Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-09-12
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absorbing interest felt by the people in
procuring enlistments for the army would
be seized upon by the politicians as ia
vorable opportunity to shape the Congress
ionai canvass with reference to their own
/ ambitious views, with little regard for the
wishes of the people, War is now the
great theme and the great business of this
nation. The temple of Janus is open. The
purse and the sword lie in the same scale.
The hopes and fortunes of the nation are
staked upon the issue of the conflict, and
we must fight vietOriOusly or perish.
All questions of commerce, finance, leg
islatfon and agriculture, have become war
questions. The manner and spirit in
which the war shall be conducted, and the
objects which shall be sought in pressing
it upon the enemy, has become the para
mount question in the minds Of the people.
1t is eliciting more discussion, and creating
greater anxiety in the public mind than
all the incidents and suffering of the strife
itself It is becoming the test of mems
patriotism, and the test of their soundness
in politics. The country now demands that
the Tribunes of the people be men of spirit,
courage and patriotism, who will employ
all the means, allowed by civilized warfare,
to annihilate in the shortest time this mon
strous rebellion-men who will reply to
the cry of the hampered and stihed North,
'Onward Onward |"
1t is not improbable that the representa-
tives who hocompose the next Congress, may
hold in their hands the destinies of theI ma
ton. They viii not unlikely, during their
term of Office, be the chief instruments in
carrying the country safely through the
present crisis, and extinguishing for all
time this pro-slavery rebellion; or they
will, by their want Of courage and patriot
ism, their want of sympathy with freedom
and justice, ruinously protraet the war, or
sell the national honor and the national
existence to purchase peace and a reduc-
ton of the taxes. Wewant men who will
deal with this rebellion, on the floor of
Congress, in the same temperand with the
same heroism that a good soldier fights in
the field.
If we send to Washington, to fill the seats
of the next House, class of timid, con-
servatiYe, cat-faced politicians, they will
stamp the legislation of Congress with their
own imbecility and cowardice, and greatly
influence if not wholly control the admin
istrstion in the policy it shall pursue in
relation to the war. Then we shall have
more "quaker Generals" and long incu-
bations before rebel intrenchments, more
clucking, more fuss and feathers,
and more added eggs. Our armies will
die of sheer atrophy, or be driven back by
rebel bayonets to defend the places where
they were born.
The voters in this district have share
in these responsibilities, and the question
for them now to decide is, are we
faithfully and ably represented by
our present member Mr.. Riddle?
Does he truly rePresent-in the views
which he holds, and the spirit he main
tains, in regard to the rebellion-the real
sentiments and earnest feelings of his con-
stituents as te the great, vital, concrete
question, lUhGt shall be the policy and temper
of the Government in carrying on the icar p |
Does his heart beat with the public pulse, |
and do the people approve Of and respond |
IN OTaf ha of
this is not so in Gods name let us light |
the lantern Of DiOgenes and hunt up a man
to put in his place. If he is tried and |
true in these respects, why go wool gath
ering over this district to accumulate |
men and means to defeat his reelection |
l an in favor Of continuing our present |
member in his place, and believe the
people Of the district are of the same mind.
l have not yet heard the first substantial
objection against his being returned, for
there are none. 1t is admitted on all hands
that he is talented, enterprising, and true
to the principles upon which he was elect
ed; that he is free from those social and
political vices which degrade and corrupt !
many politicians Of the day His course
in Congress has been eminently fiattering
to himself and gratifying to his friends
and constituents. Mr.. Riddle has made l
his mark in Congress. His speeches, from
their marked ability and patriotic tsas, |
have attracted the attention Of the cosatry.
and given him position which IS. rarely, |
attained by a member of the Hsase in so
short time. His personal iafluence and
among members IS such as does
,redit 10 his talents and social tact, and /
enables him to promote the interests of the
district which he represents. Such man,
At such time, we cannot afford to spare.
There are several respectable candidates
known and unknown to fame-With
Known and unknown principles, who ask
Is 10 give them trial. Why should we,
or the sake of gratif ing any one of these
gentlemen, and their friends, throw OUT
| tried and able public servant for one of
ess experience, if not of doubtful princi-
1les2 We have seen enough ofthese chang
IS and displacements in the army, where
men Of genius and capability have been
in the midst of their useful
less, and their places filled by men of in {
erior abilities and patriotism. The doc {
rine Of rotation in Office NAV do in time
f peace, but in the present state fthe ma
ion, 1t should be applied with great eau ,
ion, both in civiland military affairs. It is ,
10 time now, when we have the right man in :
he right place, anywhere in the national !
ervice, to rotate him ont, to crafty the !
mbition Of another, who thinks his time !
as come to share the emoluments and hon :
rs Of office. Furthermore, it is well un-
erstood-fer it is universal usage-thata a ,
member Of Congress who has well repre-
ented and pleased his constituents during
is first term, is entitled to reelection at
heir hands. So well recognized is this i
ustom, that he is expected, as a matter of
oursa ta run fnr q sacnnd tarrn ord n -