The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-07-04
yALrprcroRY.


vALEDIcroRY.
We imagine our readers never anticipated
the possibility Of reading Faledictory from
the Editor of the GATE CRY. 1t is new
idea with US, and one that we can scarcely
realize even now, and it seems as if it was
hardly possible that We could, in the future,
recognize our personal ridentity separate and
apart from the GATE Cry. Twenty years
ago this month we entered upon the Editorial
career, and have been in constant communi-
cation with our readers from that day to this.
And in that twenty years what mighty events,
what changes in the worlds history and in
the personal history of us all. The great
men who then controlled the destinies of
Europe as it seemed, have all passed away
and not one of all the politicians and states
men or soldiers who had then achieved Ma
tional reputation can now be found on the
stage of active life in our own country.
ScoTT who has just gone the way of all the
living, had not then gone to Mexico, to win
there fresh chaplets to add to the laurels Of
9
self and glory for his country's arms on the
broad theatre of the civilized world. JEFE.
DAVIS, now the elephantine guest OF the
President, was then in the early blush of his
evil notoriety, as the great Repudiator of
Mississippi BUCHANAN had gained some
notoriety as the libeller of HENRY CLAY !;
THAp. STEVENS had figured somewhat in
Peunsylvania politics SEWARD was man of
mark in New York but aside from those the
men whose names and sayings now gil the
newspapers we're utterly unknown to the
country.
During that period mighty events and
great revolutions have transpred in Europe
and in Asia and our own country has gone
through two wars and come out with renewed
power and glory to lead the van Of the Ma
tons in the onward march of civilization, to
the universal prevalence Of liberty and relig-
Ion. The first war resulted from the annex
alton of Texas, the first great well concerted
Aggressive movement of the slave oligarchy
to secure the perpetuity of their power over
he country and the last war, whose bloody
waves have but just ceased to dash against the
tulwarks of our free institutions, was iDaug
hmted TO overthrow our Government and
establish new one on the corner stone of hu.
man slavery.
Twenty years ago Iowa was admitted into
the Union with small and scattered popuia
ton, and Keokuk, then mere clump Of
miserable shanties. was the Gate through
which the population of the State secnred
most OF its supplies and sent OF Its sdrpfu'
produce. AUcusrus CAESAR DoDGE was the
great Tycoon and GEoRGE W., mot then hav
ing gained his aristocratic title, Fl. LAFAY'
rrrEl JONES, was his humble seryitor, ane
Iowa was known to the political world onl,
through them. The men who recently bor'
90 gallant part sa the war and shed such
halo Of glory over the name Of Iowa and VOL
imperishable renown for themselves, as vel
Ia those noble Representatives of our Stat
in the Councils of the Nation, who, durin
the war and since the war, have stood boldl
forth the unhinching champions of the right
and of the sentiments Of their patriotic Con
stituents, In the face of Executive power an
Presidential hostility-were then unknown
and, with few exceptions, were not at.the pc
Rod of the commencement Of our Editoris
l.bors. citizens of Iowa. Not less striking
and more generally appreciated have bee
thochanges that have taken place during thi
period in the material and social condition {
q, the country, and ia the development Of il
fesources and the progress of its improve
( fnents.
Ia Assuming, as we did, our editorial duties
II : spirit of earnest devotion to the publ
81 iood, and of unsophisticated enthusiasm +
- IL caase We espopsed and the champios
Who sustained it, wehave had our say in n
~.rd TO men and events as they have com
nm. I'D entered with will into oil the col
&aic1a Of opinion which they generated. An
sGim.sIl and svsnescent As may have been o,
&innrence, ws rejoice in the progress that h'
Nesa nsds on every hand, and in the ascen'
No. amongst the people Of the land, and
~ counils u tho stats end the Hstiop
- tAeipJn and ,he men We have aavoc
"a spposssd.
- III scanty means and with little u
1bs place or power, and without =
" 6au& Il eain which prompts to the {
im oe'tealsh, and with my full eha
Ii6lbstuSes incident to humanity,
! hasd struggle amidst many di
- lacdahips 70 maintian ny pcsiti