The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-09-23

tue euleISonCiee VI WoIs 4Ao AiSsOAAaH Va |
the future will pronounce that this opposi-
ton YVES at once the strongest hope of
those in open rebellion and the most Sc
rious and formidable obstacle, next to the
rebellion itself, which the Government was
required to overcome. President Lincoln,
with patriotic desire 10 follow, as far as
the public safety would justify, the will of
all the people, without reference topsrty
lines, found himself beset with the ebjec.
tions and fault-hndings of the coPperhead
element in the North, and when at last it
became impossible to<egsrd their demands
without sacrificing the nation, and he COM
menced that independent policy which
found lis fruiiion in the complete over.
throw of the rebels, the chickering's of the
Democracy developed into open hostility
of the most violent and dangerous icharae-
ter. Incendiary speeches, designed to
iIfame the people, were delivered
throughout the land; societies for the en-
coursgement of hostility to the draft were
organized riots we're engenderedi efh-
GERS of the Government were obstructed IN
the discharge of their duties, and frequsnr
ly murderer; and the. army wss polluted
in every possible way until desertion be-
came matter of serious concern, requir-
ing: to remedy if, the employment ofsn eH-
traordinsry force of detectives in every
part of the country at an enormous exs
pense. But in spite of all this, treason was
beaten, and the power of the nation fully
restored, and good msn hoped to find the
whole people thereafter uniting inthe COM
mon purpose of rebuilding that which the
ruthless hand of war had destroyed.
But Dsmocrscy; WITH the Democratic
party, means dissension, and no sooner was
the war declared ct an end than the leaders
OF this party found new line upon which
to continue their warfare against the na-
tion. Without the shadow of justification,
without the semblsnce of authority, nay
in the very face Of the best directed efforts
of the Government to reduce expenses to
the lowest possible limit and provide for
the prompt payment of its obligations,
they raised the cry of repudiation, and, to
encourage such an. event, commenced
war sgainst tsxstion-the only possible
channel through which the Government
can obtain its required means of support
and are employing all the power of press
and rostrum to create in the public mind q
sentiment of dissatisfaction and distrust.
They understand that now the only vital
point of the nation is its credit, and that
this is founded and rests solely upon she
support of the people, and to dislodge this
support they seek 70 inculcate an opposi-
tion that shall break down the only bul.
warks to the national integrity. The ex.
emption of Federal bonds from taxation
an exemption based upon the highest
grounds of reason and right, and justified
by well. established LAWS an especial
hobby with this party, which they aim to
make particularly effective with the poorer
classes by endesvoring to show that out Of
the pockets of the poor, capitalists are
resping the benefits arising from the pos
session of these national securities. All
the arts of sophistry, every method that
evil ingenuity can suggest, is being en-
ployed to create among the poor a
direct and open opposition to the rich.
There is no argument adduced; no figures
to show wherein the poor man is injured /;
nothing but bold assertion, unsccompAnied
" si--rl-- f--s- CrI-y L-.-- --voll that to
rest their position upon testimony wouIu
be utter defeat. But they safely appeal to
the prtjudices of the masses, for in this way
they may avoid discussion, and escape the
condemnation which such discussion would
involve. o.
The National Banking system is another
source of sore trouble to these Democrats,
1t gives the government too strong q mon
ey power, they say. It is q system of mo-
nopoly, they would have the people believe
by which favored few are permitted to
reap ell the benefits. Their assaults, in
sidious and cOWArdly, are part of their
every day dsvotions. But here again they
discard facts as utterly destructive TO their
causa They know that no safer or more
thoroughly secured banking system was
ever designated than that under which the
National Banks of the United States are
organized. They know that every dollar
issued is guaranteed for its full value to the
holder by the best of security, the pledged
faith of the nation, and that, whether the
issue is made in Maine or Oregon, it is
equally safe and secure. But their objec.
tiOn is not here. These Banks, by their
very nature, are the safeguards of the ma
tion's credn, pledged and bound to see that
credit Sustained, and consequently at war
with Democratic policy. A mighty cspi
tai, in which millions are interested, from
the merchant prince to the poorest peas.
ant is thus enlisted in the cause of perpet.
usl Union and national integrity, and
against this Gibraltar the angry waves of
Democratic dissension strike but TO be
hurled back to annihilstion.
Thus, briefly, the record of the Demo.
cratic party of to day is this; The pro.
longation, by their opposition, secretly and
openly made, of most calamitous war,
their object being the success of the rebel
lion and consequently the dissolution of
the Union And failing in this, q war upon
the credit and honor of the nation, with
the undoubted design Of destroying them,
both at home and abroad, thus bankrupt
ing at once the people and the Govern
ment. And sill to carry out the satanic
purpose to rule or ruin
Against a party with this policy and
these avowGd aims, the Union men of Ohio
and of the nation are called upon to do
battle. To destroy this party, root and
branch, is duty second only to that of
maintaining Christianity itsslf, and the
man who falters in the work is recreant
to his country and his race. The battle
for Union and freedom was noblv
fought and won, but it would be
valueless unless the credit CT the
nature is preserved uAimpaired. The men,