The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-01-14
Governor Todss Message.

0eConnor, our obliging and efficient
State Senator, for an early copy of the
Governors Message and accompanying
documents, from which we make some
extracts for the benefit of our readers
Gov. Tod, unlike Lincoln, devotes a
a goodly part of the Message to giving
information concerning the affairs of the
State connected with the present War.
We now quote from the Message
cit is not necessary to discuss the ques
ton presented by this rebellion with the
people of Ohio, they have, with great
unanimity, determined that, cost what it
may in time, .reasure.oa life, the Union of
the States, as handed down to US by our
Fathers, shall be preserved unimpairea;
and thus handed. dewn to our. children.
They will not for one moment conccde
that thero can ne any cause sufficient to
Justify State, or any number of States,
in Withdrawing from the Union. Admit
If you please, that the authorities of tho
Federal Government, for the time being,
were to attempt to interfere with the do
mestic institutions of either Ohio or
South Carolina, to the extent even of in
Producing slavery into the former or ex-
Guiding it from the latter; this would not
give the slightest pretext for the one thus
attempted to be ;ntcrfered with, to take
up arms against the government. The
Federal Constitution itself expressly pro-
tects the State, thSs interfered with from
injury. Long before any such attempt
could be executed, the people, in whose
hands all power is placed, would, through
the peaceable, quiet mode pointed out by
the Constitution, hurl the authors of such
attempt from power, and thus rescue the
injured State. But no such attempt has
been made, OIL. thought Of, by the Federal
cGGcors now in power; and this the authors
and leaders of the rebellion well know.
President Lincoln has, again and again, in
the most solemn manner, assured the peo-
pie that it was his determination, so far as
lay in his. power, to preserve, inviolate,
all the rights of the several States. The
Federal Congress, the severa. State Legis-
latures of the loyal States, and thespeople
of said States, in their political assem-
blies, have all, again and again, made the
same pledges to the people of the South.
1t was not, therefore, either tie fear or the
belief that their State rights were about to
be interfered with, that induced them to
-. ...la up arms against the government
Mad ambition, and disappointment in not
obtaining place and power, on the part OF
few wicked men, was the sole cause; and
all ether causes alleged by these leaders,
are simply to deceive their blind follow
ers.
Gov. Tod says that an attempt to plant
Slavery in Ohio would not give the slight
est pretext to take up arms against the
Government. What under the Heavens
would be sufficient cause? Did not Gov.
Chase order ball cartridges to prevent the
laws of Ohio from being executed in the
case Of single slave? Were our fore
fathers justified in rebelling against the
Mother country? Gov. Tods anusion to
President Lincoln's assurance to the peo.
pie of the South that he did not propose
to Interfere with their local institutions
we suppose is intended to be "sarkastikle,
as Artemas Ward says. The Governo,
lit seems is yet in favor of sthe last dol.
lar and the last man, judging from his
remarks at the opening of the foregoing
extract. But We will again quote from
the Message, and the appropriate heading
would be g Washington is in danger
i ssThe period since tyour adjournment
has been one of great excitement. About
the first of june our National Capital was
seriously threatened by the rebel army
and, but for the prompt response to the
Presidents call for more troops, would
have been sacked and plundered. The
gallant young men Of our State were among
the first to rush to the rescue-over Eve
thousand promptly assembled at Camp
their honor, and the honor of the State, il
| it should be known, that although they
thus assembled without officers, or militia
ry organization of any kind, more quiet
orderly and we'll behaved body of men OF
soldiers never met together. About three
thousand of this number were promptly
/ organized into regiments and sent to the
vicinity of Washington City, where they
remained during the term for which they
were organized; and, it is proper to add
maintained their high character for cour,
tage and gentlemanly bearing. The re.
maindcr were organized for duty at Camp
Chase and other poiuts within the State
Many of these, since their discharge, have
tgone into the service for three years, o,
Iduring the war.
1.-The desperation and audacity of the
rebel enemy led them, early in September
to attempt the invasion of our Southern
border To repel this impudent and
wicked movement, it became necessa
ry to call upon the loyal citizens of the
State to arm themselves, repair to the
border. and drive back the insolent foe
Most nobl J we're these calls responded
Ito. From the fields, workshops, stores
Offices and sacred desks, both old and
young, most generously turned out, and
armed with the same old rifles used by
1.-THE pioneers of the state, with the same
Eold bullet pouch and povder-horn, and