Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-05-05
Drifting.

Luz A4EtGldlQ HtTQtN III 6l CulLQTldl Ol
its issue of the 10th ult, has an article with
this title, upon the perils of the Union
After describing the Unian during the late
rebellion, and its beginning and end, under
the old figure Of the ship of state, the
articles closes thus:
again tie ship is in peril, and this
time from a different cause. Five years
ago imbecility and uGfaithfulness brought
the danger. Now it is obstinacy and want
of confidence. Pilot and offers are both
anxious to putthe ship on the right course,
but they differ as to which way that lies.
There is a difference in their reckoning
and neither care to compare figures and
adjust the differences. The pilot, honest,
rugged, and determined. puts the helm
hard up in one direction; the officers,
mostly honest, faithful, and determined in
the correctness of their views, order the
yards brsced in another direction. The
bulk of the crew, unable to tell where
their duty and the safety of the ship lie,
stand helpless, whilst the ship is slowly,
bat steadily ard surely, drifting back into
the very pcrils from which it has so re-
Gently emerged.
Taken up with their " quarrels
neither pilot nor officers see clearly the
dangers that menace them. Each accuses
the other Of periling the ship, whilst in
truth neither intends to place her in
danger.
"The people, whose all IS at stake, see
the peril and its cause. They appeal TO
pilot and officers, TO President and Con-
gress, to cease their differences and act
with unity of purpose. Both are honest
in purpose, but have errors and are per-
sistent in their errors. Whilst the people
cordially approve many Of the principles
held by the President and by Congress,
they do not 90 to all the lengths Of
either, and are impatient at tie obstinacy
of side or the other which prevents
the helm and the sail acting in unison.
and which leaves the ship of State, with
her priceless cargo, 10 drift once more
among rocks and shoals"
We confess that we aregrowing tired of
and impatient with the apologiSts of the
President, who desire to be Republicans.
These luke warm ones, who are neither
cold nor hot, who would not offend the
President-the dispenser of offices-and
who dare not break with the Union party,
have talked enough of this nonsense.
They ought to be old enough TO know
from wrong, and knowing it, they
ought TO have the moral courage to DO
right OF the hardihood to say thew are
willing to dothe wrong-for what they can
make out of it. This confessing a little
for johnson, go as to accuse Congress of a
great deal, is an old disguise so much
worn that it will cover the shame of TAX
ing sides with this recreant from his party
and the principles he was elected to main
tain. The simple question for any honest
man is: Is Congress, in its radical posi-
sion, right or wrong? If right, what is
our duty but TO stand by it2 Can we
compromise in a question of Justice?
What is there that the President demands
Congress to yield hat they ought to
yield Viii some Of his apologists tell
US? The truth is, that the President has
backslid from the professions he made
when he was nominated, and which secur-
ed his nomination, and so far as he has de
parted to the wrong, what is TO be ac-
complished by following him. How can
we harmonic with him, and not also be
traitors to principie2 1t is a light matter
to talk Of settling differences if they are
merely personal but when the differences
involve great moral questions they are too
grave to be disposed of in that way. Then
mast choose sides; and if "Baal be
God follow him, but if the Lord be God
him." The people understand
this, and they will again take the right
side, as they had done before. Taking
up this figure of the ship of State-its
is priceless indeed and the people
appreciate it. 1t is made up of all that
s dear to the social man-his right to
life, liberty and property-all that the
Fathers fought for, and all for Which, the
Union army fought, bled and triumphed,
n the past four years s.ruggle-for which
every loyal household has given its
acriiee-the high purpose of striking the
from four millions, and securing
.ivil rights to all, calling up a man from
he dungeon of every slave, and making
he Declaration of Independence a prac-
zeal verify. These are the precious
hings that the President would fritter
-own to a mere political bagatelle, and
asst them aside to propitiate the rebels
nd their friends. And these are the
goods the loss of which the
would fain hazard, rather than de-
ounce the wrong-doer in power; and for
which it hesiiates TO take sides with the
light. 1t is time that we consider the
sues before US, and promptly condemn
be wrong, and him who persistently does
be wrong.