Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-06-28

ious, are headed up in barrels and rolled
alive into the Mississippi or hung upon
tho nearest tree, and all because they en-
terrain sentiments obnoxious to the peO-
pie among whom they dwell. Ny blood
boils when l think of these horrid reali-
ties. But no Southern voice on the floor
of Congress is raised against these fright
full evils. No ingenious mia has discov-
cred that they are outrages upon the peo-
pie of the North, and in utter violation Of
spirit and letter of the Constitution. If
it has come to this, that the rights of an
American citizen are safer in Austria or
Algiers than in the South-thst they can
not be protected by our government, and
the wicked perpetrators Of these wrongs
be brought to justice, then ask of me no
concessions or compromise, nor talk any
more of Southern complaints orgrievanees.
Here is a grievance more weighty than
any other. Here is something that effects
the rights of the ,ehite men to life, liber-
ty and the pursuit of happiness. Let the
South secure these to our people before she
asks of us any new compromises or con-
c~essions.
But the plea that Fugitives escape is, so
far as the cotton States are concerned, of
no avail. South Carolina has scarcely
suffered the loss of a single slave. The
Border States may make such an excuse,
for they have suffered; but dissolution will
be no cure for the evil. The safety of tho
institution of slavery rests upon the con-
~tinuance of the Unton, When the Unioa
is broken, slavery is on the high road to
destruction. 1t is too late in the Nine
tenth Century to attempt to found a gov
rnmen that shall be lasting ,upon,t the
basis of human slavery The civilized
world will regard the attempt with abb
h~orrence.
Ideny, then, that the n~on-eXecutiOn of
the fugitive slave law is regarded as a
serious excuse for dissolution. Equally
idle is it to claim that the personal liber-
ty bills" of the North are regarded by the
South as any serious impediment to tho
continuance of the Union. If such laws
are unconstitutional, they are absolutely
null and void; and if any citizen feel
himself aGgrleved by them he has full
liberty to test the question of their consti-
tutionality before the. proper tribunals.
l agree that if any such laws exist that
are in violation of the supreme law, they
should be repealed, and we will use all
our influence to secure that end. But l
regard thet state as but a poor apology
for a sovereign power that cannot and
will not protect its citizens in their right
to life, liberty and property. No one
can deny that laws for the Protection of
our citizens against kidnapping are abso-
lutely necessary. 1t is within the history
of our state that men, women and
children, guiltless of wrong and free as
the winds, but cursed with a fdarkened
skim have been carried away into hope
less bondage, and been sold like brutes of
the field. Ohio has suffered terribly in
this manner, and at this moment is en-
gagged in an attempt to recover her citi-
gems from the South who have been
prored 10 be free, but yet are now suffer
ing all the evils and cruelties of slavery.
1 claim, then, that the personal liberty
bills also give no real groinds for a dis
solution of the Union.
The last excuse given by the South is,
that we are attempting to deprive them
of their share in the common territory of
the nation.
l freely admit that the victory we have
Just wonI was upon the basis of the non-
extension of slavery in the territories, and
l am for standing By our eolors, to nisiA-
tain this principle till the last legal effort
has been made, and defeated. But even
at this point W. propose 10 violence
seek no resistance to law. The decision
of the Supreme Court must stand until
an enlightened opinion shall demand its
repeal. To effect its repeal shall be one of
the aims of my life. But if the decision
must remain-if in all our vast posses
sions there is not one spot where slavery
is not sanctioned by law, then We will be
compelled to submit. Our victory will
not make one hair white or black. But,
please God, 1 do not believe it to be with
law and if the Union of these States can
only be maintained by adding a clause to
the Constitution, recognizing and LegaListtg
slavery in the territories, then by no act
or deed of mine snail it be held together
for a moment. We will stand with the
fathers and founders of this Government
upon that question, and if necessary APP
peal to the God of battles TO defend oiir
decision.
Unless, then, the people of The South
would have been dissatisfied with the ac-
ton of the trainers of our goUernnaeHt,the
cannot quarrel with us. We stand where
they stood, and our motto is, 1.-THE Union,
the Constitution, and the enforcement of
the laws If we cannot hold the Union
together under this flag, nothing car
save it.
1 am opposed, then, to this Commission,
or at this time TO any concession or COM
promise, because 1t looks like 'buying the
privilege of taking possession of the gov
eminent to which we have a constitutional
right" l am opposed to compromises, be-
cause l believe at this time they are en-
tortcd by fear and coercion. 1 believe
the people havepassed upon this question,
and their choice must be Obeyed and re-
spected.
For nearly %acentury we have lived under
the present constitution. So mild and
beneficent has been our federal govern
ment, that We scarcely knew of its exis-
tence except by benefits derived. Like
the dews of heaven, its blessings have
fallen on the just and on the unjust. We
have grown to be a great, powerful and
mighty nation, and a few weeks ago were
the wonder and admiration of the world.
Is it now to fall to pieces and its sun 60
down forever l believe not, and for
one say it shall not. Let us stand by our
rights under the Constitution. Let us
not be driven from the straight line of
duty and honor by threats of violence
and bloodshed. We desire 10 coerce no
State-to conquer none of our brethren.
God Forbid But if traitors seize upon
property-if lawless men outrage the
laws, and trample upon our rights
if sacriligious hands are to be laid
upon our Capital, and force is to be used
TO prevent the peoples choice from assum-
the duties of his Office, then l say let
the Government protect it.elf, before it
falls below contemplate its mighty
power be felt to sustain the majesty of the
Constitution and the laws.
So long, then, as the South retains its
attitude, l can see no hope from
compromises or concessions. They desire
none that we a possibly grant. When
shall have been peaceably inau-
and after the people of the South
nave an opportunity of witnessing the be-
levolence and wisdom of his rule, then, if
hey are still dissatisfied with the govern
nent and desire to leave it, l will agree TO
7ote for a convention that shall take into
consideration and redress, il possible,
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