Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1863-04-24
SOLDIERS OF OHIO:

SOLDIERS OF OHIO:
In behalf of the loyal people Of Ohio, W,
respond to your patriotic and thrilling ap
peals. Men who have dedicated their lives tt
their country, and Shown their devotion by
tolls and sacrifices have the right to addres.
Us, rePosing in peace aud prosperity at oul
quiet homes. Ohio owes you debt of graft
lude which money cannot discharge nor word,
express. You have achieved. by your gallant
deeds, distinction which will brightly mark
the page of history, and impart to tie ANIMAL:
of our State an imperishabe 1ustre and you
may be assured that our loyal people CRATE
| fully appreciate their obligations to your valor
ard patriotism.
We acknowledge the justice and propriety
of your rebuke of the ignoble eonten-
tioDs Of home politics and wild, shameless part )
strife" which uuhappiiy prevail amongst us
We cordially deptore this di>sension. Nc
cause which has ever commanded human ener
gy so fully merits union of purpose, of voice
ard Of action, as that which has called YOU
from the endearments of home to the periIs o
the battlefield, ai:d which summons Us 10 the
nOblest, duties and sacrifices which lreemen car
/ render. Whilst NE regret that many have
| preferred the badge ami success of party Ia
f, the old banner IF beauty and of glory, and
the triumph of freedom, We may refer with
patriotic pride 10 the Union movement o
1861. in Ohio, in which you participated, as
a bright Illustration Of the loyalty of cur peo
pie.
Then men Of every variety OF party ante
ccdents met around the altar Of their country
/ LII "a
political Ir,jud,cits, and unittdly pledged Fl
deity aud cooperation until the rebellion
should be crushed, and our flag float aca;r
| over all the Slaits Of our once unbroker Un
ion Nothing aided more to consolidate that
patriotic movement than these memorable
words III the last speech of the lameuteJ Doug
/ las:
We have a su.emn ddiy TO maintain The
] Government. The greater cur unauimily tht
| specdier the day of peace. We have PRE- judi
cts 10 overcome, from The few short month
since OF fierce party contest. Yet these
must be laid aside. Let US lay aside all Grim
ina'iOus AID Iecriminations as to the origin o.
these difficulties. When we shall again have
IA country, with the United States flag float
! ing over it, AID respected on every inch o.
American soil, it viii then be time enough tC
ask who and what brought this upon us
| Whoever is not prepared to sacrifice party or
ganiZatiOnS and platforms on the altar of his
country does not deserve the support and
| confidence Of honest people. Every man mus
be for the United States or against it. There
can be no neutral iu this war, only patriots ol
traitors"
These sentiments became the rallying cry
of Ohio's patriots-and a multitude of oul
best and most prominent fellow citizens, glad
ly forgctlul of all past political difference,
aud antipathies, rallied as became American
! freemen, to The common standard of our coun
try. Ohio never witnessed a more impressive
spectacle than that of the Convention Of Sep
tember, 1861. The President of the Balti
more Convention was chosen as the standard
bearer of the Union hosts. He generously
yielded to his countFy's call. and bravely, du
ring the canvass. exhibited his devotion to thu
great cause TO which he had committed hi
heart and treasures. Those who fought will
him under this same banner shared in the spiri
and devotion of his deeds, and the people o
Ohio signalized their appreciation of the Uni
on movement by giving more than $4,000
majarity to the candidates of this convention
The power of that enthusiastic and unite,
movement caustd disloyalty to seek conceal
ment, and aroused the patriotic into a gene
roHs competition for noble deeds and sacrif
ces. Tbs voice of 1861 would probably hav,
been re-echoed in 1862 but for the sieniican
fact that more than so 900 voters had gone T.
the battle feld,. and the strength and energie
of cur people were concentrated upon vigoT
Gus efforts TO recruit men to fill the places 0
the brave who had fallen by disease, or in tn
armed conflict, ard TO respond TO a call for al
increase of our army. Those now symDathi
zing with the rebellion did not then reveal an,
treacherous designs. Their appeals to tn
brave to come to the rescue of the country
were not tainted with words of dishonor o
! reproach. There were few Shameless polil
cal 6ankrupts who in their hiding places, nj
tered words of disloyalty, but even these wer
rebuked by political associates who disowne
( their heresies The ma j0riiy of our prom
Q nent men. Wed with one another, both by We. d
and deeds, to enkinde in the hearts of th
! people deeper devotion to the Union, and
deadiier hatred of the rebellion. Under thes
circumstances our last susual election eccul
red. The result is well known 10 you. Wbils
the loyal men of Ohio were volunteering an
laboring with untiriDg vigilance to fill u
your columns, unscrHp0lOOs and iaithless ne
d were toiling to secure party triumph Man
of those who wore the cloak of loyalty, an
q paltered with the people in do uble sense
have thrown off their disguise and now shamt
n fully claim the result as victory for part
r and rebuke to our Government. They al
welcome to the unenviable distinction of glory
ing in a triumph, which has given fresh an
g nation to the dropping hopes of traitors.
Such men have no genuine sympathy wit
d the soldiers and be assured the loyal men I
Ohio have none with them. We disown then
They have fOrfeited the confidence of cur pei
o pie Phe great heart of Ohio throbs wit
8 8 emotions Of pride and sympathy for her brav