The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1864-01-20

guided portion of its people. The lesson
Of the past is ever the guide of the future.
While this struggle continues. privatisns
and sacrifices will continue with it; and
while we adhere to the purpose of accom-
piishing the restoration of our Govern
ment and our Union, We must alleviate,
as far as practicable. the sufferings, and
bear with fortitudc the burthens imposed
upon u.s.
In one particular only do I desire, upon
this occasion, to add to the recommended
tions Of my predecessor; and that is in
regard to the act of March 21st, 1863 i'm
posing tax for the aid of the families
of soldiers and marines in the service. [
carefully watched the operations of this
law. 1t is not sufficient for its purposes.
l cordially approve the Recommendation
of Gov. Tod for the increase Of the tax;
but in my Judgment that increase should
e.'even greater thar he proposes, in or
der to do justice alike TO our soldiers and
our people. The advance in the cost Of
living has reached the necessaries of life
as heavily as the luxurics. The increase
of wages does not reach the labor of de-
pehdent women, with children to clothe.
feed and educate. The amount saved
from their scanty pay, and sent Some by
our soldiers, though large in the aggre-
gate, is. very small in it's distribution
among those for whom it is designed
When this revenue, and the proceeds of the
tax, arc added together, there is still a
large amount dependent upon private
bounty, to meet the actual wants of this
class of people, and ward off positive suf-
fsring. | have not been able to collect
the statistics as extensively as 7 desired
but in many counties eli the State the
private collections for soldiers families
have considerably exceeded, and in some
cases doubled the amount of the tax
Even in these cases the object has not
been funny accomplished, 1t is argued
it is better to continue thus to divide, be-
tween State and people, this contribution;
SO that in what the one fails the other
will make good. The true and just re-
sponse is:
1st. That if the State acknowledges
this obligation to the family of the alb
sent soldier. she should meet it as man
ncr fully equal to the necessities of the
case.
ID. Private contribution is not equita.
BILE in its character, and cannot be ad-
justed to the property and interests that
are protected by our armies. The gene
rous will give beyond their actual abili.
ties, while the parsimonious, or the op-
ponents of the war, will withhold, from
pecuniary or unpatriotic considerations
Taxation alone will equalizc this burthcn
and impose it, where it should rest, upor
the property protected by the service:
that the revenue is entended to compen-
safe. If the actual levy increases the
taxation of generous contributors, it re-
lieyes them from large amount of pri
yate bounty, and imposes it upon the non
! contributors, where it should fall Ever
when the State assumes the entire sup
port of soldiers families, there will bc
scope enough for private contributions tt
ALLEVIATE the privatiens and sufferings o
sick, disabled and wounded men, in the
hospitals and at home
3D.. The form or private charity is no
always acceptable to its recipients, an(
especially the class to whom this is ap
plicable. Much suffering and privatiol
will be endured before pride will suffe
application to private charity, where
there is consciousness that meritoriou
services OF the absent provider shoul,
promptly call the State to the protection
and support of his dependent fanlily.-
I We should divest this tund of the appel
lation of charity. 1t is not such, in an,
application Of the term. 1t is an homes
debt, and an imperative duty, that W
owe the men who are serving US in posi-
tions of labor and danger. They save u
from invasion-from the destructive raw
ages Of war within our borders Will
they press the conquests OF our arms fo
the restoration of our Government. the
protect our property and our lives; the
are the conservators Of all the prosperit,
that surrounds us. They do not perform
this service for the small compensation
allowed them by the Government. The,
are actuated by a higherand nobler mo
tive; and while they incur privations, dan
ger and death for the common cause, tn,
State should not only protect their fami
lies from want, but make the act one o
right and justful compensation, instead O
burthening it with the offensive appella
ton of charity. Neither should it b.
governed by the rigid economy of mer,
subsistence. 1t should be at least sucl
plenty and comfort as the stalwart arm O
the natural provider would furnish them
if he were at home to do it, instead of la
boring in our service, to ward calamit,
from our hearthstones.
In my judgment three mills on the dol
lar is the least sum at which this ia,
should be fixed, and l would prefer t,
sec it four mills. The patriotic people o
the State will checrfully pay it, and justi
fly you for imposing it. The act sheul,
also require County Commissioners tt
collect reports of disbursements from
township and ward Trustees, and com
municate their aggregates annually to tn,
Auditor of State.
Our State has heretofore filed he
quota in tho armies by volunteering. II
addition to this, We have several thousanc
men in the service Of west Virginia, Ken
lucky and Indiana, TOR which we canno
have credit in our allottments. Hope
are entertained that we will be able t,
Fl II tho recapt o,ll without racort;po, 70