The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1862-07-16

avert our present calamitles, and to pre-
serve the Union, by peaceable means.
But when the fell spirit of Abolition.
ism at the North and secessionism at the
South, disregarding the wishes of the
majority of the people of both sections
rendered all efforts for peaceable adjust.
ment inehectual; when the integrity Of
the Union was assailed by force and the
country plunged into civil war; when the
President declared his intention to main.
tain the supremacy of the Constitution by
arms and to employ them for that purpose
alone; the Democracy of Ohio, Union
men in war as well as in peace, rallied en-
masse to the support of the Government
From that day to this they have given tc
every constitutional measure for the sup
preston of the rebellion an effective sup
port. In the field they have constituted
and yet constitute, moiety if not more
of the military quota of the State; and
not bear witness to their heroic devotion
to the Union. In the National and State
councils, they have granted without hesi-
tation all the men and money demanded
by the Government; while as private citi-
zens and voters at the ballot box they
have given to it a moral support more
powerful by far than was ever before given
by party to an administration elevated
to power by political opponents. And
now, in this sore hour of our country s
tri4l, its motto is, as it ever has been
"To maintain the Constitution and pre-
serve the Union" A party whose whole
history is thus signally illustrative of pa
triotism, party that has thus sacrificed
all mere partisan prejudice and feeling, for
the sake of the Republic, needs no de-
fense at our hands against the malignant
assaults Of its enemies, and is entitled to
be heard with thoughtful attention when
it proclaims it's sentiments.
And the time has come when, in our
Judgment, that proclamation should be re-
spectfully but distinctly and earnestly
made.
A little over year ago, Congress, with
an almost entire unanimity, solemnly de-
.clared that Congress, banishing all feel
ing of mere passion and resentment, will
recollect only its duty, to the whole coun-
try: that this war is not waged on their
part in any spirit of oppression, or for
any purpose of conquest or subjugation,
or purpose of overthrowing or interfering
with the rights or established institutions
of those States, but to defend and main
tain the supremacy of the Constitution,
and to preserve the Union with all the
dignity, equality and rights of the several
States unimpaired; and that as soon as
these objects are accomplished the war
ought to cease.
We need not remind you with what sat
sfaction this declaration was hailed in the
loyal States; how it served to fill the ranks
Of the army, to strengthen the hands of
the Government, and to infuse spirit and
fortitude into the breasts of the loyal men
of the South who yet clung to the hope OF
seeing the Union restored in all its pris-
tine vigor and supremacy And had there
been no departure from the spirit of this
declaration; had no doctrines been ad
vanced in high or influential places sub
, versive Of the most cherished hbertie:
guaranteed by the Constitution to the
people; had there been no corruption 81
monstrous as to appal the nation by it
magnitude. and were there no danger t.
our institutions to be apprehended in th'
future and to be carefully guarded against
it would not be necessary for us now tt
address you.
But the powerful and persistent effort
thaS have been and are yet being made t.
eorysrt the war into mere crusade agains
slaway; the fearful strides taken by Con
gress at its present session, in that direc
ton, and the yet more alarming measure
proposed and warmly advocated; theauda
Ecious attempts to overawe the Presiden
whenever he hesitated to yield to the de
mands of the radicals; the unmeasure
abuse that has been heaped upon almos
every General in the field, however meri
4 torious, who has declined to become a
J, emissary of abolitionism; the daily pro
mitigation of doctrines utterly destruc
tive of the Constitution and of civil lib
j erty, and the incessant denunciation Q
every conservative man, however loya
!. who does not subscribe to them; all Civ
: a warming that ought not to pass unheed
ed by the people, and require Of all VIII
desire to see the Constitution maintaine
and the Union perpetuated, an expressio
of their sentiments. g
Il we, therefore, Jno representatives
NEARLY or quite 100000 voters of tn
State of Ohio, who have as deep a stak
in the welfare of the country and in tn
preservation of the Union, as any othe
equal number of men, in the exercise q
our duty and constitutional rights, an
with the desire of upholding instead {
J weakening the just powers of our Gov
ernment, and anxious to unite all mel
without regard to their former party asso
Citations, who agree with us in opinion, an
t to treat all loyal men who honestly diffe
= from US with becoming respect; do hereb
3 declare our own opinions and those of OF
r Constituents, as follows:
E /. Resoloed, That we are, as we evt
s have been, the devoted friends of the Coz
3 stitution and the Union, and we have I
e sympathy with the enemies of either.
0 g. That every dictate of PATRIOTS
. requires that, in the terrible struggle
: which we are engaged for the preserv
a ton of the Government, the loyal peop
of the Union should present an unbrok'
d front; and therefore all efforts to obtai
n or nerpetuate narty aScendency by fOrcll