Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-01-15
inaugural address,
Gentlemen Of the Senate and
House of Representa-

announce 70 you my views upon the lead
ing subjects now occupying public attention
The high duties and responsibilities per.
tanning to the Office of Chief Executive Of
our State atthis time. are duly appreciated
and, were it not for the fact that I purpose
calling to ny assistance men of known high
moral worth, and lafgeexperience, L would
shrink from the task; but. with such aid,
and with the full belief that those, whose
servant [ am, will demand only an honest
and vigilant effort, L will undertake the
performance of these duties.
Upon the great and all absorbing ques.
ton of the day-the war for the mainten.
C of our National existence-my posi-.
ton is, perhaps sufficiently well understood.
l am indebted to the friends of our Union.
for their generous selection, mainly. from
the well known fact, that | was willing t.
surrender everything but honor to quell
the unholy rebellion.
The more L reflect upon this important
matter, the more thoroughly 1 am convinc
ed that the future welfare of ourselves, our
children, and our ehildreH's children. de.
ponds upon preserving. at all hazards. the
integrity of our National Union-maintain-
ing 1t under the Constitution as our fathers
gave it to US.
10 be a free, prosperous and happy peo-
pie, we must have domestic quiet, and our
commerce must be protected throughout the
world. To ecu these blessings, the Un-
Ion of the States was formed, and to main
tain them, the Onion Of the States must
be preserved. In no other way can we
hope to demonstrate to the world that man
is fit for self-government.
If this Union cannot be preserved. we
will be compelled to resort to some other
form of government, and thereby confess
that our fathers were mistaken in claiming
for their children ability to govern them
selves. l am proud to know that our con-
s~tituents thus view the issue row made for
us; and 50 highly do they prize the rich
blessings of selfgoycrnment, that they are
most cheerfuiy willing to bear every ex-
action that may be required for that pur-
pose.
As their agents, then. for the time being.
We should exert our best energies to the gal
liant and liberal support of the officers of the
National Government In their efforts to re-
store that Government to its former gran
deur, and to protect and maintain a most
benefeent Union and Constitution against
all foes, whether domestic or foreign.
l am most happy to be able to express
the opinion, that the helm of State of our
National Government is in honest, pure
and patriotic hands; that President Lincoln
seeks and is determined to conduct the war
with an eye single to the speedy restoration
of the Government to its former harmony
and vigor, irrespective of the influence this
may have upon the domestic institutions
of any of the States.
In this glorious work the people of Ohio
have most nobly done their duty thus far;
laying aside all party prejudices and par
t~ialities, they have moro than met the calls
made upon them for men and money: and
not content with this, they are still wiling
and eager to meet any further demands
upon their means and patriotism. Let us
look to it, then. that IN our action we do
not ~disappoint the expectations they enter
tanned, when, laying aside all considerations.
save a determind, vigorous, and liberal
support of the National Government, they
committed to our hands the vast response
bilities now resting upon us.
Ohio must in all time to come, be able
to claim for herself her Just share of the
burden and glory of putting down the re-
belion. In my opinion, this object can be
accomplished only by bringing to eondign
punishment the leaders of the rebellion,
and satisfying their misguided followers,
by hrm and generous policy, that we seek,
not the destruction of any of their domestic
institutions, but only the maintenance and
enforcement of the Constitution and Laws
of the Nation Constitution which their
fathers. with ours, handed down to us.
with the solemn injunction. that we, to-
gether. should forever maintain and defend
the same.
These mereenary and wicked leaders,
governed by unhalloWed ambition for
place and power, being securely disposed
of, their deluded followers may be expected
to return again to their loyalty. Surely
with such a purpose only in view, with
unstinted means in men and money, man
aged by brave, gallant and accomplished
officers, like those, at the head of our
armies, the struggle can neither be long
nor doubtful.
To insure an early triumph of our arms,
We should not, either in word or manner,
withhold our confidence from those in
whose hands the command of our forces is
placed. 1t is cruel to impugn the motives
and acts of those who are laboring with
zeal and integrity to preserve and protect
DOR best interests; the mar who will do
this, without cause, should be avoided by
all good men.
Fortunately, We have nothing to distract
or divide our attention and energies from
a vigorous prosecution Of the war; at
peace with all foreign powers, without ques-
items of moment to settle with any, we
may hope to maintain kind and amicable
relations With all
The magnanimity. GOODNESS and diploma
tic skill of the President and his advisers,
evinced in the settlement of the delicate
questions growing out of the seizure Of
Mason and Slidell, aford.a sufficient guar
anty that our honor and interests. so far
as they are involved in our intercourse with
foreign nations. are in safe hands.
In view of the Importance to the welfare
and happiness of the people of both gov
ernments, that friendly feelings should ex-
ist between them, it is to be regretted that
Great Britain should have demanded the
surrender of these men; but the demand
having been made, our government could
not have maintained its proud character for
consistency, without yielding to the de-
mand; for, in the language of Mr.. Secre-
tary Seward, "we are asked to do to the
British nation, just what we have always
insisted al -natinns nnrLA 4 -,