Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-09-08

ledo Journal. We give editorial prominence to
the one below, from the fact that the greater
portion OF it has local application that could /
not be improved on had il been written for this
county
No other nation has our opportunities. Our
fOreathers, at great sacrifice laid the foundation
of this republic, broad and deem, in purity JUS
tce and freedom. We have only to keep those
fundamental principles in the ascendOncy, to
preserve our government and render II the great
bacon light the worlds struggling nations,
tossed by the tempests Of foreign war, but in
greater danger of wreck on tile Scylla Of an
archy or the Chary bdis Of tyranny. Our great
peril Is war, foreign or intesne-the first charge
able to the avarce of our neighbours the second
n corruption. Twice have we been thus tried
in the war of 1912, and in that Of the rebellion
just closed. The former could not probably
have been nverted the latter never would have
been, had We not sacrificed principle for policy
In republic government at least two and
sometimes three political parties are necessity
Power engenlers corruption, and party long in
power becomes dishonest or rather its leaders
do, and they care more for s,lf aggrandizement
country. Siatesmnship isa profound science,
AMI when triekery has to be met, carrying the
theory into practice, successfully. is too difficult
for human wisdom and courage. party in
power constantly tends to corruption A party
out Of power has the advantage Of criticism and
promise Of improvement. When such party
however, has once become corrupt from having
been previously long time in power, its as
sauts and declarations of reform are forcibly
and for a while success fully opposed by referring
10 its former extravaglucs and treachery. Then
the masses ofthe people, always honest groun
down by onernus taxation, become restive low
murmers of dissatisfaction deepening to angry
grows, are heard and though partisan leaders
may for a time. by vigorous use ofthe whip
keep them IN the traces these honest citizens, the
bone and sinew of the land, will at length ri 81
/ in their might anl hurl the deuagi;ues from
| power. Meanwhile there W i'll be tendency t,
| the formation Of a third party, whose beginnings
small so long as the cry, 1--WE must stick to ou
party" avails, will grow until the better por
tions of the other two parties join 1t aud carry
into power. Then it in turn will becom corrup
aud must give place to another.
have said that the people as a whole are
honest but the leaders are corrupt. The hon
esty of the masses is the hope Of a free govern
mem bat unaccustelnsd to the wles of dema.
gogues. they are easily led by shrewd few il
whom they have confidence. The reason par
ties become corrupt, is not that the rank and fil
lose their principles. but because the leader
fuisted into Po wer through loud professions o
honesty and patriotism, avail themselves Of tn
advantage to Gil their pockets. The truth J.
that these leaders are unprincipled, and woul,
as soon join one party as another, but Away;
found in the popular party. Once let party
begin to crumble and let it become evident tina
he office Of trust and emoument are passin.
to another then you will see the leaders leave
it as rats hasten from a sinking ship. Thel
will whine around the members of the new party
and swear they have always really held tn
same principles, but circumstances have KEEP
them from advocating them. Circumstances
indeed Bnt the saddest thing of it all is tha
the people, easily deceived, will admit thes
demagugues into their contiien Just as tn
farmer took the frozen viper into his bosom t
warm it to life, and as the ungrateful rephl
stung its benefactor, so will these unprinciplet
leade rs be.ray those who have trusted them
A s proof that political leaders are thus unprin
ciple need only cito my readers to the shodd
con tractors during the late war-m~ - L. ~
liberately cheated those that we're perling hei
life in their couutry's defence, a nd now live i
ease and luxury On the ayails Of their mea
treachery We hear much about Rings, bu
how few know their real character. Just nov
aud for some time past the people Of this count
and the TIaes Of this city have Denounced wha
is called the Court II use. Ring II is a cnmbi
nation of our present county officers tp retain 20
sition as long as the law allows and 'hen sur
render Il into the hands Of their friends, ais
members os the Ring. or course, you say, thi
is Republican Ring There is just where yo'
are blind my dear uns Inspecting fellow citizen
The Court House Ring comprises both Demo
rats and Republicans. The centerof this com
bination is the County Treasury. and though th
o flee is now held by a Republican, Democrat
are using no small portion of the money. ;
strong is this Ring that if tie Democrats com
into power it will still control the Treasury
Until the masses see this thing in its true ligh
and break up the Ring, few men will continue
to nmass wealth, while the people are groaniul
under a burden of taxation too grieyous to be
born.
AN INCIDENT WITH ITS tgsslN
y l.