In our observance let us not forget the heroes of the Mexi can war, some of whom yet survive, and of whose number to fall in battle were Mills and Guthrie and others who in that early conflict illustrated the valor of Iowa soldiery. Now, therefore, I, Francis M. Drake, Governor of the State of Iowa, do hereby recommend that upon Memorial Day, the thirtieth day of May instant, the people of Iowa, refraining as far as practicable from ordinary occupations and from aught else which may mar the occasion, do unite with the surviving comrades of the heroic dead in suitable commemoration of the departed soldiers of the republic, and make it a day holy to their memory. Thereby may we impress upon the youth of the land a becoming sense of the debt of gratitude we owe to the nation's heroic defenders, and take therefrom for ourselves renewed devotion to our country and its republican institutions. In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Iowa. Done at Des Moines this twelfth day of May in the year of our Lord, One thousand eight hundred and ninety-six. By the Governor W. M. McFarland, Secretary of State. F. M. DRAKE. ON THE DEATH OF GEORGE WALLACE JONES JULY 23, 1896 From MS. Copy of Executive Journal, Vol. IX, p. 243—in the Office of the Governor, Des Moines To the People of the State of Iowa: One of the earliest pioneers of Iowa and the Northwest has passed on to the great hereafter. GEORGE WALLACE JONES, a drummer-boy in the war of 1812, a soldier in the Blackhawk war, the last delegate from the Territory of Michigan, the first delegate from that of Wisconsin, and one of the first Senators from the State of Iowa in the Senate of the United States, departed his life on Wednesday, July 22d instant, at the City of Dubuque, which has been his home for nearly sixty years. It was the fortune of this man during his life-time of ninety-two years to occupy a large place in the early history of the Northwest. As a delegate in Congress, he was greatly instrumental in the erection of the Territories of Wisconsin and Iowa, and he lived to see those Territories develop into four or five flourishing commonwealths, and those vast wilds become the home of nearly six millions of people. As a Senator of the United States, he also usefully served his country and our State. Such a life, prolonged as it was far beyond the Psalmist's limit, was indeed not lived in vain. His later years were spent among those who honored him, but who were constrained in his latest days to witness a long and painful struggle with disease, borne with fortitude, yet with an earnest longing for rest. The rest has come at last, and the memory of his deeds and his worth only remain with us. In honor of the distinguished services of this Nestor of Iowa statesmen, I, Francis M. Drake, Governor of the State of Iowa, direct that the flag on all public buildings of the State be at half mast until the close of the day of the funeral of the departed statesman, on which day the execu tive offices of the State will be closed. In Testimony Whereof, witness my hand and the Great Seal of the State of Iowa, this 23d day of July, A. D., 1896. By the Governor: W. M. MCFARLAND, Secretary of State. FRANCIS M. DRAKE. ON LABOR DAY SEPTEMBER 2, 1896 From MS. Copy of Executive Journal, Vol. IX, p. 247-in the Office of the Governor, Des Moines To the People of Iowa: The State of Iowa, by statutory enactment, set apart the first Monday in September as Labor Day, I, Francis M. Drake, Governor of the State of Iowa, do hereby recommend the general observance of the day named, to-wit the seventh day of September instant. I especially recommend that there be a closing for the day of all factories, shops, and other establishments where labor of any kind is employed so far as the same may be practicable. I would moreover urge that all employed and employers unite in appropriate observances of the occasion, such as shall leave very pleasant memories of the Labor Day of 1896. (SEAL) In Testimony Whereof, witness my hand and the Great Seal of the State of Iowa, this second day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-six, of the independence of the United States the one hundred and twenty-first, and of the State of Iowa the fiftieth. F. M. DRAKE. By the Governor WM. M. MCFARLAND, Secretary of State. ON THE SEMI-CENTENNIAL OF THE STATE SEPTEMBER 19, 1896 From MS. Copy of Executive Journal, Vol. IX, p. 252-in the Office of the Governor, Des Moines To the People of the State of Iowa: Whereas, The General Assembly at its recent session provided for organizing a commission to arrange for and prepare an appropriate celebration at the city of Burlington of the semi-centennial of the admission of Iowa as a state into the Union; And, Whereas, The commission thus provided for has been duly organized and has arranged for the celebration contemplated, to be held during the month of October proximo; and has prepared a judicious and suitable program for the entire time; Now, Therefore, I, Francis M. Drake, Governor of the State of Iowa, do hereby notify the people of the State of Iowa that said celebration will begin on Thursday, the first day of October, A. D., 1896, and continue eight days; and I do request and urge as many as can make it convenient to do so to attend such celebration, to assist in making it a worthy commemoration of the state's beginning, and to do honor to the brave men and noble women who laid wisely and well the foundations of this commonwealth. In behalf of the people of Iowa, I do invite the citizens of other states to unite with our own people in the festivities of the occasion; and especially do I invite the residents of those states with which, in the territorial period of their history, what is now called Iowa was united, that they may rejoice with us in the completion of the first fifty years of the commonwealth and the happy auspices under which its second half century begins. In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Iowa. Done at Des Moines, this nineteenth day of September, in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-six, of the State of Iowa the fiftieth, and of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and twentyfirst. By the Governor: W. M. MCFARLAND, Secretary of State. FRANCIS M. DRAKE. |