Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-08-11
PretensIons Of the Democratic Party.

THE leaders of the Democratic party in
sist that they only have a knowledge Of
the art of governing. That it is a great
mistake in the country TO keep them out
of control of the General Government
Their statesmen are skilled in the arts OF
diplomacy and statesmauship-ours only
buDglers They understand finance, and
the laws of trade. They have the correct
understanding of the Constitution, and
are better fitted than are the statesmen OF
the Republican party to defend its intog.
rity and translate its meaning to the world
These pretensions will not bear investi-
cation. The history of the party will not
bear them out, but, on the other hand
demonstrates their utter falsity. The dark
est days our country ever saw were under
Democratic rule. The commercial disas-
ters of 1887 and 1857 were under Demo
cratic administrations, and the legitimate
result Of carrying out Democratic views
of finance and trade. The results proved
the incapacity of the party to protect the
prosperity of the country, for a more gen
eral prOstration of the business energies
OF any country never took place than at
the periods we have indicated.
But the Democratic party claimed pecu-
liar wisdom in managing the great " sec
tional" controversy, as the struggle with
the domineering slave power was called
That policy consisted in every year sacri-
fiGing some additional interest of the free
North to the whims and tyranny of the
slave power. The end reached by that
policy was war instead of peace, and a
gaping gulf of disunion and civil wal
opened up before the country. That gull
closed only after millions of treasure and
many thousands of precious lives had been
thrown into it. A policy which weakene ed
instead of strengthening the government,
which distracted instead of uuitipg the
States at variance, which gave immunity
to rebels and put loyal men in peril, can
not be regarded as incontestable proof OF
capacity for governing the country.
But we need not look far back on the
page of history to see illustrations of
Democratic capacity for government. The
scenes which have transpired in the city
of New York show the lack both of prin.
Ciple and capacity which characterize the
leaders Of the party. Tammany determin-
ed that Orangomun should not be pro-
t cted In the enjoyment of their rights.
Mayor Hall issues his order accordingly.
Gov. Hoffman, so far as can be ascertained,
heard the counsel given-was a party 10
it-and then retired TO Albany to watch
the expressions of the popular feeling.
The outburst was different from what was
expected, and ne makes virtue of revok-
ing the order, and attempts TO win renoWn
by seemingly vigorous enforcement OF
the rights OF all citizens to the public
highways. The New York World, anx-
ious as it is TO save its party, says the
whole affair was "botehed." If the party
had had the principle to adopt the policy
from q conviction that it was right. and
then had had the courage TO abide by it,
no lives need have been sacrificed on Wea-
nesday last. But these are precisely the
qualities the party lacks. 1t follows no
principle, but shortsighted eXpedicncy.
1t acts with a view to secure present ad-
vantage to itself, and not for an honest
administration of the law. The Demo
cratic party had no one to blame but itself
for the disorder and bloodshed of Wednes.
day, the 18th of June. Had it possessed
the capacity to govern the country the
scenes of that day had never occurred.
We conclude, therefore, that he must be
blind indeed who can be drawn to support
the Democratic party with the expectation
that the country will be better governed
than it has been by the Republicans
I0LeiO Blade