Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-07-14

% lar Is Lnl6 IRON DeluB eU9I
course adopted and pursued by the Ezeeu-
tive and his Generals, in shielding the
lInstitution " from damage, during The
early part of the war, greatly distressed
many Of the most earnest and devoted
friends of the Government and the Union,
who clearly discerned, as many high in
civil and military position seemed net to
have done, the true cause Of the rebellion;
aud who, also, saw the additional fact
that without the removal, or eradication Of
the cause, the Union could not be pre-
served, the authority Of the Government
could not be restored, and that permanent
peace could not be secured.
Such saw that the conflict was the
result Of two incompatible, and wholly ir-
recOnoilsble antagonissic forces, which
could no more be harmonized as equals,
under one common Government, than two
ponderable bodies could be made 70 occupy
the same space at the same time.
Still, :he President, an honest, upright
man as he is, true to his Constitutional
oath Of Office, faithfully sought to restore
and continue the old regime. Accordingly,
rebel property was guarded by Union sol
diers, fleeing slaves were returned to rebel
masters, and, generally, the greatest tend
erness was manifested towards our South
ern brethren" the President declaring,
with perfect truth, that his sole purpose
was to preserve the Union, and that if he
could preserve it WIJnUut dest-AyiAs -alau-
cry he would do it, but if, to preserve the
Union he found it necessary to destroy
slavery, he would do that.
In accordance with this purpose, he re-
buked General Fremont for his Emanci-
patton Proclamation, and subsequently
General Phelps, at Ship Island, fer his ao-
ton in the same direction; while he left
uutoueed Gen. .Hslleck's famous "0rder No.
3, fOrbidding fleeing slaves to apprOsch
the Federal lines and that order stands,
without formal abrogation, to the present
day. And even now, though Slavery has
been abolished in the District of Columbia,
the Fugitive Slave Law is in full force
there, its Constitutional fOrcs and effect
recognized by the President, and the rem
ditiOn of hesing Maryland slaves is fire.
quent under it.
The President did not intend TO touch
Slavery. He did not prosecute the war
with any such intent His simple design,
as svOWed, was, to put down the insur-
gents, and restore the just authority Of the
NatiOnsl Government over the seeded
States.
But power greater than that of Presi-
dents, or Of human governments, though
unseen, gave direction to passing events.
Led by this unseen, but potent influence,
the President issued his conditional pro-
elamation Of emancipation September %,
1862, which was made complete by his
proclamation of January /, following, with
the exception of certain territory over
which the proclamation was not to take
effect; these very exceptions proving that
- r----1----4'--- - Aznaneination was, in
the mind Of the President, the product Of
a simple military necessity, and not the
result Of passion for universal emanci
patton. --,.
Every fact Of the war shows that the
charge that this is war Waged primarily
for the abolition Of slavery is positive
slsndsH the clearly defined and manifest
truth being that the war, on the part Of
1he Government, is one Of defence, to pro
tset itself from overthrow by the assaults
of the rebels, and that incidentally, sla-
very, and whatever else may strengthen
the rebellion is to be eradicated If the Gov
ernment has power to dOit-and that pow
er it has, or will have, if given to.it from
on high. q sqrBI
Sheer as men may in the plenitude Of
unbelisf, & s6EEE 90 .'-'
There is a Divinity that shapes our ends,
Rough heW them as we may"
And there is power at work, unseen,
but not unfslb in this great national up /
heavsl which is working out, and is sure |
to accomplish radical social changes in
this land; and the Wicksdness Of the re-
bellion, BY an overruling Providence, will |
be turned to the account Of the worlds pro-
gress. -
The eyes Of men are being opened, and
who had different views now
clearly see that slavery is the vital cause
Ind inspiring strength Of the rebellion,
md that the rebellion and its cause must
all together-that slavery cannot remain,
md permanent peace be youchsafed to this
nation. 5a
Thus, as all the providencss of God point
o the destruction of slavery through this
nerciless, relentless rebellion, blind, fren-
ned Partisans cry out against this aAboli-
ion war" and thus reply against the Al
mighty. Abraham Lincoln could not, if he
Tould, resist the social changes that are
tesdily going fOrWard-ehanges that are
o level an oppressive sristocrscy and ele-
ate the serVile5 labOriug class to the plane
self-ownership. The President is borne
orward, through military necessities"
y destiny which he cannot resist, and
re hesitate not to predict that in the full
ess Of time the ripe hour will come,
hen, through much suffering and sacri-
ce, this nation, purified and disenthraIled
'Om human bondage, and the effects and
'nsequsnces sntailed by the corruption,
nd the fierce and reckless passions which