Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-07-30


The current Of events for the last few
weeks, has directed the attention of many
to the termination Of civil strife, to terms
and details Of adjustment and recOnstruo-
ton. Peace-makers," not alone Of the
Fernando Wood stripe, but ofvariOus kinds
and styles, with propositions both strange
and sensible, are arising to take part in
the discussions.
A Washington peace plan is said to be
this: When the trial Of battle has resulted
in the real overturn of the rebellion, the
rebel States are to be invited to resume
their old places in the Union, with no
light immunity, privilege OF institution
disturbed. This would be the Union as
it was, slavery being restored to its form
er power. Mr.. Seward is supposed to IA
vor this plan, but it is to be hoped the sup
position is groundless, sndif grOundless, it
does that eminent statesman great in
justice.
It is averred, and truly no doubt, that
Mr.. Seward gave his appreciation and
sanction to the Proclamation of Emsncipa-
ton, and it cannot be that he will now
favor any plan which will re-enslave men
already free. The faith, honor and power
of the Government are all pledgedt to main
trim the freedom of the slaves Of rebels,
and neither the President, nor any mem
Der of his Administration, we are sure,
can for moment think of perpetrsting
such an act of superabounding wicked
ness and injustice, as would be involved
in violating the solemn pledge to the Op-
pressed, thousands of whom, under that
edict of emancipation, are to-day fighting
the battles Of the Union.
The New York Evening Post expresses
views on this point, worthy Of the greatest
consideration. 1t says;
"a peace purchased by reeeding from
that policy (the policy Of the Proclamation
of Emancipation will be but q hollow
truce, in the womb Of which would lurk
| other instructions and rebellions, ready
to break out in civil wars whenever an oc-
casion like that of 1867 should arise. Suf-
| fer the rebel states to return to the Union
with the right of slavery acknowledged,
and YOU proclaim to them that they can
any time rebel at their good pleasure, and,
| if unsuccessful in their revolt take their
old place in the Union until more aus
picious moment shall arrive for forming
new confederacy. You restore TO their old
station a class of men whose sole Oocupa-
/ -. 4 4 - G,.a
/ and the lash-a restless, ambitious, over
bearing, arbitrary race, with whom we
have never lived in harmony except by
submitting to their will, and with whom
we can never live in peace hesrafter ex-
cept by new submissions-a race OF men
bent on embreiling our country with for
eign nations, except when q quarrel with
foreign government might bring the in
stitutiOn Of slavery into danger. By con-
tinuing the the slaveholding class in ex-
istence, we shall keep alive the vexed
question of slavery, the curse of our poll
tics, the cause of infinite national disgrace,
the source Of indscribable barbarities, the
occasion of this dreadful civil war with
all its calamities and all its crimes. By
adhering to the policy of the proclamation
we blot out this fierce controversy forever,
and put in its place eternal peace. On
questions Of expenditure, of trade, Of in
ternal improvements, of foreign policy, we
may differ we may dispute, we may form
parties, but on this great, gloomy, fearful
question, which, after years Of stormy dis
cussion, has been submitted TO the fright
full arbitrsment Of war, we shall have per-
petual silence. We shall then be q homo
geneOus people, peOpls with the same
interests and institutions as well as origin,
from the Atlantic TO the Pacific, and from
our northernmost to our southernmost
limit Our parties will no longer be local
and geographical, but, as in other coun-
tries, formed upon differences Of opinion
as to the proper province and powers Of
legislation.
"Such we are confident, viii be the view
of this subject which will commend itself
to the minds of the Administration and
the majority Of Congress in the settlement
Of affairs which will ensue on the suppress
sion of the rebellion"