The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-09-22
Letter from Gov. Stone.
-. ExEouyiyR OFFIoEs IRA I

Il a pEs "OtNrS, 1COts J .
GENERAL N B. BAKER: Sir :--Observ
Ting that persistent efforts are being mad,
fby certain partisan Journals to convert TIN
oath prescribed for officers Of the State Mil
itiainto p,peses ofpoliticai capital. ard by
gross perversons Of its language and obvious
intent to create the impression that It was
designedasa measu of prescription against
those who act with the Anti. Union party
have deemed it advisable to direct Sigh,
modification of its terms as indicated by the
copy here enclosed. This change, as you
will observe, preserves the substance and
meaning Of the original oath, aud at the
same time removes all reasonable ground OF
objection. with those who are disposed to act
in good faith, in uniting with their neigh.
bors to carry out the militia law. and assist
us in completing these indispensable prepa.
rations for State defense. .sz7stg NJ
| In my opinion the necessity for an imme
date and thorough organization of our State
Militia, though heretofore apparent, vas ncv.
er so imperative as now. i "na Y
I The condition of things in adjacen,
States and Territories beyond our power tc
control, when carefully viewed, is calculated
to create we!l-founded distrust in the safe.
| ty Of our borders and the security of our
homes. The precarious and constantly
shifting tide Of war may soon change It's di.
rec.lon to this State, and, II finding us un.
prepared asst has others who fancied them
selves secure. may visit its destroying power
u ION Iowa cities and devastate our unde.
tended fields. 60 a. gaiv al.2 ,s'1 ~
| The recent troubles in Missouri, which
for time presented the alarming features
of a general war, have been temporarily
checked by the activity of Federal troops,
but far from being pern.a mently subdued,
the hostile elements may be revived at any
moment, and, under the direction of more
determined leaders, assume holder form
and wider field. 1t is no secret that the
guerrillas and bushwhackers of Missouri, for
many reasons, entertain a feeling of ,i1,yet
crate hostility towards this State, and If in
case Of another uprising tnev should sue.
coed in reaching the counties Of North Mig
souri might easily cross our undefended
State line and commit their depredati5ns
upon our people. G2qqfd l!rca 2Ht' g do
y Nor is this all An Indian war of tormi.
dable proportions is loom ng up in the
West, and has snfar bafled the vigorous
efforts Of Gen. Curtis and the forces at his
disposal si9ds7 d1 isriG2e yTtapoa sE' fa
/ With 10000 well armed and hostile Indi.
ans lowering upon the plains beyond Us, it
would be absolutely criminal to say that the
western Counties are safe from the horrors
iof savage warfare, and omit the necessary
measures for their defence. siIota 7jadi y5u
need scarcely sugges. our inability to
arm and keep troops in the field at our own
expense, and as the Federal Government
cannot we'll provide aus with garrisoned
posts, we are compelled to rely alone upon
our militia force for defence against dangers
.
With these views earnestly controlling
my own actions, was DESTROYS to effect an
early and practical organization of the mill
tia, arm it as far as possible, and keep it
well IN hand ready to meet danger from
whatever quarter it might appear I did not
doubt that our people in pursuance of law,
and few general orders from your office,
would quietly assemble at times and places
convenient for the purpose, and organize
themselves into companies without any in.
reference being required from the Execu.
tive Department. rts faau
1t did not occur to me that party differ
ences would be considered, and I failed to
perceive why they should. regarded the
organization of the militia as a matter Of
State pride, as we'll as measure Of State
defence, and demanded by consider ,tions
entirely above all party questions
1t was not the homes of my political
friends alone which felt under obligations
to defend, and should have regarded my
self as unworthy their confidence and the
position occupy, had l attempted any dis.
'crimination,in their favor. 5i sa ens
But the result has shown that this reas
enable hope was not well entertained.
On my return from the South found
many letters awaiting me from which /
learned thai in large number of counties
attempts were being made to organize COM
panies upon strictly partisan basis. Lead.
ing members Of the so called Democratic
party were assiduous in collecting their fol.
lowers together, in some instances remote
from their own neighborhoods, to the exclu.
sion of Union men, and electing officers IA.
vorable to their peculiar creed. In many
instances the people assembled to organize
without distinction of parry, and were pro-
ceeding with the work. when thes men, Of
fering some Frivolous pretext for their course,
withdrew from the meetings, leaving an in
Sufficient number for the organization of
companies Thus in many localities our eff.
forts to procure the organization of compa.
MES were successf llly thwarted. na ai4e.
iThisiis especially truc in the three lower
tiers of counties; although similar complaints
have come from those farther North. In one
Instance an individual was elected Captain
of company who had been tried and dis
hon 'rably dismissed the United States ser.
vice for the ntterance of reasonable senti.
men IS. and for other conduct unbecoming an
officer and gentleman. and in anothe- n no