Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-06-30
From the Herald.l
Shall there be n Union, and upon what
Basis

Prom the Herald.
Shall there be Union, and upon what
Basis
"Come now, and let US reason together"
MEssRs. EDITORs: In a former number
have taken for granted that Union
could not be advocated, because it would
make loyal citizen, Republican or Demo-
crat, more loyal, or a disloyal one less so.
| The great question is, can there be any
reason advanced in favor of q Union? If
it viii effect any good we must have a
Union. We cannot fully appreciate the
| question without taking brief retrospect
of parties before the Union of last year, and
also see what was the effect of that Union.
In 1860 the total vote in Ohio for Lincoln
for President was 231 1,610; for Douglas
I87, ,232. In 1861 the total vote for Tod,
Union candidate for Governor, was 2O6,-
| 997; for JeWett, Democrat, l5l, 794. Tod's
Union vote was nearly 25, 900 less than the
| Republican Presidential vote the year be-
fore, and Jewetts Democratic vote was
about 35, 900 less than the Douglas vote of
1860. We see then that the Union vote of
1861 was much less than the Republican
vote of 1860, and the Democratic vote was
| diminished in a proportion not very much
greater.
Take Cuyahoga county-Tod, (Union)
received only G, ,347, while the vote in 1860
| Republican, was 1896. The Union ma
jOrity in 1861 was only 4,S44, while the
Republican majority in 1860 was 3,8T2.-
/ Thus showing that the vote was essentially
| Republican, and not materially increased
! by the accessions from the Democratic par
| ty. The Republican increase of majority
of Tod over the Republican vote of 1860
may be accounted for in part from the alb
sence of so many in the army
will now invite the attention of all
candid observers, to the counties compos-
ing this Congressional district, as it now
is, and was in 186O-61 By examining
the votes Of those counties, and running
them back for series of years, it will be
found that the change has not been rela-
| lively much in favor of the Union majority
over Republican majorities of former years.
1t will be perceived by such examination
that in all these counties for series of
years, vascillating according to ihs issues
and excitements of the canvass, the Re-
publican ascendency over the Democratic
tF---y------~S--5---.v UdIH,
as was that of Union over Democracy.
The writer of this was among the very
first in this county to sign call for the
Union movement and Convention, in this
State last year and was, to some extent,
acquainted with the general expectation as
to the effect Of the movement. 1t was
made no secret, that the expectation was
that the effect would be the breaking up
and disbanding, for the time being at least
! Of the Democratic party. But no such re-
suit was attained Although the Democ-
racy was courted and the 'qion's share"
given to those Democrats that went for the
Union both in State and county, yet n very
small fraction Of the Democracy Joined in
the Union movement; and the members of
that party generally, either voted a strict
party ticket or remained away from the
polls altogether-so that the attempt at
at Union utterly failed in its object of gain
ing over the Democratic party to the Union
move, but instead thereof it remained
nearly as strong relatively as in some for
mer years. The result, in short, was con-
trary to the intention and expectation of
the earliest active agents in promoting the
Union; and proved to be the Republican
party acting under the name Of "Union,"
increased in some counties slightly by ac-
cessions from the Democracy. Who doubts
that if the same course were again entered
upon the result would be the same? And
who doubts that Democrats see this and
understand it just as well as Republicans?
Let us be honest and frank with ourselves
and with our associates, and admit if we
enter into the "Union movement that
the Union party will be mainly Republi-
cans under the name of Union, which is
assumed for the purpose of making the as
o0nToAfow 1aod nhsaoNs11ohT, L., II
original cOgnomen were continued, and
would also indicate an association of per-
sons made up of different parties. (.
Rith this understanding Of the real nature
and composition Of the Union, I am in favor
Of II. The. experience of the past must sat
isfy us that therei is no other lightin which
it can be viewed, and we can promise our
selves no different result in the future than
the past, if the same course substantially
be pursued. .Eg,{ b
It is contended thatby entering into and
forming the Union party, the Republican
and Democrat should equally drop his dis
tinctive party creed, and both Join in the
one object Of "suppressing rebellion In
this we all join most heartily. But then
there is 3 great oontrariety of views as to
the policy to be pursued in suppressing
rebellion, and we find Republicans and
Democrats and Unionists differing as wide
ly as possible on this subject. When the
subject comes up in Congress or the State
Legislature, every days experience shows
that one elected as a Unionist if he were
before Democrat, is Democrat STILL and
hangs on to his popular sovereignty with
an iron grasp. So in all colfscatiOn meas
ures, especially iOhen the institution Of slavery
Is in any 'DGy to be affected, the Union
member acts out his Republicanism, De-
mocracy or Conservatism as the case may
be. To verify this we need go no further
than examine the votes and discussions
every day in Congress, and the action of
members in our last Legislature. No one
who reads the news of the day can avoid
the conclusion that members Of Congress
differ widely and radically on measures Of
most vital Importance in the present crisis.
For this reason as well as others we ought
most carefully to consider what should be
q the basis Of our political Union" and Of
this at another time. J.P. B.
Modern 50 Conservarism.'i
The Syracuse Journal seems to have
=