Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-06-11
LEADER.



Prusreu..
Weareprogressing N more ways than one,
e. the righteousness Of the rebellion con-
tinues 70 develop ITSELF The advance in
public sentiment during the last year in
point Of adherence to the true principles Of
freedom and national integrity would be
astonishing, if it was not the legitimate
result Of the rebellion and its attendant
circumstances. This present Congress has
done more for the real ultimate good Of
the country than any which has been in
session in the last generation, For ten
years the battle for free homesteads for
free people has been fought the
victory has came this year in the Home
stead Bill. For many years, the project Of
uniting the Atlantic and the Pacific with
an iron band of Union which should be
the strongest guarantee Of future harmony
and prosperity has been urged; but not un-
iii this year has the Government fairly
committed itself to its accomplishment
Ever since the organization Of the Govern
nsnt, the friends Of truth and justice and
humanity have been grieved that the out
rageOus system Of human slavery was
suffered to exist under the direct control
and patronage Of the Government this
year, BY the abolition Of slavery in the
District Of Columbia, this stain is wiped
away. For years the free and independ-
ent countries Of Hayti and Liberia have
offered us unusual commercial advant-
ages which, from an insane prejudice
against the color Of the Inhabitants Of
those nations we have refused to &C
eept; this year the recognition Of those
nations, - long andsO causelessly delayed,
is resolved upon BY the House Of Repre-
sentatiFes.
10 these cheering signs Of progress, we
have now to add another, which is Of great
Importance as indicative of a spirit which
viii, in due time, wipe out altogether the
evilit seeks to amend. In the House ONION
day a resolution offered by Mr. COlfax was
adopted, bywhicb the Judiciary Commit
tee was instructed to report a bill modify
ing the Fugitive Slave Law so as to re-
quire a jury trial in all cases where the
2erson claimed denies under oath that he
Is a slave, aud also requiring claimant,
before he can recover an alleged fugitive,
to prove that he has been loyal to the Gov
ernment all through the present war
This is q great step in advance Of the pres
ent barbarous code. 1t admits the fugitive
as witness, to such an extent that he can
secure jury trial, which now is denied
him, and It makes unquestioned loyalty
the test of recovery. By this very timely
and encouraging provision, the shackles
viii be stricken from the limbs Of nine
tenths Of al the slaves that can escape
from their masters, for nine out of ten Of
all the Shareholders Of the South are ac-
lively or passively disIoyal to the Govern
ment It is the humber classes of the
South who still adhere to the good old
Union; the men who have no expectation
Of power or place under the present state
Of slnEehOlding society. The aristocratic
purse or family-prOud slave holders and
breeders are the secessionists. HencefOrth
they must look in vain to the Northern
Courts for their redeemed chattels. While
the provision is a great boon to the slave,
it is also great and lasting penalty af-
fixed to traitors, which shall serve to re-
mind them, through all their lives, that an
outraged Government does not always stay
its hand in dealing with its deadly enc
mics.
The loyal country viii hail with pride
and hope this renewed cOmmittel Of Con-
gress to the principles Of freedom and jus
fioa