Year: 1863

the United States prisoner of State; ban
ished thence to the Confederate States and
there held as an alien enemy and prisoner of
war, though on parole fairly and honorably
dealt with and given leave to depart, an act
possible only by running the blockade at the
hazard of being fired upon by ships flying
the flag of my country, found myself first a
freeman when on British soil. And to-day
under protection of the British flag, am
here to enjoy and in part to exercise the
privileges and rights which usurpers inso-
lently deny me at home. The shallow con-
trlVance of the weak deSpots at Washington,
and their advisers, has been defeated. Nav,
it has been turned against tn EN- ; and |, who
Tor two years was maligned as in secret
league with the Confedera:es having refused
when in their midst, under circumstances
the most favorable, either to identify myself
with their cause or even so much as to re-
main, preferring rather exile in a foreign
land, return now with allegiance to my own
State and Government, unbrokeu in word.
thought or deed, and with every declaration
and pledge to you while at home, and be-
lore was stolen away, made good in spirit
and to the very letter.


DIX weeks ago, when just going into ban
ishment because an audacious but most cow
ardly despotism caused it, addressed YOU as
fello" citizen. Today, and from the very
place then selected by the, but after weari
some and most pcrilous journeyinss for more
than four thousand miles by land and upon
the sea, still in exile, though ain )st in sight
of my native State, greet you as your repre
| sentative. Grateful! certainly am for the
confidence in my integrity and patrotism IN
| implied by the unanimous nomination as
candidate for Governor Of Ohio, which you
gave me while was yet in the Confederate
States. 1t was not misplaced it shall new
er be abused. But this is the last of all con-
sderations in times like these. I ask no per
sonal sympathy for the personal wrong No;
it it is the cause of constitutional liberty and
private right, cruelty outraged beyond exam.
pie in free country, by the President and
his servants, which gives public sigaifcancy
10 the action Of your convention. Yours was
indeed, an act of justice to States and the
liberties of the people, had been marked for
destruction by the hand of arbitrary power
| But it was more. 1t was an example of
courage worthy Of the heroic ages of the
world and it was a spectacle and rebuke
to the usurping tyrants who, having broken
| 81,


Constitution, subvert your present Govern
ment, and establish formal and proclaimed
despotism in its stead. You are the restor-
ers and defenders Of constitutional liberty,
and by that proud title history will salute
you.


| | congratulate you upon your nominations
They whom you have placed upon the ticket
with Inc are gentlemen Of character, ability,
integrity, and tried fidelity to the Constitu-
ton, the Union, and to liberty. Tncir moral
and political courage-a quality lways rare,
and now the most valuable Of public virtues
sis beyond question Every way all these
were nominations fit to be made. And even
jealousy I am sure, will now be hushed, if
especially rejoice with you in tho nomfna-
ton of Pugh your candidate for Lieutenant
Governor and President of the Senate. A
scholar and gentleman, soldier in for
eign war. and always patriot eminent as
lawyer, and distinguished as an orator and
statesman. l hail his acceptance as an
omen of the return Of the better and more
virtuous days Of the Repu bic.


l endorse your noble platform--elegant in
style, admirable in sentiment. You present
the true issue, and commit yourself to the
great mission just now OF the Democratic par.
| ty--to restore and make sure first the rights
and Liberties declared yours by your const IT,
| tutions. 1t is vain to invite the States and
people of the South to return to Union with
| out Constitution and dshouoTed and pollu
ted by repeated and most aggravated exac
| tions of tyranic power. 1t is base in your
| selves, and reasonable to yonr postcrity, to
surrender these liberties and rights to the
creatures whom your own breath created and
can destroy. Shall there be free speech, a
free press, peaceable assemblage of the people
and free ballot any longer in Chic? Shall
the people hereafter, as hitherto, have the
right to discuss and condemn the principles
and policy of the party--the ministrY-the
men who, for the time conduct the govern
ment-to demand of their stewardship, and to
place other men and another party in power
at their supreme will and pleasure? Shall
i


| Order Tbrty-eight or the Constitution be
the supreme law of the land And shall the
citizen any more be arrested by an armed
soldiery at midnight, dragged from wife and
child and home to military prison thence
TO mock military trial; thence condemned,
and then banishcd as felon for the exercise
of his rights2 This is the issue, and