Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1864-01-29


State, the number Of those who kindled the
fires Of this rebellion, and whose treason
created the condition Of things Of which this
restored tenth have become the sad and un.
willing victims. 1t is but the beginning Of
great contamination, and forms a nucleus,
around which the returning loyalty of The
South may daily, and rapidly gather, as they
comply with the just and easy terms Of the
Proclamation.
The Proclamation prescribes only the min
imum number necessary to constitute the
basis Of reorganization, excluding only the
more criminal ac.ors and those who persist
in adhering to their treason.
Amnesty is boon, not a right, and, rs
criminals before the law, they are in no stu.
alton to dictate its terms, but must submit
10 those which the Government, in the txer
else Of its clcmency, may deem it wise to
grant.
If this mode Of adjustment engcnders rev.
olution in the political relations Of the South,
i, will be revolution ofright against wrong,
and Of which the oppressed and injured
masses will derive the benefits.
BY steadily adhcring TO these principles, es
! trust we shall, we may succeed, after much
wandering, and great ,ribulation, in bringing
this Government back to its ancient and
safer land marks of universal freedom, and
perpetual unity. /
cannot close this communication, and
forege the opportunity presented. TO congrat-
uate the General Assembly, and the people,
upon the suspicious condition of the State.
A kind Providence has blessed us with ade-
ouatc haryests, and full measure of pros
perty in all our undertakings. BY His mer
cy we have been enabled to pass through the
trying scenes, now drawing to q close, with
honor and success. All efforts, by bad and
reckless men, TO obstruct the execution of the
laws and disturb our domestic peace, have
been promptly thwarted. Our obligations to
the National Government have been faithful
Nv performed; and our people, whether at
home or in the field, have nobly vindicated
their devotion to the Union. The financial
affairs of the State were never in a sounder
condition. Notwithstanding the eXtraordin-
ary expenditures, rendered unavoidable by
military operations, the revenue on hand,
and due from the several sources, exceeds,
by many thousand dollars, the total iadebt- :
sdness Of the State. Without hazard to our ,
credit, we may challenge comparison with
any other State in the Union. For this,
much credit is due, and should be awarded,
to the out going Executive, who has admin +.
istered the affairs Of the State with marked 4,
economy, and discharged his oncrous and
complicated duties, with an ability and patri-
otism deserving Of the highest commcnda-
ton.
Entertaining implicit confidence in your
intelligent and patriotic regard for the public
interests, and conscious of no motive, on my
own part, inconsistent with their advance
ment, shall indulge in the hope that our
mutual counseis and joint labors, may be
productive of good to the commonwealth.
With humble faith that God will continue
to bless our young State, and in His own
good time deliver our common country from I
the calamities Of cruel war; let us enter upon
the discharge of our respective duties.
W. NJ STONE.