Benjamin F. Gue

“ The draft at this time was a crucial test of the patriotism of the people, and was watched with intense anxiety by the National and State Administrations, Congress and the army. It was the most critical period of our national existence. Would the Government stand the strain, and would the people sustain the Administration, and, decree in the approaching election, that the war would go on and the army be reënforced by drafts until the Rebellion was overthrown? These were the problems that the election would settle. There could be no doubt as to the answer that Iowa would give. ”

“ The fearful list of killed and wounded that had brought woe and desolation to countless homes through the long agonizing years, would come no more.
Hardly had the news of the crowning victory and the dawning of early peace, reached the distant parts of the country, when, like an awful flash from a clear sky came the startling tidings of the assassination of the President. ”

“ Resolved, That, believing the war to be disunion, and desiring to stop the further flow of precious blood for a purpose so wicked as disunion, we respectfully urge the President to postpone the draft for 500,000 men to be driven like bullocks to the slaughter, until the result of an armistice and a National Convention of the States is known. ”

“ In affording the people a fair opportunity of showing to one another, and to the world, this firmness and unanimity of purpose, the election has been of vast value to the National cause. “In presenting the abandonment of armed resistance to the national authority on the part of the insurgents, as the only indispensable condition to ending the war on part of the Government, I retract nothing heretofore said as to slavery ... ”

“ It was to decide whether the Republic was to endure as one great nation, or be divided into hostile factions, adopting different forms of government, liable to form alliances with foreign nations for selfish purposes, leading to endless danger of civil wars and internal disorders.
The reëlection of President Lincoln would be notice to the Southern Confederacy, to its friends in the North and to foreign nations, that every power of our National Government would be put forth for the suppression of the Rebellion until national authority was restored in every State and Territory in the Union. ”

“ The hope of the election of McClellan and the defeat of Lincoln was the inspiration that sustained Lee’s army in its desperate resistance to Grant’s terrific assaults upon its strong defenses all through the months of the political campaign. No one realized more clearly than the leaders of the Confederacy and its armies that the reëlection of President Lincoln would seal their doom. ”

“ That the war now being prosecuted by the Lincoln administration is unconstitutional and oppressive and is the prolific source of a multitude of usurpations, tyrannies and corruptions to which no people can long submit without becoming permanently enslaved. ”

“ There were hundreds of thousands of Democrats in these States, who were loyal to the Union, but were opposed to emancipation, and to the employment of negroes in the National army, and who believed it possible to restore the Union with slavery as it existed before the Rebellion. These men also supported McClellan. But, as the campaign progressed, it became evident that the contest was, as tersely stated by that great statesman, William H. Seward, when he said in a public address: “The issue is squarely made up—McClellan and disunion, or Lincoln and union.” ”

“ On the 9th of December, Adjutant-General Baker, upon learning that deserters from Price’s Confederate army were crossing into southern counties of Iowa for the purpose of robbery and murder, issued an order to the State militia in that region to be on the alert, “and if these desperadoes enter the State to rob, steal and murder, and are caught in the act, they are to be treated as outlaws, and shot on the spot, or hung to the nearest tree.” These energetic measures served to protect very generally the border counties. ”

“ Justice, humanity, liberty and the public welfare demand that immediate efforts be made for a cessation of hostilities, with a view to the ultimate convention of all of the States, or other peaceable means, to the end that at the earliest practicable moment, peace may be restored on the basis of the Federal Union of the States. ”

“ Several other resolutions were passed denouncing in bitter terms most of the war measures of the Administration, as usurpations, not warranted by the Constitution. General George B. McClellan was nominated for President and George H. Pendleton for Vice-President. When the issue was thus squarely made between a vigorous prosecution of the war for the preservation of the Union and a cessation of hostilities for the purpose of attempting a compromise with the Southern Confederacy, the loyal people of the country realized the fearful danger that confronted the Nation. ”

“ The Republican candidate is, on the contrary, pledged to the re-establishment of the Union without slavery.” In Iowa, the campaign was carried on with intense interest and earnestness. Public meetings were held in nearly every school-house, and the spirit of patriotism pervaded every neighborhood. Our State had more than 50,000 soldiers in the Union armies, and they represented a large majority of the families of the entire population. Women who had fathers, brothers, sons or lovers in the field, hospital or Southern prisons, could not restrain their intense interest in the absorbing contest ”

“ The receipts from taxes will prove inadequate to provide for the increased number in many counties, and further appeal to the generosity of our people is imperatively demanded. For this purpose I request that Saturday, the 31st of December, be set apart as a day for general contribution throughout the State. If we could manifest a proper appreciation of the proud name our soldiers have won for us on so many fields, and prove ourselves worthy of it, let us greet them with the assurance that their wives and little ones shall not suffer in their absence. ”

“ If the conflicts which they seem now desirous of inviting be forced upon us, they may find us prepared at points where they least expect us, and on our part at least there will be no blank cartridges used or shots thrown away.” In one case on the Missouri border, a militia company elected as its captain a man who had been dishonorably dismissed from the United States service for the utterance of treasonable sentiments. ”

“ In fifteen of the States, the soldiers in the field were permitted to vote. In twelve of these States the soldiers’ vote was 119,754 for Lincoln, and 34,291 for McClellan. In Iowa, the soldiers’ vote was 16,844 for Lincoln, and 1,183 for McClellan. The total vote in Iowa was 88,966 for Lincoln, and 49,586 for McClellan. On the State ticket the average vote for the Republican candidates was 90,033, and for the Democratic candidates 49,500. The election of the members of the new congress was also an overwhelming approval of the Administration. ”

“ No new regiments were organized under this authority, and a draft was made, beginning in September, 1864, to supply the deficiency then remaining. An excellent class of men were secured, who, as a rule, cheerfully took their places in the ranks, and made good soldiers.
On the 27th of July, a general order was issued by Adjutant-General Baker for the enrollment and organization of the militia of the State in pursuance of the acts of the Tenth General Assembly. ”