Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-08-04
wFsrERN NEw YoRK LETTER.

" Nlu uut uAsNeAu tlAt olAk uldllg lulPol-
tant campaign impends the political horizon
of the Nation at this time.
Great issues, which, to be sure, have been
converging for many years, are to come more
directly before the American people than at
any time heretofore. Subterfuge, the play of
"rOund the stump'-the parley here-the
sing song there-and the "twecdle-dum' over
everything but the vital question: constitu-
ting the variety of acts which the political
hucksters have so adroitly played as to mis-
lead completely the honest masses for a series
of years, is at this time being pretty general
ly understood.
There is no doubt whatever in the minds
Of the thoughtful, but that the people as a
whole, wish to be-design and are honest in
their political actions. But it is left TO polit-
ical wretches to take advantage of their
credulity, and by this very means inact up
on them the most aggravated abuses.
While talking honeyed words through sill
yer tubes, they have been thrusting their
long fingers deep within their pockets,
and fIchiHg from thence their hard earn
ings. While sounding forth dolorus
songs over the wrongs of the "dear people"
they have at the same breath, presented the
chalice of poison to their lips, and it has
been quaied amid loud peans of long live the
donors.
We claim to govern Ourselves-we set up
the Boosting claim of being the only free
nation among the numbers of earth. These
assumptions are in some respects correct. In
very many particulars, our privileges over
and above any, or all others, as people,
are great indeed; but tyetofthe real condition
Of the national mOOrings the secret, inside
mannerOf doing things adopted by those who
have manned the helm of national matters
we are Of opinion, that the people as such, in
fact know but very little. We do not by
this intend the least reflection upon the con-
sideration, and native good sense Of the
masses; but simply wish to say, that in pO-
litical affairs, they are liable TO take the say
so of the papeTs-and the assertion of party
horn blowers as their rule of action far too
often and much to their serious disadvantage
Is not this so2 How many think you outside
of pap-suckers--and expectants of these IA
tions in the Northern States of this Conted-
eracy would for moment with afull kRolDL-
edge of the fact, sustain measures for the diff
fusion of American Slavery over our rich
and fertile gardens the West and North
And yet, how many think you under the de-
lusive "tWeedle-dum" of the South sounded
through the rams-horn of 0squatter sover-
I,sr- l.. Al
thing the coming election? Many more we
Opine than have by some been Supposed
The claim of 'non-interVention' as the only
safe--the only easy, the only constitutional
means of settling this "vexed question" has
a species of electioneering salve about it,
well calculated to trap certain classes; and is
hereabOuts at this time--and will continue, in
our opinion, over different sections, to receive
adherents from unexpected quarters until the
day Of election. The good sense and honesty
of the masses can be relied upon under every
contingency when intelligently directed, but of
what avail are these characteristics, in Dolit-
ical campaign ''for the right unless the
truth, the facts are before them. True, it
would seem that all must have awakened to
consciousness of the true condition of the
political issues of the day. But what might
appear to many Of US as a condition that
should be, or even as one that could hardly
be avoided, does not by any means establish
the thing as a fact. There are great num-
Der OF voters in this nation that all will con-
cedeaTe nOt Is Intelligent as they should be
hiIiy hi fiTiT to lflEo 70 iiat box the relia-
constituted the "ALpha and Omega ofthe sue
cess of the party now in power in this gov
L.
campaign2 or is a sufficient portion of it
so sure for Lincoln as to render his election
certain We must assuredly depend upon
this vote to a certain extent for without it,
there never has been rs yet political victory
achieved.
We have written the above as n sort OF
prelude to the assertion that the election of
Abraham Lincoln to the Presidential chair of
this nation, notwithstanding the very favora-
bic auspices supposed by many to attend his
nomination-lgU not be an easy matter. Mark
the prediction If he is elected, it will be
through the ardnOus, never firing labors of
the party. It is not a thing, by any means,
already accomplished and allow me to say in
this connection that a cloud of doubt, at
least, impends the contest. We are well
aware Of the very general claim "that all is
| right-there is no possibility of defeat-the
Democracy is split tasunder-completely shiv-
ered-neyer can rally-the election Of Lin
coin will be with hurrah," &c. This is GER
tainly very sopOrife view of the issue upon
which to recline; but would it not be well to
| give the matter a second sober thought p
| Many a battle has been lost in consequence of
the sleeping Of the sentrles in golden dreams
of security. 1t is great truism that "noth-
ing is sure in polite" and truism that it
would be well for the Republicans to heed at
| this time.
The campaign is going to be closely con-
| tested-contested with a single eye to the
/ defeat of Lincoln The three parties in Op-
OpOsition are not going to contend in any
manner for the election either Of their dis
tinctive candidates, properly speaking, but
! all agree upon one thing, viz: to strike dolCH
the Republican party. Upon this they are
a unit,-and upon this one idea, mark you,
they will, in certain localities where the issue
IN any degree presents feasible appearance
for the accomplishment of this object, strike
| hands. Herod and PLATE are to be thus made
friends in the common cause 1gheHeUer and
tghereUeT it will give promise of success to the
dark aims of the slave power.
James Buchanan has himself, in effect in
dicated this, and, in fact, extended the olive
branch for its inception, when of late refer
ring to the quarrels between himself and
| Douglas, he took occasion to say that Mr..
Douglas, after all, is a "gOod Democrat"
From this stand point let the Republicans
| take an earnest look out 1t will not be ex-
pected, of course, by those from the Bell and
Breckenridge parties, that vote for Douglas in
certain localities at the North to elect him;
but they ,0iH thereby expect to defeat Lincoln,
aud in the event secure one or the other Of
the nominees by an election in Congress-
| This is to be the single, the isolated effort
from this time onward; and itwould not be
marvelously strange if the plan should sue
! ceed.
In this State the effort is being made, and
with strong indications, at the present time,
/ OF success, by the leaders Of the American
party, to throw its entire vote for Douglas.
To effect this, since the Utica Convention
| papers have been circulated over the State