Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-10-24
MORNINGLEADER
sATURDAY MORNING. OCT. q, 1s6:


VIE shall be the neEr President.
It is to be regretted that Presidential
aspirations should be permitted, in the
midst of e deadly conflict like that pre-
sented BY this civil war, to come in to
disturb and mar the efforts being put forth
to maintain the integrity and authority of
the Government. Yet, this malign infu-
spce is felt, and already tinges and gives
peroeptible hue to the plans and actions
Of not few.
The atmosphere of Washington is al
ready resonant with the tintinnsbulary
ding dong Of President making. Gentle
men who have recently visited the Ma
tiOnal Capital, report that the question of
the next Presidency mixes and mingles
with all other questions.
Il is well known that there are gentle
men in Washington, trusted and honored,
occupying high positions Of influence, with
whom the attainment Of the Presidency
has been lifelong, and absorbing pas
siOn. Il is lsmentable that personal am
biiion in 9 time like this, cannot give
place to the purer impulses of patriotism.
Il is not ereditsble that intrigues for per-
SOnal preferment should throw their cold
shadows over the cause of our suffering
country.
That giittering prize, the Presidency,
has for long years, in times of profound
peace, been the political bane and curse Of
the country, filing the land with wrangling
and strife. Grasping at this great posi-
tion, statesmen have become corrupt them
selves and the corruptOrs of others, and
have come down into the shadows of lifes
closing scenes, broken in hope, and tar
nished in fame. An influence, dominant
and relentless, has had in its control the
giving or Withholding Of Presidential
hOners, and men, "stoOping to conquer"
hsve sbieetly bowed before that influence,
making shipwreOk Of political prObity and
personal honor, only to be spurned, and
thrust aside with remorseless contempt.
he who is conVerssnt with the his
tory Of past political generations, can Casi-
ly call to mind the names of many
who stripped themselves for the race,
ran long aud wearily, and come out
st last, laggards in the strife, be-.
grimsd and soiled. How much brighter
would these names shine in history had it
been their effort, with disinterested zeal,
to serve their country well, without
thought or care for its highest Offices.
Would that the Presidency might seek
men on whom to cast its vast RESPONSE
hilities and honors, rather than that men,
with insatiste and all-consuming smbi-
tiou, should seek it. President Jackson
said, the Presidency is neither to be
sought nor declined. Well would it be
could men adopt this wholesome motto.
The strife for the candidacy, as well as
the contest in the canvass itself win pre-
sent an element, much to be dreaded in
the midst Of civil war. Il was much to be
hoped, that the rebellion would be overcome
before another Presidential election. This
hope is not likely to be realized. At the
best We can row but anticipate, that the
wsrmsy dragit slow length along through
another year. Next year occurs the Pres
idsntaI election. It is q contest that
must be met, and it should be entered in
to with frmnsss, aud patriotic hberality
sad forbearsnee-
The strife, in the selection Of candi-
dste should 10. be violent or bitter. 1t
should be SO fair, SO high minded, SO mag
unanimous, as to leave no sting behind.
The country has many worthy sons,
capable and deserving, in both civil and
military life, who would adOrn the posi-
ton, and usefuIly and aCceptsbly serve
the people Who the lucky, or unlucky
man may be, on whom the choice may
fall, time itself must disclose. It may be
the people will think, IS did the man strug
Cling in the stream, when advised to leave
the old horse and seize the colt that this
is no time to sWsp horses" As to that,
we ct present intimate no opinion. A
man more unselfsh, however, and Of purer
integrity than Mr.. Lincoln, cannot be
found.
The time for selection has not arrived,
neither that for profitable discussion of
the question. The buzz in the circles Of
Washington is, therefore, both to be re-
grstted and deprecated. Next summer
viii be quite early enough to select Pres
idsntisl candidate. Meanwhile what i'm
portsnt developments may arise, what
great events may trsnspire. time, in its
march, must be permitted to disclose.
Generally, and finally, we viii say that
he viii best deserve, and will be most like
y to win Presidential honors, who, in
most thorough forgetfulness Of self, with
cut . thought or care for further personal
promotion, devOtes himself with untiring
asAl, and an eye single to the country's
welfare. There need be no fear that true
merit, in land like this, viii be unappre-
ciAtsd, or go unrewarded by 5 just gener-
Gus and grateful people.
The APporrioEment of the New Troops.
Ths work Of appOrtiOning the number Of
troops to be raised under the last call of
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