The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1861-09-13
LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE.
TO TIE PEOPLE OF ONO.

your representatives in Convention at
Columbus on the 5th inst, intelligence Of
which has this day been officially com
municateG to me, and in the acceptance
Of the same, it is meet should express
to you my sense Of the obligation which
this high honor confers. Language fails
me in this attempt, as can conceive of
no more distinguished mark Of your con-
fdence at this critical juncture, through
SO intelligent and patriotic convention
Of Representatives assembled flom all
parts of the State, rehecIing the sent-
menls Of all political parties, as well rs Of
the highest interests and most important
concerns involved in what may with
truth be termed struggle for our national
existence.
Believe ME when I assure you fully
appreciate the vast responsibility attached
to the position Of Chief Magistrate OF our
State at this critical period in its affairs,
and duly sensible of my own dement's,
and were it not that rely upon your gem
erous forbearance should hesitate to ac-
cept what your distinguished impartiality
with such unparalleled unanimIty has
assigned me.
Without going into discussion OF The
circumstances and events which have
brought about the present alarming and
unhappy condition OF our national affairs,
as these must now be apparent TO all -
| will content myself by saying that the
issue presented 10 US as people in the
sanguirary struggle forced upon us by
The ambitious and designing leaders Of. the
Southern rebellion, is, that of mans ca
pacity for government. The whole
question 10 be tried and settled settled
in such way that nothing in human
power can ever disturb or change it again,
is then, "Whelher man is capable Of gov
erning himself" Should it not be shown
when every resource and sacrifice has
been made-and l would exhaust every
means in my power first, ere yielding,
then in order that we might have our
rights protected and our liberties preserved
in some degree approaching the per-
fection Of our hitherto supposed impreg-
nable system OF free government, | would
consent to be taken under the protection
of our once so called Mother Country, or
Of any other power capable Of maintaining
for us the respec: OF the nations OF the
globe.
That we shall eventually succeed in
settling this question to the satisfaction of
all the world beyond the hitherto ex
pressed doubts and suspicious OF foreign
potentates, statesmen and presses, have
not the remo!est doubt, but that we shall
be required TO exercise all Of those higher
attributes Of which man is capable, pa,
tient and persevering purpose, inAexible
will, unshaken fortitude and unshrinking
courage, the already written experience OF
the past few months has indicated. And
it is the source Of the heartiest congratu-
lalion that we can already point to the
brave deeds and daring and glorious
actions Of our noble volunteers thus early,
and feel within our hearts, that the mum.
ber Of these invincible soldiers has only tC
be increased and their welfare and com
fort considered and cared for to the ut
most OF our resources, 10 have abunian
evidence of the success which, though i
may be temporarily interrupted, mus
eventually perch upon our banners.
1t is the duty OF every man who cal
bear arms at this juncture, imperative
necessity alone preventing. when his ef
forts should be given in another direction
towards strengthening the cause and aid
ing the. Government,-to rally to th
!, standard of his country and be counted
: among the heroes Of the greatest as it will
be the most extraordinary revolution
since the world began.
The struggle of our ancestors was fo
government, our struggle is TO main
tain it, and under the blessing of the same
God who smiled upon Washington ant
his barefooted and half starved comrades
aCe aDiU do Il!
Those who cannot aid tho cause in thu
field may yet do much while pursuing
their ordinary avocations the sinews o
war are needed and these they may hell
10 contribute, every man as far as hi
means will warrant, and there shoult
scarcely be limit TO this, when it is con
J sidered that il our Government is de
stroyed, property will have lost whateve
value free institutions and enlightened
; laws conferred. In this view the nationa
loan, based upon such security as under
lltS the eAlStenCe vi tue rGueTul OONCTn
ment and the value of all property, and tt
which 10 other species OF security can a
/ all approximate in value, should be as lio
orally subscribed TO as so much lien OF
| life; for what is life worth without liberty
, And is not liberty to be purchased anc
= secured at every cost? The character o
the national loan is such that nearly al
: classes may participate in its subscription
/ and it is better that ten men should sub
scribe TO thousand dollars of its notes
t than that the honor and profit should lal
) to one.
Our system Of taxation may require re
vision as it now operates, some escap,
5 who should be found, while others suife
| whose burthens should be lightened.-
, Equality--that like the dews of HeaveI
l each may bear, in proportion, his jus
| share, is what is required, and what i
should be our aim 10 secure.
t The uuprepared state in which thu
, opening of the war found our State Gov
, ernment, naturally created many obsta
= cles, no little confusion, much delay anc
) many trying and peculiarly annoying diff
, ficulies to both the Executive and thu