Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-03-19

with the dIsmembesmsnt scheme
Of their associate, and I take them at their
word, as congressionally bound to do
But, sir, when that project was brought |
forward and advocated by its author, on |
that fearful day when the Union was put |
to the rack, snd its theWs and sineWs were |
cracking like crack of doom under the aw- |
full strain, these gentlemen sat by and gave |
it the assent and appreciation Of their si- |
lence. Not word Of dissent nor q token |
Of reproof escaped from one Of them. They |
had predicted q dissolution Of the Union |
as q result Of our success in the last Pres |
idential election; and God knows it is not |
their fault that the prophecy is not full
filed.
know, sir, that when the shock at Sum-
ter came, it hushed these gentlemen into
silence and seeming patriotism They
were as much amazed as their old allies
were, at the results North; q united peO-
pie standing with hands outstretched for
weapons, and demanding to be led against
the traitors You remember the course Of
these gentlemen at the extra session phil
ipics fierce and bitter against the Presi-
dent and his policy, and not q word Of rep
rehension of the rebels in arms. And
then how sedulously and industriously
they set about digging up and gslvsnizing
the buried skeleton Of their party going
among the people with shams and frsudu-
lent pretenses, and returning at the recent
session with more and bitterer speeches,
and then among the people, recognizing
their old party, and lubricating and re-
pairing its old machinery, and putting
forth its names and eries-and for what
Can any man tell me for Whst2 What
need had the country that could be best
served by their party2 Their only pur-
pose is amid these cslamities TO steal back
the power they had lost, regardless Of con-
sequences. The Republican organization
was abandoned, and its hosts, united with
all men of all parties for the one purpose
Of sustaining the GoYerRment, became
party of and for the Government. And
these gentlemen have banded together, not
10 sustain the GoVernment-thst would
place them with us-but to oppose and war
upon this party Of the Government to put
it down. The rebels strike at the Govern
ment in the field, and these leaders strike
att here; and yet they do not oppose the
Government-not they. I do not care for
words When we remember the course Of
these gentlemen during the incipient stages
Of the rebellion, and when we now see one
set Of the same men at open war with the
Government, and the other in open opposi-
ton to il, pursuing the same end by differ
ent means only, that is the end Of argu-
ment.
vALLAHDIGHAM's APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE.
But, sir, must yield the floor to other
gentlemen. wish to say one word furt h
er. My learned and astute colleague, Mr..
Vallandigham,) one Of the sblest gentle
men upon this floor, says, "Why not meet
us before the people ?" l tell my col
league with the frank csndor Of msR
that meets every responsibility, that he
shall be met before the people.
Mr. Vellandigham-Ih hope my colleague
will be able to make that statement good.
Mr.. RiddIe-Ah, sir, the gentleman as
spires to the first place in our State; and
the people of Ohio, who stand
by this Government, will find some
worthy exponent Of their views; they will
certaisly oppose to him some able and ex-
perieneed man fully representing their
views. In my high character as private
citizen, I shall at all times be happy to
discuss the questions with the gentleman
anywhere and everywhere; and can as
sure him that he shall be met; he shall be
met fairly; he shall be met manfully; he
shall be met with the Constitution he shall
be met with the laws; he shall be met with
historical incidents; he shall be met with
apt illustrations; he shall be fairly met
with all the arms and weapons Of fair,
honorable, and manly warfare, and he may
encounter indignation that will scoIeh,
sarcasm that will fay alive, and wit that
will sting to death. Heshall be met. And
as the gentleman was making that speech,
there came ominous responsive murmurs
from the galleries all around this Hall, and
the gentleman's friends demanded that
they be cleared. Sir, when the gentleman
is met before the people, there will be no
rule that will clear the galleries. When
the shout of Just condemnation swells out,
the galleries will clear the House.
And I should like to know, sir, what
that other colleague of mine (Mr. Whitel
meant towards the close Of his speech Of
the other evening, when he said that from
his district e. there should be no man-steal-
ing" under that bill, (the Consoript bill)
What could the gentleman mean2 Clearly
not that which his cool and sober judgment
will now recognize as the true line Of con-
duct, but an expression into which he was
hurried by feVerish excitement, the hidden
source Of which he was, perhaps, not quite
conscious Of. Msn-stealing Sir, when
great and suffering nation, almost dis
crowned, comes with the emblem Of its
glory, its old fsg which has foated rent
and torn on so many fields, and seeks its
own born children TO come to its rescue,
be calls its man-stealing. But when some
painting fugitive, hunted with horn and
hound and dog, lies quivering and torn,
the gentleman finds ample authority fer
that in the Constitution and its everlast.
ing compromises, as well ss in the eternal
fitness Of things; but when the nation
comes to claim her children for her own
defense with drum-beat and banner, that,
in the gentleman's vocabulary, is man
stealing, is it
No matter how we may lash ourselves
into unthinking expression, the people
themselves cannot long remain passive
and unknowing. Sometimes scting on
plane above logical deduction, sometimes
little below the plane Of fintelligentinstinct
they invariably work themselves, ultimate
ly and finally and at no distant day, to a
right appreciation Of things. Such time
as that viii Overtske, if it has not already
overtsken the popular sentiment. The
time shall come when these issues
shall be fairly net before the people.
They have no motive to be wrong, and are
too wise so be far misled. These great is
sues shall be fairly discussed; they will
be understood; and a righteous judgment
shall award to the gentlemen ss to our
selves, that award which the pale. e.broWed
and deep-eyed student Of future history
shall not reverse; and to that award Of
the people. and TO that confrming award