The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1865-01-06
THE MESSAf.E


1
THE MESSAGE.
We give the closing portion OF
Governor Brough's Message.
In the emphatic language of the
President, "the war continues" The
great contest for the life of this nation
is not yet terminated. The yeariust
closed has been marked by decided
iprogress; and we are nearer the end,
not only by the lapse of time. but by
the material change in The position of
lparties andthe aspect of affairs. Our
strength in all the elements of con.
test is increased, while that of the
rebellion is diminished. The mass
of our people are firm and determined,
while the adversary is becoming bro
ken and dispirited. We may vet
have reverses in store for us, but the
eventual triumph Of the Government,
though it may be delayed, cannot pos
IDLY be prevented. A review of past
events, so familiar to the country,
would not now prove interesting or
valuable, while those of the future
are so clearly foreshadowed as to tax
only our patience in awaiting their
development.
The recent action of the people in
sustaining, by so overwhelming a ma.
jority, the administration and the
cause of the country, not only const-
flutes an element ofimmensc strength
and value tn ourselves, but it afIlrms
serious and important truths, which
the people Of the South may we'll
take into careful consideration. In
stead of voting this war ga failure"
and commanding "a cessation of hos.
ltilities," the people have declared it
q success thus far in its progress, and
required its continuance until the re-
bellion is suppressed, and their gov
ernmnnt restored its original power
and usefulness. They have counted
its cost and measured its sacrifices
they have voted themselves heavy
taxation, and, if necessity requires it,
more calls upon them to fill up the
ranks of their armies--they have left
their authorities no discretion; have
forbidden them to take any backward
step, but to press onward with energy
and vIgor, calling for and using all
the resources of the nation. until the
rebel power is broken, and the peace
and unity Of the country is restored.
They have gone further, and declared
with clear and unmistakable empha-
sis. that with the conquest of this re-
hellion must perish it's most potent
element, as well as one of its exciting
causes: and thst when peace sheds its
blessings again upon our people, this
shall be what God and our father de-
signed it---a land Of human freedom.
From the commencement of this
great contest the State Of Ohio has
occupied no doubtful or hesItating
position. Our people have assumed
their burthens with alacrity, and
borne them with checrfulness. They
have responded with promptitude to
every call that has been made upon
them; and withont,passing the bounds
of becoming modesty, they may point
with emotions of pride to the record
which her sons have made for the
State in the council and in the field.
Ohio officers have commanded with
distinction and honor in nearly every
department of the service; and Ohio
soldiers have oattlcd with exalted
courage and patriotism upon nearly
every field of the war, and marched
over portions Of every State that the
reasonable leaders took into rcbell-
ion. At all times, and at all places,
they have nobly done their duty;
achieving for themselves and reflect
ing upon their State the highest hon
or. True, there have been grievous
sacrifices; there has been mourning
at many hearthstones; and we have
often been called upon to pause in
our cxultation over the noble conduct
Of our living heroes, to lament our
heroes dead; but even the eye be.
dimmed with tears has caught a glance
of the future, and the stricken heart
has found consolation in the assurance
that all these sacrifices will be hal
lowed in the triumph of freedom, and
the coming greatness and glory of
our country. The commandment of
the people is TO you and to me, in
our allotted spheres, to move onward
to the accomplishment of this great
end and to contribute all OF ability
and usefulness we possess to the con
summation of that grand triumeh, in
which not ourselves, but the friends
or free government throughout the
world will rejoice,
JOHN BROUGH.