Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-06-03

SecEeE lft4LaAGhs
The Herald repeatedly expresses its hos
tility to secret Union Leagues, and all who
cooperate or unite with them. Not hav-
ing been posted as to the workings Of that
institution, we have not been able 10 ex-
plain the machinery or workings Of the
secret Union Leagues, but this We fully
believs-that a purer or more patriotic
body Of men does not exist than those
thus associated together. Even the Her
aid Acknowledges as much in the following
sentence from its vaunted expose Of the
transactions of the Chapin's Hall COnven-
ton:
awe are in full sympathy with the
standing BY the Administration and crush
ing out treason in all its forms"
We believe it to be entirely true, as ex-
pressed above, that not only the "princi-
pal but also the sole "aim Of the
Leagues is to stand by the Administra-
ton and crush treason in all its forms.
But if so, why does the Herald so bitterly
oppose it? As for ourselves, Whatever
organization has the upholding of the Ad-
ministration and the crushing out Of trea-
son. for its sole or principal object, has our
sympathy and our GOdspeed.' We may
differ with the Administration or some OF
its officers and friends upon some minor
poinls, but we carefully abstain from crit
icism that would lessen their influence for
good. This should be the aim Of every
patriot.
We are not left alone to our own impress
sions OF the Heralds admissions, for in
formation as to the worthy objects Of the
Leagues. In several instances, the Oppo'
sition press have published what they
claimed to be the ritual Of the Leagues
Now, not a word or line Of those rituals
ineulcates any sentiment save that of the
most devoted loyalty 10 the Government
Out Of their own mouths, then, are these
opponents convicted.
It would not have surprised Us if an
editor Of a Copperhead Sheet opposed to
the Government and its administration,
had sneakingly applied his ear to the base
ment end Of a hot air hue, the upper e1-
tremity Of which opened into the hall
where the sessions we're held, in order that
he might publish the proceedings Of
Union League, for it is his trade to
thWart the efforts of those who are in favor
Of " crushing treason in all its forms = but
when one ofthe give editors" OftheHerald,a q
prOfessedly Republican and Administers
tiOn journal, thus plays the caves -dropper
in order that he msy catch words or ex
pressions to be used in casting ridicul'
upon an association the objects Of which
he himself acknowledges to be highly pa.
triOtic, then it becomes entirelyPertinent
10 inquire the sincerity of the professions
Of his paper.
The Herald quarrels with the feature o.
secresy as giving toe much power to "de.
magogues." That cry Of demsgOgism
vznnld come with better grace from some
=. 1..--,.l 1-.-THl than we confronted by Sc
CfeL league CUmPU5vu
gogues who band together for the purpose
Of controlling the nomination and election
of all officers in its section. This charac
teristic of the Herald is too well under.
stood to require further elucidatiOn here
We are credibly informed, las illustra.
tive of the Herald's usual consistency thai
the senior partner and one Of the five
editors Of that sheet has been, and is HOi0
member Of a secret Union organization
vhieh organization l0as represented in the Ma
tiOaal Convention at ChapiR's Hall. The
fact speaks well for him, but bad for the
Herald's consistency of principle.