Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-11-30
MORNING LEADER.
Fol the Leader.
Barren Victories.

Barren Victories.
| In the hour of triumph the wise and ever
watchful leader of a host will carefully estimate
the result. The popular shout is not an infal-
liable sign of permanent success. More than
once were the heroes of the revolution taught a
lesson of caution at severe costs, and made to
suffer an inglorious defeat after an hours appa-
rent triumph. The surrender of an advantage
ous position for sudden victory has turned the
fortunes of the day against many an aspirant
for military honors, and we need not look far in
the annals of political warfare for examples of
like disaster. The records of contest showing
remarkable fluctuations of public opinion have
just been made up, and it may not be amiss for
those who desire triumph of principle to that
oftemporary success, to cast about and see if
the elements are in proper shape and combina
tion to insure final and substantial victory.
Whenever the possession of the field is in
dispute among the victors, it cannot be regard
ed as evidence of entire harmony in the ranks,
nor are results at all certain when issues are
mixed and indistinet Both these difficulties
seem to have existed to some extent in the late
elections, and meet us now at the threshold in
our preparations for future and more important
contest 1t is useless to defer a settlement
Let the stakes be driven so that each one, here
after, shall know his own ground.
To the honor of the Republican party be it
said, that it has ever presented a bold and we'll
defined position. Neither its friends or its ene-
mics have ever been at loss to know its prin.
ciples. 1t has had regular, though somewhat
rapid growth, is not the creature of circumstan-
ces or prejudices. The men who have stood by
it in its minority and given it vitality, have done
SO from deep and abiding convictions of its ne
cessity. tits during the earlier struggles against
msiorities and prejudices that the advocates of
an organization can best give their reasons for
what they are doing but when they approach
the period that gives tokens of success, multi
tudes throng their ranks and designing men I'M
der cover OF allies seek to divert the public mind
from the channels it has been wont to follow
Such is the condition in which the advocates of
slavery restriction find themselves at the pres
ent day. Some of the more ardent supporters
of the party claim nearly every free State for
the Republicans, while the champion of Popu-
lar Sovereignty is announced by the Democratic
press as the candidate for the Presidency, with
positive assurances of successful support.
Some who are partially initiated las well as
enemies in disguise) among the Republicans,
advocate union of all the forces in order to in
sure the overthrow of the National Admins
tration, while at the same time the friends of
no11Ulaa alaupr for ~
cisely the same grounds. Now nothing is more
certain than that such incongruous representa-
tions are eminently calculated to mislead, for
the purposes of the two parties are as divergent
as the poles. Doug las is at war with the Pres
ident only on a single issue, significant for its
extremely tyrannical character, while he is at
peace with slavery and all its imperious de-
mands He would allow it to become universal
without interposing the weight of a feather to
resist IT. On the other hand, Republicans are
at war with slavery everywhere within the juris-
diction of the general Government They wo'd
interpose every obstacle to its progress and root
it out from every inch of territory now under
! Federal authority
Douglas would use the patronage of the gov
eminent for slavery. Republicans for freedom.
Douglas sanctions the Dred Scott decision. Re-
publicans repudiate it. Douglas opened the
whole northwest to slavery. Republicans would
shut it out without regard to latitude or longi-
tude. How then, with views much at vari-
ance, is it possible for Republicans to take even
middle ground in the face of their avowed doc
trines; or what policy can it be simply to oppose
the Administration, when that position is al
ready occupied by party calling itself Demo.
cratic without the slightest affinity fer Repub-
licanism! Can such advice come from those
who are true to freedom or is it the language
of deception and intrigue!
But it does uot follow that because the free
States are unit against the present Admins
/ trat:on, they are not otherwise divided. They
are, on the contrary, widely separated. The
| issues between the parties are as diverse and
distinct as light from darkness-as liberty from
slavery-and it is only by the efforts of corrupt
politicians and over-sanguine friends that so
much confusion in the minds of the uninformed
has at any times existed. Neither party is ex-
pected to yield its position. Republicans never.
| They have been long in the field and fought val
iantly for principles, not for power. Their
measures commend themselves to the confidence
of the people, and are now popular The party
is conservative because it seeks to save gov
eminent from the hands of spoilers, and res, ore
it to its original purity. 1t is at the same time
progressive in its endeavors to remove the prac-
|
giving principle of free labor, renovating and
breathing new life of vigor through all the
| commercial and social fabric 1t affords the
only check to the Slave Power, and now con
fronts its dangerous advances with a resisting
| force which is felt and acknowledged by the
Shareholders. 1t is, besides, the most effective
organization of the intelligence ofthe free States.
Let no one, therefore, dare to compromise or
tamper in any way with its principles or change
its purposes. Let no one attempt to bribe by
the offer of place or power. Moreover one inl-
portant duty remains and will remain to the last.
Guard the out posts. Letno enemy in disguise
come within the line. From this time forward
we shall have special need to be on our guard
and watchful, for our borders are enlarged, and
men, false to truth freedom, whose only object
is to obtain place and power, will be constantly
falling into the rank Eternal vigilance is the
price of Liberty" Make the issues bold and
clear, so that ''he who runs may read" Beware
ofpremature success which gives false assurance
of ultimate triumph, for then the sentinels are
relieved from duty, the walls Unprotected and the
enemy takes possession. Beware Of any en-
tsnglement with SquatterSovereignty or alliance
with peoples party" What would it avail
possession of the Government in 1860. Would
they gain that for which they have so long
struggled! Would they ever see their cherish
ed doctrines carried out in practice! fthe re-
suits of the late elections in the different States
mean nothing more than transient opposition
to the ruling power, then indeed have we OBJ
tanned barren victory. If the Republican par
ty is to be abandoned, or its distinctive princi
pies lost sight OF, what will be left on which t
hang our country hopes. E. G H.
Rochester, Nov. 10Th.
EARTHoUAKEs.-Asev severe shock ofearthquakc
was felt at Valona, in Upper Albania, on the