Year: 1862

necessary to meet the interest on our bonded
debt.


Long years of quiet, prosperity, and seem.
ing freedom from danger, have led us
practically to disregard the safe maxim, "In
peace, prepare for war"


Let the experience of the past year induce
US to be ready, at all times, to hnip in the
bud" any rebellion within, and promptly re-
pei any invasion from abroad. Such pre-
paration will be an ever present guarantee
against temptation TO commit any breach of
the public peace. A thorough organization
OF the militia of the State should at once be
commenced and continued. This force,
numbering about three hundred and 6fty
thousand men, should be divided into com.
panies, regiments, brigades and divisions; !;
and each should be well Offered. The
companies should be mustered at least twice
in each year, as companies; and at least once
In each year, in regiments.


All this can be done at small expense, and
If well done, we will at all times be ready.
at a moments warning, to call into actual
service, in any portion Of the State, a force
sufficient to prevent invasion from any
quarter.


The duties, and also the compensation,
pertaining to the staff of the Commander.
in-Chief, should be clearly defined by law.


1t is expected that the military feeling now
extant will lead to efforts, on the part of in
diyidual enterprise, to establish military
schools In different parts of the State. The
propriety of granting aid, from the State, to
such OF them as may seem worthy of it, is
respectfully submitted to your consideration.
Small appropriations, judiciously expended
would tend greatly to encourage such
schools; and if we'll conducted, they could
not fail to conduce largely to the welfare
and safety of the public.


A few months military instruction will
qualify the young men of the State to take
command of our militia, even in time of war,
with credit to ALL. The time now devoted
exclusively to recreation and pleasure by the
gallant boys of Ohio, during their long sum-
mer vacations, could thus be pro6tably spent;
and, doubtless, hundreds of them would pre-
fer thus to make themselves useful to the
State.


Arms and other munitions of war should
be kept in perfect order at the State Arsenal,
in quantity sufficient to meet any sudden
emergency.


Referring you to the recent message of
my predecessor, | congratulate you that you
are thus placed in possession OF full informa-
ton as to the condition and affairs of our
State.


Governor Dennison has devoted himself
to the duties of the Executive Office with q
zeal and energy few men are capable of, and
with an integrity of purpose worthy OF the
highest commendation. In his efforts to
discharge the onerous, delicate and respon-
sible duties of his Office, during the most
critical period in the history of our State, he
has never, for moment, consulted his ease,
nor even his health; but has been constantly
found at his post of duty. He has richly
won for himself what all public men should
seek alone to win, the pleasing commenda,
ton of his constituents, of "Well done, gSot
and faithful servant"


And now, gentlemen, may we ali, by IN
firing industry, strict economy, unfiuchint
integrity and devoted patriotism, win fo
ourselves just title to the same high praise
to the sweet consultations of an spprovinI
conscience, and to the rich blessings of on
Divine Father DAVIH non