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PREFACE
A distinguished writer has said, "Happy is the
country that has a dull history." The present volume takes up the
narration of events of public interest following the graphic
pictures of pioneer life and the thrilling tragedies and sacrifices
of the great Civil War. While the record of the times of peace,
progress and the ordinary passing events, which make up the greater
portion of modern history, may be uninteresting compared with the
stirring scenes of pioneer years and the mustering, marching and
battles of great armies, yet the quiet evolution of a progressive
people through successive steps toward a higher civilization,
greater achievements in education, prosperity and happiness, are of
no less importance. This volume deals in facts and figures in a
large degree for the purpose of preserving a record of dates and
events for future reference. It partakes of the character of a
cyclopedia of general information for those who have not access to
the voluminous State and National public documents. In a republic
where the people, through the various political parties, select
their representatives and determine the policy of the Government, a
condensed history of political conventions, abstracts of the
platforms adopted from year to year, show the trend of public
opinion which becomes incorporated into the statutes of the State
and Nation. A record of the results of Congressional, State and
national elections is necessary to show the changing opinions of the
electors and the peaceful acquiescence of the people in radical
changes of officers and public policy, which, in many countries
would lead to civil wars.
A record of the time and place of meeting of the
various legislative Assemblies of the Territory and State and of the
several Constitutional Conventions, with a brief abstract of their
important acts, as well as decisions of the higher courts deeply
affecting the public welfare, will always be of interest to such as
are investigating the evolution of law in our commonwealth from the
earliest periods.
The brief historical sketches of the creation,
naming and organization of the various counties, which have at any
time had an existence in the State, together with a record of the
first settlements, their size, geographical location, establishment
of the first newspapers, fixing and changing of county-seats, advent
of the first railroads and names of the pioneer settlers, will serve
as a guide to students of Iowa history who desire to obtain these
important facts in condensed form.
The Directory of Public Officials will be useful to
all who would know who, among our citizens, have served the State
and Nation in various capacities, from the organization of the first
civil government in Iowa to the opening years of the Twentieth
Century. |
