The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1861-09-04

4 Governor. Indeed, so far az have OBJ
served, no one-except yourself ia.
4 ken exceptions to this very resolution
which We are considering. Many Repub.
licans distinctly approved it. The Gin.
cinnati Commercial. of the 9th inst,
while criticising the other resolutions,
says: .at ss.aas eEfl - 4se..aoe
"zHe fourth resolution Is one that should
be adopted by euery Convention Of every
party that assemblies ~ the State. - -fIf
Thus you see that others must be dealt
with beside the Democratic Con nventiou.
If you would retrieve your public reputa,
ton, you must commence your labors 10
the household of your political associates
and friends. Convince these assailants
of their error-let them withdraw their
charges, and confess that they have wick
edly and falsely accused you, and you
need have no fear about the Democracy
doing You ample justice. 1e. s-...r.1 j
AS to an Investigation, Z agree, you
have q right to demand it; you ought not
to rest ander this general condemnation
without an opportunity of defending your
conduct before the, people of the State.
But an investigation will be of no avail
unless it shall be thorough aud complete
Were I to accept your invitation to make
it myself, no doubt you would graciously
introduce me to the files of your Office,
and, unquestionably. the gentlemen Of
Your staff would courteously answer my
|interrogatories, (and I think with more
directness than their chief replied to the
questions of the Committee last spring
yet, my dear sir, I am no more Of mill
|tary character than you were when this
war. broke out, and my incompetency
would be rendered as conspicuous as
yours. Moreover any report that should
make would gain little credence with
your Republican friends. They would
suspect me of attempting to whitewash
your Administration. sas
Will you, pardon my presumption in
suggesting better method of accom-
plishing your wishes? Most people will
ask: "Why does not Governor Dennison,
II he believes he has been linjustly as
sailed, demand renomination at the
hands of his partyi" This accords with
precedent your predecessor was iu.
dorsed by . renomination, and if you
should boldly demand the same measure
of justice from the Convention which is
to assemble in Columbus on the 5th Of
September, it could not be refused, ex-
cept upon the ground that they repudiate
and condemn your war administration
If the party viii make you its nominee, /
will engage that the Democracy will suffer
you to defend the merits of your official
conduct before the people. without reply
from your opponent, and will gladly ac-
cept their, verdict as fnality. s5,ao,...
il, however. your repugnsnce to o Sec
ond term is, under the circumstances, in
vincible, the next alternative is for you to
demand of that Convention an expression
1 of opinion in regard to yous war admin
istration. Let it be direct and unequiv-
ocal, either an approval or condemnation.
Your experience may suggest better
form; if not get some friend to offer the
Following: - ,r.@,4 ,...I....s, ,.,,.;.
"Resolved, That corruption, extraya,
gance, incompetency and fayoritiam have
not been shown in the administration ol
the War Department Of Ohio" .s.esys
/ When your own friends shall adopt this
the issue will be, fairly joined with .ths
Democratic Convention, and you .maJ
then, with some show of propriety, cal
on us for particulars and the evidence.
But if you shall fail to demaEd this In
dorsement from your own political friends
lif your, political friends shall fail to re-
spond to your demand. I confess you
case appears to be hopeless. If tha
Convention, instead of the Criitender
Resolution, adopt some "glittering gene
rality" about sustaining the Government
in promoting the war"-which oblige
them to carry along the weight of Simol
Cameron-and they refuse like Office o
Christian charity to you, it would be al
act of unparalleled ingratitude and cru
city. You have long served your part,
with singular fidelity and devotion; you
political friends are best acquainted will
the character and value of your labors
they ought to be lenient, and generous
and just; but should they, in your presen
extremity. refuse you simple inlorse
aent of your competency, it would GO fa
to justify your political opponents in thl
conclusion that in the judgment Of you
best friends your war administration i
indetensibie.
4 do not see what more I can do 70
you. The proposed examination. withou
power to go behind the files of the Office
to send for persons and papers. and t
Examine witnesses under oath. it is q faro
10 which / most respectfully decline u
engage; nor do l share your spprehensio,
that in nconsequence thereofthe "Natioua
Government will be compelled to dis
graceful compromise with armed treason.
/ Very respectfully yours, II, Ii
; - ..J.555ar. Il. b. PAYNE.
Gov. tDenn,son's Letter to Mr.. Payne
49, STATE OF ONO, ExscurIyE DEPARrNxSr,