Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1861-05-09
A Pretty Speech.

a volunteer company at Columbus
called "rhe Governors Guard" consist
ing of l4O men, (nearly all Democrats, }
commanded by Capt. Morrow, wero mus
tered into service on the Goth ut, and on
the occasion addressed by Hon. S. S. Cox
as follows:
Captain and Soidicrs:--Next to the
emotion with which religion inspires the
human soul is the PATRIOTISM which leads
its dcvotee to the altar of common coun
try. Nothing can be more truly sublime
than to see people rise in the majesty of
its native land, unless it be that stronger
element which prostrates the soul in ado
ration before its God! Now, at this hour
of great peril, this people are worshiping
with nc common power at its patriotic
altar. This is the inspiration this body
of ctizcn soldiery, 1t is no partizan or
political feeling which leads these men to
volunteer to the defense of the Federal
City and to answer the Constitutional cal
of the Executive. Nearly all of them are
my personal and political friends. In
these times all distinction are forgotten.
! We may differ as to the cause which pro-
dnces and the circumstance, which Justify
this civil war. these questions will have
hereafter stern and inexorable arbitra-
ment But forgetting all difference, we for
get 'the men and support the Magistrncy.
| (Cheers) We stand by our government,
though we may not have selected its pres
ent agents. This great peril is on us and
around us--threatning the civil fabric and
social order--and we drive all lesser
thoughts away as ignoble in the gener-
ous rivalry Of holding aloft the consolidated
ensign OF our beloved land! (Cheers.)
This is not done without sacr ifices Not
one of you my friends, but has some dear
association to tear from your heart before
you venture on this expedition. l am re-
minded by the earnest emotion of my
friend, your Captain, that it is no common
sacrifice for him. He is a. Southern man,
he has brother commanding a company
at Pensacola--his ties of blood and love
arc close to many hearts, which this un-
natural war makes his enemies--he has
just buried one of his childrcn-he leaves
family dependent on his exerton. yet
with the spirit of that army whose deeds
in Mexico he shared, he dare do that mao
hood prompts in defense of the Govern
ment of his admiration and love. Let
not the devotion of such men he misun-
derstood. Theirs is no crusade against
slavery; but loyalty to that Government
which Brougham well called the highest
refinement of civil polty the world has
ever seen Cheers, Casting aside all tho't
which would mar the harmony of this
occasion | implore Almighty God to so
direct our counsel and our conduct that
this war shall be speedily ended. l can
not say what | fear. God hasten eliectual
peace. II we cannot have it by the better
reason of a cultivated civilization let the
shock of arms which has been invoked by
the executive be tested. In the end il hope
be allowed in SO gloomy prospect may
we--dare we hope that the Government
wo have been taught to revere as the work
of demi-gods. shall be established still
frmer. and stand as monument "around
whose base time may linger, and around
whose summit eternity mny play" -
(Cheers)
In Conclusion, I can only say to You
that my sympathy and my sinews are
yours in any way which you may com
mand them, May God cheer, keep, en-
courage and bless youl { Cheers.