Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-02-10
aIr. Rldale,s speeph - Arruulenr.

AAAa AA-Ma-ANT . = A1DA INA lAl0 AallAallla
Ma. EDIToR;-I have just finished read
ing the A5ls and brilliant speech OF our Rep
zessntativs, A. G. Riddle, and am SO much
pleased With it hat cannot fOrbsar s1-
pressing my gratifcstiOn. Macauley makes
an apology for certain Kngish Statesman,
who gathered his laurels rather late In lie,
by saying that be entered upon bis career
Just at a time when public events were Iub-
siding, and ali political topics we're stale and
exhausted. had thought for this reason,
cur new member would have little chance Of
distinguishing himself on the hoor of Con-
Rrsss Il takes man Of thought and genius
at this time to attract public attention in
speech on the slavery question. II am
not greatly mistaken, Mr.. Riddles recent ef-
fort viii rank as one Of the clesrest fresh
est and most original arguments on the
question thst has been given to The eOun-
ary during the present Congress, His topics
are ven ssleeted, and handled with the
skill of sn ahle plsadsr in the cause Of iast-
Zee sad, coastitalioaala liberty. These are
the men to ''eIpOund the Constitution" II
these tinss;. men who have thought on this
anbiect and sgmpathizsd With humanity
while the mass Of politicians have been bur-
tsd with thoughts Of pelf and pluhder, as
xhe wages their seryies to the slave power
These aTs the nsn Who are able to dig up
acknowledgements Of She Constitution, long
buried under the debris Of pro-slaverY con.
strue{iou and pro-slsvery legislation--p prove
their identity and assert their authority
Expoundefs who win show the country
that TIE faw Of the Constitution covers the
whole case Of this rebellion. After all the
plad6ades and can't the culciloquy and stul-
filoqusace, that has bsen uttered By timid
aud amuddledV politicians on the cJntraband
Question, Il Is refreshing 70 see q man
in the ranks Of the Republican psrty,
who viii acoliigate bis co1rse with
the path Of iustice," and heW right
through. 81 laying Judgment 70 the
Tiae and righteousness to the plummet =
Al. Riddle IS es brave as be is true to The
Caupe or freedom. The few men who have
mat Gais QUESTION fairly and determinedly, y,
On the uoJf OF bue ElUueci nave SA4ASAtS1- ~
cided talent in its discussion. The speeches
of Stevens, Conway, and Riddle think
have not been surpassed at any period sincc
TIA opening Of the war. Those Of the two
latter gentlemen show profound and pa.
4ient Study Of the national problem, ss wei
IS thorough knowledge Of slavery its bis.
tory, its ethics, its passions, and its Instincts
think Mr. RIDDLES doctrine OF " para
mount sovereignty" Ia addition to beini
fresh and ingenious, Is strikingly foreibl
and compiete, more 50 even than that Q
John Quincy Adams on the war power Q
the Government, as applied 70 slavery
Il & fundamental It has its top
riot in the 6rst principles Of ciyi
voverBmeRg That Congress has the pcws
1nder the Constitution to call ont II
-Iaves ID feht for their masters, OF againi
them, IN certain ceses, is as palpable as thi
sGen. Jackson had a right 70 enroll them
defend the country against foreign invasion
II ia strange how men viii belize the
principles, and the elementary truths Of civ
government, In order that they may r.
with tie hare and the hounds at the san
dine on this subject. I am proud Of o.
Representative. His constituents should ?
ID Yours, CU1AHUGA.