Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-08-29

ating class. AZ early as ak and q hall
O'Clock the town presented the appearance
worthy Of "TndspOndonee Day" Tho hotels
were filed, and still guests continued to ar
rive; people collected on corners and talked
Of the evening exercises; students discussed
the oratorisal merits of those who we're about
to exhibit their powers before tho great
throng, aud not . few gathered about the
liberty pole which adornS the centre Of the
town, and flung to the breeze q magnificent
national banner. Previous to this, however,
an efIlgy, which might have been Jsfr Davis
or anybody else for all any badge whereby
10 distinguish Il, was concerned, was ignO-
miniOusly lowered from the pole, whore Il
had been suspended during the night, and
consigned 10 flames.
After breakfast, a considerable audience
collected in the chapel 10 listen TO the con-
tinuation of a discussion on a resolution
which had been presented the previous day
at . similar meeting. The purport Of the
resolution was, that il is the duty of the Gov
ernment to abolish slavery by means Of the
war power.
Another resolution also read, was to the
following effect; That we ask of Government
TO hold its hand and not oflciously meddie
with the peculiar Southern institution; that
at a later day, and at more fitting time, it
take such action as shall do away with the
existence Of slavery.
A third resolution resolved. that Govern
ment aim its deadliest blow at the heart Of
the monster.
OF these three resolutions, only the frst
was considered. Several gentlemen were
called upon BY Prot. Fairchild, the chair
man, and limited to Eve minutes each.--
Prof. Thome ssid that the intelligence of the
defeat Of the noble Seventh Regiment gave
peculiar pOin. 10 the discussion and msy Op-
crete 90 as to cause uS to take decisive ground.
Such as the exigencisS Of thecsse loudly call
for. He thought that the Government was
prepared to hear some very bold words. In
his Judgment, Government ought to proclaim
at once, liberty to the captive.
Hon. J. NJ. Ashley, of Toledo, was next
called on by tho chairman. He said that he
would make no remarks, but in esse he
could add anything at the close of the discus
sion, he would do 80:
Prof. Fairchild next spoke. He believed
that the end of slavery had come, and that
this war was the means By which the end
was to be brought. We ought to be exceed
ingly careful about circulating reprosches
against the Government, for he was couviro-
ed that they would do everything thatlay in
their power to bring about the desired end.
After all, It is the people who must decide
this question, and the men at Washington
would, upon sscertaining the peoples will,
do what they desire. He believed that at
the earliest practicable moment, the Govern
ment would declare slavery abolished in all
the seeding States.
Dr. Beecher, of Illinois, said that inas-
much as Government now had a legitimate
and direct way for striking blow ct slavery,
HE opinion was that The blow should be
struck. Heretofore, Shareholders have ruled
us, but this was no longer the case. He be-
lisved, that had affairs continued as hereto
fore, the political engineering and wire
pulling which had been and would continue
to be brought to bear upon the Republican
party, would have broken it down. Do you
mean 10 say that when the South come into
the Union again, il ever they do, they shall
return to find the house swept and garnish-
cd, with all their old institutions in order for
themF We want TO get out Of this eyerlast-
ing gtsngle Of compromise. England, France,
the civilized world dare not attack US If we
put the question on the ground of Freedom
as opposed to Slavery and if the Union
is rent asunder, would rather sec it done on
that ground than on any other.
Prof. Monroe being loudly called for, re-
marked III confess that concur with such
views as were advanced by Mr.. Thome.
had thought that We oughttO begin in this
matter at once by holding primary meet
ings all over the country, and in the ap-
preaching Convention at Columbus.
Within day or two, however, have
seen and convsrsed with very many people
from different parts of the country, who
think that although such a movement is in
trinsically correct, Il is hardly yet time to
inaugurate it AT the present. Were
satisfied that ths best way to bring about
the desired result is to goin at once, should
stand ready to move atonce.
Mr.. Ashley was again called for and took
tho stand. He believed that the fsht wal
always expodient; that Slavery was wrorG
and should be put down. he did not like
that class of politicians who from fear o.
speaking too soon always speak too late :
ENQUIRE the cause Of this rebellion, and
when discovered remove it.
Suppose the war to continue for one veal
as Il has for the pest four months, you, wer'
you foreigner, would say, this war in the
North is certainly to render Slavery binding
therefore mi recognise the South, as it dOel
not conflict with my idea of morals, and
am in need ofrugar and cotton" am un-
willing 70 say then TO the Stakeholder, "yoV
may war on the Government to the bittel
end, yet you may come back into the UnioE
!, on your own terms and though we bes
you on the feld and at the ballot box, VI
pledge you, that your institutions shall no
be harmed"
Let us then choose our position. We can
not serve God and mammon. grst u5
On motion,it was resolved that the dis
eussion be adjourned until the following af
ternoon. .asl
Prof Peck called attention to the fact tha
but one side of the question had beer
heard. aI
cOMNERoEMENT ExERoIsEs.
The hour set for the beginning Of the liz
erary exercises being Dear at hand, the peo
J pie began 70 pour into the great church
| uhich aIthouOh capabla of senting nearll