The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-03-07
The LATE LEeIsLAT1vE V1s1rs.

all mindsithe invitation presented.
The LATE LEGISLATIVE VIs1Ts.
We have witnessed with regret expressions
Of opposition to the act of or General As
sembly, extending the invitation to the Legis
Ia,ures of Kentucky and Tennessee to visit
the capitol of Ohio EST the guests Of cur State.
We are happy to say that this expression has
been confined to one or tive locations only,
while the general voice of the people has
been most unmist akably and decidedly in its
favor In our humble Judgment, no one act
has been so productive of happy and enduring
results as was this act of neighborly hospital
ity 1t was no political movement in party
sense, for all parties cordially united in giving
it the warmest assent. We are sure that if
those at distance, who have expressed their
disapprobation, could have been present., and
had understood the circumstances. they would
have agreed with the great mass of our people,
that the Invitation was not only proper but
necessary, If we desired TO maintain a decent
eelf respect. Let US for a moment review the
circumstances.
By no act of theirs, the legislature saw it
announced IL at the Governors and Legislatures
of two of the most important States south of
US, Kentucky and Tennessee, had accepted an
invitation to visit Cincinnati They had
opening of very important railroad connec-
tion between their respective States. Coming
bv invitation from Louisville to Cincinnati. and
thus being on Ohio soil, it seemed but nat
ural, and almost necessary act of courtesy for
the Legislature of Ohio then in session, and
being within four hours ride of Cincinnati to
extend to them an Invitation to visit the Cap
ital of the State. The impulse was natural.
and seemed to impress all as net only duty,
bat necessity. Such an occasion had never
before occurred in the history of the Great
West. The Governors Legislatures, and prom
inent men of three such states as Ohio, Ken
lucky and Tennessee all assembled under one
roof, making each others acquaintance, and
extending those acts of kindness and brother
erly goodwill which ought to exist among
neighbors. seemed most 6t and proper thing
Actuated by these noble and generous impuls
es Gov. Dennison sent message to the Leg
islature, respectfully suggesting that this invi-
tation be extended to visit Columbus. 81 The
suggestion met with cordial and almost uni
invitation was forthwith passed, and con :
nittee of invitation was sent to Louisville to
present the resolution and urge its acceptance
They were most cordially received and enter
tanned by the people of Louisville. Senator
Garfield, the Chairman of the Commute, in a
speech replete with beauty of expression and
patriotic sentiments, extended the invitation
to visit the capital of Ohio. He was ably
supported by Mr.. Parrott, of the House. The
invitation was accepted. In due time, they
appeared in our midst We trust Ohio hos
pitality lost nothing by the manner of the re-
cepton or the spirit which seemed to animate
our people. II is sufficient to say that men
representing States famed for their generous
hospitality, we're enthusiastic in their expres-
sion of qualification. They thought they
knew how to entertain distinguished visitors
but they declared Ohio had eclipsed all Their
conceptions of it. Men came here with bitter
prejudicies against Ohio, her people, and her
institutions. 1t was because they did not
know them. They saw, they studied, and went
home with thoughts thaG will influence them
to The end of their lives They saw our beau
tiful Capital, with its splendid Halls and off
ces They saw our cities. our manufactures
our benevolent institutions, our schools. and
all our elements of the highest civilization
They saw our splendid farming country. and
p the use which free, intelligent labor made o.
it. They saw our Governor, our Ex-Gover-
nor, our State officers. our Senators and Rep
resentatives. They heard from their lips SEN
timents of patriotic devotion to the best inter
ests of our common country, and the union o
these States They felt that we were, afteI
ALL but band of brothers, and all their pref
udices against US were banished from the
minds. A fraternal, brotherly feeling sprung
iio up that will never, we trust be eradicated.
Now. we affirm what's evident to all nteIli
gent observers that this ion-meeiing in the
heart of the Great West did more to check
and destroy the rampant disunion and treason
able sentiments thet were SO freely proclaimed
at Washington than an, or perhaps all otheI
events of the year. 1t proclaimed, trumpet
tongned, that traitors would find no favor ir
the Mississippi v alley. 1t said to South Car
olina, and Alabama, and to the states thai
are moving in their scheme of a Southern
{ league, that the Mighty West was yet trne tc
the Union. and that no hope existed for them
so long as we stood firm.
This fraternal gathering at the capital o
, Ohio was most potent in quelling the rising
tide of disunion at the national capital Itt
influence was felt everywhere. 1t was dem
onstration that for moral grandeur and signif
? icance had no parallel in the West. 1t wa
the topic of general remark and eulogy thre'
out the country.
!sl sSueh are our decided convictions on thi
i snhject, and by them we are proud to stand
We regret to see expressions of dissent,or AM
attempt to disparage those who we're active il
this glorious event We are sure that eobe
second thought, with proper undefstandin.
b of the facts. generous. intelligent people viii
ii never desert those who have so well uphelt
the honor and hospitality of our noble State
I Gov. Chase and the Presidency.
The Ohio State Journal of the 28h ult
has the following just and timely remarks