Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1861-09-05
Secretary Of State Central Committee
MoRRow, o., Aug. Sth, 1861.
ZANRsvn.LE, August 18th, 1861.
Yours, with respect,
AIfAI IAMNcnM

ZANRsvnLE, August 18th, 1861.
WM. a. JOHNSON, Esq.
Sccretary Democratic SLATE CcGirGi Committee.
Sir--l am in rec pt OF your favor of the Sth
inst advising Inc of my "nominatiou by the
Democratic Union Convention as their candidate
for the Office of Governor at the ensuing election" y"
and expressing the hope that | would accept it,
Under ordinary crcums tances, to be nominated
FOR the highest Office in the gift of the people of
the third State in the Union, by q Conventi, n so
numciousy attended and representing so large
aud respectable portion of the peope of the State,
would be a mark of respect and confidence of
which any citizen might well feel proud but in
view Of the extraordinary and alarming state of
affairs in which we are placed, to be indicated by
any considerable portion ofmy fellow citizens as
suitable person to discharge the duties which must
devolve upon the Executive of this State. is the
highest honor which they could confer-an honor
which trust fully appreciate. and one which by
no future act of my life, hope, will be shown to
have been unworthily bestowed.
Without considering the causes which have pre-
ceded and contributed to the rebellion now going
on in some of the Southern States against the
Government or the measures which those in charge
Of the Government may deem it necessary to take
to suppress the rebellion or to prevent its cxten.
sion, tits perhaps proper that in this communica
ton | should state briefly my Yiews upon the great
issue now before The people.
In one section of the country rebellion exists
the laws of tn land are put at dciance--;he
Union of the States ignOrcd-lhc Constitution set
aside, and another, at once the offspring of ani
apology for this rebellion sought to be substituted
in its stead. In the prosecution of their designs
the parties instigating and leading this rebellion
have seized upon the property of the Government
driven its officers and soldiers from their posts o
duty, and by armed violence have sought to hu
milate our flag and to ovcr-awe the Government
These parties had no doubt, carefully calculated
the chances ofsucccss, and having no sympathy
in common with the great body of their people
determined at all hazlIds and at any cost of trea
and Of blood to attempt the execution of cir
unwisc and wicked purposes With such men
have no compromises to make--to such have no
tctns to offer, other than an unconditional sub.
mission by them to the Union, the Constitution
and the laws.
But in my opinion the number Of this class OF
men is small. The great body of the people
South are loyal to the Government their sym.
pahy is with it and for it, if the real nature of the
controversy was fairly before thenl and they wel,
permitted to act in accordance with their own feel
ings and judgments. 1t is the loyal people of the
South who must suffer the most from the cOntnu
ancc of hostilitics. would, therefore, in Just C,
to them as well as to ourselvcs for the sake of
common county; for the sake OF humanity; unde
ceive them. ] would invite them into Nationa
Convention, where they might con suit aud advise
together for our common good. and by wise mea
surcs provide against any and every line Of polio,
which if perscvercd in must result in common
ruin. For the restoration Of harmony bet Neet
the StatcS--sympathy among the people, and fol
the preservation of the Union, would make an,
reasonable and honorable concession, not to tn
traitor, but TO disarm the traitor, by undcccyin,
the betrayed.
In making protIers of ace and proposing term
II Al Al.
the rebellion is in the hands of those who are op
posed to any reasonable and peaceful adjustmen
present difficulties, short of submission to tht
policy and acknowledgment of their independents,
AN Acknowledgment which | trust no consider
able number of our people ever have been, ar,
now or ever will be prepared to make. | woulC
therefore in no way weaken the arm Of the Gov
crnment, in no way impair the efficiency of on
army, but on the contrary, as n matter OF ccOncm'
as well a1 OF humanity, would mpart vigor and
energy to both, and with every peace Offering
there should be the alternative Of war or subms
sion.
Under no circumstances would | consent to
dissolution of the Union, or consider terms o
separation.
These are briefly the views entertain upo
the all important question before the people.
elected to the office of Governor, can only prom
isc that upon this and all other questions upol
which may be called to act looking to the bcs
interests of the whole people, and avaing myscl
of all the lights which may then be before me,
will discharge whatever duty may devolvc upo
!, me to the best of my ability; and whilst | woul
have the benefit of the experience of those VIII
have preceded me, | could not expect to cscap
altogether that censure which an excited publ
mind is prone to visit upon those who may repre-
sent them in the management of interests vas
and varied as those of our State.
Very respectfully,
II. J. JEWETT.