Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-02-24

uch senseless prejudlCes. " hlle hhNs
10 sympathy with any man who is not in
'avOr Of this war, I do sympathize with
my man, be he white or black, who is
willing to fight and pay taxes. (Cheers.) |
The Speaker referred to the fact that
he Union army has given nothing but
correct responses to all the questions con-
nected with the war. They were the first
10 see that the conciliating policy, adopted
by our Generals at the outset, would not do,
that treason must be handled withOutgloves
They were the first to respond, heart and
soul, to the Emancipation Proclamation,
and the sweeping cry Of indignation which
they sent up when the Copperhesds be- |
gan to rear their hideous crests with bold |
ness in the North, made them slink abssh- |
ed into their holes. The army is the shield |
that stands between rebellion and our
homes. The soldiers are honest and true
to the cause of the Union, and we intend
that they shall be heard through the bal
lot box too, and when they are, they will
overwhelm the butternuts in q damna-
ton SO deep that they will never know a
resurrection. prolonged cheers.)
The band played "Hail Columbia"
Hon. R. C. Parsons was next called out.
He rejOiced thai on this day, in dear old
Ohio, in this, the lOveliest of all her cities,
amid scenes of peace and prosperity, and
under the protection of the Law, we can
set down and comm emorate the birthday
of the savior of his country, George Wash
ington. He was present at a similar meet
ing in Lake county, day or two since,
and was glad to find that there, ss here,
there was a spirit of freedom abroad that
was strong enough to crush traitors every
where.
Mr.. Parsons read the clause Of the
Emancipation Proclamation, which EN-
powers the authorities to enlist colored
men in either the army or navy, and
spoke in eloquent language in support Of
that clause. It is the noblest and best war
policy ever issued. God bless Abraham
Lincoln for the words Of truth and justice
which he uttered. That proclamation is
the beacon light, which, If followed, will
lead US to glorious victory. endorse
it as right and just, and firm in the right
as the everlasting hills.
He said his travels through Southern
States had led him early in life to swear
! eternal warfare against the further exten-
sion of slavery. he described scene
which he witnessed in New Orleans, where
beautiful young woman, q slave, with
not sign Of African blood about her, was
| sold at public auction and bid of for two
| thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars
/ by a grey-headed, lecherous old scoun-
drel, to become the plaything Of his lusts
| Such things are the groupings out Of the
accursed system Of slavery, and they serv-
ed to convince him that the most repulsivC
form Of human slavery existed in our OWE
country and under the American flag, and
he made up his mind that hencefOrth NJ
vote of his should help to extend the curse
| TCheers. He described some incidents o.
the vileness Of slavery that fell under his
own observation in New Orleans and IL
Brazil.
Hon. R. P. spalding, from the Commit t
tee on Resolutions, reported series o
resolutions in support of the Administers
ton, which were resd to the meeting.
Hon. R. c. Parsons, on the call of th'
meeting resumed speaking, and gave sOmt
further illustrations of life in slave so
ciety, as seen by himself He said that th'
Emancipation Proclamation was right snC
just. It is not only military necessity
and constitutional measure in support o
the constitution, bat it is founded in tht
higher principles Of right and justice. HI
said that the proclamation has had anC
will have a great influence on foreign sen
timent. Two years ago he travelled from
one end Of Great Britain to the other, and
with the exception of John Bright, HI
never heard one man speak in sympathy
with the North. But as soon as th'
Emancipation Proclamation reached th'
shores of England, and was telegrapheC
over the country, wave after wave Of pop
ular sentiment rolled up in favor Of tn
North. Every paper comes freighteC
with accounts Of immense meetings Of thu
people, in every town Of Great Britain, fol
The passage Of resolutions sympathizinl
with the North and approving of the eman
cipation measure. The churches through
out the land are praying to God on behal
of the North, and when you get the civil
lied world to pray for US, the battle is hal
won. ---5
Even Spurgeon, not long since, prayed
the Lord to bless the people Of the North
and 5000 people arose in their seats an
shouted "AmenP
The speaker referred to the "peace
movement, aud said there could be n
peace on any terms, save the submission O
the rebels. The rebels wanted no peac
without separation, so we must fight
out. JEFF. Davis says, let US alone; bu
we won't let you alone until We hav
whipped every mothers son of you. (AI
plsuse.)
Mr.. Parsons spoke in eulogy Of sue
true Democrats as Dickinson, Butler, pi
and Stanton, and in terms Of reprobatiol
of such false Democrats as the Woods, an
Vallandigham, whose Congressional ca
reer, thank God, will be closed in tWel7
days more.
In conclusion, Mr.. Parsons delivered
truly eloquent apostrophy TO the Star
I and Stripes. He described his emotion
in sailing for foreign land, and takin
his final look of the flag as it waved froI
Fort Hudson, at the mouth Of New Yor
J hsrbor; Of the next view he caught Of
in the hsrbor Of Cork again it wave
proudly from numerous mast heads In tn
British channel. On the shores Of Afric
he halls with Joy that glorious flag, and i
BRAZILIAN hsrbors his heart throbs apsV
IS he sees It glancing above hundre
ships. He closed with an earnest apes
to his hearers to swear that the gloriou
Stars and Stripes shall never wave over
: divided people, and that now and ever tn
Union must and shall be preserved.
Great applause succeeded his speech
The band played FRed, White and Blue.
The resolutions being called up, John A
: Foot Esq, moved that they be taken U
separately.
Pending the consideration Of theresolT
tiOns, the meeting adjourned to two olOc
Pm.
AFTERNOON SESSION. i.
| ,n71,I d. 81 bo1