Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-12-01
DAILY LEADER.
1T1oIjs6me1t of slavery by COnsf-t -tu.
fTODaI Amendment.

/ fFrOm the Cincinnati Commercial.l
We have already noticed disposition
on the part of the more thoughtful and
candid Democratic newspapers, TO rid
themselves of the question Of slavery by
recommending the passage through Con-
gress of an amendment to the Constitution,
prohibiting slavery throughout the United
States. The Chicago Posi-, the Louisville
Journal (now identified with the Demo-
cratic psrty), and a number of equally
able sndinfuential papers, have reviewed
the question, and are urging Democratic
members of Congress, who defeated the
passage of the amendment at the last
session, to yield to what is inev-
table the extinction of slavery -
and hasten the period Of its re-
moval from political controversy, by voting
for the amendment to the Constitution as
proposed. Even the National LateLjigeneeT,
the most zpOnderous and slow-moving OF
that clsss of journals, which has been sus-
tanned in times past by government pat
ronage, can sec no objection to the prOpos-
ed amendment 1t regards slavery as a
falling institution, tbs. cannot be any long
er propped up BY legislative action or par
tisan support, aud thinks the extinction of
slavery rs 8 creature of legal and cOnsti-
tutional existence, would redOuad ulti-
mately and soon, to the advantage of
whites as well as blacks Slavery has
ceased to be a political power in the land
Were the seeded states to return to the
Union without any restrictions placed up
on the institution, it could no longer exer-
else the controlling influence upon parties
Eat it once did, or direct the legislation
of the nation as in times past Foreign
nations have learned that they are not
dependant onits productive labor for their
supply Of cotton. Northern trade and
commerce, it has been proven, can not only
exist but prosper without it. The world
no longer sits at the feet of this gigantic
power, waiting its recognition and receiv-
ing with humble submission its bOunties.
Though, perhaps, locally profitable, sla-
very has ceased TO be productive beyond
the point Of actual local consumption.
And yet grass does not grow in our streets,
our wharves are not deserted, our ships are
not rotting, trade and commerce are not
worse than bankrupt. None Of these
things, predicted as the result Of non-inter-
communication and trade with cotton, rice
and tobacco growing States, have come to
pass, and now the emancipation OF COM
meIeial interests Is to be followed by the
emancipation of the slave himself. North
ern merchants no longer fear "black lists,
or deem it necessary to their prosperity to
advertise their pro-slsyeryism in the col
umns OF Southern papers.
Their agents are in better business than
toadying to the nsbobs who counted their
slaves by the hundred and their cotton
bales by the thousand. Ali this has passed
away. The commercial, as well as politi-
cal, power of slavery has vanished. 1t has
been utterly consumed in the fire of the
rebellion, and the conscience of the nation,
no longer stiAed by the promptings of sell
fish interest speaks out and demands that
an Institution founded in wrong sustained
by fraud, and protected by violence. shall
cease to exist. Like the perfdioHs barque
of Milton, it was
g Built the eclipse, and rigged with curses dark
1t mas been the source Of al our woe, an
unmixed evil, whose extinction is demand
cd by the united voice of civilization, pro-
gress and Christianity. 1t will be for
Democratic and all other politicians to
yield to what is inevitable, and hasten
what is so desirable.