Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1863-10-07
ADDRESS,
To the Democracy Of Ohio

may seem to demand for the welfare Of ou
e common country we feel it to be dut
which we cannot ignore nor thrust aside, t
j address you briefly but plainly and truthful
upon the naomsntous questions of the day, an
7 If possible stay the mad and furious torrent {
+ Falaaticisq, which seems to be sweeping wit
almost irresistible force over the face Of ou
e once happy country. We have indeed faIler
I upon troublous times" Passion and preju
e dice seem to rule thehour. Reason and judg
ment have fed the throne and fanaticism an,
ultraism sway the seepter unaisturbed owe
the public mind. Our Country, our Govern
ment, that blessed inheritance descended t,
us from our forefathers, is to ALL but the hope
ful, in the very last throes of expiring nature
In whatever direction the eye is turned tn,
horizon Of our national existence Is overcas
with portentious clouds which human wisdom
and human sagaeity seem totally inadequate
to penetrate or brush away.
We are not The apologists for the mistake:
and errors Of the Administration in the pros
ecution Of the war; nor do we approve of Oh
sanction the tactious opposition whichis being
brought TO bear against the legitimate as well
as the doubtful powers Of the government to
put down the rebellion, suppress the insur-
rection, and enforce obedience to the Con-
sdtution and the laws Of the land and when
we are asked to sanction and approve, by the
exercise of a most solemn and important priv
ilege, tie elective franchise, that tactious, and,
as we think and believe, to use no harsber
term misguided opposition, which from the
very beginning has studiously and persistent
1 ly opposed every effort put forth to save the
life Of the nation we do most earnestly, yet
calmly and deliberately, enter our solemn pro-
test against it, and call upon and earnestly en-
treat al candid meu to reflect, before voting
for The very embodiment of this opposition.
You, as well as we, are called upon by the
imperative" voice Of a Convention to vote
! for c. T. VaIlandigham for Governor of the
State Of Ohio. We admit the ful force and
effect Of this call; it comes to US clothed with
/ the power and prestige of party ties and par
ty fealty; It GENES to US ladened with tie as
sociations of former years, but all these can
no, be made to avail feathers weight, when
our country, our kindred, and the future OF
This Republic are at sake. Believing, as we
DO, that the action Of the Convention in nom
mating Mr. VsIlandigham was a great mis-
take, and one which, if approved and sane
toned by the people at the polls, viii serious
ly eudanger the perpetuity Of our Govern
ment we have felt and now feel it our duty,
to Withhold from him ou support, and thus
clear our skirts Of all completely with the
agency by winch it is brought about
And in so doing, we stand by the doc
.rines advocated BY Douglas, by every Dem
ocrntic member Of Congress from Ohio, and
by the entire Democracy Of the North, except
Mr.. VaIlandighara and small faction, prior
to Mr.. Vallandigbam's nomination for Govern
er, and in no wise affiliate with, or approve Of
the doctrine of AboHtionism or Fanaicism Of
any kind.
But selErespect as well as duty to you, re-
quire that we should state briefly, and can
didly, the reasons why we are thus compelled
to withhold our votes from Mr. Vallandigham,
and which, perhaps, in ordinary times we
might pass by in silence even if unable to ap-
prove. for the reason that such views, although
entertained by the candidate would never
find an opportunity to be made effective and
could not influence the people Of otherStates,
not then, as now, in rebellion.
First We cannot support Mr.. Yallandig-
ham, because Ia his speech in Congress, Feb.
20, 1861, he said,
ut is vain to tell me that States cannot se-
csds. Seven States have seeded In three
months their agents and commissioners viii
return from Europe with the recognition of
Great Britain and France, and of the other
powers Of The Continent" (Record, p 10.
Agaia, Secession has been tried and has
proved a speedy and terrible success. The
praeticability of doing it and the way to do it
have been established Record, p. 81.
again, II any one or more Of the States
of this Union should secede--torr reason Of the
suficiency of which, before God and the great
tribunal Of history, they alone may judge
much as should deplore it, I never would as
a Representative in the Congress. OF the Uni
ted States, vote one dollar ofmoney whereby
one drop Of American blood should be shed in
a civil war" Reoord, p 9D.
Agqin, "There is not a man in this house
fit to be a representative here who does not
know that the South cannot be forced to yield
obvious to your laws and authority agar"
Again, Accordingly have not voted Tor
any army or navy bill, nor any army or navy
appropriation bill, since the meeting Of Con
gress on the 4th Of July, 1861" Record, p.
l4D.
Again, Stop Fighting, make an armistice
no formal treaty. Withdraw your armies from
the seeded states. Recall your fleets, brake
up your blockades, &c, &C." page 2OO.
To these and kindred sentiments held and
uttered by Mr.. Vallandigham from the begin
ming Of our troubles, and now prominently
thrust forward by him, we cannot subscribe,
believing them to be anti-Democratic and
subversivs of the Government and all the best
interests OF the people. We prefer rather to