Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1865-06-24
Letter from Gov. Brough.
CoLUMDUs, June Is, 1865.
To lie Feople Of Ohio.

CoLUNDUs, June 10, 1865.
To lie Feop'e Of Ohio.
l accepted the nomination of the Union
party for Governor Of Ohio, two years ago.
with nnfeigned reluctance did not seek
or desire it. and ouly accepted it from con
'ideraiionS OF public du'y, hich, in view
ct the state OF the country. il clearly i'm.
posed upon me. came uio tiIice with
the firm determination ;hnt if the military
power Of the rebellion should he broken,
aud the war closed, during the fist term
Of my admins ration-which | confidently
anticipated no circumstances oulG
| be candidate for reelection. This de.
termination freely communicated to
friends. Curing the past spring, under
pressing opportunities from nearly every
section Of the State, allowed this position
t o be modified 10 this extent: that while
| would not seek the nomination, and did
not desire it, yet If it was conferred viii
reasonat.o uegree OF unanimty and good
feeling, would not decline it. | however.
reserved to myself The privilege of following
my original purpose, aud Withdrawing my
name from the canvass, whenever fu nv
Judgment the same should become reonisite
10 the harmony of the Convention aud the
success of its nominations.
Many prominent men of the Uuion or
ganZltIon Will bear me witues, hat have
frequently urg'd upon them the conflicts
thai would arise from my denomination
In times like those through which we have
passed in the last four years, no uan who
hIled the position. and honesty aud con-
scieutIou,ly discharge The duties of the of
ice, of Governor Of Ohio, could hone to
escape cen'ure aud opposition, or fail to
des roy what politicians term his araHa6iI
~ as candida e for re election. Such
was The case with Two of my predecessors,
who were earnest, good men. / could not
aud did not hope TO avoid the same result:
and therefore | made The reserve'ion. and
based 1t upon M own Judgment of passing
events. Even if | desired the position, !
owe the people OF the state too much to
the futu action for the graIif
cation OF my own amhition. As have 10
political desires, either present or future,
the path Of duty becomes not ouly plain,
but personally pleasant
After caiiul survey OF all the surround.
ings, am entirely satisfied that the same
considerations, OF duty that pressed upon
me the acceptance OF a nomination two
years ego as mperousy require that |
should decline il at the present time. Uu
der this conviction, | respectfully bu, nn.
condIionally Withdraw my name from the
aud the canvass.
am aware that by this decision | do
violence to he wishes and feelings of
cf frin MI I
cherish. But they must pardon mo. l
have no sentiment of doub. or distrust eth.
er Of heir friendship or good judgment =
bat see my own course so clearly that ]
may not turn aside from it.
or fcouIse l have no personal regrets or
dSappoin,men's. On the contrary, | am
highly gratiied that eau honor ably retire.
/ doubt very much whether my health
impaired by close confinement TO official
duties, would sustain me through vigorous
campaign; while increasing years. and the
ardous labors Of long life in public posi-.
tions, strongly invite ne 10 retirement aud
repose during the few years that may re
muin TO me.
To the people of the State who have 30
nobly sustained me, owe a lasting debt of
gratitude. | have served them during The
trying period of my administration, to the
best of my ability. ] know that | have
done il conscienliousy and honestly.
look buck upon my record with but
single regret, and that is, that have not
ben able to make it more effectively 10
the cause of the State and Nation.
Very respectfully,
JOHN BROUGH