The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-08-11

throughout the Union TO use all lawful
g to establish q system ct suffrage
which shall be equal and just to all loyal
men, black as well SIS white"
It would seem that there should not be
any dissent from the above resolution and
thAt the largest liberty should be favored
in discussing it. It appears now, however,
that this momentous question has taken q
mev phase. %
For the time being, whether it be constl-
~tutionsl or not seems not to be, discussed,
but the cry is, 6 We, are not ready to act,
and there is a division of opinion on the
subject, and the party will be divided if we
discuss the subject and therefore We should
let it drop for the present" am not one
who believes in that doctrine, l believe
the way to avoid division is to discuss, to
speak and write on the subject freely. Il,
do not think the time has come to say that
q Union Republican, because he IS or be-
csuse he is not in favor of universal negro
suffrage, is either to be read in or out of
tie party on that account but l certainly
cannot see why the subject should not be
discussed in every light in which it can be
viewed, whether as q matter of political or
party policy, or as an act OF strict justice
to the colored race. I mustthink the opin-
ions of that great man, whose reputation
is now world wide, is worthy of some con-
siderstion. 1 mean Chief Justice Chase.
He has thought the subject worthy of dis
c~ussion, and does not refrain from it be-
besause it may divide 8 party. +
Now, Messrs. Editors, while I differ en-
tirely from General Cox, u most excel
lent candidate for Governor, as to the ul-
innate disposition to be made of the color
ed race, and believe that such course and
policy as he favors would be both imprsc-
liesble, and unjust to that race, yet /
shall support hun with the I'm
zeal as though I could assent
fully to the views which he has published.
His views are but the views of an individ-
ual csndidly and ably maintained. Again
the very expression by General Cox of
his opinions on the subject is opposed to
the view that the question is not one for
discussion nos0. Shall it be said that Gem
eral Cox may make a careful and elaborate
argument on the subject, and have that
published in the leading papers of the
Union, and that those who differ from
him and are equally cOnsciencious with him,
and have studied the matter equally with
him, shall hold their peace because he has
spoken? If he has sent forth error it
should be combatted the more because it
has emansted from high authority. It was
said by a wiser one than he, "If these
should hold their peace, the very stones
would cry out" So, when you stop dis
cussion among free American citizens, "the
very stones will cry out"
take it that General Cox, in sending
forth his opinions to the world, invites dis
cussion. If he did not intend to do it, he
should not have sent them forth, for he
could not expect that an American citizen
would receive from any n the expression
of IN UpiniUn Hs the ukHse Of IN autOcrat !
In putting forth his opinion, therefore, as
he has, to the public, l can regard him in
no other light than saying, Come now,
let US reason together" l cannot, there
Ea-n a-ifn ena the consistency of my long
tried friend, the Herald, wnen-it publishes
General Cox's letter with this very con-
spicuous heading: at-l-
HLETTER FROM GENERAL cox
HIS REPLY TO THE OBERLIN
ADDRESS-WHAT THE DUTIES
OF MBMBERS OF THE UNION
ORGANIZATION ARE HIS
VIEWS ON THE DESTINY OF
THE COLORED RACE
and commends both him and the letter
highly, and then publishing the following
in a subsequent issue, in regard to 9 Negro
Suffrage" .e- 81
"Let us be taught by our enemies, and
allowing the brosdest latitude for individ-
usl sentiment, let III discard all questions
not ripe for solution, and keep our eye
steadily on the great question of q restored
Union" .
GENERAL cox FAvoRs DISCUSSION.
General Cox's letter contains the follow
ing: . -saat il.
& have always believed that sdherance to
s party platform does not exclude freedom
of opinion or OF discussion upon matters
not included in it, though it doesimply that
such discussion should be q free and friend
ly interchange of views with the object Of
throwing all possible light upon subjects
which may sooher or later become topics Of
ia portance, and upon which we may have
to form q definite policy. When the time
comes for action, all thoroughly loyal
men should agree to support that policy
which the wisdom of the majority may
agree upon, unless it shall conflict with
some principle consciously held in which
case those who SO dissent have: the IN.
doubted right to withdraw their connection,
not from a candidate simply, but from the
party. This view OF political Organization
is the only one 1 have been able 10 find,
which will secure proper unity and power
of action, and at the anne time afford full
scope for true progress of opinion and that
liberty of individual thought which, 1 beg
you to remember, is as much the right OF
candidates as of those who nominate
them." aa $500 -iE
No advocacy of free discussion could be
palmer than this, and he has exemplihed
his expressed opinion by leading off in the
discussion himself. bea
DIFFERENCE OF OPINION TO BE TOLERATED..
General Cox thinks that difference of
opinion on q question IS to which there is
not agreement smong the members Of a
political party should not withdraw the
support of those members differing in
opinion from the candidate, until the par
~ has acted upon the question definitely,
and adopted or rejected the principle con-
tended for. a5- 81 s.
This has my assent most fully. In the
language of General Cox, let US have "a
free and friendly interchange of
views" with the object Of throwing all pos
sible light upon subjects which may sooner
or later become topics of Importance and
upon which we may have 10 form q dein-
tie policy.
Jeferson's motto was, "Only let truth be
free to combat error and there is nothing
TO be feared from error." So in tkis mat
ter of suffrage. But let "freeand friendly
discussion go on ''sOith malice toISard none,
NTH cHarityL for al, sOtth frrnness Ia the
right as God giuss rs to see the right and
the right will certainly prevail. fa1115i
Importance is Just o given 10 the suf-
rage question, by the alarm being sounded,