The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1864-01-22

a sound condition. The agricultural, in
dustrial and commercial interests of tn
State were never more prosperous. Nh
State has been protected, with singl
exception, from invasion and the desc
lating ravages of war have not sprea'
themselves within our limits. At tn
same time the great institutions Of educa
tioh and benevolence, which constitute
a material element Of our pride an,
strength, have not been encroashed o
impaired. Our schools and colleges
our seminaries of learnng-our arts an,
sciences-out noble institutions for th
relief and instruction of the stricken por
ton Of our people--our public works
all these have been fostered, encouraged
and protected, as though war had no
existed in the land. While we bav,
abundant cause in this. not alone fo
self graduation, but of devout thankful
ness to that Divine Providence that rule.
in the affairs of nations as of individuals
we may learn of it the obligations of du
ty, that, by wise administration, we SO.
cure to the future, as far as human etlor'
can do so, the blessings we have enjoy
ed in the past.
1 1t is true that amid all this prosperity
our people have been called upon to NEE,
! privations' and endure sacrifices. Tn,
blood of Ohio has been poured out upon
almost every battlefield of the nation, and
her sons have found graves in nearly ev-
cry Southern State. The shouts of vic.
tory from ensanguined battle fields have
been Two fold messengers, bringing alike
JOY and sorrow to our people; and with
the exulLations of the one has mingled the
lamentations Of the other. Our men
have given freely of their substance, and
our nobel women Of their enduring pa.
tence and l'iEor, to alleviate the priva-
tious and suiferngs Of our sons in the
field. The parental hand of the State
Government has been constantly and lib
orally extended, to aid her gallant men
living, and honor her dead heroes. Yet
all these burthens have been freely and
even cheerfully borne for the reason
that the cause was that of q nation strug-
Cling for its exislance-of freedom gasp
ing for its vitality-of a good and bene-
tlcent government laboring to assert its
supremacy over rebellous and misgui
ded portion Of its people. The lesson Of
the past is ever the guide of the future.
While this struggle continues, privations
and sacrifices will continue with it and
while we adhere to the purpose of accom-
plishng the restoration Of our Govern
ment and our Union, we must alleviate,
as far as practicable the sutferings, and
bear with fort'tude the burdens, imposed
upon us.
In one particular only, do I desire up
on this OCCASION, to add to the recommen.
datiohs of any predecessor; and that is in
regard to the act of March 2lst, 1868, i'm
posing tax fot the aid Of the families Of
soldiers and marines in the service. |
have carefully watched the operstions of
this law. 1t is not sufficient for its pur-
poses. cordially approve the recon-
nend$tion OF Governor Tod for the increse
,f the tax; but in my judgment that in
crease should be even greater than he pro-
poses, in order to do justly to our soldiers
ind our people. The advance in the cost
If living, has reached the necessaries of
ife as heavily as the luxuries The in.
,rease of wages does not reach the labor
If dependent women, with children to
,lothe, feed and educate. The amount
aved from their scanty pay, and sent
,ome by our soldiers. though large in the
aggregate, is very small in its distribu'
ion among those for whom it is designed.
When this revenue and the proceeds
# the tax, are added together, there is
till large amount dependent upon pri-
-ate bounty, to meet the actual wants of
his class OF people, and ward off positive
suffering. have not been able to col
ect the statistics as extensively as l de-
red but in many counties OF the
State the private collections for soldiers
antilles have considerably exceeded and
n some cases doubled the amount Of the
Ak. Even in these cases the object has
lot been fully accomplised: 1t is st-
mad that il is better to continue thus to ,