Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-02-19
luase spaIdLpg,s speech.

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Judge spaIdiug's speech.
We take pleasure in laying before his
ooustituents, the able speech Of Judge
sPalding on the COnfscaiiOn of Rebel Pro
perty. We need attempt no analysis of
the speech every body will desire to
catch for himself the full FIRE and power Of
the original. Judge spalding's OratOry,
ofitselk, is very attractive, and as might
have been predicted he won for himself
the congratulations Of Congress and the
applause Of The spectators. His eminent
legal knowledge, and thorough going pa
triOtism hsve given to Ohio great deal Of
proniBsnes in the Conncil halls Of the na-
tion, and this sound and eloquent ex-
Ooaition Of the doctrine of eoufsuation,
3 M ~ uarmeIy sppreciated by his con-
stituents. His method of dealing with the
powers Of treason and rebellion may not
be very agreeable to COpperheads, but is
eminenIly satisfactory to men who desire
10 root out the foundations of sll our poll
tical woes. Con6scstiou must be, not for
life simply, but for ever.
Here are his words that ring the Knell
Of treason =" I go first for compelling the
rebels ts submission. II sgs cannot compel
submission, I go for driving them to frPdtri-
alton and If that aOiH not anSpsr the purpose,
Ian most UnhesitatiHgly for determination" ."
Mr., Summers Proposed Change Ofthe Con-
stItution.
On Wednesday last AF. Sumner offered
the following amendments 10 the Constitu-
tion Of the United States
lat. There shall be neither slavery nor
involuntary servitude any where in the
United States, or within the Jurisdiction
thereof, otherwise than in punishment for
crime. and that Congress may make sli
laws necessary and proper to enforce Its
prohibition.
2d. To strike out the third paragraph
and second section of the fourth article OF
the Constitution, except the words =" ex-
oludiup Indian not taxed" so that the
whole olanse should read representation
and direct taxes shall be apportioned
among the several States Of the Union,
according to their numbers, excepting In
dians not taxed.
Sd. To strike out from the third section
and fourth paragraph of the Constitution,
the words, No person held to service or
labor in one State under the laws thereoI,
and escaping 10 another, shall in conse-
ouenee Of any law or regulation therein,
be discharged from such service or laoor,
INIT shall be delivered upon the claim Of
the party to whom such service for labor
may be due.
Tue proposed amendments Of Mr.. Sum-
ner have been varlously received through
out the country, some favOriDg, some op-
posing thcn napnaitina to them is pre-
dicated on the all sufioiency Of the Proc
lamation Of Emancipation, and upon pro-
fsssed unwillingness to sgitste the ques-
tion at present lest the issue of the day
sbsIl be distinctly for abolition Instead of
the Union. We have never doubted the
war power Of the President to issue his
p-oclemntion, and that as a war measure,
"a ACCOMPLISHED its result Of emancipation.
But the question will recur whether, if " q
State cannot seoede which Is primary
doctrine Of the Republican party, after a
States return it could not proceed, in &C
cordance with its own organic laws as
State, to re.establish the institution Of
slavery. Once restored they are to be I'M
der the Constitution which is the supreme
law of the land. If State on its return,
enters upon its relation TO the general
government with all its civil functions un-
changed, as if no rebellion had existed
within its limits, though they might not
b able to touch those freed by the procla-
mation, could they not purchase other ne
9roes and enslave them Ifso, the snake
b seotehsd, not killed.
While we admit that the spirit and pTin-
ciples Of the Constitution already make all
men free without respect to color, it is
nevertheless true that States claim the
power under the Constitution Of legalizing
the Institution Of slavery.
We believe, therefore, the fundamental
law Of the land should be changed 80 that
it shall be necessary Tor each slave State,
on its return to the Union, corresponding
ly to modify the State Constitution and
laws which recognize the right Of property
In man.
This can be done, if three-fOurths Of the
States shall, through Convention called,
or through their State legislst uIss, ratify
the amendments Of Mr.. Sumner.
We are not ashamed of our creed If
any party wishes to enter the Presidential
contest in favor Of the continuance Of
slavery, we are ready to enter it as abOli-
tIoaists. We have no fears Of the result.
Oar triumph would be more than over
whslming. The vexed question of slavery
would receive its death blow. Even the
little opportunity for It's defense, which
the copperhead press now have, would be
wanting. Wa are glad to know that these
amendments are to be received with appro-
baton BY the Congress Of the United states.
Let slavery now receive its qaietus.
The Coming Presidential CamPaiEn.
The unanimity of popular sentiment in
favor Of the continuance Of Mr.. Lincoln in
suthOrity until the rebellion is ended, has
slarmed the sharpers and political gam