Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-02-24
timent preFaila al o1er tbe eloba that


imsnt prevails all over the globe that
lavery is oppressive and degrading, and
10 you tell me that man is to be censured
driven to his defenses, for entertaining
he natural sentiments of humanity Il
8 slavery that has caused the war. tcan-
not be said that the anti-slsvery party did
not keep within strictly constitutional
bounds. Where, asked the speaker, did
ever supporter Of Mr.. Lincoln advocate
interference with Slavery in the States
To prove that Slavery was the cause Of the
war he referred to the speech Of Stephens,
Of Georgia, in the Spring of 1861, in
which he declared that the policy Of the
South was to establish government with
Slavery as the corner stone. Stephens
said that Washington, Jefferson, Madison
and otner Fathers Of the Republic who be-
lie7ed that Slavery was antagonistic to
Republican Government, and that It was
. temporary institution which would soon
pass away, were entirely in error. HIS |
creed and the creed Of the Southern Con-
federacy differs widely from the creed Of |
the Fathers.
For years has the South acted as a unit. !
There has not been a Presidential election |
for twenty-five years without the South
holding itself to be bid for by PARTIES
sometimes the Democrats have bid the
highest, and sometimes the Wings. They
have succeeded in this thing, because the
North has been willing to sacrifice prinoi-
pies and feelings for the purpose OF get
ting the Southern vote. For years has the
North yielded to the South, and the
South becoming arrogant, finally made de-
mands Of the Democrats at Charleston,
such as they could not and would not ad-
nit and then secession quickly followed.
Had Douglas been elected instead Of Lin
coin, the same results would have ensued-
There is no hope for this country except to
| 6oht out this war with the slave power to
the bitter end. A cry for peace goes up
from q certain class In our midst. There
has but one expression fallen from thelips
of anv prominent Southern rebel, and that
is to admit Of no peace that does not carry
with it q separation. Areyou prepared to
accept that7 We might obtain peace
by acknowledging that slavery is
the true foundation Of government,
but the North will never acknowledge
principle SO black and false as that.
The rebels treat with contempt all pro-
positions for peace on any other terms
save separation. Judge Tilden spoke Of
the sneers that are frequently hurled at
those who, actuated by humanity, speak
and act in favor Of the rights Of the black
man. "Wouli you marry your daughter
to a nigger?" say they, as though you
couldn't do justice to q man without
desiring to make him your son-in-law.-
He considered it to be Christian duty to
endeavor to lift man up and not to pull
him down, and a democratic principle to
help the weak and oppressed. He depre-
Gated the custom of finding so much fault
with the President, the heads Of depart
ments, and the Generals. We should re-
member that men were suddenly called
upon to assume duties and responsibilities
for which they had, and could have, no
previous training. We are being educated
as a nation. Butler said in New York
that the throes through which this coun-
try has passed, are only such as are in
cident 10 teething. When our teeth are
fully grown, then stand from under
Judge 7. concluded by brief review Of
our success over the rebels, and the causes
that we have to be hopeful.
Rev. Mr.. WOlcott, of Plymouth Church,
was introduced as the next speaker, and
delivered truly eloquent speech, abound
ing IN lofty and patriotic sentiments,
clothed in beautiful and appr opriate Ian
guage. He was most heartily applauded
during the delivery of it and at the close
The birthday of Washington, he said
was appropriately given to such a meet
ing. We should assemble often to keel
alive the flames of devotion to the cause Of
our country, and Of humanity. We ow'
it TO our brothers in arms, to show our ap-
probation of their suferings, their heroic
daring, and more than heroic endurance
We owe it to those who have fallen, to prove
that they have not fallen in vain; we owe
it to the memory of our fathersi we owe
it TO ourselves, to the hopes Of the friend:
of free institutions throughout all the
world, to declare to-day that this last and
best Of self-governments shall not faiI
through us; we owe it to the oppressed
whose whole lives have been q reproaeh tC
US as 3 nation; we owe it to the awakened
hopes of those who have been liberated
to prove that the iron Of the oppressol
: shall never again be driven into theil
vitals. ~
There Is moral aspect TO the questions
: involved in this war. II | am asked
= Cannot we Aght this war through with
) out the aid Of the negroesP say we can
E not fight it out successfully unless we ge
= God on our side. 1t referred to the re
r proach that some had sought to heap upor
anti-Slavery men By calling them men o.
I uone idea" When that one Ideals an idea o
= liberty, humanity and practical christiani
9 ty, let me, said the speaker, be a man Of on
I idea, glory in the sppellstion. The on
idea Is preferable to the collection of bogu
? principles which are afforded by bogu
democracy. :.
) Mr.. Woleott held the audience in breath
, less attention while he related the familia
I historical anecdote Of Wellington at tn
Q battle Of Waterloo, awaiting the arrival o
1 BlucheF with the reinforcements that Wer
? destined to decide the fortunes Of the day
He pictured the murderous FIRE to whicl
the Guards'were subjected while they wer
3 restrained from charging upon the enem.
by the inexorable order Of Wellington
When the plumes and bayenets of Bluch
Q er's troops appeared in the distance, tn
t Iron Duke shouted, "Up guards and at them
Blucher has come r. $50" said the speak
1 er, applying the anecdote most sptly
: shave the friends and champions Of hu
e manity suffered the fierce assaults Of thei
i enemies without making counter charge
3 but we are reinforced by the Proclamation
f thank God, our BEHeher has come an
t the legions of slavery and oppression vii
fee and fall before our resistless advane'
At this happy climax, which conclude
j the eloquent gentleman's remarks, tn
: hall rung with the most enthusiastic AZ
; plause for several minutes.
After music by the band, Judge spauld
: ing responded to call from the audienot
8 He said he felt like exclaiming with hi