Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1863-02-26
To the People of Ohio.

To the People OF Uhlo.
Address ofMe Ohio Soldiers qfMe Western
Army 10 he P.ople Of Ohio-The Fire
OF Ra,fotinn sfiR Burning ia tie Breasts
ofour Brure DiJcsders Singing Rebuke
to Northern acknowledgment 5ppeqi
10 ne People.
We have already published. q telegrsphic
abstract Of the Address of the Ohio Sol.
diers Of the Western Army to the People Of
Ohio" bat il is a production so admirable
in tone, 50 well-timed, so eloquent, just and
truthful, that we cannot deny ourselves the
pleasure Of spreading it in full before our
renders Ii deserves to be printed in letters
Of gold OF, satin, and preserved as an honor
ed aud saored memorial in every household
in the State Let il be remembered that
this is the voice of Ohio soldiers in the field,
and it should put to the blush all who have
sought to breed discoutent in their minds,
sr instill treason into their hearts.
Tm BArrLKslKLD STONE RrvER,
1 February /.
10 the People Of Ohio.
The Ohio soldiers of tho Western Army,
your friends, brothers and sons, address you
from this field of renowD in urgent entreaty,
upon matters ofsuch grave import to them
and TO the country, as to demand your calm
and patient audience. Exiles from home
for long weary months, away from the petty
strife Of politics aud the influence OF selfish
demagogues and party leaders, with the
pure and steadfast faith in the holy cause of
defending our Government which brought us
into the field, and has sustained us in per-
ils, haIdships, tolls and exposures, which
have scarcely parallel in history, we feel
none of the acrimonious bitterness that now
enters into the lgnoble contentious of home
politics, and calmly view the condition of
the country from that only true stand point,
the soldier and patriots devotion to the
great Republic--once blessed Of all nations.
We ask, what means this wild, shameless
party trite at home? why any opposition to
this war of self.preseryation? why any but
political demagogues should wish sever.
ance of the Republic? wherefore foolish
ory for cessation of hostilities ON our part,
to give time to tho traitor rebels to strength
en- their defenses and discipline their armies2
why should the brave, true men of the great
armysot the United States, war broken,
toil,worn and battle stained, be left without
sympathy or aid from you men Of Ohio,
now enjoying the blessings of peace, care less
OF dangers Of invasion wars dread torrors,
only because we, your brothers and sons,
stand "betweon your loved homes and war s
desoation2"
Are we not in war? Is not the whole
force Of tho Government employed in de.
ftnding the nation agansta gigantic of.
fort TO destroy III Has not blood flowed like
water and treasure expended enough to
make rich nation2 Isl not worth pre-
serving? can two or more States be carved
out peacefully FROM the present loved lie.
public2 Can We give away its rivers, lands
aud loyal people to its destroyers2 Caa we
afford 10 divide the Republic into contend.
ing petty States and be- forever tho victims
Of internecine wars between small princi
palities2 Can wo quietly, calmly, even
complacently sit by and see the grand Re-
public Of the world thus cut off and destroy
cd BY innate weaknsssf No honest citizen
of Ohio is willing that such should be our
fate
What matters now the cause Of the war?
BY whose fault, or by the adoption of what
mistaken policy2 1t exists! 1t must be
fought out, or ended by giving mp all that
it is waged for. For the sake Of peace, to
be rid Of the burdens Of taxation, for fear OF
the shedding of blood, would any basely
give up his nation and become the citizen
Of ruined and dishonored and2
Then wherefore opposition TO the war;
Because particular party il in power? Be-
cause its policy is obnoxious2 Because il
has committed errors2 Because it has
thrown to its surface and given prominence
to bad or incompetent men, or adopted DO.
litical theories and sought to make them
practical, which are condemned by many
good mon? Mol the remedy for all these
evils, if they exist at all, may be sought in
the quiet but powerful means Of the ballot,
which has power 10 our Government to
change dynasties, where the armies OF the
world would fail.
Is it thought that peace and a voluntary
restoration OF tho Union may be effected by
compromise? All that has been tried. :
Disdainfully, the rebels flung back in our
faces every proffered olive branch, before
peaceful men became armed soldiers and the
booming OF Fort Sumter's cannon, with its
terrible slarum, called 9 nation to arms
And now, insolent and defiant they laugh
TO scorn all thoughts Of peace on any other
terms than recognition Of their false nation
ality. They are stronger now than them
The despots and money changers of Europe
have given them substantial aid 10 destroy
Republic; they have more powerful armies,
sbler generals, and frmer determination
than when the rebellion began. They know
their strength and APPEAL TO Tr-not to
the poor dsniagogues Of tho North, who
are thoir allies. They condemn and despise
7HEM. Read their proclamations, addresses,
army orders aud newspapers. At no time
have they ever spoken Of Northern friends
except rs ALLIES IN THE WAR They
.dsride the foolish aDDeals of their Narth