Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1861-08-01
Letter from G. volney Dorsey.

- 4.----.--
Letter from q. volney Dorsey.
4 tFrom the Ohio s,a,esmanl
Mr.. EDITOR Il perceive that my friends
Gray the Cleveland Plaindealer and Far
an Of the Cincinnati Enquirer, differ in re-
gard to the proper action of the Democracy
in the approaching fall election The latter
favors u complete Democratic organization
and the nomination of an exclusion Demo
cratic ticket, while the former is in favor of
merging party preferences for the present,
in Union ticket composed of good men
from each of the two great parties Of The
d State.
The consideration OF this question at the
present crisis, demands COOL candid and
careful attention, and trust my fellow cit
izens of the State will allow me to speak to
them in this manner and that too, not rs q
party man, but az one who loves the Union
and whose earnest prayer is for its prosper
ity and for its perpetuity.
1t matters not what may have heretofore
been our differences of opinion in regard to
political matters, we have always prOfessed
devotion to the cause of the country, and
have proclaimed our doctrines as peculiarly
fitted to uphold and benefit it, That coun-
try Is now in danger, and it becomes every
man to-day, of whatever party or political
N'NN' tA'"g bOi W piONt tilC llutlis vi Ills
former declarations, by evincing willing
ness to do ali in his power for its SAFETY and
preservation -H
! To those who for many years have stood,
side by side with me, in the political contests
I OF the State, | can truly say, there is now
: a time for you to demonstrate your true love
of that great State, which has stood forth
! so nobly in the defense of the rights of the
whole country. The noble sons of Ohio are
already prepared to take their stand on every
IS battlefield where the flag of the Union is to
}. be supported Let us who are here ut home
be not less ready to sacrifice all for the same
;. great cause. Here as on the tented field,
o and in the military camp, all distinctions
g which have extended in times past should
5 be laid aside. And we say this, not because
n We have any less prediction than formerly
It for political associates or organizations, but
Z because a greater and more absorbing theme
q demands ourattention, not because I'VE love
n Caesar less, but because we love Rome more.
Is 1t is not the furniture OF the house or the
e mode OF entertaining its guests which to-day
e demands our care, but the question is OF
,s the preservation of the house itself, which
!. shelters us from the storm and from the
tempest. In the presence of this great and
q momentous question let all minor considera.
e tions be laid aside Let us look this ques
If ton full and steadily in the face and let u.
act as becomes men in the present crisis.
1, My former political opponents throughout
4 the State who have known me and heard
ID my sentiments in times past, will at least give
IT me credit for an earnest desire to contribute
" so far as in me lies, to the welfare and honol
m ofthis greatState We are already approach
n ing that period which in former times, wher
~ surrounded by peace and prosperity wespok,
- Of war only by symbols, we were wont to cal
r. the commencement of a campaign, a politi
l. cal campaign. Now when tie reality of wa
A. is upon us, we must make the symbol sub
at seryient to the dread reality. There is no
Dt a man in Ohio Of any party, or worthy t,
,r belong to any political party, who is no
4 ready to uphold the General Government il
gs all the efforts which it has made or maj
le hereafter make to support the Constitution
ID and the Union of these States, and, although
le as Democrats, we opposed our Republican
lie friends in the elevation of the present Ad
v, ministration to power still we recognize il
to its head, the Supreme Executive of on
s. country and extend to il our heartiest aid
le in all its efforts to rescue the country from
n impending destruction. '.
,e Now it is evident to any man who at all re
" fleets on the present crisis, that all former
" political issues must for the present be lail
o. aside, must for time at least be merged il
" more important considerations, and the en-
A. ergiesof the whole people of the State mus
< be bent to the support and preservation OF
ii the General Government If then we al
70 agree on this point, where then is the ne
" cessity of separate political organizations
Is When the United States troops were a
Q, Charleston, in 1892 by order of the Presi
,t dent General Jackson, for the purpose OF
" aiding in crushing out nullifcation, and ,
,e fire occurred which threatened to destroy the
ifI rebel city, they engaged actively in effort
5 with the citizens TO stay the progress of til,
Ie destroying element, and for a time all were
4 one party in presence Of a common enemy
W So let it be with us Democrats and Republi
N cans. Rebellion and disunion stare us il
l. the face and threaten with destruction the
" country which we love. Let us forget pas
it animosities and engage in a united struggl,
g. forts preservation This cannot be done by
% separate and antagonistic organization of
5, parties. For one, | say plainly, am not il
- favor of such organizations at the ensuing fiil
IS election. Let neither party hold party Con
10 ventions /; let us assemble together as Unior
; men, as lovers of common country, and
l. form such a ticket as the people can support
(; with full assurance that their best interests
If and those of the whole country will be duly
II regarded and energetically promoted Let
l. no Convention be called by Central Com,
n mittoes of either of the old parties, and lei
II the Convention meet as Union Convention,
k nominate good, conservative men from the
II ranks of both political parties, and let there
e be an election as in the days when Mr..
o Monroe was voted for in Ohio for the Presi-
dency, an election without contest. Let
neither Octavius nor Anthony have party
: let there be but one party, and that tor
tho country.
G. VOLNEY DORSEY.