Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-11-16
The synod OF the Free Presbyterian
Church on the State of the COunfrv-

The synod OF the Free Presby terrain
Church on the State of the Country.
This Synod, Injecting a. Clarksf cid
Pennsylvania, October 22d, views and re-
cords with peculiar satisfaction, the en-
couragiDg and hopeful condition of our
suffering and afflicted country. Since the
Emancipation Proclamation of January l,
1853, the cause of Freedom has steadily
and almost uninterruptedly moved forward.
1t is true that the progress has been slower
than our wishes, slower than the woes of
the country, the wrongs of the Slave, and
the duty of the Government unitedly de
manded. Yet the sum Of all that has been
effected, when aggregated, is large, and
affords much cause To- rejoicing. Ths
Executive now stands committed to the
emancipation of three million slaves =
He was renominated on the pledge that he
will in good faith carry out his policy, and
should the people re-elect him, as they
doubtless will, the nation will stand before
the world pledged to the same course. The
SlaYe trade is now seriously declared pi-
racy. The right of search is established by
treaty with Great Britain, and the previous
hanging of enc slave-trader stands ass
guarantee that the Foreign slave trade
will no longer be winked at by our govern
ment. The flag of onr nations Capitol ID
no longer disgraced by its proximity 70
the traders slave-pen, nor is the District of
Columbia the arena of practical slavery.
all the bread acres Of our new territories
are now conseerated to Freedom, and their
virgin soils will not r. watered with TIE
sweat of unrequited labor. The Fugitive
slave acts no longer disgrace the statute
book, and benevolence and humanity are
no longer esteemed crimes against law.
Maryland, West Virginia, Missouri and
Louisiana are now virtually Free States,
and either now have, or soon win have free
under approved teachers. The colored ma
tions of Hsyti and Liberia are recognized,
and their ambassadors are received at
Washington. And last, but not least, two
hundred thousand colored soldiers are en-
rolled in our armies, and their fidelity, 10y
atty and courage established beyond doubt
or dispute, whilst others have fallen in the
strife and fill honored graves.
four armies at first proved inefficient,
through the imbecility or pseudo loyalty
some commanders,yet now under the guild
ence Of Grant, Sherman and Sheridan
they have won glorious victories, whilst our
navies, directed by Farragut, have proved
formidable and efficient. The rebellion tot
ters to its fail, and seems really to collapse
and die. Should the loyal party triumph at
the coming election, a true and lasting
peace on the solid basis of universal Free
dom, seems likely to succeed and bless the
country.
Should the disloyal party triumph at the
coming election, nothing but ruin awaits
US. In that case the white soldiers will be
called of the field, and the colored troops
will be ordered to disband. Will they
tamely do it? Can we expect them quietly
to strip off their uniforms, put Op the coarse
clothing of slavery, exchange their
musket for chains, and their bayonets for
the clumsy tools of the chEttel's labor ?
Rather Will not their taste of Freedom, the
presentrecognition ofmanhood, induce them
to retain their arms, take to the swamps and
of the South, and strike for the
freedom, now expected from the Govern
ment? Is not slavery a state Of war And
was there ever a cry of peace more delusive
or hypocritical than that now Moderated
by the disloyal party of the North? Who
but sbr nks from the contamination Of such
a pesce7 Would it not be b mere Gaping
Of the surging fires of the volcano?
We hope for better things, and con
fidently believe them near at hand.
Let, then, our synod-ministers and
people be true to our principles, true
to our country, true to the slave, and true
to God. Every thing once valuable in those
principles remains so still. As q synod we
rejoice in the progress made, and look anx-
iously for the final contamination. And
whilst we pledge ourselves anew TO the fun
damental principles of universal liberty on
which our ecclesiastical existence was
founded, we hope soon to join in the jubi-
liant rejoicings Of our emancipated country,
as she emerges from her present calami-
ties, doubly purified, and freed from every
stain, that formerly marred her otherwise
fair character and fame.