Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-05-21
Secession n Fraud.

q Inc fnllhuelpnl Dedgef says:
Ifthe leaders of the Secession movement
were only to remain silent whatever their
acts may be, the world would be apt to sup
pose that they must have some reason beyond
what appeared. But 'the fool is known by
tbeopening of his mouth, and directly Jeffer-
son Davis opens his mouth, and Alexander
Stephens his, and Governor Letcher his,
their contradictions show their mem
dacious arts, and their absolute folly a
well as wickedDess. For instance, Jefferson
Davis tell Us, in his opening speech, that
President Lincoln's Proclamation is decla-
ration of war against the South, which he
bas accepted as such, and, therefore, claims
belligerent rights, and has sent sixteen thou
esnd men into Virginia, with which State he
tells us he has, through Mr.. Stephens, formed
AConvention TO attack Washington avowedly.
But Governor Letcher having as he sup
I5ses, stolen out of the Union, without the
knowledge, consent or ratification of the
people, and without notice TO the Federal
Government, not only forms a pretended
Convention, which has Incorporated Vir-
gihjn, by representatives sent and accepted,
with the Confederate States, but, in face of
all this, treacherously declares that his pol
icy Is entirely defensive, and that he shall
not attack Washington unless first attacked.
This was, no doubt, said in the hope and ex-
pectation, now happily frustrated by the up
rising Of Malylanders, that Maryland would
unite her fortunes with Virginia, and so rem
der an attack on Washington a sort of de-
fense of the Confederate soil. But the dec
laration was none the lees false and treach-
erous on that account; aud this to a people
with whom be prolessed not to be, or to wish
to commence to be, at war. The whole
course of these States exhibits the same
course OF treachery as well as treason.
The Secession business is a fraud and q
falsehood, and it is to be maintained by vio-
lence and mendacity. 1t is now well kno wn
that the Southern army ia filed with pressed
men, many of whom desert whenever they
can. Some of these refuse to take the oath.
They have no medal like the rest, and are
watched and without passport, and subject
to arrest in the South, though compelled to
6ght against their own flag, or mal-treated
and driven out. We have, on the other
hand, no drafts of men, no recruiting officers
generally. The men volunteer of themselves,
and are eager for a chance to enlist. Our
most intelligent and respectable men volun-
teer without Iequisition. Jefferson Davis
boasts of eight millions of his loan being
taken, none below par. That is, no doubt,
true, because it is a forced loan. 1t has no
marketable value, even in the Secession
States.
A few take small sums frortf what they call
patriotism, the rest from fear, and some un-
der the most direct intimation that it will
not be wholesome for them to refuse. The
Secession movement, in all its aspects, is q
forced thing, carried on by a few naughty
and aristocTatic slave, holders of large
wealth, who buy or bully into scquiescence
the masses Of. the people of the South. Their
falsehoods and frauds daily exposed, must
soon run out, and in presence of a firm, wise
and temperate Government, to protect them
against these usurpers, they must and will
melt away like snow before the sun. Union
men are forming volunteer companies to
support the Union inithe very States where
bloated Governors are declaring States out
of the Union. o5i35 7-ra -t n a.r. .-