Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1864-01-21
Gov. SeymOur'S Message.


York, transmitted to the Legislature on the
5th of January, is very able document i
We copy the concluding part of it, as fol-
lows
The past year has been crowded with
events, both civil and military, Of the gray
est interest The establishment of nation
al bank system the issue of enormous
amounts Of paper money, which is made a
legal tender; the adoption of a law for coer-
ced military service the act indeinnifyng'
and shielding officials charged with offences
against persons and property tofcitizens; the
suspension Of the writ Of hdJeaS corpus i'll
peaceful and loyal communities, are meas
ures which go far towards destroying the
rights of States and centralizing all power ut
the National Capital
The executive and military officials assume
to declare martial law and to arrest citizens
where the courts are in undistIrbed opera
ton, to try them by military tribunals, and
TO impose punishments unknown to the GUS
toms of our country; to administer arbitra-
~ test oaths to interfere with the freedom
of the press and with State and local cleo
tions by military DEGREES, and the display of
armed power
The President claims the right to do acts
beyond his civil jurisdiction, and beyond the
legislative power Of Congress- by virtue of
his position as Commander-in-Ch In
this assumption he is sustained by both
branches of Congress- and by a large share
of the people of the country. These procee-
dings of Congress, and the action Of the Ex-
ecutive and military officials have wrought
a revolution. The civil powers, the laws of
the States, and the decisions Of the Judicia-
ry have been made subordinate to military
authority. AT this time, then, we are liy-
ing under a military government, which
claims that its highest prcrogatives spring
from martial law and military necessities.-
The acts have been sustained by the army,
and acq,<s.sced in by the people. This rev
olution, il, permanently accepted, must be
recognized as an overthrow Of established
and cherished principles Of government
Hereafter it will force itself upon the atten-
ton of the American people, who will then
see and feel its nature and results. To their
decision in calmer hours this subject must
be referred.
If these measures of military, political and
financial consolidation break down, their
failure will show the wisdom of the Consti-
tuition in Withholding from the General Gov
eminent powers it cannot exercise wisely
and well and it will establish the rights of
States upon basis firm and undisputed,
and will make the General Government
strong by confirming it to its proper iurisdic-
principles from which We have been drifting.
In the meanwhile, we are threatened with
other calamities which demand our immedi-
ate attention. The rights Of the people and
the restraints Of the Constitution can be re-
asserted whenever the public shall demand
their restoration, but it is beyond the power
Of the popular will to rescue us from the ca
lamities of National bankruptcy or National
ruin, when these have betallen US The pro
L., 1x,1,, .l,+ t,.n ,.,,.+
where we are compelled to contemplate these
calamities, and to consider'how they may be
averted.
While it is duty to state plainly my
views about public affairs, | shall do so in
no spirit of controversy or Of disrespect for
the opinions of those who differ from me-
The questions of the day are beyond the
grasp of any mind to comprehend in their
influences or results. We see them from
different stand points and we reach conflict
ing conclusions. None but the ignorant,
the bigoted or the designing will make these
differences of views occasions for reproach
or contumey The times demand outspo-
ken discussions. When we see good and
earnest men, under the influence of some
absorbing sentiment, overlooking the great
principles OF good government, trampling
upon usages and procedures which have
grown up with the history Of liberty in the
civilized world, we are warned that none OF
us can claim to be above the influence of
passions or of pre- iudices While | do not
agree with those upon the one hand who de-
sire an unconditional peace, or with those
upon the other extreme, who would use on
ly unqualified force in putting down this re-
bellion, | demand for them what l ask for
those who concur in the views which | pre-
sent, fair, dispassionate and respectful
hearing. Let not the perils Of our country
be increased by bigohy, by partisan pas
sons, or by an unwillingness to allow opin-
ions to be uttered in forms and modes in ac-
cordance with the usages of our people and
the spirit of our laws.
Since the outset Of the war, the National
Administration has asked for nearly two
millions of men. To keep up our armies,
the average annual calls have been more
than 400, 900 men.
In addition to the loss of life, there has
been diversion of labor from peaceful and
productive occupations to war, which de-
stroys the accumulated wealth Of the coun-
try.
The Secretary of the Treasury states the
national debt will be sixteen hundred mil
unascertained demands. In our former wars
these latent claims have nearly doubled the
liabilities supposed to exist during their pro-
gress. IF the war should cease to day, the
national Indebtedness could not fall short of
two thousand millions Of dollars To this
must be added the aggregate Of State, coun-
ty and town obligations. The cost Of carry
ing on the war hereafter will be increased by
larger pay to our soldiers, by interest ac-
counts, by enhanced prices Of provisions,
transportation and material growing out of
deprecated currency The proposed is
sue of three hundred millions Of paper
money, under the national banking scheme,
in addition to the vast sum now put out
by Government, will add to the imitation of
prices
Conflicting views are heldas to the amount
of Indebtedness which could cause national
bankruptcy, and with regard to the length
of time the war can go on without causing
national ruin. All agree in this that there
is an amount of Indebtedness which would
overwhelm us with bankruptcy, that there
is duration of war which would bring up
on us national ruin. The problem with
which we have to grapple is; How can we
bring this war to conclusion before such
disasters overwhelm us2 These perils must
be confronted,
Two antagonistic theories are now before
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