Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-07-04

nd enfrancbisement It is our duty,
len, to lay aside every passion and pre-
Election tending to warp our judgment,
nd give to this subject such calm and So
'er consideration as becomes earnest and
thoughtful men.
Ofall the people OF Iald we can less
r,~d to miss plsv'- spar in the mighty
irug e gOiDg betR the powers Ie-
pre- .,ed BY Abrah g.. Lincoln and Jeffe.- :
Davis. -----~9s sEcf
Davis is the representative of all that is
ow, mean and cunning in DespOtism,
ghile Lincoln is The representative Of
genuine American Liberty. Davis is the
representative Of Slavery, black and hate
fIl. Lincoln is the representative of Free
lnm fer all without regard to nationally
Ir co'or. The one would extend and eter-
lize slavery; the other would extend and
ierpetuate liberty: one would establish a
nOnarcy based upon the foul dogma that
lavery is the natural and normal condi-
ton of the negro, while the other would
establish Democracy, (which, destruc-
i've Of despotism, is the sole conservator,of
liberty, labor and property" God and hu-
nanity bid us make our record on the side
f Freedom, and write it in the blood of
he enemies of our country and the Union.
Let US not hesitate. Let our conduct he
characterized by prOmptness and deter
uinatiOn. In pursuing this course, we
Aid in achieving the freedom Of our slave
brother and in winning for ourselves and
our posterity equality before American
laws.
There can be but one opinion as to our
iuty. We can have no fears as to the ac-
ton of our next Congress. The anti
lavery action of Congress, in its two last
SESSIONS, as we'll as its present political
complexion, insures ample legislation in
our behalf In accepting our services the
nation pledges lis honor to DO US justice
Aud we have the honor of Governor An
Irew as well as that of Governor Tod
pledged to seenre us justice. Indeed, al
ready in response to the appeal of Govern
IT Tod the people of Ohio have commenced
the work Of raising by voluntary donat on
an ample fund for our benefit. But we
IRE not to be influenced simply ty mercen-
4ry con sideraiions In our estimation
money is trash. But liberty is living
substance, and, like God, its author, is
immortal For that we fight. We fight
10 make glorious future for ourselves and
our posterity.
1t is true that men high in authority, and
men occupying exalted positions socially,
by statements made in private CONVERSE
tons, public addresses and carefully writ
ten documents, have assured that per
sons of African decent, volunteering as
s1ldIers Tor the United States service
would receive the same pay and bounty as
any and all other volunteers. According
to the opinion of the Solicitor of the War
Department these statements are author
lied by The law; and colored men who en-
list are In fact TO receive but ten dollars
Pc .1O.40-4i -------y-~---1-
raj Government. Shall we trusting to
State contributions and future legislations
by Congress, to do US justice in this mat
ter, respond as volunteers TO the call Of
our country.
Pay or no pay, let US volunteer. The
good results of such course are manifold.
But this one alone is all that needs to be
mentioned in this connection. refer to
thorough organization This is the great
need of the Colored Americans. We need
TO understand the value of such organiza
tion-we need to know our strength as il
becomes concentrated and localized in such
organization. Let our organization be a
military one; because through such organi-
zation we make display Of our genius and
power; our skill and heroism as soldiers,
and by our brave and manly deeds, as our
brothers who fought at Port Hudson and
Nilliken's Bend, challenge the respect
and admiration of the world. Such organ
ization we gain, in part at least, by form
ing ourselves into companies, regiments,
and brigades, in connection with the Uni
ted States service.
Already we have three companies Of fine
looking and we'll behaved colored soldiers
in the beautiful Camp Delaware. They
compose the nucleus of First Regiment Of
colored men from Ohio. We propose TO
ill this regiment as soon IS possible. The
commissioned officers as in the case Of the
54lh and both Massachusetts Regiments,
will be white men of military experience
and temperate habits, and thorough anti
slavery character. The non-commissioned
officers will be cOlored men.
Shall this aegiment be promptly flledl
To the Colored Men of Ohio the appeal is
made Let us not be disgraced, but let
honor distinguish our conduct.
JOHN NJ LANGSTON.
Oberlin, July 3, 1868.
Spirited Address by General Meade.
Ganara1 Meade hos thus far senured