The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1864-09-01
Gov. BrOugh'S Stirring Proclamation on threat
ened Resistance to the Coming Draft.

CINCINNATI. Wednesday, Aug. 24-Gov
Brough has issued proclamation to per-
sons in Ohio, who are preparing to resist the
draft, warning them to desist from such a
purpose 1t is strong and patriotic appeal
to loyal men to observe their duties to their
common country, and strong warning To
traitors within the borders of Ohio to desist
from all attempts to oppose the constituted
authorities. The Govoner says:
However unwilling to believe that any
considerable portion of the people of this
State would array themselves in spirit of
factious, if not reasonable, opposition to
the execution of the laws of the land, there
are indications of such spirit in the State,
which, as Chief Magistrate, l may not dis
regBrd The man
who supposes that either the National or
State Government is unadvised of, or UMPIRE
pared for the threatened emergency,g is fol-
lowing the deception of his leaders to con-
sequences of the most serious character.
After reciting the act of Congress approx
ed July 21st, 1864, $40 define and punish
certain conspiracieS," the Proclamation con-
cludes as follows
Most earnestly do appeal to the people
Of the State, not to engage in this forcible
resistance to the laws, to which evil coun-
sellers and bad men are leading them
1t cannot and will not succeed. Its tri-
umph, if it achieve any, must be of mere
temporary character. The government is
not weak. 1t is strong and powerful. 1t
can not and it will not permit any armed
instruction to impeach It's strength, or i'm
pair its power, while contending with the
southern rebellion. do not say this to you
i'll any spirit of intimidation, or in any
threatening tone. speak to you as a
warming and with an imploring voice to
hear and heed it. know what the determ-
ination of your government is, and l fully
comprehend the power at hand to enforce
it.
What can you, who contemplate armed
resistance, reasonably expect to gain by
such movement ? You cannot etfectually
nor permanently prevent the enforcement
of the laws. You cannot in anywise I'M
prove your own condition in the present,
and must seriously injure it in the fu
ture. Judicious and conservative men, who
look to the supremacy Of Government for
the protection and safety of their persons and
property, will not sympathize nor cooperate
with you. You may commit crime, you
may shed blood; you may destroy property;
you spread ruin and devastation over some
localities of the State; you may give aid
and comfort for season to the rebels al
ready in arms against the Government; you
may transfer, for brief time, the horrors
of war from the fields of the South to those
of the State of Ohio; you may paralyze pros.
perlty, and create CONSERVATION and alarm,
among our people. This is q bare POSSIBLE
ity but it Is all you can hope to accomplish
for you have looked upon the progress of
our present struggle to little purpose, if you
have not learned the great recuperative
power of the country in this contest. The
final result will not be doubtful, the disaster |
to you will be complete; and the penalty |
will equal the enormity of the crime.
From the commencement of this rebellion |
the State of Ohio has maintained a firm |
and lntlexlhle position, which cannot now
be abandoned. In this internal danger that |
now threatens us, | call upon all good cit |
zens to assert and maintain the supremacy |
IF the constitution and the laws of the land. |
These constitute the great elements of our
strength as nation, and they are the bull
Varks of our people. Hold in subsection by |
persuasion and peaceable means if you can |
Ill attempts at civil instruction or armed |
to the laws. Failing in this, there |
8 another duty, as citizens, from which we
nay not shrink, and to which | earnestly
nope we may not be enforced. To those
Who threaten us with this evil, say we do
lot use any threats III return-there is no
lesire to provoke passion or create further
irritation. Such men are earnestly and sol
mnly invoked to abandon their evil pur-
'ose; but at the same time they are warn
d that this invocation is not prompted by
my apprehension of the weakness of the
or the success of the attempts
o destroy it. would avert by all proper
means, the occurrence of civil war in the
tate, but if it must come, the consequences
e upon these who precipitate it upon us.
JOHN BROUGHT.