Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1864-09-23

Law, OF adopt speedy and cffectual measures
to circumvent them. did not long hesitate
which course to pursue, nor doubt that the
patriotic and law abiding sentiment of tho
State would sustain mo in the performance
o: this obvious duty.
The sad experience Of our Missouri neigh.
bors In their late troubles with a disloyal
militia, was q sufficient warning for me to
carefully guard that point in Iowa. p. .....
The Constitution Of this State makes the
Governor Commander, in Chief Of the militia.
and the law under which We are now organ.
izing, clothes him with express authority 10
issue such orders as arc necessary to carry
out its provisions. .r .r.'.
He is not the passive instrument Of the
law, but the source from which its life and
executive power are derived. Had the Gen.
eral Assembly so desired, it could not have
curtailed the military authority Of the Gov
ernor. for that is created and secured by the
Constitution itself. As Commander. in Chief,
his orders are as obligatory upon the State
militia, AZ the acts Of the Legislature, and
the kind Of orders he may issue for the pur-
pose Of executing the law are necessarily left
to his Judgment and discretion. II must be
conceded that he cannot make orders in con.
fliet with the law, but his power, as Com
mandcr.in. Chief, to extend and amplify its
provisions exists beyond dispute. 80.
Concoiving, therefore, that my authority
to correct errors and regulate the organization
Of companies by general orders was ample,
and that circumstances demanded my inter.
ference, the course I have pursued requires
no further justification. But am now in
formed by anonymous letters, almost daily
received, and by newspaper publications,
that these orders will be disregalded and my
authority set at defiance. Believing that am
capable of properly estimating the character
and calibro cf mon, who will invite local strife
by publicly advising disobedicnce to contitut-
ed authorities, have only to remark that
these orders which their own conduct has
drawn forth, will remain unchanged and be
strictly enforced in every case. Companies
which disregard thcm will not be recognized
or treated for any purpose as portions Of the
State Militia.
Regretting tho necessity for abiding to
these matters, I cannot refrain from adding
that these self constituted advocates OF non.
ular rights may learn, If they do not already
know, that we are we'll advised as to their
plans, and should they so FAR forget their
oohS"'io'iS VI uuty AZ W dtttulpt u carry
them out, may not deem ii advisable to
remain silent observer Of their demonstra.
tons. 1t is well that we should understand
each other. 1t is mistake to suppose that
| can be deferred by threats and dentncia
tons, however severe, from steadfast ad.
hcrence to those measures deemed essential
to the proper enforcement of the laws, and
the preservation Of order in our State. With
these men alone are the fearful issues of civil
strife in Iowa. There will DO no trouble
here unless they take the initiative and DO.
come the aggressors. So long as they o6ey
the laws and submit to proper authority,
their rights will be faithfully respected, their
persons, property and flresides defended by
all the power which the State can command
! would appeal to them to forget our political
differences, and cordially unite with me in
defending our exposed borders from the
dangers which menace them. l would ad.
monish them that prudent counsels, and q
friendly spirit, not threats and words of def
ance, will go far towards preserving our do
inestic peace, and maintaining the yet untar
nished honor Of our State. But il contrary
to the ardent hopes of all good citizens, tht
conflict which they now seem desirous OF
inviting be forced upon US, they may fine
US prepared at points where they least expect
US, and, on our part at least, there will be M
blank cartridges used or shots thrown away
Your obedient servant,
| W. NJ. STONE.