Year: 1864

eHlstcnce-of freedom gasping for its yitali-


ty-of good and benelicent Government


laD0ring to assert its supremacy over Il re-


6ellious and misguided portion ofits people


The lesson of the past is ever the guide of
the future. While this struggle continues,
privations and sacrifices will continue with
it; and while we adhere to the purpose of
accomplishing the restoration of our Gov
ernment and our Union, we must alleviate,
as far as practicable, the sullerings, and bear
with tortitllde the burthens imposed upon
us.


In one particular only do | desire, upon
this occasion, to add to the recommended
tons of my predecessor and that is in re-
gard to the act of March Dist, 1863, impos-
ing tax for the aid of the families of SOL
diers and marines in the service. | have
carefully watched the operations of this
law. 1t is not sufficient for its purposes. |
cordially approve the recommendation of
GOV. Tod for the increase Of the tax; but in
my Judgment that increase should be even
greater than he proposes, in orderto do JUS
tlce alike to our soldiers and our people,
The advance in the cost of living has reach
ed the necessaries of life as heavily as the
luxuries. The increase of wages does not
reach the labor of dependent women, with
children to clothe, feed and educate. The
amount saved from their scanty pay, and
sent home by our soldiers, though large in
the aggregate, is very small in its distribu-
tion among those for whom it is designed.
When this revenue. and the proceeds of the
tax, are added together, there is still a large
amount dependent upon private bounty,
to meet the actual wants of this class of
people, and ward off positive suf-
fering. l have not been able to collect
the statistics as extensively as / desired
but in many counties of the State the pri-
vate collections for soldiers families have
considerably exceeded, and in some cases
doubled the amount of the tax. Even in
these cases the object has not been fully ac-
complished. 1t is argued that it is better to
continue thus to divide, between State and
people, this contribution; so that in what
the one fails the other will make good
The true and just response is:


1st. That if the State acknowledges this
obligation to the family of the absent SOL
dier she should meet it as compensation
for his services, and in manner fully
equal to the necessities of the case.


I'd. Private contribution is not equitable
in its character, and cannot be adjusted to
the property and interests that are protected
by our armies. The generous will give be-
yond their actual abilities, while the parsi-
monious, or the opponent of the war, will





considerations. Taxation alone will equalize
this burthen, and impose it, where it should
rest, upon the property protected by the
services that the revenue is intended to COM
pensate. If the additional levy increases
the taxation of generous contributors, it re-
lieves them from Il larger amount of private
bounty, and imposes it upon the non-con-
tributors, where it should fall. Even when
the State assumes the entire support of SOL
diers families, there will be scope enough
for private contributions to alleviate the
privatiOns and sufferings of sick, disabled
and wounded men, in hospitals and ut
home.


3D.. The form of private charity is not
always acceptable to its recipients, and es-
pecially the class to whom this is applica-
BILE. Much suffering and privation will be
endured before pride will suffer application
to private charity, where there is conscious
ness that meritorious services of the alb
sent provider should promptly call the State
to the protection and support of his depend
ent family. We should divest this fund of
the appellation of charity. 1t is not such,
in any application of the term. 1t is an
honest debt, and an imperative duty, that
we owe the men who are serving us in po-
sitions of labor and danger. They save us
from invasion-from the destructive raw
ages of war within our borders. While they
press the conquests of our arms for the res
toration of our Government, they protect
our property and our lives; they are the
conservators of all the prosperity that sur
rounds us. They do not perform this ser
vice for the small compensation allowed
them by the Government. They are actu-
ated by higher and nobler motive; and
while they incur privationS, danger and
death for the common cause, the State
should not only protect their families from
want, but make the act one of right and
justful compensation, instead of burthening
it with the offensive appelation of charity.
Neither should it be governed by the rigid
economy of mere subsistence. 1t should
be at least such plenty and comfort as the
stalwart arm of the natural provider would
furnish them, if he were at home to do it,
instead of laboring in our service, to ward
calamity from our hearthstones.


In my judgment three mills on the dol
lar is the least sum at which this tax should
be fixed, and l would prefer to see it four
mills. The patriotic people of the State
will cheerfully pay it, and justify you ior
County Commissioners to collect reports of
disbursements from township and ward
Trustees, and communicate their aggregates
annually to the Auditor of State.


Our State has heretofore filled her quota
in the armies by volunteering. In addition
to this, we have several thousand men in
the service of West Virginia, Kentucky and
Indiana, for which we cannot have credit
in our allotments. Hopes are entertained
that we will be able to fill the recent call,
without resorting to a draft.


The conduct of our officers and men in
the field has been highly creditable to
themselves and honorable to the State.
| Upon every battlefield they have won high
encomiums for cool and steady courage,
prompt obedience, and deeds of noble dar-
ing. They are bright jewels in the crown
of the State; and while we wear them with
pride, we should cherish them with affec-
tion.


During the past year steady and effective
advancement has been made in the prose-
cution of the war. We have re-possessed
ourselves of large amount of revolted ter
ritory, and the triumphs of our arms and
policy that have strengthened us, have ma
terially weakened our adversaries. Present
events indicate very strongly that the end of
the rebellion is rapidly approaching. The
contest has been fierce and sanguinary, and
!; has been protracted beyond the expectations
of our people. But on the other hand it is to
be remembered that it was precipitated up
on us under every possible disadvantage
On the part of the rebel leaders it was not
only coolly and deliberately planned, but
. years were spent Whine they were still in
II II