Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-03-16
TIE Onmlnr - EIeetIOn.


The Coming City Election.
In the interest felt in national affairs,
We must not neglect our home duties
While our efforts are put forth to assist,
to the utmost, the work of crushing the
rebellion, we must remember that patriot
ism, like charity, should begin at home,
and AOw outwardly. A week ago, the
whole country was startled by the reports
Of fearful riot in q neighboring city.
Murder and arson were rampant over law
snd order; no maais life or property was
safe; innocent men and women were shot
beaten, bruised and killed, and an ire
sponsible mob held the whole city at its
mercy. And yet all the testimony offered
to show the features and character Of the
not prove that the existence and villainous
work Of the mob was to be laid at the door
ofa worthless Democratic city government
Had the Mayor been at home attending to
his duties; had the acting Mayor done his
duty; had the Councilman and COnstsbles
done their duty; had The policemen Of the
city been faithful to their oaths of Office
lad, in short, the City Government been
such as it should have been, the riot would
have been quelled at its very first outbreak
80 sfeetually as to be harmless afterward.
But the officers were in secret sympathy
with the mob, and 50 the carnival Of in
oendiarism and blood went On until nearly
half hundred buildings were burned
and their occupants turned into the street.
It Eil be borne in mind.that this mob
Wss composed entirely of COpperheads,
who were excited BY inhammatOry articles
In the Detroit Free Press Copperhead
paper, which held out the idea that the
nan Faulkner who committed the outrage
on the girl, was negro, when in reality
be was 8 white man, and that the North
would soon be overrun with blacks from
tie South, who would compete with white
laborsrs, SC.
Military aid from abroad restored quiet
to the city, but the end is not yet. Property
holders of that city will see its effects in the
decreased demand for real estate and build.
ingst to rent, and taxpayers viii again hear
the shouts of the msb as they are called
upon to pay for thss increased pauperism
and crime.
In fewweeks the citizens Of Cleveland
viii be called upon to elect municipal Off
esrs for the coming term. Who shall those
ofseers bs7 It is time the question was
seriously asked. The recent sHeuts at
Detroit should open the eyes of those in
different persons who are too ready 70
leave ali the work of election in the hands
Of the few, to whose decisions the many
must submit. Shall we have a city gov
srnment 30 honorable and efficient as to
guarantee protection to the citizen, or shall
It be one which we must fear rather than
respect Shall it be under the control of
the Whisky-drinking roughs of the city, or
one that is q terror to all evil-doers?
Shall we run the risk Of riots and bloody
carnivals in the streets, or shall the assas-
ein and the rObber leave the Forest City for
some more congenial and less honorably
governed precinct2 The time to decide this
vital question is now, before the primary
meetings are held. The Copperheads are
already at work, organizing and drum
ming up their forces. They will spare no
pains or expense. Money and liquor viii
aoW like water for the sake Of "DemO-
cratic victory" which can be blazOned
abroad as arebuke to the Administra-
ton" Our foe is stealthy and dangerous.
Every ward will have its trained band,
which will work unweariedly. Shall the
friends Of law and order be less vigilsnt2
If they are, the city will be lest, and given
over to 3 misrule whose effects will not be
wiped out for half score of years. We
speak strongly, for it is no Light matter
that we discuss. The riot at Detroit was
enEendered by blind hatred Of the negro;
If the COppsrheads triumph in the coming
election, We have no security here against
similar outrages. Even cur city is cursed
with COpperhead paper, which, like the
Detroit Free Press, is pandering to the vile
prejudice of its negrO-hating readers. In
proof of the assertion, we copy the follow
ing from its columns:
HThey've caught q white elephant in
Africa. This country caught black ele-
plant there long ago, and don't know what
70 do with it"-E1ehGHgs.
A friend at our elbow remarks that
this country ought to send its black ele-
plant to Detroit forthwith, as the people
here seem to know exactly what to d.
Whit"
Here is paper in our midst which tao
lily invites the Copperhesds Of our city to
do Is they did in Detroit. This shows the
necessity Of action on the part Of all in
isFssted, especially y our property holders, to
see that good men arenominatedand elect
Cd to sll the city offices.
The duty Of loyal, honorable men is
plain. Let them organize in every ward
let every man have g specified work to do
let him see thatit is done, and then let
every voter who values security against al
lAWlesH ScOuadrelism, attend the primary
meetings and elect delegates Of like views
to the City Convention. In no other way
can We so preserve the honor Of our city.
The English journals are full of details
Of The preparations for the marriage Of the
Prince Of Wales, which was 10 take place
upon the 10th inst. The bridal gift of the
King Of Denmark to the Princess Alexsn-
drs is to consist Of a copy, executed in
gold and jewels, Of the celebrated cross Of
Queen Dagmar, which forms one of the