The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1863-05-01


Address of the Union Members of the
Senate and House of Represen ia tives
OF the State Of Ohio to the Soldiers
of Ohio.
SOLDIERS OF ONO I'm behalf OF the low
al people of Ohio, we respond to your pat
riotic and thrilling appeals. Men who have
dedicated their lives to their country, and
shown their devotion by tolls and sacrifices,
have the right to address US, reposing in
peace and prosperity at our quiet homes
Ohio owes you a debt of gratitude which
money cannot discharge nor words express
You have achieved, by your gallant deeds. q
distinction which will brightly mark the
page Of history, aud impart to the annals Of
our State an imperishablo lustre; aud you
may be assured that our loyal people crate
fully appreciate their obligations to your
valor and patriotism.
We acknowledge the justice and propriety
of your rebuke of the "ignoble contentious
of home politics, and wild, shameless party
strife,' which unhappily prevail amongs,
US. We cordially deplore this disseusion
No cause which has ever commanded human
energy SO fully merits union of purpose, o.
voice, and of action, az that which has called
you from the endearments of home to thu
perils of the battle field, and which sum
mons US TO the noblest duties and sacrifice!
which freemeu can ronder. Whilst We re-
gret that many have preferred the badge
and success of party to the old banner o.
beauty and of glory, and tho triumph oI
freedom, We may refer with patriotic pride
to the Union Moyemont Of 1861. 10 Ohio
in which you participated, as a bright Illus
tration oe the loyalty of our people.
Then, men of every variety of party an
tecodeuts met around the altar of thelI
oountry--laid upon It as q willing sacrifice
all past political prejudioes, and unitodly
pledged fidelity and cooperation until the
rebellion should be crushed, and our fisl
float again over all the States of our once
unbroken Union. Nothing aided more tc
consolidate that patriotic movement thar
these memorable words in the last speecl
of tho lamented Douglas
ave have solemn duty to maintain tn,
Government. The greater our upanimity
the speedier the day of peace. We havt
prejudices to overcome, from the few shor
months since of force party contest. Ye
tbaaa a. ha lai aasAa ~ L., add
all ordinations and recriminatiops as to The
origin Of these difficulties. When we sbal
again have country, with the United Statel
flag floating over it, and respected on ever,
inch Of American soil, 1t will then be tim,
enough to ask who and what brought thi
upon US. Whoever is not prepared to sac
rifce party organizations and platforms OIL
the altar of bis country, does not deserv'
the support and confidence of honest peo
Pile. There are only two sides to this ques
ton. Eusry man must be for the UAite'
States or against il. There can be no neu
trails in the ,Oar. only patriots or traitors"
These sentiments became the rallying cr
of Obio's patriots, land a multitude of ou
best and most prominent fellow-citizeni
gladly forgetful of all past political differ
ences and antipathies, rallied as becsm
American freemen, to the common standar
of our country. Ohio never witnessed
more impressive spectacle than that of th
Convention of September, 1861. The Pres
don't Of the Baltimore Convention was cht
sen as the standard. bearer of the Unio
hosts. He generously yielded to his country
call, and bravoly, during the canvass, O.
hibited his devotion to tho great cause
which he had committed bis heart aud trea
ures. Those who fought with him undt
this same banner shared in the spirit an
devotion Of bis deeds, aud the people
Ohio signalized their appreciation of th
Union movement by giving more than 80
600 majority to the candidates of this Col
vention. The power of that enthusiast
and united movement caused disloyalty
i seek coneealment, and aroused the patriot
: into generous competition for noble dee,
and sacrifices. The voice of 1861 won
probably have been re-echoed 10 1862, b,
for the significant fact that more than 50
900 voters had gone to the battlefield
and the strength and energies of our pc
7 pie we're concentrated upon vigorous q
. forts to recruit men to Oil the places Of 81
brave who had fallen by disease, or in 81
Srned conflict, and to respond to call Z