Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-08-31
PEOPLES PULPIT.
Governor shaw's Artisude.

OtIumWa, H., aug. %, loS9.
Editor Courier: Dear Sir-.rhe mag
unanimous spirit which characterized
the act of Gov. Shaw in the appoint
ment of j. Rush Lincoln, an ex-Confed-i
crate, as brigadier general OF the
Iowa troops when they were called in
to service at the opening OF the Span
ish war, il, highly commendable and
should receive the hearty endorsement
of every true, and loyal American citi-
zen OF Iowa, This act. represents the
governor, as possessing a great heart
and fearless In, the performance of
what he deemed to be right, to-wit;
that our brother inthe south shonld
be forgiven. When are we to forgive
him? How long are we to remember
the bloody shirt? Shall we spit in his
face to intensity our revenge in token
of the grudge we hold against him, or
shall we, with ;great magnanimity of
spirit forgive our brother in the
south, who is now standing at our
side as loyal and as ready to fight IN
der the American flag as ever did the
Union soldiers in the defense of the
Union? In theagood work now already
accomplished, in bringing back the
south to the defense and support OF the
constitution of the United States, shall
it be wrecked by perpetuating spirit,
which recognizes q divided north and
south? 1t required great courage, sac
rifice and heroism on the part of the
brave boys OF Iowa, to face the can
non in suppression of the rebellion;
but boys your work is not complete
BY simply subduing your enemy
you must forgive him also. To do this
requires greater courage than TO
stand in the midst of flying shot and
shell. The act of your governor in the
appointment of Mr.. Lincoln to the POI
sition he now holds, is the greatest ev-
idence, that you have forgiven your
enemy, and should have received the
approval of every soldier of Iowa for
that reason alone. This is Christian
America, and the act of the governor,
lis only representative of true Ameri-
can spirit, while to have done other
wise, would have been Characteristic
of barbarous and heather nations, who
seek only revenge. The writer had a
brother in the hardest and thickest of
the fight, but he does not regard any
injustice being done him, in the sup
port of the governors position, but he
would sorely regret to know that that
brother cast his vote against the gov
ernor of the state of Iowa, because he
did what he deemed to be representa-
tive of true American citizenship in
his representative capacity. At the
time of Mr.. Lincoln receiving his APP
pointlnerft, can we accuse Governor
Shaw of having any aspirations for a
second nomination for the governor
ship? AS to the certainty of that 1
am unable to state, but supposing that
he had. Was he sipsensible of the in
justice he was doing himself by max
ing the above appointment? All, he
knew very well what the old veterans
of the state would think of it. Right
here is where the man is tested, and a
trying position in which to be placed.
Outside of his own personal interest,
are we to suppose, that it did not give
him pain to oppose his constituency
and especially the old soldiers of his
state, by whose influence and vote he
now holds his present position?
In this act Gov. Shaw initiates the
example of the hero of Appomatox
and voices also the worthy example of
President Mckinley in his treatment of
the south in our recent difficulties with
Spain. This is the proper and only
course to pursue. 1t is the embodi-
ment of the purest of Christian princi-
pie and example. With Christian love
and forgiveness America will tower
above every other nation, without it
she will fall. I. w. Smithson.
The depot at Rock Valley is to be
enlarged.