Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-02-07
MORNING LEADER.

I indorse the ground / have taken IA regari
10 the commission. ~ . -l+O
Having received considerable blame for
voting against the proposition fJr sending
commissioners 10 Washington TO meet the
commissioners appointed by Virginia, deem
It but proper 10 the party that has honored
me With the petition Of Speaker Of the House
Of Representatives, aud 70 NY immediate con-
stituents, 20 give somewhat 10 detail the
reasons that prompted the vote. That IL
gave egreat pain to differ with my brethren,
who stood almost unanimously foF-the pro-
1 position Is certainly true As well as to find
myself in opposition TO the Recommendation
Of Governor DennisOn, whose high character
as q Republican and Statesman is admired
and appreciated BY ell who know him.
| Resting, however, in the firm beliefthat Ohio
has done nothing wrong-that her past his
/ tory has been that Of State loyal to the
Constitution and the Union-thst her people,
I intelligendy and with the sanction Of the
/ Constitution and the law, had exercised their
right to vote for the man OF their choice for
! the Presidency--that in no manner was she
accountable for the extraordinary position
that the South has taken against her felt
compelled, while the South assumed hos
tile attitude 70 the Government, had seized
the common property OF the Union, fired
upon its vessels, maltreated Northern eitiRens,
and even now was contemplating q seizure
Of the Federal Capital, % vote against any
proposition that shuuld look like quaa i'd
mission that We were in the wrong, Or that
We could yield at this time, under threats OF
violence and disunion, anything Of these
principles that the people have just sOlemnly
sanctioned by their deliberate act. Our only
safety seemed to me to be found in standing
by the Constitution as il is, and demanding
those rights under it, which, until this stormy
period, have never been doubted or called in
question. To admit for a moment that we
can do aught TO satisfy the present demands
OF the South, consistent with rightaDd duty
and to agree upon a Convention for that
purpose, IS to. admit that We shOHld do so;
and that we have after all been mistaken in
the true objects and aims OF the Republican
party, and that the South has reason. or
pretext Of reason, for the course she is pur-
suing.
Ieheeff6lly admit that ours is Govern
ment resting for its perpet1ity sud power
upon the consent of the governed. And if a
majority or large share of its people have
become dissatisfied with our present govern
ment, it is their privilege to use sll proper
means 70 alter or abolish It. But it is not
in my opinion, proper way to commence g
Rss0 government, by violating the righ s OF
the Old, or attempting by force, violence, and
civil war, TO and distasteful contract, before
all the parties to It have had a chance to con-
slider upon the subject, and haze their day in
court Let the people ofthe South lay down
their arms and restore their stolen goods
let them Fepudiste the traitors that are lead.
ing them to ruin let the Federal Capital
bought aud paid for Withlour common treas
ure, be kept sacred-let the President of the
peoples choice be inaugurated, and the wish
Of the people be respected and obeyed, and
then if any of the States Of this Union desire
a convention, where they al can be repres-
ented, to take into consideration any Difficult
ties that exist between them as people, /
am willing 70 consent But to agree to ar
nitrate at the point Of the bayonet or make
concessions demanded at the mouth of the
cannon, win never meet my approval nor that
Of the people l have the honor to repre-
sent.
It is idle to deny that We have reached
most alarming crisis In the history OF our
uttAAlL-- " Z uAEf AlHE uAoG IL a. VIC may III
the midst of a revolution. The public wait
with intense and eagar interest the progress
Of events. The next hour may bring tidings
that armed traitors are shedding the blood of
our brethren. Is this the time for freemen
who believe they have rights, to yield them
up. to satisfy a mock philanthropy? Are we
a race of towards to shrink abashed from
contest where honor, right, duty, loyalty and
love of country all conspire to encourage US
to go forward The path Of dIty is the path
Of safety, and if the people Of the North are
right in what they have done-then they
will demand fkat their right Be respected,
and the long struggle in which they have
been engaged in overthrowing a wicked and
corrupt party, be made to yield the fruits OF
victory-peaceably if it can, forcibly if it
must
propose, therefore, as briefly as possible,
to review the grounds of complaint against
the Republican party, and examine some of
the reasons offered, for the wanton attack
upon it, made by our Southern brethren.
The Republican party, protected by the
Constitution, and IN conformity with its let
ter and spirit, have elected a President
Of the United States. On the 4th of March
next, they will assume the control of the
Government for the ensuing four years.
During a contest Of unprecedented bitter
ness, the principles Of our party have been
freely and carefully plaeed before the people
by its friends, and they have been Wantonly,
and with acrimonious hate attacked and
misrepresented by its enemies. Ali that
malice and uncheritableness-all that self
ishness and political interest could do has
been done, but without avail. The people
have given their verdict, and it must be
obeyed.
Heretofore, when a Presidential contest
has been decided, the defeated parties have
quietly obeyed the will of the people, and
acquiesced, as good citizens, in a decision
they coBlc not control.
Nov all is changed. The minority defeated Of
their viii, decline 10 submit TO the supreme law,
and threaten TO dissolve the Union-seize upon
its prOperty-create panics-destroy public con
ddence, and spread ruin and distress wherever
they have power. No one can fail 70 perceive
that all the public prints opposed TO the Repub
licans, maliciOusly and persistently assail our
parry, rnisrepressnting its sims and objects, and
Wit.i a hostility never before known / political
warfare araign all who profess its principles. as
traitors 20 their country and their God It has
0een said that "a lie well stuck to- is as good as
the truth" Events are making good the asser-
uonf The constant, unceasing attacks of the 0p-
position press-the vOmItings of Southern bile
from disappointed Office seekers, and mbftious
knaFes, have at last produced an effect, and many
well meaning, intelligent and respectable Repub-
iAlaAo AALFH uetn leu " view Auell EOnEuCE.
and in all seriousness, ask themselves, s'whether
they are not actually in the wrongPS Republi-
can leaders, in their haste TO avert an impending
evil, have made haste to offer CONCESSIONS and com
proaises, where none have been asked or desired:
ana northern men, dirteaters and grOvellers by
nature, occupying high places Of public trust
and confidence, have Joined the chorus Of com
plants against the Northern States-harped and
sung with the traitors Of the South against
IN horthern oppression" and IN Orthern insults and
aggFessionsi" and have gone down upon knees
that never were known 70 bend, save 10 cringe to
their masters, Ond-hav asked IN pitifui terms
i'What will you have US TO doP'-
Against all this, as a member OF the Republican
party sOlemnly protest. ] protest against II in
the name OF honor and falr ceaiing towards the
people who have won noble victory over cor
rupt, degraded and cOntemptible admin -tratlon
protest against It 10 The name Of justice and
honesty, in the name Of the constitution and the
glorious principles that have animated our hearts,
and strengthened our arms ia the great struggle
through which We have passed. And lastly, in
behalf Of our manhood which Is being insuited
and spit upon, and in behalf Of our brave anees
tors who never EneW what It was 70 quail before