The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1865-08-31

loyalty, majority of the soldiers with
drew, and adjourned to Sherman Hall
where large and enthusiastic Convention
was organized, on motion of b. F. Murray
by the appointment of Cap. NJ. l.. McPher
son as chairman, who was loudly cheered
and addressed the meeting, stating thu
circumstances under which this Conyen
tion had originated, that the so-called
Soldiers Convention had excluded them
; from its deliberations, and virtually do
clared that soldiers had no rights tha
white men were bound to respect. He fur
ther stated he was not willing to give his
countenance or encouragement to any az.
semblage controlled and advised by sucl
Copperheads as Tom Ciaggett. TCheers.
On motion of w. C. Newton. J. NJ. Holli
day. of Indiahola, was chosen Secretary
pro tenn.
On motion Of J. Mcleod, a committee OF
resolutions was appointed. Committee
J. Mcleod, b. F. Murray, and Col. p. p
Henderson. The following resolutions
were adopted: r..
RaSolUed, That we, the citizens soldiers
OF Iowa, never have affiliated and never
will affiliate with the Copperheads of Iowa
in any political capacity whatever.
Resolred. That, leaving the question OF
negro suffrage in allowance. we will sin.
port the nominees of the Republican Con
yention held at Des Moines, on the 18th OF
June, 1865.
On motion of w. c. Newton, the rssolu-
tons were unanimously adopted.
b. +. Murray, of Winterset, being loudly
called for, responded in an able and elo-
quent address. He recapitulated the cir
cumstances under which the Court House
Convention met. In his opinion, the sold
iery of Iowa had no more 10 do with call
ing that Convention than the rebels had.
In caucus held before the meeting of
the Convention, Rev. Mr.. Barton had said
I'VE don't care anything for the Soldiers
Convention, we want to win; and we want
to nominate men that will be accepted by
the Convention Tomorrow There were
such delegates i'm that Convention as Tom
Claggott. No soldier could go into any
such gatherings. Hewas sorry to see some
| there who had been in uniform. Mr.. Muir
ray then proceeded to anvliye the antece-
dents Of several of the delegates. The big
man there, Capt. Edwards. was seven
months and eight days in the service; and
AT the end of that time was offered his choice
of resigning or being cashiered. And the
chairman of that Convention knew about
aS much as an oyster. Where do You find
such men when they come home from the
service? Do you find them with those who
stood by the war? No, Won find them with
the COppcrheads. He would not support
the nominee of any such Convention. and
whoever was nominated there wonld be
eternally damned and no true soldier
sortion that every man in the State who
had been in the service or been compelled
TO leave it, or who were compelled To leave
il, or who We're rebels, would support the
nominees Of the Court House Convention.
Mr.. Mcleod followed in an eloquent and
witty speech. lie WAS glad the soldiers of
Iowa had repudiatcd the action of the has
tard ConventiOn--for so he must call it.
1t could be easily seen that that COnven-
tior would ho controlled by the Copper
heads. That was why the Convention was
called the day before the meeting of the
Coppcrhead Conuention. The ticket they
would nominate wo Id receive the support
been compelled to hide their name because
of thcinfamv that attached to it on account
of their opposition to the war. Parties in
all natians, who opposed their country in
| successful wars. always perished. He ci-
ted instances from history to support this
position. The Democratic party, like all
other parties in similar position, had
staked their all on the issue. and had lost;
and they ought to give up like men, and
not try to climb into office on the backs of
soldiers. He had been offered Office if he
would 30 with them; hut he chad rather
be do0r-keeper in the house of God than
! to dwell in tn" tents of the wicked The
proceedings of the Convention at the Court
! House to-day reminded him of the three
tailors who passed resolutions beginning
ave, the citizens of London The Con-
vention would probably pass resolutions
| to-day, calling themselves 1--WE the sold
ie-s Of Iowa"
Mr.. Barker WAS the next speaker. After
| speaking Of matters of political history, he
| stated he had heard men who were running
the Court House Convention to-day abuse
! Lincoln. and call the soldiers his hirelngs.
These were the men who were behind the
screens, and pulling the wires while the
puppets dance. Some soldiers, who had
unworthily worn the blue, might go oil
with them. But he believed the soldiers OF
Iowa were different from what they are
supposed to be by these men. He believed
the spirit of'76 had inspired the men who
had gone forth in defense of their country.
Is it supposed they will sneak up to the
polls and vote Shiny, snaky, copperhead
ticket? Who called the convention of June
lith? Was it the men who opposed the
war? who opposed giving relief to soldiers
families? No. Who were those who as
sisted soldiers, and voted supplies to their
families? Was it the party who are behind
logizcd the late Union convention and its
nominees. Were soldiers excluded from
that convention? Every loyal soldier was
welcome there. Why was that resolution
to-day voted down in the other convention!
Because they wanted the snake to crawl in
He was in favor of bruising the serpsnt's
head, and making him eat dirt, according
to Scripture. He was afraid of the snakes
because when you think he is playing you
a tune with his tail, he is waiting chance
to bite. Why, this snake Tomorrow will
swallow up this Court House convention
and it won't take mucL of a snake to do it.
He urged unity among Union men. What
hope have these disafiectcd men ofsuecess!