Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1865-07-21
Iowa and the War.

Eftraet from Cor. Stones address, at Reos,es Jn-
Let us briefly review the financial
history of our State from the beginning
of the war: The Legislature, atits extra
session in May, 1861, appropriated the
sum of $500, 900 for war and defense pur-
poses. 1t was then thought that this
State would be called upon to furnish
from two to four regiments for the ma
tional service, and that the war would
probably continue for year. None of
us thought it would last longer than
this, and Mr.. Seward predicted that it
would end in ninety days. This appro-
priatiOn was regarded as sufficient to
organize and fit this number of troops
for the field, furnish means for the de-
fense of our exposed borders and meet
other probable eXigencies. What has
been the result? Instead of only four,
we have sent into the field forty regi-
ments of infantry, nine of cavalry, and
four batteries of artillery, which, with
the recruits we have furnished from
time TO time, amount in the aggregate
TO 10000 men. The war lasted four
years instead of one, and the bulk of
this large force Is still I'm the field. Dur
ing much of the time brigade was
kept in organization for the defense of
our southern border, arms and amniu-
milton were furnished i'm sufficient
quantities, and with the assistance of
the patriotic people in the lower coun.
ties, the work of defense was performed
with eminent success. For the defense
of our northern frontier against Indian
depredations n brigade was kept on du-
ty there for q considerable period. We
have promptly met every rcguisition of
tn 80 Il r., a
our volunteers have been sent to the
field with the utmost facility and in
the best condition and l may assert
without the fear of successful contra
diction, that the soldiers from Iowa,
whether in the field or hospital, have
been as we'll provided for as those from
any other State. This vast work has
been accomplished, and yet large por-
ton of this appropriation for one
years war remains unexpended. While
other States, in doing less service ac-
cording to their population, have cx-
pended their thousands, we have only
used hundreds of dollars. At the be-
ginning of the war, our bonds were put
in market and readily sold. Go now to
Wall Street or Exchange Place, and
while the bonds from other States are
quoted upon the bulletin boards, the
name of iowa cannot be found there at
all. Our bonds are above par and out
OF the market. Those who hold them
regard them as the best investment and
have thrust them down into the bottom
OF their pockets. Such is the credit of
Iowa abroad. With the money now on
hand ANA what is due us rom the seve-
raj sources, we can to-day liquidate eve
ry dollar OF our State Indebtedness ana
lave handsome surplus left in the
treasury! Practically we do not owe u
single dollar. Last year, in the midst
of war, we levied only two mills on the
dollar for State purposes, which is no
more than was levied years ago in a
time of profound peace.
Nor is this all. Notwithstanding we
have sent into the field 10000 of our
vigorous and enterprising men, from
the farms and workshops, the State has
continued to maintain the route step
on the highway to progress. Our cities
and towns have continued to improve,
and the settlers cottages have been
springing up all over our prairies.-
Trade and commerce have thriven to an
extent hitherto unknown; domestic
quietude has reigned within our bor-
ders; taxes are promptly paid our peo-
pie are out of debt and prosperous, and
we have increased loo, ,D00 i'm population
since 1860. Looking to the future, and
considering the elements of greatness
which we possess, | entertain an abid-
ing faith that, under favorable auspices,
this tide or progress may go on, while
our iron rails shall giisten in the sun
light, and the rivers that wash our bor-
ders shall continue to bear upon their
bosoms the products of our soil to the
markets of the world.
Ii shall he my grateful duty, rs an
humble citizen of Iowa, to aid YOU in
transmitting this prosperity unilnpair-
ed to our children, that, in looking up
on their beautiful heritage, they may
4 fully realize the patriotic sentiment
| uih Wives there man with soul SO dead,
/ Who never TO himself hath said
'This is my own, my native land?"
Prouder still is the record OF our mill
tary achievements. To fully enumerate
the heroic deeds performed by our sew
enty thousand soldiers, would require
me to recite much of the sublime histo-
ry of this terrible war. From Wilson Is
Creek, where the blood of Iowa first
Redeemed the soil Of slavery, down to
the last gun fired in the contest. they
have been in the vanguard of our ar
mics, and borne the heat and burden of
the day. Whether i'm the imminent
deadly breach at Belmont, the bloody
charge at Donelson, amid the thunders
OF Shiloh and Nicksburg, above the
clouds ON Lookout Mountain, around
the walls of Atlanta, or on Sherman's
sublime march to tlfe Atlantic seaboard.
their banners were always conspicuous
i'm the front line, and on no occasion
has regiment from Iowa failed in the
hour Of trial, and not one has done an
act caiculated to tarnish the fair name
OF our State. And let US not forget
those who SO bravely fought and suffer-
ed in Arkansas, on Red river, in the
Shenandoah Valley, and ut the siege of
Mobile. Soldiers of Iowa, we hail your
victorious banners, and with grateful
hearts bid you welcome to your prairie
homes.