Year: 1868

WHOLE No. 588.
the power nor wish to assail. The senti.
ment eff mankind will approve such pol.
icy. and our justice will be repaid by the
presence of a loyal army Of defenders oi
our Constitution in every Southern State.
Many profess to see danger from this
extension Of the elective franchise. In
these apprehcnsions / have no share
Away with distrust Of people who brav-
ed the lash and bloodhound to shelter the
soldier Of the Union. or guide him to the
protection of his flag! Let their ignor-
ance be forgotten in the remembrance
that it never beguiled them into the sub
tletics where refinement fell. The solemn
responsibilities of suffrage can be as safe
ly entrusted to the heroes who charged at
Fort Wagner and Port Hudson as to the
cultured aristocracy who raised the flag of
rebellion at the behests of personal ambi-
ton. An honest instinct is worthier than
a perverted intelligence. Entitled to our
gratitude for their unwavering attachment
to the national cause, and for the heroic
courage they contributed to its defense,
and challenging our respect for their ju-
dicious use of the privileges of freedom,
let us invite them to share in the blessing
which they have helped preserve.


Our own State has already taken the
initiatory steps toward the abolition of
all distinction Of race and color from the
Constitution. Let US not fail at this ses-
sion to advance the work inaugurated by
our predeces sors, of giving to our colored
population the enjoyment of those priv
ileges which have hitherto been denied to
them. They have demonstrated their man.
hood in the stern realities of war, and in
this enlightened Commonwealth no Ion
ger let any prerogativc of manhood be de-
MED to man. That others falter and cow
er before the seeming difficulties of this
measure, should be no encouragement to
us. Let us not emulate their cowardice
nor share in their dishonor. Let the
alacrity with which we concede the priv
ilege equal the readiness with which we
gave them our flag and sent them forth to
fight our battles. Let those who nobly
volunteered and gallantly defended the
flag of the Union-who stood between the
foe and our heritage of common country
never have cause to charge Iowa with
lack of courage to do justice to her color
ed soldiers and residents.


Gentlemen of the Assembly: can not
neglect the opportunity to congratulate
you upon the favorable auspices under
which you enter upon your duties. War
with its stern necessities no longer trench
cs upon the industrial interests of the
State. While these responsibilities have
ceased with the overthrow of the rebellion,
other and more substantial fields invite
your effort. Our State is yet in its early
manhood. But twenty-nine years have
elaps d since the first law-making body of
the "New Purchase assembled in q sis
ter city. Hardly single generation has
passed away, since the few scattered colo
nies upon the banks Of the Mississippi,
whose abiding faith in the future seemed
even then to foreshadow the glorious re-
ality, have grown to the vigor and
strength of inland empire. The achieve
ments of the past will be succeeded by 9TH
er advances, no less wonderful. Her sons
are but the pioneers of the millions who
shall yet find home on the prairies. The
abundant haryests upon which we now
congratulate ourselves, are but an earnest
of the marvellous resources of q region.
richer even than our thought or hope.


The eye of discovery has revealed the
presence of variety of mineral wealth
whose possibilities may prove great res
ervlor OF power for the demands of civil
zation. The streams which divide its SUR
fice must be made to roll the wheels Of
machinery and mould the products of our
care into the fabrics Of trade. Regions
hitherto undeveloped are to be bound to
our commercial centres by links of rail-
way communication. Worthy industries
are to be encouraged and internal improve
ments of every kind zealously promoted
by the judicious patronage of the State.


Let it be our boast and pride that we
fear nothing so much as ignorance and ar
titcial distinctions between man and man.
Let us establish our power firmly upon the
foundations of intelligence and liberal
ideas, making manhood our only title of
nobility, and believing in nothing so hope
fully as an educated public opinion.


But one-sixth Of our lands are enclosed.
Our hopes for the settlement of the mil
lions OF acres whose wealth is vet in re-
serve are largely affected by the character
OF our institutions. immigration gravi-
tates toward social order, free schools and
equal laws. Our population is largely
enriched every year by the tide which
reaches US from other and less favored
lands. They seek, under>the benefcent
patronage OF our institutions, their priv
ileges as farmers, mechanics, merchants
and professional men--transplanting to
our soil that love of liberty which impell-
ed them from their old homes. We have
nothing to fear from their presence. The
sturdiest defenders of freedom are those
who have felt its loss.


In the guardianship of the sacred trust
which has been reposed in us, the good of
the State should be our ruling motive. A
just sense Of our responsibilities will for
bid us to harbor the spirit of partizanship
or balance the claims of section or party
against the good of the whole. However
cherished may be our political convictions,
let us remember that we are not the rep
resentatives of particular interests or ia
vored classes, but are the servants of the
rhote people, and that, in our keeping
the rights ofmajority and minority should
be equally sacred.


Full OF hope in the future of our State.
whose past has been so favored of Provi-
dence, and whose present is so rich in
let us apply ourselves with
zeal and fidelity to the advancement of her
interests. If we should not summon to
our aid the wisdom of craftsmanship, let
US, at least, meet our responsibilities with
integrity and earnest devotion
to the Commonwealth and may the God
of Wisdom and Justice guide in His own
appointed ways.