Year: 1862

i'll influence. The great mass of our
people see clear y and know we'll that no
peace can be permanent which is made
by compromising with armed rebels, and
will leave our present territory divided
between jealous and hostile nations by
boundaries,as las it must be if not preserved
in its integrity.


cannot close this address without
paying well deserved tribute to the
brave men who represent our State in
the great army collected to do battle for
our country. We may well be proud
of them. We here, as officers, and all
our people as citizens, should feel that
there is much for us TO do to maintain
that high reputation they have won for
our State


Trace the Iowa First on their weary
way to Springfield /; see them ragged and
hungry, but cheerful and ready f; listen.to
their marching song as it rolls along the
column, lending new vigor to themselves
and their tired comrades hear their
fierce shouts, and witness their daring
deeds, on the field where Lyon fought
and fell witness the heroic spirit OF de-
votion and self-sacrifce with which the
Iowa Third at Blue Mills attacked. and
the bravery with which they fought, the
enemy i'll overpowering numbers, to de
lay that enemy's retreat until expected
reinforcemenls could arrive. See the
Iowa Seventh on the bloody field of Bel
mont, heading the attack and covering
the retreat witness the cheerful endur-
ance, the untiring energy, the indomit-
able valor OF all our troops whenever and
wherever tried, and who does not feel
proud that he too is an Iowan We owe
these gallant men much The rank and
! file of our Regiments have never been
surpassed. doubt very much if they
ever have been equaled. There is not a
company in any OF our Regiments which
does not contain in its ranks meE who in
intelligence and moral worth, are the
peers of any man who hears me. They
have left behind them the comforts, and
endearments Of home, their business,
their friends, their ALL and have taken
their places as privates in the ranks with
nominal pay, and almost without a hope
/ for honor and distinction. This is pat
riotism, and repeat it "to these men
we owe much" 1t is due to them, at


least, that all shall be done that our cir
cumstances will allow, TO promote their
health and comfort, and doubt not you
will see TO il that the debt is paid.


When the war commenced many OF
US hoped that 10y this time it would have
been completed, or that at least we would
be able to see the beginning of that desir-
able end. But We have been disappoint
ed. The rebellion had greater strength
than we had supposed. Obstacles have
arisen that we had not anticipated, and
the end is not yet. But these things
should not discourage, and | am glad To
say they have not discouraged, us. As
The greater strength Of the rebellion has
been developed we have promptly fur
nished the greater needed strength to
put il down, and if need be Iowa can vet
send forth many Regiments as brave, as
loyal, and as true as those that have al
ready gone. As obstacles have arisen
they have been met as brave men meet
them They have been trampled upon,
and we passed on. And now when as it
seems to us here. that all things are
ready.we are waiting patiently, but with
beating hearts. for the day when the
great battle shall be fought-listening
intently, and oh how anxiously. for the
battle shout, " God for the right" which
will on that day roll over that battle
field from the brave men who will be
privileged there to rally around our dear
old flag and strike in lis defence, and
trusting humbly and confidently that
because they will strike for the right. the
God OF battles will give us the victory