The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-06-17
B Ashland UNION, WEDNESDAY MORNING. JUNE Il,

Letters In Response to Invitations
to be present and Address the
Democratic state Convention of
Ohi0s
The Secretary Of the late Democrats Srate
Central Gommittee invited 4 number Of the
distinguished speakers and public men of OH
Eer States, to attend and address our great Con-
~yeution in this city, on the 1lth inst. The
following are some of tho letters received by
the Secretary, in response to his Invitations:
LETTER FROM n. T. MERRIcK-
Chicago, June 8, 1853.
Mr. DEAR SIR.--I am in receipt of your
favor of the 9th inst, requesting my attend
ance at the Democratic State Convention, to
be held at Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday, the
18th inst.
1t is with uafeigned regret hat I find it
impossible for me to be present.
Tho meeting Of the Democratic State Con-
~vention of Ohio, at a time when her most dis.
tinguished citizen is expiating in exile the
crime oe having endeavored to defend the CON-
stitutional liberty Of her people, is a most in
teresting circur stance. A0k4
In the arrest and sentence of Mr.. Valland-
igham. military despotism manifested itself as
an accomplished fact in your State, and if the
people indorse these proceedings, they admit
that the civil Government, established by our
fathers, has fried, and consent to accept the
governments of the sword, which has been SUBJ
stituted for il.
+ The desPotism which visited Ohio by such
an extraordinary manifestation in as~sailing the
freedom of speech, has, since that time, tried
the experiment of its strength in this State by
as%sailing tho freedom of dc Press.
Probably such o popular demonstrs ton in
behalf of the violated rights of a free people
was never witnessed, as that which was exhib.
tied in this city on the occasion of the attempt
to suppress the Chicago Times b, the military
power. and a violent outbreak of popular pas.
sion was only restrained by the confidence we
are proud to feel in the integrity, learning.
patriotism and fearlessness of those who exer.
else among US the judicial authority of the
Federal Government.
We extend to you our sympathy in this re-
gard, as no doubt We have your congratula.
tions.
Before the question submitted to the Court
was determined, the order directing these ia
lotions proceedings was withdrawn by the
President.
1t is said that in this matter General Burn
side went bayond the instructions he had re-
ceived from the Commander-in-chief. He
may have done SO, but he has not resigned,
and the events of the last two mouths show
conclusiyely that there has been, ard still is,
somc1chere, q settled purpose and defined plan
to subject the States of the Northwest to the
power of the military, to subject all civil au-
thority within their limits, and to desire v both
freedom of speech and freedom of the press.
When these rights are all destroyed by the
violence of military rule, the ballot-box must
necessarily come under its control.
New England fears the Northwestern States,
and if they could be secured by the despotism
of military power, together with Maryland,
Kentucky, Western Virginia and Missouri,
Tennessee and Louisiana Estates already voting
at the point of the bayonet) New England
could afford to do without New York and New
Jersey@By this process of destroying the con-
stitutionaf rights of the people constitutional
forms can still be observed in the perpetuation
of an Administration subject to New Eng
1and's control, or in the substitution of sons
other for it, equally incompetent and .odious,
aud as entirely under the same blighting in
iuence.
We must prevent such a disaster to
Northwest, and to do This we must accept the
issue proposed by the Abolitionists, and main
tain the rights or freedom of speech and free.
dom of the Press, and that other equally high
p~rerogative of American citizens, the light of
the people peaceably to assemble aud petit
ton Government for q redress of grievances.
Without the existance of these rights as vi
tai aud active elements in society, there can
be no such thing as free government.
1 cannot entertain a doubt but that the no.
Bile State of Ohio will maintain them ut all
hazards, and illustrate her achievement in
their behalf by requiring the military despot-
ism that has banished Vallqndigham to return
her Governor.
Very respectfully, yours, etc
r. T. MERRICK.
r. K. Cox, jr, Secretary Democratic State
Central Committee, Columbus.