The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1861-04-26
Ramarks of Mr. Hitchcock.
of Ge0Hga, In the House Of Representa-
iipes, upon the Wor Appropriation Bill.
Mr.. HITCHCOCK said

of Ge0ugd, In the House Of Representa-
Tires, upon the Wor Appropriation Bill.
Mr.. HITCHCOCK said
MR SPEAKER, upon the proposition be-
fore US, and upon which the vote is about
being taken, the path Of duty to me does
and has seemed plain.
There appears to be. there can be, but
one line Of duty. That duty must be dis.
charged. and can cheerfully. and with
out hesitation, assume my share Of the
work. Terribly oppressive do | feel the
weight Of responsibility resting upon me,
and upon all called TO act in this emerg-
ency. Gladly would avoid this respon-
sibility, yet it is resting upon me, and just
as gladly. feeling ii my duty, will |
promptly act.
1t is no time 10 think Of the past, no
time to seek for and explain Causes
Effects are upon us. the eventful present
is over us, and The darkening future bids
us TO prepare for and act upon coming
events.
We are in the midst Of war, about to
vote means for the prosecution Of that
war. Can do this ? Yes; no other
course is open.
Fearful are the horrors OF war not
alone upon the tented field and in the
battle hour, but in its niiseries and sor.
rows entailed upon families and friends,
and tendency for 1yetarding civliz ,tion.-
Not one sympathy Of my nature but re.
volts at its horrors, not one principle Of
my life but objects 10 its tendency for de-
mOralization and wrong. But not one
emotion Of nv heart beats, but for my
country, IND for freedom. Between the
two, choice must be made. cannot hes
. itate. My country first. last. alt the time
The whole country, from the grand old
hills Of New England, through the sunny
South, aud over The mighty plains OF the
West. as ono country only can 1 look
upon il.
What sacrifices cannot we all make for
it? Its greatness and power has been
our pride--.I;s Constitution we have loved,
and its government has been The guaran.
tee for untold blessings and privileges
But all, all are endangered. Not by at.
lacks from without-not from foreign
foe. But from rebels q; home. Traitors
plotting against the government. assume
the right Of sovereign and independent
action at will, and threaten dissolution
and overthrow Of the best government
ever known in the history of man. The
President OF The Uaited States, Chief Ex-
ecutive officer Of the nation, issues his
proclamation, telling us, that "the laws OF
the United States are opposed by comb
nations TOO powerful TO be suppressed by
the ordinary course Of Judicial proceed
ings," and calling upon all loyal States
and citizens 10 aid 10 enforcing the laws
and sustaining the Government.
Whole States are in arms. The boom.
ing cannon opens its fire Of iron hail upon
Southern fortress, and Sumter falls -
The Capital Of the nation is threatened
with attack. Each successive throb of
the electric current brings to our watching
ears and saddened hearts fresh proofs Of
, 'he terrible spirit Of rebellion existing, and
accounts Of repeated insults to the grand
old a'g of the Union. We are here to
answer that proclamation, are here to
speak for Ohio; Ohio, through us, will
sPrns. She does speak in tones of thunder:
.'Stay your fralricidal hand Leave that
flag 10 float. this Union unbroken, and
our Government 10 stand |" Her people
are hocking TO arms the streets OF her
Capital are thronged, and tremble be.
meath their firm and confident tread.
BY the bill before us, we propose to
arm. TO feed, and sustain lhom in defend.
ing the State and aiding the General Gov.
ernment in the enforcement of law and
defence of It's property, promptly, unitedly,
hopefully, gladly let US pass it,
Mr. Speaker, with all the sadness the
contemplation OF the horrors Of war, and
OF that worst Of all, civil war, forces upon
my heart. | can but rejoice at what see
upon this floor this morning. That for
getting what we have said, what we may
have ielt. when our country calls, we can
! forget all the past, join hand TO hand,
, press heart 10 heart, shoulder to shoulder,
an unanimously march to the post of daty
Those who have been al,tcring them
selves that Ohio would furnish encourage
mcnt TO them in THEN reasonable pur-
pose, must see their fatal mistake, that
upon her soil beats no heart but for Tree
dom and the Union. II is due to the
South that she understand our position.
She cannot now mistake it.
Thus may Ohio ever, thus she will ever
act. and trursling in the Almighty Dis.
, poser Of events, we confidently declare,
. Our Country no,1, Our country forever
The Union, our Government, IL must, il
! shall be preserved.
For The J.fersonian Democrat.