Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-11-21
federate and 26o Federal organiza-

tions, 80 of which were composed of
men enlisted from the prairie homes
Of the new but Intensely patriotic
state Of Iowa. We do not claim that
Iowa soldiers were superior to all
others but we do insist upon this
and all other occasions that they
we're the equal Of any and no where
during the Civil War was there
bravery more conspicuous than I'M
the assault on Vlcksburg May %.
1868. Since that day Of carnage
Iowa has increased in population
until today it has more than two
million of the happiest and most
prosperous people on the face Of the
earth. Its commercial, industrial,
educational and agricultural devel-
opments have been phenomenal, but
amid all these material changes, citi-
zens Of Iowa have never forgotten
the part her troops had in making
it possible for the Father of Waters
to flow unvexed to the sea, and
when the question of suitably COM
memorating their part in the bat
ties that in 1868 waged over these
black walnut hills and through these
seemingly bottomless valleys, there
was throughout Iowa but one senti-
ment, and that decidedly in favor
of it. To the Hon. L j. Bealer, a I
member of the Iowa legislature and
now a member of the Iowa Vicks-
burg Monument Commission, is due
the credit OF introducing into the
Iowa legislature during the 1902, al
hill for the appropriation Of $3.50,
1000, to be expended in the construc-
ton of all Iowa State Memorial, OF
Iowa regimental and battery monu-
ments, and Iowa markers within the
National Military Park at Vicksburg.
That such measure should have
passed both Houses without dis
senting voice and was promptly
signed by his Excellency the Gov
: ernor, who is with us on this occas-
+ ion, indicates Iowa's loyalty to and
i her continued interest in her
t volunteer soldiers Of the Civil War.
The Commission appointed and
charged with the patriotic duty of
E expanding so large an amount OF
money realized to the fullest extent
t the responsibility thus placed upon
n them. Mistakes may have been
d made, but if SO they are trivial and
n only such as are common to Monu
e ment Commissions everywhere. We
g are especially proud Of our State
v Memorial, the original conception
q Of which was from the brain OF our
n respected Secretary, Col. Il. H. Rood
J. We confidently believe that when
10 completed Iowa will enjoy the di-
e stinction Of having at Vicksburg the
n most artistic and beautiful commem-
orative memorial ever constructed
o in any Park in any Country-show-
Is ing clearly that the Commission
). made no mistakes in the selection
n Of Mr.. Henry Hudson Hitson as its
! artist. q. y
) Our IL brigade, regimental and
II battery monuments bearing the in
e scriptions for -Iowa's 81 commands
/. engaged here in 1863, and our SO
regimental and battery markers, I'M
like others in this or any other Park,
e are both beautiful and suggestive
all And now as chairman of the Iowa
). EYicksburg Monument Commission,
d it becomes my duty and is my pleas
; ures to present to you Governor Cum
e Minis for dedication this beautiful
J. but incomplete State Memorial and
It to present to you for dedication and
J. for transfer to the United States the
v Ii monuments and the SO markers
i to which | have referred -Vicks-
# burg Evening American.