Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-01-10

IHR MEETING AT THE ATHENEUN.-eeT efal
bundled persons gathered at the Atheneum
last evening, pursuant TO the call published
in the city papers. aa.4r
The meeting being called to order, Mr..
Charles Bradburn was appointed Chairman,
and -- Secretary. O.i4 I.liHLH no
A, g. Riddle being called upon, took the
stand. He remarked in the course of his
speech: fl-,H ~
1 address YOU as Americans. A whole
State Is in rebellion-h@ seized forts and
pulled down the flag Of the Union, and now
fiaunts in our faces the banner OF rebellion.
I say that this proceeding, and the whole Of
Il, is in violation Of law, North and South,
You can't make law for one State and not
for another. Those States are like magpif-
cent pearls-if the cord breaks, all viii be
lost.
I believe in the Constitution, and the toA0le
Constitution, as It was made; in every line,
and in every letter, as our Fathers construed
it. I believe that the power which guaran-
tees the return Of fugitive slaves is as lind
ing a. any. (ApPlause.l But also believe
that the right Of citizenship is equally sacred.
Wrongs have been offered TO citizens Of this
country, that would, If offered by foreign
power, have been the occasion of declara-
tion Of war. believe in the right of State
70 control itself in every respect within the
bounds Of the Constitutions as it shall see
it, without interference from other powers,
be they whom they may; but also believe
that when a State goes beyond those bounds
that she is 70 be held responsible. What is
treason in one, is treason in an hundred; what
4 treason in an hundred is treason in thou
sand, and what is treason in thousand IS
treason in million. That State can null
ify the agreement to which che has solemnly
bound herself is a sheer absHrdity, and the
sooner it is put down, The better fOr US all.
South Carolina gave an implied pledge,
and said TO other States, T" II you viii come
into the Union agree to stand by you and
the Constitution. Il is said that this Con-
stitution can be amended by the people
when they are dissatisfied with it. The Peo-
pie do have the right; but have the people
Of one State the right to change the consti-
tuition Of any other Statef South Carolina
has no right to change OhioiB constitution J;
but If South Carolina secedes, she does
change not only the constitution Of Ohio, but
Of the whole United States. Who can say
she does not2
This government is either the weakest or
the estrong ngest conceivable ; if the people stand
away from it, il will fall necessarily; but
when we remember that our fathers fought
and bled and died for it, it has the united
strength of thirty millions of people, and no
power can oYerturn it. And yet we are told
\ that State under fit of passion can draw
out and leave all the other remaining null
/ titudes powerlessi don't stand here TO say
that We are 10 declare war against any body /:
/ it is not for conquest, but to aid with our
i strength the government in enforcing Its
i laws, and wish that these traitors should
see the image Of an armed man before them.
l It Is not TO outrage-not nge-but to
/ Vindicate the majesty of the law, and say
that I think it time that we begin TO ealcu-
late upon our strength. $40.
After Mr.. Riddle eat down, loud calls
were made for " Backus" and q White" but
neither gentleman came forward.
/ Mr.. Charles Whittlesey moved that COM
mittee of three be appointed 70 draft resolu-
tions expressive ofthe sense Of the meeting,
and the Chair appointed Messrs. Charles
Whittlesey, F. t. Baclsus, and P. H. Bres-
lin.
While the COMMITTEES were absent, Mr..
Joslyn made some remarks.
The Committee reported resolutions TO the
following effect:
ResolUed--That We are inclined 10 listen
with respect to the complaints Of the slave
| holding States, and TO exercise moderation
and eoncillietion, but we arc not prepared 70
/ change the constitution ct the dictation 0l
I traitors.
RssolVed, That whom legal and peace
I ful means ara exhausted, we are prepared
not IN the spirit Of aggression or haste, but
under constituted authority to repel all at
tack 'i;I11 the capital, the reYenue sand
the publ property.
4 si,e That we call upon the hegisla-
ture now 10 session ct Columbus, 70 pass laws