The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-08-26
DAILY LEADER
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 1865
Judge Ranney,s Accusatlon.

Hon. R P. Rsnney, of this city, upon
taking the chair as President Of the late
State Rights Democratic Convention, made
a speech, in which, among other things, he
asserted that the present party in power"
found the country in 8 state of happy
tranquility. Here are his words;
HDoWn to the sdvent of the present
party in powers little over fonr years
Ago-no country on the face of the earth
presented such attractions as this beloved
and happy country of ours. In no coun-
try on the face of the earth were sll mems
rights so well and so perfectly respected"
Has Mr.. Rsnney forgotten that South
Carolina and al Of the Cotton States had
passed ordinances of secession before the
close Of the Democratic Administration of
James Buchanan Has he forgotten that
q Federal ship-the Star of the West
was deliberately fred upon by armed rebels
in Charleston harbor whilst proceeding in
q peaceful manner to carry provisions to a
starving Federal garrison, prior to the in
augurHtion of President Lincoln7 Mr..
Ranney further says:
"From this pleasing state of facts, let
Us look to what exists st present. But
four years of time have been necessary for
the party who have succeeded in over
throwing the Democratic party, 70 change
wholly the eLtire face Of the country and
it aff4irs."
Here the speaker unwittingly stated 8
great truth. The "party in power" re-
eeived the Government from the Demo
cratic party, and found it in state Of dis
Indignation several Ststes openly arrayed
against the Federal authority; its treas
ury empty; IFS navy scattered abroad its
arms and munitions of war in the hands Of
the insurgents, and actual war levied upon
it by its own subjects, in the set of firing
upon one of its peaceful ships. Within
little over four years, the lparty in power" /"
aided by those true and loyal Democrats
who long since ceased to act with that de-
generate organization, have been able ITO
change wholly the entire facs Of the coun-
try and its sffsirs." All loyal men thank
God for the change" accomplished in the
face of the most villsinOus opposition from
such Coprerhesds IS controlled the Con.
vention over which Mr.. RAnny presided.
In regard to Judge Rsnney's remark
that Tin no country. on the face Of the
earth were sll mems rights so well and 90
perfectly respected" We would suggest
.thst four millions of persons, now free
were before the war held in 3 bondage
50 Abjeot that it was 8 part Of the
cardinal faith of the Democratic party that
Negroes had no rights which white men
were bound TO respect" The declaration Of
the late Democratic Convention in favor Of
excluding colored people from the State
would indicate that this wss still good
Democratic doctrine. If tall mems rights
we're 80 perfectly respected" what shsd.
oW of excuse can the Southern wing Of
the Democratic party offer for insugurating
rebellion Are they not responsible fol
beginning q csuseless and wicked war
and Why should the Democracy evince suel
snxisty to have these guilty parties restor.
ed to the exercise of the reserved rights
and powGs they 50 bAssly abused1