Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-03-08
From the Toronto Globe.
aIr. LlpeeIp,. In.ururnI.

MIR. LinoeIn's InEHEHruL
At length Mr.. Lincoln is President Of the
United States. he has been installed be
has made bis inaugural speech be has gone
70 rest In the White House. Patriotic Amer.
leans breathe more freely. Hope for the
Union reyives. For four long, weary months
treason has stalked about the streets Of the
capital, not seeking to hide its head in shame
and fear, but rampant insOlent, defiant
State after State has rebelled soldier after
soldier has forgotten bis oath and his honor,
and proved recreant 70 his trust; the national
flag has been insulted; the national property
has been plundered; the very men in whom
the people placed greatest faith have done
their all to destroy their couRtFy's greatness.
No blacker perfdy is recorded in history
No greater folly has the world yet seen. And
rs one day after another passed by, as one
conspirator after another perpetrated some
new treason, with what disgust, with " hat
wonder, was the conduct Of the unhappy man
who occupied the Presidential chair regard
ed, On him, as it appeared, the fate Of the
great United States depended. But he moved
not or moved only TO abet the treason. The
national heart yearned for change. The
days, the hours, the very minu,es which
must elapse before the time could ooma when
be should retire into Obscurity, we're anx-
iOusly counted. The fourth of March was
awaited as the day upon which a m4n would
be called to the Government of the nation
who, casting aside all minor considerations.
would devote his whole energies to the pub
lie weal-as q day when traitors would no
more be eountenanced in the high places Of
the land-as a day when all patriots might
feel assured that whatever was done would be
done in the earnest hope Of preserving the
Union, the Constitution, and the honor Of the
nation.
And the day is at length come. The cho-
sen of the people has received in peace the
Presidential powers. But it is only now that
the difficulties Of his position appear in all
their magnitude, Six States declare them
selves out Of the Union. They have a Con-
gress Of their own. They have a President
OF their own. During four months they have
been arming with 7igor. They have raised
troops and drilled them. They have seized
arsenals and built Notifications. They stand
prepared for war. Eight OF nine other States
in part spmpathize with them, and declare il
a blow be struck the whole will make com
mon cause. The free States are divided in
opinion; some are for concession, some fol
coercion. How shall the strength Of those
which yet remain true to the flag be brought
to bear with crushing etfectupOn the traitors
II is difficult question to answer. And the
way in which it is answered by Abraham
Lincoln will either be the saving or the de.
struetion Of the Union.
There is no medium. There is no altsrns.
tive. The plan which Mr.. Lincoln has adopt.
ed, is, we think, wise one. It is the nns
which ought TO have been adopted at fnt
and which, if firmly perserYered in, if firmly
supported by the people can scarcely fail ol
success. Mr.. Lincoln tells the Congress tha
It is his duty to enforce the laws. The law
may be obnoxious to a section of the people
but they are not the less binding upon then
for that. If il is desired 10 alter the laws tht
constitution prescribes q method then le
that method be adopted. None other will
be recognized. ''Secession is not constitu
tional-therefOre not binding upon him.
This is the premiss-o his argument. In i
he holds out to the rebel States the div
branch. Letthem seek immunity from fan
cied dangers as the law provides. But
they refuse, be viii treat them not as a foreigl
power, but as portion Of the Repubhc-
he will rescue the Federal property from
their grasp. He will take from them th
forts they have seized, he will collect the rev
enue, he viii maintain the sovereignty of Ii
Federal power. More could not be expecte
Of him, less would be treason to the Republic
But here we must stop. Mr.. Lincoln ha
furnished US skeleton plan only. Th
question is, viii Mr.. Lincoln wait for a con
stitutional change in the l4ws, or will be 8
once act on the laws as they now exist2 Tn
Congress has already wasted away muc
valuable time in discussions which have lie
to no practical end; and may waste muc
more. And while they are talking, is II
bellion TO remain unchecked When wi
Mr. Lincoln re-take the Federal property
We have great confidence in the man. "
believe he has purpose, and that be is d.
termined to carry it out Taking the gem
raj tenor Of his address as a guide and wit
leYery disposition to look upon it as favorabl
! as we can, it appears to Us that be intends
: wait to zee il there is any chance of such
/ constitutional amendment as will relieve hi
2 from the necessity Of having recourse oarm
But if in his opinion there is no prospect
this, then he will appeal to force. The tin
[ will be chosen in his discretion. Of the ci
Q cumstances which will warrant an appeal
2 this last and sad resort, be will be the iudg
: What, then, does the American nation ga
: by Mf. Eincoln's ina1euraI address, viii
: upon these points 50 much doubt exists2
: gains the knowledge that the laws viii
executed. If altered, they will be enforce
if they remain as they are, they viii be e
: forced. There will be no bending to Il
! SOuth-no abetting Of rebellion. Upon Il
; people rests the conflict. II they commar
y they will be obeyed. If they issue no ne
code OF directions then those which no
E exist will suffice. cd