Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-03-14

The Government and the Administration.
Itis fa7orite dodge of the conditional
loyalists and Northern doughfaces to quib-
bic about the distinction between the Gov
ernment and the Administration of that
Government-to say that they are in favor
Of supporting the former, but opposed to
the latter. This is the argument by which
thousands Of Border State and Northern
men are endeavoring TO support their
claim to loyalty, while they do all they can
to thwart the plans of the Executive. It
il the plea Of the Louisville Journal and
the majority Of those calling themselves
6Kentucky UniOnists" It is the ground
ossupied by hundreds of semi-traitOrs at
the North who would, if they dared face
public opinion, espOuse the Southern
cause. This point is well answered in &
paragraph of the patriotic letter Of Hon.
D. 8. Dickinson to the mass meeting in
this city on the 28d ult. He wrote;
Abraham Lincoln is not the Govern
ment but its temporary agent and repre-
sentative, and even the most prejudiced
and bigoted partizan should remember that
In such a crisis as the present support or
resistance to the Government is manifested
By supporting or opposing its Adminlstra-
ton. Government cannot be sustained and
eaiFahi rFfi fiUH UtHFfRRan g. Il faFsfta9 9fl rs;
tration is weak, it should be made stronger
BY the popular arm. If it lacks purpose,
its energies should be nerved by the exhi-
bitio1 Of peoples will. If it is deficient
in wisdom, popular oounsels should aid
and assist it, and stay up its hands until
the victory over the modern Amalekites is
completed. The question is not whether
eur glorious edifce would be best governed
or cared for by Democrats, or Republicans,
or Abolitionists, or Americans, but Wheth-
er the edifce should be preserved for the
common enjoyment Of all or be given to the
incendiary's torch, or razed TO its founda-
ton, for the qualification Of an unhOly am
bition, which, failing to govern, would fain
destroy, because it wJuld rather reign in
he'll than serve in Heaven
But perhaps the best and most concise
reply to all such pleading was that made
By John Van Buren at the great meeting
Of loyal Democrats in New York a Week
ago. In speaking of the laws Of Congress
which conferred extraordinary powers on
the President, for the conduct of the war
he said:
81 can very well understand how, if
gympathize with the rebelliOn-ifI deemed
that this war should fall could spend
hours and columns in picking flaws in this
set. But if believe that substantial jus.
tice requires-thst the great ends Of prose.
cutting the war demand-that the whole
power Of the Government shall be placed
by the Congress Of the United States in the
President Of the United States, I win bow
IN silence to the act, whether I approve Of
it or not" Prolonged cheers.
Here is q great crucial test by which tc
judge Of a mans loyalty and faithfulness
to the Government If he sympsthizes
with rebellion and desires the war to fail,
he will find opportunities for splitting le-
gal hairs and hunting out nice distinctions
between the Government and its Admins
trstiOn. But if he has the spirit of true
patriOt-if he wants the benefits of the
Government TO descend to his ehildren-if
he loves his country rather than his party
eEeed-and if he is willing to grant extra
ordinary powers for the sake of accom-
Plishing gratifying results over extraOr-
dinsry difficulties, he will hide his loyalty
under no such subterfuge.