True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-09-12
For the True American.

when | went away / unconsciously repeat
ed to myself the reflection of one Of form
er days, that he had come to see by how
little wisdom the world was governed.
Little wisdom indeed, if the modicum
those gentlemen displayed on that occa-
sion has suficed to direct the affairs OF
the State of Ohio for the last three years.
One of the most imposing positions in
which man of intellect, strong in his pa
triotic aspirations, can be placed, is when
he comes, either voluntarily, or on the
call of duty, before his fellow-citizcns to
give an account of his conduct in high
trusts committed by them to his charge,
or to ask important Office at their hands.
How much more important is it when the
speaker uuites in himself both characters
that he should realize his position and,
rising to it, leave at an immeasurable dis
tance, the low arts whereby the demagogue
seeks to win his way, by fomenting dissen-
sions in community, challenge the appro-
val of the whole public by explaining the
great measures of government which have
been carried on by him and his colleagues
in Office, or the principles by which he
proposes to be guided in the office to which
he aspires, Many thoughts that live, in
words that burn, "thoughts that wake to
perish never" have sprung, like Pallas,
perfect and immortal from the head of
yore, from the minds of wise and patriot
ic men on such occasions, thoughts that
have formed national maxims and have
outlived not only the orator and his audi,
ence, but his nation and his race, and
have come down to distant ages and dis
tant climes, and are recognized as univer-
sal truths, aud as imperishable proofs of
the wisdom of ages gone past. If any
thing could break up the great depths Of
the human mind and elevate it to a near
approach to inspiration it would be such a
situation.
Such an opportunity had Gov. Medill
on the 1st inst, and not only then but on
many other occasions, for | presume no
one will claim for Gov. Medilps address
the character of an unprecedented effort,
Its topics and principal outlines were ar
ranged in the study with great care, and
have formed and will form the stamina of
his addresses all over the State. I do not
object to this as a fault. Far otherwise.
No man who had any respect for himself
or his audience would appear before the
people on such an occasion unprepared.
Whatever faults and defects of commission
or omission there are in that address, are
the results of premeditation and delibera-
ton. So prepared, the address no doubt
treats upon those themes the author thinks
will best advance his cause and that of
the party whose exponent in this struggle
he is. That is, the party of which Frank
lin Pierce is the head, and Atchison,
Strigfellow, Douglas, Disney, Stewart, Olds,
Medary, Shannon, Pugh, Medill and Nc
Cook are members, for this campaign, with
many others in full communion. l say,
for this campaign, for that once over, the
routed and scattered fragments will ex-
hibit as many diverities of party creed
as the dying shark shows of colors.
For what acts Of himself and his party
in the affairs of the State during his Off
cial term, does he call upon his audience
for commendation Is it for doubling the
taxes and the expenditures? I think not
Is it for reducing the net income from the
public works to one-ffth what it has here
tofore been, whilst the amount received
for tolls has not decreased ? Not WORD
of it. A Sag Nicht en- the subject. Isl
for attempting to compel people to pay
taxes contrary to the statute on what they
owe as we'll as on what they own, on thu
strange pretence Of equality? Not that
Is it for breaking open by violence, unde
the pretext of unconstitutional enactmcnts
private houses and seizing many thousant
dollars of private property for which tn
Courts are now rendering judgement
against the agents employed in the unlaR
full plundering, and to pay for which, wit
interest, damages and costs, the people ar
vet to be taxed? Not that neither. Wha
then? What good deed of his did h
claim should shine in naughty world
Why verify, he caused clause prohibit
ing Slavery forever in Ohio to be inserte
in the new Constitution. Now the word to1
evcr is not in the new Constitution and th
: Journal Of the Convention does not,
e think, show Gov. Medill had any oth'
t agency in inserting the clause as it stanc
e than to vote for it, and if any member
IL the Convention voted against it, the Pc
nle of Ohio would like to see him wake