The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-02-01
The Legislative Rxcursionista.

The visit of the Governors and members of
the Legislatures of Kentucky and Tennessee
to Columbus last week. as the invited guests
of the Ohio Legislature, seemed to be one of
grsat interest and enjoyment to the partici
pants, and has beea beneficial, it is believed,
in producing, and spreading abroad through
the three States, more kind and fraternal
feeling, than has hitherto prevailed.
The members of the Legislatures of Ken
tucky and Tennessee we're met at Louisville
Kentucky, by Joint Committee of the Ohio
Legislature, extending to them an invitation
to visit the Capital of Ohio. a-4
The Hon. j. A Garfield was Chairman of
the Senate Committee. as
The invitation was presented at the banquet
given By Louisville to her guests, on the night
of the 24th ult., and in response to the toast
TIE State Of Ohio-one of the giants of the American
welcome to the Union Festival.
Hon. j. A. Garfield, Of the Ohio Senate,
said 5
Legislators Of Kentucky and Tennessee,
S- Felto,o- Citizens o our common country:
With pleasure undissemced arise to respond, in be-
half of the State have the honor to represent to the
sentiment Just offered we greet you here tonight as
good and its common glory This auspicious hour
AM the representatives from Ohio happy to partc
ate with in its festivities 1t is new epoch in our
history when the Legislatures of two great States and
beside he beautiful river and let The strong barriers
of party prjudce, be, for time. overwhelmed and
brthery affection. 1t is full of good omen
that when party rancor has reached the highest degree
raging unexampsd fury and it's waves having risen
almost to the threatening extinguish
of na bs In a SIS .oss cur
OF the Great sister States social friend
ne s Rreqe s have 20 me to en
heard of the North and the South Their angry words
have too long vexsd the hearts Of our
But there is third voice TO be hsard long. hope
and believe the day is not ar distant when the Great
West shall speak, and her voice shall be heard from
uncertainty of dsunon shah be heard in that
utterance. For while this mighty river bears
circle of States be undivided union unbro
ken. But more than all rivers more than all opr
a nober kind, which these sister States contain.
sirs there is talismanic at whose mention the
hesrts of thousands 10 the Buckeye State still beat with
aqu cker bound; and the eyes Of many grayhaired
veteran are kindled anew with the fires of memory and
whleyour eushrnes Of that gallant
and chivalic Knight orator and Of Ashland
And while that hero, whose glance the HYDRA
of dsunion quaed sleeps in his quiet tomb at the
mtage. the sons of Tennesss will echo his own words
The Unioa by the Eternal. it must and shall be pre-
served. Ohio too, utter that airs gener
impulse in every Americans bosom. For white our
great river sweeps around North Bend. here that
sleeps there be forgotten. Who. then, shall
sever this Upionf Where will draw the liue
Ohio and Keutuckyf The river that bears the of
my dear native State would sing Of Ohio in every
wave that kisses shores Who in that sad separG
tion shall take the cherished and proud memories
country Shall we dig up the sacred ashes OF heroes
and staesmen and divide them among the separated and
dis hon ored fragments Of great Couederacyf ask
-as your own Crittenden has asked-s-ho shall have
the stars and strpesf Who shall have Hail Colum bia and
Yankee Doodle: But sirs, will longer dwell on so
painful theme. from the extreme north of Ohio
from the Western Reserve-fro the ntghborhood Of /
Joshua r. Giddings name yeu have all heard-and /
know the truth OF what about to regard to
Ohio 1t s the glory of institutions that we enjoy
the utmost freedom of opinion and expression; yet when
the voice of the Union is heard acquesce and obey
Its mandates Srs. whatever sentiments Ohio cherses
she utters freely and fearlessly have heard her
terances but when the fat of this great Confederate
Empire goes forth, that fiat becomes Ohios law her
of cheerful duly
Not then, partsaus. but felIow-citizens of the
Union, we erect here night. Let such occasions
these be frequent Let the hand Of social broth
erhood be ofener grasped. Let the citizens Of these
sister States know each other BETTER the asperes
Of their political opinions will be mutually softened and
the bond Of union more strongly cemeuted. ,l
To this end that may enjoy still more of this fra
ternal fellowship will prccsed 10 perform the agreea
BILE duty with which charged. have the honor to
be the bearer of message from his Excelencythe Gov
ernor OF Ohio to their Excelleuces the Governors of
kentucky Tennessee, and Indiana inviting them to visit
the Capital of State the 26h inst The heart of
Ohe seconds this invitation, and earnestly hope to