility towards this State, and If
ia case of another uprising they should
succeed in reaching the counties of North
Missouri might easily cross our undefend-
ed State line and commit their depfeda-
tons upon our people. us1a n8Et
Nor is this all. An Indian war OF. formi-
dable proportions is looming up in the
West, and has 60 far bAft1ed the vigorous
efforts of Gen. Curtis and the forces at bis
With &c, COO vel. armed and hostile 1ndi-
it would 10 sbsoluseiy criminslto SAY that
the western counties are safe from the hor-
rors of savage warfare, and omit the neces-
sary meaaHres for their defence.
need scarcely suggest oar inability to
arm and keep troops IN the field At our
own expense, and AZ the Federal Govern
soned posto, we are compelled to rely alone
upon our militia force for defence against
dangers from al directions.
With these views earnestly controlling
my own actions, / was desiIoHs 70 effect
an early and practical organization OF the
militia, arm II a. far q possible, aud keep
itwell in hand ready10 meet danger nom
not doubt that our people In pursuance Of
law, and = few general orders from your
ofRce, would quietly assemble at times and
places couvenient tor the purpose, and or
ganise themselves into companies without
any sintpF1erence being required from the
Executive Department.
II did not occur to me that party differ
euces would Be considered, and failed to
perceive Why they should. regarded the
ogGAni1ation of the militia a matter Of
State pride, ~ we'll - q measure Of State
defence, and demanded by considerations
entirely above AL party questions.
1t WAS mot the homes Of my political
to defend, and should have regarded my
self ~ unworthy their confidence and. the
position / occupy, had attempted any dis
elimination in their favor. ..ri,l.~rs
But the result has shown that this reas-
enable hope was not we'll entertained.
;. On my return from the South found
many letters awaiting me from which
learned that in q large number of counties
attempts were being made to organize COM
paniss upon astrictly partizan basis. Lead
ing members of the no called Democratic
party were assiduous in collecting their
followers together, in some instances re-
mote from their own neighborhoods, to the
excausion Of Union men, and elesting Off
GERS favorable TO their peculiar creed. In
many instances the people assembled to
organize without distinction Of party, and
we're proceeding with the work, when these
men, offering some frivolous pretext tor
THAR courBe, withdrswtfrom tho lneetinRs.
leaving an insufficient number for the
organization of companies. Thus in
many localities our efforts. to procure the
organization Of companies we're success
:, This . especially true in the three lower
tiers Of counties; although similAr com-
plants have come from those farther North.
none instance an Individual was elected
Captain 81 . company who had been tried
and sdishonoEably dismissed the United
able sentiments, and for other conduct un-
becoming an ofiicer and gentleman; and in
another notorious secessionist who IL
known to have been in the brush with
guerrillas in Missouri secured the Same p0-
sition. Both these men sent to you for
commissions, and have demanded arms for
their companies. These companies appear
~ 0oVOs 1V8u1OS0 0tSOAS A41CAA - WHY "
be entrusted with military authority In
this State, and now insist that was under
obligations 70 furnish them with arms and
ammunition without looking beyond the
rolls returned to your ofEace. AS my views
Of public duty did not coincide with theirs.
commissions and arms have both been re-
fused them.
In several lodges Of the "Sons Of 'Liber-
~" treasonShle organization which now
exists in nearly every county, it was de-
termined, after full consultation, to unite
In organizing companies under the militia
law, and nee Il 70 cover their movements
from public observation. While pretsnd-
Ing 70 drill y militia company, they
could practice the peculiar TACTICS Of their
Order without being compelled, as now, to
seek concealment in darkness, caves and
cellars. Most Of these lodges in the South.
ern half Of the State are In constant CORES
pondsuce with their conductors in Nilsson
ri, and since the first day q July last. they
can bear mo out in aging that their com.
nn1nicatione have been characterized by
the most unblushing treason, both to the
Federal and State 6overnments. Coulter
are now running regularly betwesn lodeee