The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-05-30
from the 2sd 0. v. j.

an expedition, commanded oy BrlgaoleI-
General Duval, left Winchester and pro
ceeded up the valley to this place ninety
tvo miles distant. The T~wenty-third and
Thirty sixth Ohio regiments formed part
Of the force.
For several days previous to our leaving
Winchester, grest numbers of psroled
rebels from the various armies came into
that place, and as fast IS possible began to
resume their former svocstions. On our
route we met hundreds more of the same
class returning to their homes. These men,
without exception, expressed their joy st
the prospect of peace and of the final res
toration Of Federal authority oVer this
State. There is no doubt, however, but
that the greater portion Of them, especial
Iy of those who have held positions of high
rank, are now moved to give their sdher-
ence to the Union cause more from 8 mo-
tive Of policy than from any real desire to
return to their former allegiance. AtheArt
they are rebels, and always will be.
On the 9Th, the citizens of this (Augus-
tai county held a mass meeting for the
purpose of taking measures towards re-
suming their former positions IS citizens
of the United States. Speeches we're made
and resolutions passed, which show the
true state of feeling in this, one of the
largest counties of the State. There wss
nothing said condemning their former
course, nothing that showed anything like
sincerity in their desire to return to the
protectionn of the United States Govern
ment. They only recognise the necessity
of taking such 8 step, as something that
cannot be avoided. a1 nIa
The chairman of the meeting, Hon. a.
Il. Stuart, made q short speech, which has
been pubiisheda and from which l will copy
a few extracts, which will show how much
real Unionism there is in this part of Vir-
g1nia. Mr.. Stuart was q leading REBEL one
Of the worst kind. .8o-
After briefly abiding to the events of
the last few months, the capture OF Rich
mond and the d~isbsndiDg OF the large rebel
armies, he says;
When it is thus made manifest that the
people accept the fate which in the for
tunes Of war has befsllen them-that the
war is over, and that they are prepared 10
recognize the authority of the Constitution
of the United States, from that moment
our relations to the United States govern
ment are materially modified, and rights
which may have remained in sbeyancedur-
ing the continusnce of hostilities sre i'm
mediately revived in full force and vigor."
There is nothing in this denying the
right of secession, but on the contrary it
virtually admits or claims that right. 1t
is claimed that rebels and traitors should
meet with no punishment for their crimes,
hut on the contrary be received again toto
full fellowship, allowed all the rights and
privileges of a loyal eitiaan-anA EhS-hAs
always been true to his government. It is
needless to comment upon such an assump-
ton. It speaks for itself. Las
Again, BE supports the doctrine Of
ain o1her countries the relation of the
citizen or subject TO his government is sim-
ple and direct He owes allegiance to but
one government. Under our complex sys-
tenn every citizen owes allegiance TO two
governments. Before the. war every ciii.
2en owed allegiance to his State IS well IS
to the United States. He was bound ia
defend both. It was thus 8 double or di-
yided allegiance, with the line of demsr-
cation not very distinctly defined. When
therefore, g conflict occurred, 1t was not al
WAYS essy to determine the psth of duty,
or ssfe TO pursue it; for what was obedE
enee to the one might be treason against
the othef." rsia l1-sI.5 u-i
An this may seem very plausible TO an
uuthinkipg mind, but it appesrs to Us to be
very shallow course of reasoning The
sneaker apparently was more anxious q
find an excuse for his own past course than
to find the right path for his future con
duct. o. 5-f 515
He goes on to say that, having been citi-
zsns of the Confsderaey, and as the Con.
federscv has ceased to exist they are BOW
%citizsns of Virgins, soon TO become eiti-
zens of the United States. under certain
conditions, which do not appear In his
speech. and then he Gays: er %
GIGA State in its political capacity cannot
commit treason. Treason can only be
committed byindividuals and the penalties
can he inflicted on individuals only. How
.fsra State can throw the Aegis Of her pro-
lection over her citizens who acted under
her authority, will have to be settled here
after 21t 10 lstt Tn-
Mr.. Stewart has been s prominent Ooli.
ticisn in this State and was formerly 8
member Of Cor gress, some years eefOre
| the Wal. Although this was but q county
meeting, it is but right 70 .eoneluds that
the principles expressed are those OF the
greater part of the State, or OF the rebel
80 ~ loact