Year: 1862

must be kept in repair, and we can only
supply the deficiency of work created by
enlistments, by requiring labor from those
now exempt. | therefore recommend
that the law be so amended that all able
bodied male residents of the State be-
tween the ages of eighteen and sixty be
made liable to perform labor on our high


ways.


1t is of the highest importance that
the numerical strength Of the regiments


from this State be maintained in the field.


Many of our old regiments have been
much reduced in mum bers, and thus the
expense of maintaining them, in proper


ton to their number, is much increased ;,


while their efficiency is much diminish
ed. Our new regiments will 60 out full,
and the old ones will soon be filed, but
in short time their numbers will be
again reduced. To remedy this evil |
recommend that, with the approval of
the proper Federal authorities, Camp
of Instruction be established at some suit,
able point in this State, sufficient to ac-
commodate one thousand men-that 4he
several counties be required to furnish
their equitable proportion of that mum
Der OF men 20 place in camp under in
struction-that when men are needed to
fill the ranks of any of our regiments
requlsitions be made for the proper mum
ber-which shall be filed as nearly as
may be from the men in camp. from the
counties in which the companies compo-
sing the regiment were organized, and
their places in camp Immediately be sup
piled by new men from the same coun-
ties. This is entirely just TO all the coun-
ties-will send the men into companies
composed Of their neighbors and friends,
and will keep up our regiments to thei,
effective strength.


On the 17th day Of August last / is
sued proclamation urging upon our
people the strong necessity of filing up.
the ranks OF our old regiments, and as an
inducement to enlisiments for that pur-
pose declared my intention of recon-
mending to you the payment of bounties
by the State, to ali who should enlist for
the old regiments, between the date of
proclamation and the first day of the
present month. have not yet learned
the number of men who have thus en-
listed between the dates named, but
recommend TO you that an appropriation
be made for the purpose of paying to
each of them such bounty as You may
deem advisable.


The theory Of our Government is that
the people rule. This theory can be
carried into practical effect only through
the ballot box. Thereby the people
mould and direct the operations of The
Government, and sellla all questions af-
fecting the public welfare The right
of suffrage is therefore highly priced by
all good cilizens, and should be exercis.
ed by them at all times. and especially
at times when questions of grave impor
tance are presented for solution. There
never has been, perh ps there will never
again be, time when questions SO i'm
portanl, interests so vital, as those now
demanding action at the hands of our
people, were, or will be submitted to
them. The very lie OF the nation is at
stake, and may be as fatally lost at the
ballot box as on the battle field. Under
such circumstances it is not only the
right but the duty of all good citizens to
exercise the right OF suffrage, and to see
to it that the principles for the preserva-
lion of which our people are SO freely Of
lering treasure and lie, are not leopard
lied or lost in the Halls of Legislation,
State or National A very large mum
Der of the electors OF the State are in the
army. We say but little when We say
that these men are AS good citizens. as
intelligent, rs patriotic, as devoted TO
their country, as those who remain at
home. Under existing laws these citi
zens can not vote, aud unless these laws
can be changed, il may be that the cause
they are perlling life in the field 10 main
tain, may be lost at home through SUI
pineness or treachery.


therefore recommend that the laws be
SO modified that all men. bers of Iowa
regiments who would be entitled TO vote
il al home on the day OF election, be al
lowed to vote wherever they may be sta
toned in the United States, aud that pro.
vision be made for receiving and can
yassing their votes


There are in this State some religious
bodies who entertain peculiar views up
on the subject OF bearing arms, and
whose religious opinions conscientiously
entertained, preclude their so doing
Their members are generally the most
quiet, orderly, industrious and peac ful
citizens, aud their sympalhies are wholly
with he Government in this struggle
now going on for its preservation. yet
they cannot conscientiously y bear arms in
It's support Itappears TO me il would
be unjust and wholly useless TO force
such men into the army as soldiers, and
yet It would not be just TO the Govern
ment or 10 other citizens that they should
be wholly relieved from the burdens that
others have TO bear. | suggest. there
fore, that these persons who cannot con
scientiousl y render military duty, be ex
empted theretrom in case OF draft, upon
the payment Of fixed sum Of money to
be paid 10 the State.


Startling rumors have recently reach
ed me OF danger to our people in the
Northwestern Froptier from hoStiia In