Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1870-09-15

lover OF the land, filled with their
skirmishes, their frequent battles,
their victories, and, at times, their
discouraging defeats, surpassed in
their Importance, so greatly, the earli.
err portion Of the lie Of the State, that
we arc apt to forget that there had
been, however, confinedin its char
actcr, a warllke spirit years before,
and deeds OF daring, which, though
infrcqucnt, and perhaps unheralded,
formed fitting opening to its rising
and remarkable career. The war
OF the rebellion called out the vigor-
GUS resources OF its young manhood !;
the Mexican war received the patri-
otic offerings of its youth. Should
the call to arms again be made. and
the bugle's assembly again be
SOUNDED, promptly viii the response
come: quickly will the ranks thick
len, and the lines formed SO suddenly
will truly tell that the recollections
of the past still live to inspire the
patriotic affections Of its people.
Soldiers of Iowa! the welcome
you receive here to-day. coming
from the full hearts of those who
love their home is only second to the
love they bear the men who saved it,
brings to our eyes the tears which
10y alone can shed gives to our
hearts those quickened bcatings which
shadow forth the happiness of this
hour, tor it comes from thankful,
loyal, and a greatful people-the peo-
pie of State whose war record is as
long as the longest of any of equal
|age-whose men fought on almost
every field where the blood 6 patri-
OTIS crimsoncd the soil; whose flag
.hc flag of the Union-borne brave
ly amidst the heat of battle waved
4 victorious. and If it ever dropped in
disaster, dropped only to rise again
with brighter stars. 1t seems like
READING the contents of volumes to
reflect upon these occurrences in con-
noctlon with the military history Of
our State, and yet it IS the history,
altogether, OF less than quarter OF q
century, and within that time will
derness has been conquered, waste
has been made to bud and bloom, a
population OF million souls finds
here its home. And yet that same
history tells us that in the war OF
Mexico, which arose in the same year
with The admission of the State, it
sent into the field, from It's popula
rion OF 96, 1000 people, but 344 officers
and men. Though few in number,
they were brave and true. Their
manly hcroism gave them honor, and
their valor was the theme OF tongues,
many OF which are mute IN death.
Though we are now a million, never
can the State be uumindful of that
little band, or OF its leaders for on
this map will always rest in lasting
letters the names of Mills and Guth-
rie-of men who fell fighting near
the gates Of Mexico. While we see
this record, and read the stories of
those Garlic: days, there comes be-
fore us the knowledge of the increas.
ing power and wonderful progress
OF a Commonwealth which, before
three fiiths OF quarter Of the century
had gone, gave to the Armies of the
nation, from population OF less than
seven hundre ]! shousand, S6,8O7 vol
unteers. The record is true one.
From the archiyes of the Capital is
transcribed the copy which tells you
that the State which, In its early
youth, gave to the service 344 men,
in its 10th year sent out sc, ,S07.
From that number you came to this
re union to receive the plaudits OF
friends; to shake again the hands Of
those who with you shared the joys
and sorrows OF campaign lite to tell|
Of battles which in the distance oi
memory makes every man, and, right
", to, hero; to give the tribute Of
your love to one, perhaps, who now.
forever gone, touched your elbow in
the line, aud shared with you his ra.s
tions and, among recolleotlons dear
to every soldiers heart, to cheer
again the waving flag and march to
your own music. All over this
broad land your. comrades are scatter
ed, and from their homes in the East
or from the mountains of the West
they send you grateful cheers to-day.
Your ranks may have vacant places.
Since your last lent was as-struck and
your last march made many have
gone from earth. The fields of the
South are white with those who fell
tn the midst Of action. The tramp
Of feet has oblitcratcd many ot their
graves, but an inscription to their
memory u onthc heart Of every com
radc now:l Az =.
Peace has covered. the land with
its guardianship as with garment,
and the l,opuiation OF the Northwest
ltrue inalleeiancc to the Government
lunder which it is rapidly growing in,1
wealth, ana power, could scarcely be-.
lievc that the hand existed TO strike
a blow at the life OF the nation.' For
years, almost in reality, had swords
been turned into ploughshares the.
occupation Of diligcnt labor had conf
manded the time of the sturdy men
Of the west and save hero aud there
il cities where on holidays there'was,
perhaps,a semblaiice Of military show,
there was not among the masses cv-
1ldcncee Of anything. like adaptation
70 warcl,kc pursuits or preferences
tor martial lite. Advancing with
rapid movement, and becoming year
~ stronger in those elements which
constitute the. greatness aad prosper
ity of State, the men OF Iowa, fer.
vent as they were in their affection
for the flag and the Union which ii
represented, gave apparently but lit
tie heed to the warnings which arose
! OF future danger, or TO tho urgent
appeals which were made to system
atiae their military organization. and