Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-03-06
atinns to como.

expected when we entered upon this war
that it would expose our people to sacri
fees and cost them much, both OF money
and blood. But we know the value OF
the object for which We struggled, and un-
derstood the nature Of the war in which
we were engaged. Nothing could be so
bad as failure, aud any sacrifice would
be cheap as the price of success in such
contest.
But the picture has its lights as well as
its shadows. This great strife has ava
kcnel in the people the highest emotions
and qualities of the human soul. 1t is
feelings Of patriotism, virtue
and courage. Instances of self sacrifice
and of generous devotion to the noble
cause for which we are contendlng are
rife througought the land. Never has a
people cYinccd more determined spirit
than that now an;mating men, women
and children in every part OF our coun
try. Upon the frs. call the men fly to
arms; and wives and mothers send their
husbands and sons to battle without a
murmur Of regret
i. was, perhaps in the ordination Of
Providence that we were to be taught the
value of our liberties by the price which
We pay for them.
The recollcctions Of this groot contest,
with all its common traditions of glory,
of sacrifice and of blood, will be the bond
Of harmony and enduring affection
amongst the people, producing unity in
policy, fraternity i'll sentiment and joint
effort in war.
Nor have the material sacrifices of the
past year been made without some cor
responding benefits. Ift aquicsencc of
foreign nations in pretended blockade
has deprived US Of our commerce with
them, it is fast making us a self.support-
ing and an Independent people. The
blockade, if cl1cctuol and permanent,
could only serve to divert our industry
from thc production Of articles for ex-
port, and employ it in supplying com
moditics for domestic use.
1t is a satisfaction that we have main
taincd the war by our unaidcd cXcrtions.
We have neither asked nor received
assistance from any quarter. Yet the in
torest involved is not wholly our own.--
The world at large is concerned i'll open
ing our markets to its commerce. When
the independence OF the Confederate States
is recognized by the nations Of the earth,
and we are free to follow our interests
and inclination by cultivating foreign
trades the Southern States will offer to
manufacturing nations the most favora-
bic markets which ever invite! their com
mcrcc. Cotton, sugor,ricc, tobacco, provi'
sions, timber, and naval stores will fur.
nish attractive exchanges. Nor would
the constancy of these supplies be likely
to be disturbed by war. Our confeder
ate strength will be to great to tempt ag-
grcssion and never was there II people
whose interests and principles commit.
ted them so fully to a peaceful policy a,
those of the Confederate States. By the
character Of their productions they ar,
too deeply interested in foreign commerce
wantonly to disturb it. War of conquest
they cannot wage, because the condition
of heir confederacy admits of no coerced
association. Civil war there cannot be
between States held tog, thcr 10y then
voition only. This rule Of voluntary as
sociation which cannot fail to be canser-
vativc, by securing just and impartial gov
crnmcnt at home, does not diminish the
security of the obligations by which the
Confederate States may be bound to for.
cign nations. Mproof JMis IS TO b.
remembered that, at tie first moment Of as
scrting their .rigM Of secession, these State
proposed a settlement on basis eta com
mon HaJil;tytor tie obligations Of the gen
erm government.
Fellow citizens, the struggles Of age
had consecrated the right Of the English
man to constitutional government, on
colonial ancestors were forced to vindicat
that birthrght by an appeal to arms
Success crowned their efforts, and the,
provided their rOSterity peaceful rcmc
dy against future aggression.
The tyranny of an unbridled majority
the most odious and least responsible form
of dcSpotiSm, has denied us both the righ
! and the remedy. Therefore we are in arm
to renew such sacrifices rs our father
made to the holy cause of constitutions
, llDclly. Nl tHc tlul hcSt hOul VI uNl SNlNB
gle the provisional gives place to tn
= permanent government 1tfer a Serie
Of successes aHd oictorieS, which cooere
, or arms wM glory, ~e hare recently me-
: pM Sei0HS disasters. But in the heal
of the people resolved to be free thes
disasters tend to stimulate to increase
resistance.
To show ourselves worthy of the inhcl
= itancc bequcathed to us by the patriots {
:, the Revolution, VIC must emulate !hc he
roic devotion which made reverScs to the,
but the crucibe in which their patriotisl
', was refined.
y With confidence in the wisdom an
! virtue of those who will share with m
# the responsibility, and aid me in the cor
- duet Of allairS-Sccurely relying on ii
: patriotism and courage of the people, {
: which the present war has furnished $
. many examples, | deeply feel the weigh
Of the responsibilities now, with una
Iectcd diilidcnce am about to assume; anC
fully realizing the inadcquacy of huma
=, power to guide and and to sustain, m
!. hope is rcvcrcntly fixed on Him whose f,
- vor is ever vouchsafcl to the cause whc
p" is just, With humble gratitude and II,
- ora'ion, acknowledging the Providcn
- which has vi,ibly protected thc Confcdc
:, ary during It's brief but evcntful carcc
" to Thee, Oh God. | trustinrly comm