Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1846-12-23

dent that we are now approximating great
and important events. which may exercise
controlling influence over the destiny OF
our country. 1t becomes the true friends
of civil liberty and the improvement of the
condition Of man, to look with vigilant
and scrutinizing eye 10 the consequences
and enduring influence ofsthe great eysnts
(which are beginning to open upon US.
On the Goth Of May last, / received
through the Wor Department reouisition
from the President Of the United States fer
three regim en:s Of volunteer Infantry or
Rifemen, for The service Of the Cnited
States, in the pending war with the Re-
public of Mexico. This call of the Pres
iden! was made in obedience 10 the acl OF
tho 18th of May, ls46, which had passed
both branches Of Congress by an almost
unanimous vote. The standing forces Of
the United States then engaged in the war
were believed TO be in eminent peril, and
the National defence near the seat of war
was supposed to require immediate assist
ance from the volunteer militia of the
States. Under the high responsibilities
imposed upon me, | did not consider N.Y.
self at liberty 10 disregard this call upon
the patriotism Of the State. However
much the existence of the war may be de-
plored, and however great The difference
| of opinion about The unfortunate events
which led to it, when the State was duly
called upon under the authority Of the Som
stitution and laws of tho United States, Tor
military aid, the solemn lnjunctions of du-
ties imposed upon me as the Executive Of
ficer OF the State, as we'll as every dictate
Of patriotism, imperatively demanded, as
| considered, prompt and energetic action
on my part to comply with the call, in the
true meaning and spirit Of the Constitution.
If when q war be actually existing be-
tween the United States and foreign na-
ton, and duly recognized by q law Of Con-
gress, State, whsn called upon by the
national authorities, be at liberty to disre-
gard the injuntions of the Constitution, and
judge for itself as to the necessity and ex-
pediency of the war, either to withhold its
assistance from the United States, or TO af-
ford only faltering, unwilling and inef-
tectual aid, the supremacy Of our system
OF government must soon be at an enc, ,ard
the constitutional muniments OF our nation
al defence prove unavailing. When the
emergency OF war with foreign nation
is actually existing, no superficial consid.
erations OF temporary inconvenience or
pecaniary sacrifice should prevent the per-
torniance oflhose high duties of patriotism
which each State Of the national confede-
racy, as we'll as every citizen of the Re.
public, owes to the country and 10 the cause
of civil liberty.
Upon the receipt Of this call made by
the President, prompt and efficient meas
ures were taken to raise the volunteer mill
itary force required from this State. And
on the l7th day Of June, Is46, delivered
over 10 the authority of the United States,
under the command of Brig. Gen. Wool,
of the United States army, three regi.
ments Of volunteer troops duly organized
as required by law. These three regi-
ments consisted OF thirty full companies,
composed chiefly Of young men OF high
promise, whose public spirit and patriotic
devotion to the cause of their country, is
q just ground Of pride and qualification to
every citizen Of the State. They have
upon sudden call OF their country, separ
ated themselves from their homes, their
business, und their friends, and gone into a
distant country, to face all the casualties
and hardships of military campaign in an
unfavorable climate, and against an enemy
long Injured to warfare. In every emer-
gency of the service, the Ohio volunteers
will fully sustain the honor Of the State.
and doubt not, be found capable of The
noblest feat of valor and enterprise.
In collecting and embodylng these troops
IN subsisting and transporting them to the
place of general rendezvous at Cincinnati,
and in furnishing them with some essential
materials for tents, camp equipage, &c.
a very considerable expenditure Of money
was necessarily incurred. prompt and
faithful compliance with the call Of the M
tional government for volunteers. made
this expenditure unavoidable. The call
was sudden, and the people of the State
had moi in anticipation prepared them.
selv es for the emergencies Of military life
1t was not practicable to collect and organ
ize the volunteer companies and transport
| them to the general encampment near
Cincinnati, without the payment Of their
necessary incidental expenses and even
then the volunteers who were separating
themselves from their private pursuits and
all the attachments Of home. were snblec.-
ed to inconveniences and difficulties before
they reached Cincinnati, 10 which our peo-
pie are but little accustomed. /,
I The Government Of the United States
has failed thus far to perform ito duty in
! paying this expenditure or refund,ng the
money advanced. The subsistence alene
otthe thirty companies whichwere recsis-
ed into the service OF the United States.