Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1863-07-23
yaiiandiRhnm's Letter OfAccep-
tancc--Hlis Position Defined.
NIAGARA FALLS, CANADA WrST,

Arrested and confined for three weeks
in the United States, prisoner of State;
banished thence to the Confederate States
and there held as ON alien enemy and
prisoner of war, though on parole, fairly
and honorably dealt with aud given leave
to depart, an act possible only by running
the blockade at the hazard of being fired
upon by ships flying tho flag Of my own
country, found myself first freeman
when on British soil. And to-day under
protection of tho British flag, am here
to enjoy, and in part, to exercise the
privileges and rights which usurpers inso-
lently deny me at home, The shallow
contrivance of the weak despots at Wash
ington, and their advisers, has been de-
feated. Nay, it has been turned against
them; and |, who for two years was ma
ligned as in secret league with the Con.
federates, having refused when in their
midst, under circumstances the most ia
vorable, either to identify myself with
their cause or even so much as to remain,
preferring rather exile in foreign lsud,
return now with allegiance to my own
State and government, unbroken in word
thought or deed, and with every declara-
tion and pledge to you while at home,
and before | was stolen away. made good
in spirit and to the very letter.
Six weeks ago, when just going into
banishment because an audacious but
most oowardly despotsm caused it, l ad-
dressed you as q fellow citizen. To-day,
and from the very place then selected by
me, but after wearisome and most peril
Gus iourneyings for more than four thou.
sand miles by land and upon sea; still in
exile though almost in sight of my ma
tive State, greet You as your representa-
tive. Grateful certainly l am, for the
confidence in my integrity and patriotism
implied by the unanimous nominatian as
candidate for Governor of Ohio. which
you gave me while was in the Confed.
crate States. 1t was not misplaced; it
shall never be abused. But this is the
last OF all considerations in times like
these. l ask no personal sympathy fol
the personal wrong. No; it is the cause
of the Constitutional liberty and privat,
right cruelty outraged beyond example
in free country. by The President and
his servants, which gives pubic signifi-
cancy to the action of your convention
Yours was, indeed, an act of justice to O
citizen who for his devotion to the rights
of the States and the liberties of the peo-
pie, had been marked for destruction at
the hand of arbitrary power. But it was
much more. 1t was an example of cour'
age worthy of the heroic ages Of the
world; and it was a spectacle and re-
buke to tho usurping tyrants who having
broken up the Union would now strike
down the Constitution, subvert your
present government and establish for
NAL, and proclaimed despotism in its
stead. You are the REsToRERs AND De.
TENDERS OF CoNsTITUTIoNAL LIBERTY. and
by that proud title history will salute
you. ...
| congratulate you upon your nomina,
lions. They whom you have placed upon
the ticket with me. are gentlemen o
character. ability, integrity and tried Fl
deity to the Constitution, the Union, and
to Liberty. Their moral and politca
courage-a quality always rare, and now
the utmost valuable of public virtues-i'
eyord question. Every way, all these
were nominations fit to be made. And
even jealousy. am sure, will now b'
hushed. if / especially rejoice with yor
in the nomination Of Mr.. Pugh as you1
candidate for Lieutenant Governor and
President of the Senate. 4 scholar anc
gentleman, a soldier in foreign war
and always a patriot; eminent as a law
yer. and distinguished as an orator and {
statesman, / hail his acceptance as al
omen of the return of the better and more
virtuous days of the Republic.
endorse your poble platform-ele
CANT in style; admirable in sentiment
You present the true issue, and comm
yourselves to the great mission just nov
OF the Democratic party-to restore anC
: make sure FIRST the rights and libertie
declared yours by your Constitutions.
is vain to invite tho States and people o
the South to return to Union without I
Constitution. and dishonored and polluted
by repeated and most aggravated exer
tions of tyrannic power. 1t is base il
) yourselves and reasonable to your poster
ity, to surrender these liberties and rights
o the creatures whom your own brestl
created and can destroy. Shall there b,
, free speech. free press. peacesble assem-
blages of the people and Tree ballot any
longer in Ohio?
Shall the people hereafter. as hitherto
have the right to discuss and condemn tn
principles and policy of the party-th'
ministry-the men who. for the time. con
duet the Government-to demand o
their public servants reckoning of tbei
stewardship, and to place other men ant
another party in.power at their suprem
will and pleasure Shall Order 3S or tn
Constitution be the supreme law of tn
land ? And shall the citizens any more b.
arrested by an armed soldiery at midnight
dragged from wife aud children at hom,
to military prison, thence condemned
and then banished as felon for The exer
else of his rights This is the issue; ant
nobly have you met it. 1t is the yer,
question of free. popular government it
self. 1t is the whole question; upon tn,
one side liberty; on the othcr despotism
The President. as the recognized head of
his party, accepts the issue. Whatever
he wills. that is law. Constitutions
State and Federal. are nothing. In tim,
OF war; there is but one will supreme
his will bnt one lawmil;tary naoass;tu