Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1865-06-22
e Gov. Brough in the followir

al chair, has shed more luStre upon
the State, nor discharged the duties
OF the Office with more consummate
ability. His honesty of purpose can
not be doubted. His infiexible in
tegrity, unhlnehing loyalty, and un-
compromising devotion to the cause
of our country, render his name dear
to every honest man, and upright
citizen. 70 the private soldier, his
ear was ever open. We have reason
to know, that in no case was the
complaint of any private soldier, no
matter how slight cause there might
be for it, suffered to pass unheeded,
or if possible unredressed.
To the shoulder strapped gentle
men who presumed they were born
to command, his course may not have
been so gratifying, but we venture
the assertion, that no brave, gentle
manly officer of the army, can hon
estly find fault with him.
1t is not our purpose in this arti-
ele, to eulogize Governor Brough.
His work speaks for itself 1t will
live in the history of the State and
nation, and its place will be proud
one. In the darkest hour of the ma
tions peril, he assumed the power of
calling into existence, almost in a
single day, an army of Ohio men,
whose hearty response to his call,
have rendered their name as "Nation-
al Guards immortal. He dared to
risk his personal popularity, as well
as the loyalty of his people upon this
point. The success of his underta-
king proves his knowledge of human
nature. We regret that Governor
Brough has seen fit to decline nom
ination, which he was sure to obtain.
We believe he would have received a
larger majority in Gallia county,
than any other man. Having so de-
clined however, we shall cheerfully
lend our aid to the success of the
candidate now before the people.
The GoVernorship of Ohio.
GOV. BROUGH DECLINES.
HIS LETTER OF DECLINATIoN.
COLUMBUS, June 10, 1865.
To The people of Ohio:
accepted the nomination of the
Union party for Governor of Ohio,
two years ago, with unfeigned reluc-
tance. / did Lot seek or desire it,
and only accepted, from considera-
tions of public duty, which, in view
of the state of the country, it clearly |
imposed upon me-. l came into of |
flee with the firm determination that,
if the military power of the rebellion
should be broken, and the war closed |
during the first term of my admins
tration, which confidently anticipa-
ted, under no circumstances would l
be candidate for re- election. This
determination 1 freely communicated
to friends. During the past spring,
under pressing opportunities from
nearly every section of the State, 1
allowed this position to be modified
to this extent: that while / would not
seek the nomination, and did not de-
sire it, yet, if it was conferred with a
reasonable degree of unanimity and
good feeling, / would not decline it.
!, however, reserved to myself the
privilege of following my original
purpose and Withdrawing my name
from the canvass whenever, in my
Judgment, the same should become
requisite to the harmony OF the Con-
vention and the success of its nomi-
nations.
Many prominet men of the Union
organization will bear me witness,
that have frequently urged upon
them the conflicts that would arise
from my denomination. In times
like those through which we have
passed in the last four years, no man
who filled the position, and honestly
and conscientiously discharged the
duties OF the Office of Governor OF
Ohio, could hope to escape censure
Id opposition; or fail to destroy
what politicians term his availability
as candidate for re election. Such
was the case with two of my prede-
eessors, who were earnest, good men.
! could not, and did not, hope to
avoid the same result, and therefore,
/ made the reservation and based it
upon my own judgment of passing
events. Even if 1 desired the posi-
ton, / owe the people of the State
too much to embarrass their future
action for the qualification of my own
ambition. AS / have no political de-
sires, either present of future, the
path of duty becomes not only plain,
but personally pleasant.
After careful survey of all the
surroundings, I am entirely satisfied
that the same considerations of duty
that pressed upon me the acceptance
of nomination two years ago. as
inperiously require that I should