Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-08-24
- puty ID I.e,al GILL.

IA house divided against itself cannot |
stand Il maxim as true to-day as when
written under the Immediate inspiration OF
the Almighty. The loyal nation is engaged |
in hand-tO hand struggle with armed rebel |
lior, and its undivided energies are necessary !
to a successful prosecution Of the contest Let
the loyal men Of the North divide into frag
ments, wrange over minor questions, organ
iae int separate parties, aud consume their
substance in fighting immaterial issues, and
thecountry must go Is ruin. Each political
organisation in the land and even the rebels
themselves, would say: 1--WE did not cause
the war; it was the act of our opponents "
When the war is ended, then let this ques-
dou be discussed and settled; but now let all
cur energies be devoted to putting down re-
bellion, that speedy and honorable peace
may follow. Rebels menace the Federal
CAPITAL and whet the knife with which they
hope to stab the nation TO the heart. In the per
pstuation Of our national existence all have
an equal interest whether viewed from pc
euniary, social or a political stand point
If the Government is overthrown, anarchy
will ensue, and instead Of having war OF a
few months or few years, centuries Of in
terneeine strife may follow, with but now
and then q CLEAN of peace. There is moth
ing so 6erce as enmity of estranged friends
Let this Uaion be severed, and two hostile
nations, composed of people filed with a l
bitterness and devoid of all respect for -seh
others rights aud long-coutinued peace
will be an accessibility. Therefore we are
not only fighting for the Uniou and the su-
premaey Of the Constitution and laws, but for
permanent Peace--s peace wherein all car
rest in perfect security of life and property
a peace free from all an rchical discOrd, based
upon mutual rights, guaranteed by a common
Government BE, then, is the consistent ad-
vooats of peace who yields a ready and a
sheerfuI scquiescencs to ell the demands of
the Government in its hour OF trial. he
who adds to the vigor and efficiency of our
armies contributes to the procurement Of an
early peace. The leaders of the rebellion
have made the issue, and say to the Govern
ment "Your lite OF ours" At such tire,
what is our duty as citizens of country In
which the Government is one of our own
ehoosing-in fact part of ovrselves2 Man
ifsstly to come up to thn support ofthe Govern
ment in the mos. efficient manner- Can this be
done by drawing foe distinctions on partisan
questions-bys splitting hairs ever constitution
81 requirements, or proclaimiug to the world
the shortcomings of our leaders2 Let those
who profess special regard for the Admins
tratiou cease their efforts to create for them
selves 8 reputation for independence by fire.
quent attacks upon the Executive or bis chosen
advisers. Let the people cease to be critics
and remember only that they are patriots =
Let no one reprOaeh our chosen leaders in
this dark hour, if their action is such as does
not seem the best that the occasion demand
ed. Our rules have pressing upon them
weight of responsibility which we know not
Of and are surrounded by circumstances and
scqusinted with facts which are necessarily
q sealed book to the masses. Let those who
are welded TO political ereeds stop and ask
themselves if there is not higher claim up
on them than that of party-if their first OBJ
legation is not to the Government which has
made them prosperous at home and respect
ed abroad To him who asks this question
in a candid spirit, there can come but one re-
spouse. Away down in the deeper fountains
of his soul, beneath the rolled and emoitter-
ell surface, there must still be found pure
wsll-spring of patriotism which, if not stiRed,
will gnsh forth and enliven the innate
love of country which long years of political
strife have well nigh oblilerated.