North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-09-15
VOLUME XIII---NN 49,.

always won the respect of those who were
brought into contact with him.
A singular feature in his character was
his untiring industry, and his strict devo-
ton to business. With him war seemed
anything but an occupation which could be
intelspersed with triAing pastimes, or in
temperate orgies. 1t cannot be said of
him that he was incapaciated by excesses
from performing his duties. While others
about him were giving themselves unre-
servedly to disgraceful carousals, he devo-
ted himself to duty, and to the task Of
substituting himself for those who were
unable to attend to the performances of
their own proper tasks. 1t is owingt to
his entire devotion to his position, and the
necessity which was so often thrust upon
him of attending to the labors of others,
that his health gave way, and that there
was developed into activity, in his frame,
a disease which, in quieter and less
laborious life, might have slumbered on
harmlessly until he had reached the alot-
ted period Of mans existence. Still, his
death is sacrifice, which, undoubtedly,
was the salvation Of the national cause.
Had less devoted, attentive, clear headed
man occupied his position, it is certain
that Grant would never have achieved the
position he did, or that the federal armies
would have been involved in overwhelm>
ing disaster.
A grateful people should recognize that
much, very much, Of their triumph over
disunion was purchased by John A.
Rawlins, and paid for at the infinite, to
him, price of his life. That he gave the
price willingly, none who know his untir-
ing devotion to country will doubt; and
yet, one cannot but feel that this life was
needlessly given or, at least, that It went
to supply what was lacking in the indus
try, the vigilance, the sobriety of men
who were his military superiors. lie was
a young tree about which clambercd a
vine; aud which bore the vine high in
air, and gave it's life in the labor.
That the world generally knows little of
Rawlins, or his labors, is shown by the
fact that his career has been, at no time,
the subject of more than sparse jour
nalistic mention: while in history and
biography his name appears rarely or
never. And, nevertheless, during all the
long and bloody years from Belmont to
Appomattox, he was the power behind the
throne, the balance-wheel without whose
regularity and weight Grant w,u'd have
broken himself into fragments. No one
man did more than he to subjusatc the
rebellion; despite this, one may vainly
hunt through the roll Of honor to find
bare mention OF his name, or OF his
services. To have deprived Grant of
Rawlins at any single moment of the
formers military career would have been
as instantly fatal as to have sccoped out
his brains. Grant knew this and, hence,
the country has seen that not for single |
instant, in his progress from brigadicr to
general, did Grant ever separate himself
from his adjutant general.
Apart from his military ability, Rawlins
was gentleman. of cultivation, and fine
professional abilities. At the breaking
out of the war, he was lawyer who stood
at the head of his profess in Galena, in
this state. While occupying this position,
he attained more than a mere local repu- !
tation. lie was, although young, well
known in adjacent portions of Wisconsin,
Iowa, and Illinois. Had he rema ned
lawyer, he would undoubtedly have at
tained high position. The same quail
ties which we have specified as character
izing him during the war, would, in
few years, have found him, asa lawyer,
at the front of the profession in the west.
He had not merely the sterner qualities
necessary to success as a lawyer he had
also all those pleasing social characters.
tics by whose aid the dignity of pro-
iession is enhanced, and its success
materially assisted. But had he been
satisfied to seek eminence in his profession,
although he would have been vastly the
gamer, Grant would, to-day, be at his old
trade in Galena, while the country might
have been known as the United States and
the Confederacy.
Some time before the close Of the war,
General Rawlins was married to lady of
Vicksburg, Miss. He was, probably, at
his death, not more than Al or 43 years of
age. His sacrifice was consummated
while he was comparatively young man;
and while the rewards of his labors. and
the enjoyment of home life, untrammel-
cd by vexatious official lahors, were all in
the future.
A gallant soldier, a courteous gentle
man, clear thinker, and possessed Of the
highest order Of executive ability, he was
one whom the country could lily spare.
1t is only now, when the grave has closed
over him, that the country will examine
his record, and learn, for the first time,
how faithful and valuable servant it has
lost. When this Examination shall take
place, there will then be given to his ),
memory that love, respect admiration.and
appreciation which should have been his
in life.
Activity OF FIsK.-The New York Ec.
press says that the Erie Railway Company
has made an arrangement with the Lake
Shore Company, by which the fornser is to
lay third rail from Dunkirk to New
York within a year, thus making uni