Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-04-20

In DcuAAL OF the loyal people OF OQlos VIZ
respond to your patriotic and thrilling ap-
peals. Men who have dedicated their
lives to their country, and shown their de-
Totion by tolls and sacrifices, have the
right to address us reposing in peace and
prosperity at our quiet homes. Ohio owes
you debt Of gratitude which money can
not discharge nor words express, You
have achieved, BY your gallant deeds, q
distinction which viii brightly mark the
page Of history, and impart to the annals
Of our State an imperishable lustre; end
you msy be assured that our loyal people
gratefully appreciate their obligations to
your valor and patriotism.
We acknowledge the justice and propTi-
ETY. Of your rebuke Of the ignoble con
tentions Of home politics, and wild, shame
less party strife, which unhappily pre-
vail amongst us. We cordially deplore
this dissension. No cause which has ever
commanded human energy so fully merits
union Of purpose, Of voice, and Of action,
as that which has called you from the en-
dearments Of home to the perils Of the bat
fle-feld, and which SUMMONS us 10 the
noblest duties and sacrifices which freemen
can render. Whilst we regret that many
hsve preferred the badge and success Of
y
glory, and the triumph Of freedom, We may
refer with patriotic pride to the Union
Movement Of 1861, in Ohio, in which you
participated, as bright illustration Of
the loyalty Of our people.
Then, men Of every variety Of party an
tecedents met around the altar Of their
country-laid upon it as willing sacri-
fee sll past political prejudices, and unit
-. 3.
til the rebellion should be crushed, and
our flag float again over all the States Of
our once unbroken Union. Nothing aided
more to consolidate that patriotic move
ment than these memorable words in the
last speech Of the lamented Douglas:
ave have a solemn duty to maintain
the Government. The greater our unan-
unity the speedier the day Of peace. We
have prejudices TO overcome, from the few
short months since Of fierce party con-
test Yet these must be laid aside. Let
us lay aside all examinations and reorimi-
nations as to the origin Of these difficult
ties. When we shall again have a eOun-
try, with the United Stales flag floating
over 1t, and respected on every inch Of
American soil, it viii then be time enough
to ask who and what brought this upon US.
Whoever is not prepared to sacrifice party
D. organizations and platforms on the altar
Of his country does not deserve the sup
port and confidence Of honest people.
There are only two sides to this question.
Every man must be for the United States or
against It. There can Be no HeHtrals IN TIE
sgar, only patriots OF traitors.
These sentiments became the rallying-
cry Of Ohio patriots,-and multitude Of
our best and most prominent felloW-citi-
zens, gladly forgetful Of all past political
differences and antipsthies, rallied as be-
came American freemen, 10 the common
standard Of our country. Ohio never
witnessed more impressive spectacle than
that Of the Convention Of September, 1861.
The President Of the Baltimore Convention
was chosen as the standard-bearer Of the
Union hosts. He generously yielded to his
oountry's call, and bravely, during the
canvass, exhibited his devotion to the
great cause to which he had committed his
heart and treasures. Those who fought
with him under this same banner shared
in the spirit aud devotion Of his deeds, and
the people Of Ohio signalized their appro-
baton Of the Union movement by giving
more than $4,000 majority to the candi-
dates Of this convention. The power Of
that enthusiastic and united movement
caused disloyalty to seek conceslmenty and
aroused the patriotic into q generous com
petition for noble deeds and sacrifices. The
voice Of 1861 would probably have been
re-echoed in 1862 but for the significant
facts that more than $4,000 voters had
gone 10 the battlefield, and the strength
and energies Of our people were cOncen-
trated upon vigorous efforts to recruit
men to fill the places Of the brave who had
fallen by disease, or IN the armed conflict,
and to respond to call for an increase Of
our army. Those now sympathizing with
the rebellion did not then reveal any
treacherous designs. Their appeals to the
brave to come to the rescue of the country
were not tainted with words Of Gishonor or
reproach. There were a few shameless
political bankrupts who, in their hiding
places, uttered words Of disloyalty, but
even these we're rebuked by political asso-
ciates who disoWned their heresies. The
majority Of our prominent men We'd with
one another, both by words and deeds, to
enkindle in the hearts of the people q
deeper devotion 10 the Union, and dead
lier hatred Of the rebellion. Under these
@ circumstances our last annual election oc-
CURED. The result is well known 10 you.
Whilst the loyal men of Ohio were Eolun-
teering and laboring with untiring vigi-
lance to fill up your columns, INSCRIPTIONS
and faithless men were toiling to secure q
party triumph. Many of those who wore
the cloak Of loyalty, and "paltered with the
people in double sense" have thrown Of
their disguise and now shamefully claim
the result as victory for party and q re-
buke to our Government They are vel
come to the unenviable distinction Of glory
ing in triumph, which has given fresh
animation to the dropping hopes Of trait
ors.
Such men have no genuine sympathy
with the soldiers, and be assured the loyal
men OF Ohio have none with them. We
disown them. They have forfeited the
confidence Of our people. The great heart
Of Ohio throbs with emotions Of pride and
sympathy for her brave soldiers, who have
not "counted their lives dear" that they
might save our country and its free insti-
tutions. Your fathers, mothers, brothers,
sisters, and friends Of patriotic Eaith, who
may be counted bT multitudes, cherish
your names and dee 8 with fondest remem-
brancs. They hail you as the guardians
Of the homes and sanetuaries Of freedom,
and they VIII count il precious privilege,
whilst you imperil your lives for US and our
country, to check and control these
"Northern allies" Of the rebels, who dare
tarnish your good name, or attempt to sac
rihce the glorious principles which you
have gone forth TO defend.
We congratulate you upon your high
resolve TO struggle to the death for an. un-
divided Union. Not star must be erased
from the old fsg-not State severed from
the Union, is the motto ofau loyal people.
With an unshaken confidence in the exis-
tsnee Of q loyalty as self sacrificing as that