Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1868-08-21
Views OF a Democratic Leader.

That some of those who tried to destroy
the Union and the Government to save
slavery may have been sincere may be ad-
mitted. But that those whose only feeling
is profound regret and modification at
their failure, who still believe In the right
of secession, and the excellence of slavery,
and who frankly acknowledge that they
do not despair of the cause, should be in
trusted with the Government of the
United States, is absurd. A man like
General Longstreet, who honestly de.
clares that he thought his view correct,
that he submitted to the decision of
the sword, that the sword decided
against him, that he yields to the decision
and will make the best of it, is man whom
everybody can respect and trust. So one,
like Wade Hampton, who announces that
although worsted in the field he yet hopes
to make his cause triumphant, may be re-
spected for his frankness, but he is to be
trusted in politics exactly as torch may
be trusted in powder magazine.
Now Wade Hampton Is a representa-
tive of the Democratic leaders in this cam
paign in the Southern States. The spirit
of his speeches is that which animates the
supporters of Seymour and Blair. He is,
as the New York World declares, the sue.
cessor of Calhoun in the affections of
South Carolina--the word South Carolina
being used to describe those inhabitants of
the State who hold Calhoun's nulliflca-
ton and secession theories. Upon his way
to New York, as delegate TO the Demo.
cratic Convention, General Hampton
proudly proclaimed his unfaltering faith
in the final success of the rebellion. In
the Convention he was placed upon the
Committee on the platform, and he added
to it words describing the reconstruction
acts as revolutionary, unconstitutional
and void" and he says that every single
member of the Committee warmly ap
proved and declared that they would carry
out those words TO the end At rati
fication meeting in Ne# York before he
left General Hampton proposed that il
there were majority of white votes
which he thought might be obtained, an
opinion in which the Kuklux Klan agrees
then Seymour and Blair were to be put
into the White House at the point of the
bayotiet.
Upon his way home General Hampton
spoke in Baltimore. His speech was an
expression Of ardent admiration and SYM
pathy for Maiylandets who, like Marshal
Kane, took arms upon the rebel side.
These were "the brave and true men OF
that immortal army. Reaching Charles
ton he was received by his friends of the
Democratic party with enthusiasm. The
speech he made was glowing rhapsody
in honor of State rights, and boundless
eulogy of the men who, with him, had
fought against their country. Speaking OF
the recreant soldier who, with conscious
ialsehood, announced that the battle cry OF
the Union soldiers was Booty and
beauty" Wade Hampton exclaimed; $50
long as patriotism, Constancy and valor
are esteemed the wondrous story of her
| (Chafleston's) defense will stir the hearts
of brave men, and noble women will teach
their children TO lisp the name of Beaure
gard" The whole speech is conceived In
the intehsest spirit Of devotion to South
1 Carolina as OPPOSED to the United States
/ There is not a thought, an emotion, WORD
in il which is not inspired by the old Soutl
Carolina provincial jealousy OF the UnioI
and devotion to CalhOun's doctrine o
supreme State sovereignty. AS for th,
colored citizens, this chivalric gentleman
saws plainly let them vote for Seymour
and Blair or starve. agree among your
selves, and act firmly ON this agreement
that you will not employ any one who
votes the Radical ticket. Use all thu
/ means that are placed in your hands tC
| control this element" The next morning
/ General Hampton repeated the substance
of the speech, saying that he still had thu
/ torn flag which his comrades had loved 81
well and defended 80 CALAMITY, and HI
would cherish it until they had Stat'
again.
Is this the kind of talk which becomes
those who, when the country requires
peace above all things, aspire to direct thu
governments After our experience Of thu
last seven years do we want Calhoun
again and his theories and measures Ye
this Is what the Democratic party proposes
Again, as for years before the war, thu
inhuman purposes and impracticable con
ceits of aristOcratic Visionaries control il
councils. They were always the bane
they have lately been the tragedy, of oul
politics. Those who would restore Cal
houn and trample upon the graves o
loyal soldiers-who would justify Wad'
Hampton's rebellion and abandon fou
millions of loyal people to unimaginabl
sufiering-will do as Wade Hampton ad
vises, and vote for Seymour and Blair
Those who are convinced that Calhoun
was the most fatal enemy of the principle
of the Union, and who are resolved tha
the enormous expense Of money and O
life in the war shall have gained some
thing, will now throw their votes, a
four years ago they raised their prayers
for Grant, liberty, and peace,-Hdrper'
Weekly