The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-09-07
Tint Oath.

In another column will be found most
scathing article relative to the oath which
Gov. STONE, rithout authority Of lao, pre-
scribes to all who expect commissions in
the enrolled Militia Of the State. j. I. S.
ventilates the purpose Of "those in power"
so effectually that words from us are need
less TO impress our readers with it's des-
potic tenor. First, arms are prohibited to
all but men who are "strictly loyaP and
their "loyalty" is defined to be the taking
Of an oath which reads III WILL FAITHFULLY
EXERT MY INFLUENCE AND ENDEAvoR TO
SUSTAIN THOSE IN POWER!"
We are happy to announce to our read
ers that Hon. L. II. Williams Of this Judi
cial District, Hon. Reuben Noble and other
prominent gentlemen who have been iden-
titled with the present National and State
Administrations, hesitate not to curse such
an oath as an outrage on the rights of free
men, Indeed we have yet heard of no man
who justifcs nor of an officer here who
viii take it. A move, we learn, is being
made to induce the Governor to rescind an
order which can have no other effect than
to precipitate civil war throughout Iowa.
II "those in power" can perpetuate their
rule by bayonets distributed only to men
mental enough to s,ceor Themselves to be serJs,
then farewell to American Freedom!
We clip from an exchange the oath as
commented on by a sharp Democratic pen.
The Governor pleasantly calls this pretty
thing his 'Iron-bound Oath" "..' .@.7
Governor Stone fears that his order to
the Adjutant General not to commission
any Democrats who should be elected off,
GERS in the militia, will not be sufficient to
prevent it, and he has therefore got up an
oath just issued from the Adjutant Gener-
ais office in a circular, to be administered
by district clerks to the officers elect of
companies in the State militia. If any Off
Ger refuses to take it, his commission will
be returned to the Adjutant General, and a
new election ordered to fill the vacancy.
Here is the form Of
81, ----- duly elected as 49, Of
company -, regiment, Iowa State
militia, do solemnly swear that will sup
port the Constitution of the United States,
and Of this State, and bear true and faithful
allegiance to the same, that will promptly
obey all orders coming to me from the Gov.
ernor of this State, and in every respect
discharge the duties of my said
office according to law, and obey the orders
and commands Of my superior officers to
The best Of my ability; and do further
swear that do not belong to ang organiza-
tion either secret or otherwise, which has
FOR its object opposition to the present war
against the States in rebellion, or opp0sition
10 the Federal Naturalization in its efforts
to prosecute said aoar, that have no sym.
pathy whatever with those in. rebellion,
and that my desire is to see said war pros.
eeuted with vigor until the rebellion is
crushed and an honorable peace is restored,
and to this end / aoill faithfully erert my
influence and endearor to sustain those in
pocer. To this, without reservation,
fully and cheerfully agree" ..~.. ..
Here it is; "no opposition to the Federal
Administration" 'desire to see the war
prosecuted with vigor," and other equally
CuoiSO CpiSuSto. ctolS ID JUST nOW cisdHtO
in the somewhat arduous task of compelling
everybody to think as he does or prescribe
them as much as in his power lies. This
is model test oath, and will pretty effect
ually keep Democrats both out of the offices
and out of the ranks. s.... r..e.. ..
In order that our readers may have Gov
Stones raid liant pearls strung together we
re-copy from our paper of last week the
letter of his Exceieucy to Gen. Baker.
Only the thoughtless or the corrupt can
sustain such high handed usurpation over
the freedom Of action and Of thought for
which the Revolutionary heroes bled:
Dies Mo,Nas, August 10th, 1864.
GEN. N. B. BAKER IL desire the policy
by which | shall be governed in organizing
the Militia, to be well understood. l am
determined at all hazards that there shall
be no Paw paw arrangement in Iowa. To
this end be careful, and commission those
only who are known to be strictly loyal.
Issue no arms to companies until satisfied
by positive proof that they are organized
in good faith by good men. t-
~. .-.'F.i~T w. NJ. STONE.