Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-03-17


entifc center.
The Loyal Voice Of the Fighting Ohio
shoulder 10 shoulder with Them.
HEADQUARTERS, SEVENTH REGnlEST, o. V. IL
1sr BRIGADE, % DIVISION, 18th Army COEFs,
DUMMIES, Va, March 1, 1868.
To The People IF the State Of Ohio:
In view of the stand taken by some Of
the political leaders in the State Of Ohio,
on the characterof this rebellion, its cause
and consequences, and the ability of our
Government 10 crush 1t; in view Of the
coldness shown by many, in helping to
sustain, and the treason spoken by others
against the Government; in view Of the
great importance Of unity and concord in
these perilous times, and the fact that the
State Of Ohio, in common with her sister
States, is deeply interested in the result Of
this contest, we, the soldiers Of that State,
desire to express through the medium Of
an untrammeled press, our opinion, and
give our views as parties interested IN the
struggle.
When the Palmetto Flag was flung to the
breeze, and the boom Of traitors cannon
resounded through the land, no State
sprang :" into line" sooner or more willing
ly than Ohio. Her sons left their farms
end merchandise their counting houses
and pulpits, and converting their plow-
shares into swords, and pruning hooks
into spears, went forth at their cOuntry's
call to her defense. Two years have rolled
sway, and yet the Palmetto Flag waves in
the breeze, and the boom of traitors can
non resounds through the land.
Our world has been at times eonvulsed
by revolutionary throes. which have shak-
en- il TO is very center; but never have
the annals Of history been darkened by a
more gigantic conspiracy or more infa-
nous rebellion.
Battles have been fought and victories
won, but the end is not yet
The spring Of 1868 beholds us in bellig
erent attitude, ready at the most favorable
opportunity, 10 strike again for "Our Union,
our Constitution, and the maintenance Of
our laws. Month after month the Ohio
soldier has been in the field, and his COM
rades one after another, have testified by
their deaths their devotion to their country;
while the great people at home have divid-
ed themselves into two parties, each claim
ing to have the same end in view, but di-
verse means of attaining that end the
one by upholding and sustaining the Gov
ernment, in a determination to fight the
contest out the other by opposing the Adj
ministration, and calling for compromise.
The latter class are traitors; enemies in
the dark; more to be feared than the arm
ed rebel before US: and we would respect
fully call them to AffeHtiOHi
When we entered the military service Of
the United States, We had full knowledge
n Al.
was threatened by armed rebel traitors,
the consequence Of whose success would
be our political ruin; we had also a firm
conviction Of the ability OF our Govern
ment to put down the rebellion, which
knowledge and conviction have been con-
frmed during the past two years in q man
Der intended to allay suspicion; you have,
for months past, been endeavOring to un-
dermiDe the noblest freest Government
that ever was given TO man. You have
been holding secret meetings, and coneoct-
ing dark plans to stab to the heart our
cherished Political institutions.
In the garb of patriots, you have cried
Peace Peace while in your traitorous
hearts you knew there was no peace. Pre-
tending to be the friends Of the soldier you
have declared the army demoralized, the
soldiers tired Of the war, opposed to the
administration, and desirOus Of cOmpr0-
mise on almost any terms With one hand
you have held aloft thepeace banner, while
with the other you have soWn the seeds Of
dissension. In short, you are black-hearted
traitors, in. comparison with whom, the
deluded miscreants of JEFF Davis are hon
orabIe men; and you and they will, sooner
or later, unless you desist from your treach-
erous conduct, be "hied away to your
native hell"
To the former class, the vast majority
who have stood fast in their integrity
amidst the surges Of the political sea, we
would say, God speed the right Take
heart from past victories, from present
prospects, and continue TO us your sid
The soldiers are with you. When we took
an oath to bear "true allegiance to the
United States Of America, and serve them
honestly and faithfully against all their
enemies and opposers whatsoever, and
observe and obey the orders Of the Presi-
dent Of the United States, SC, &C., we
meant what he said, and to-day mean it,
having no inclination to be branded as
periurers before the world.
We eaRaot, dare not, must not, compromise.
Compromise with treason
It would be compromise with iniqui-
ty, a compound Of heaven and hell" The
coming generation would curse US, and
our name would be by-Word of oblOquy
among the nations. While one 1faitor
lives, we viii oppose him. No comprO-
misel No peace
Retract not one iota, surrender not one
inch, but press onward earnestly, fearless
shall end in a glorious triumph.
The above article has been published to
the Ohio Regiments at this post, and they
unanimously endorse the sentiments there
in contained.
WILLIAM r. CREIGHTON.
Col. Com'dg lst Brigade, ID Div. 18th Army
ORIN J. CRANE,
Major Com'dg 7th Reg't o. v. ].
rrr-T p0TTETT II