Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-02-26
"The FallacIeS OF Hope"

The more hopeful Democrats profess a
cheerful faith that the Republicans already
doubt" General Grant "They doubt
him they doubt him |" exclaimed Mr.. w.
w. Eaton, with great zeal, In the Connect
icut Democratic Convention; and the
doubt which he so vchcmently affirmed
appeared TO give Mr.. Eaton peculiar salts.
faction. And so also many of the chief
Democratic papers chuCkle with great de-
light at what they believe to he the signs
of the coming trouble between the new
President and the Republican party.
1t would seem, indeed, that the Demo.
cratic experience of the withdrawal of Mr.
johnson from his party, and the total
want of any substantial benefit in conse.
Quence to the hungry Democracy, should
be hardly inspiring enough to justify much
enthusiasm over the prospect of a similar
detection. The Democratic newspapers
toadied President johnson TO the utmost ;
but the World at last raid that there was
only one way in which he could prove
that his sentiments were truly sound, and
that was in bestowing the patronage upon
the faithful. Congress, however, present.
ed its little Tenure of Office bill, and now
not even the Connecticut Democracy, with
Mr.. James +. Babcock, the great original
Connecticut Johnsonian, at their head, has
so much as VI ord of sympathy or admi-
ration or regret for the retiring distributor
of the Constitution.
The next Democratic hope is, that Gen
eral Grant will initiate Andrew johnson.
Ho has not, indeed, hitherto shown re-
markable admiration for that example :;
but II is suggested that he is not party
President, that the Republican party was
compelled to take him, that he is not an
extreme man, that he has military train
ing-and, indeed, reasons are as plentiful
as blackberries when you have once made
up your mind that you must have them.
But at least there is one evident point OF
difference between these gentlemen. Grant
is reasonable and firm; johnson most de.
lightfully unreasonable and obstinate Ii
would be hard TO find anything more conf
cally absurd than his grave recommends
tion to Congress that, as the country had
now finally decided against his policy, Con
gress should now proceed to adopt il
That was worthy Of Sancho Panza II
Barataria
There is also another point Of difference
which is evident enough. Mr.. johnson
was a Border State Slavery politician o.
the poorest kInd-of so poor kind in
deed that there has always been grave
question whether his hot Unionism was
not quite as much hostility TO a certain
social class in his part of the coun,
try as their theory Of secession. The
war ana his position undoubtedly cast
glamour upon him under which he
was nominated by the Republicans in
1854. But he had never shown then
he certainly has never shown since, that
he understood in the least the controlling
cause of the war, and consequently what
ha 10 To
has been as stupidity contemptuous and
hostile toward the oolored population, TO
whom he proposed himselfas Moses, as
he has been dogmatic in urging his policy
upon the country. General Grant, mean
while, has supported Congressional recon
struction upon the proloundest conviction
that 1t was the most practicable plan.
But 1t is not in any specific point that
the baselessness of the hopes of our Demo
cratic friends is to be found. Gen. Grant
u, as the French would say, q political
child OF the war. He naturally takes the
view OF the situation that logically results
irom the war. The man is certainly very
foolish who doubts that Gen. Grants ad.
mlnistration will pursue the fundamental
nep9nhcan policy. II will defend the
equality OF civil and political rights under
.he Jaw. II will maintain the public faith
yoWsIa y.n everybody, freedmen and creditors.
~ WIN alu lne most vigorous possible re.
ugguon OF the public expenses It's spirit
WIN DC that Of charity toward all, of malice
Toward none: In doing this il will be
Simply carrying oat the principles pro
Claimed ny the Convention that nominated
the President, and in doing il. also cen
Grants administration will be in ths
truest sense Republican administrator
Sueh being, as everybody win admit
the undoubted policy Of the new admin