Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-06-23
A Little History.

THE action of the Ohio Democratic
Convention ends, for that State, chapter
OF political history in this country which
every man who wishes to vote wisely
should carefully study. In the year 1860
the Democratic party was dominant in the
Union Its great policy was the denial OF
the fundamental American doctrine of
equal human rights, and, under the plea of
State sovereignty, the confirmation and
perpetuity of human slavery.
The rise of the Republican party was the
protest of the national conscience against
this monstIous policy. The protest be-
and resolute of the Democratic chiefs, fore
seeing the ultimate catastrophe of their
course brought on the war of the rebellion.
Tne mass of the Northern Democrats de-
nounced the Republicans as morally re-
sponsible for the war by their unconstitu-
tional hostility to the extension of slavery,
while some individuals like Butler, Dick
inson, and others, cordially supported CO.
ercion.
But during the whole war the steady
opposition to every necessary measure of
war proceeded from the Democratic party.
1t called the war wicked, fratricidal, and
unnecessary. 1t derided the President
with every'epithet of contempt. 1t nomi-
mated notorious Copperheads for Office in
the various States. In Connecticut its
candidate for Governor was the well
known Mr.. Seymour of that State. In
Ohio it nominated Mr. Vallandgham, who
had so openly espoused the cause of the
rebellion that he was sent beyond the
Union lines. In New York it elected
Horatio Seymour, who melted the july
riots of 1853 Everywhere and always II
paralyzed action and demOralized opinion,
until In 1854 it solemnly declared the war
failure, and demanded surrender to the
rebellion. Meanwhile the faithful and
patriotic citizens of the Union stood fast
and united against the cannon of the rebels,
and the moral support of those cannon
offered by the Democratic party, and un-
conditionally subdued the rebellion.
Then came Mr.. johnson and his treach.
cry. He denounced Republican legisla-
tion, and the Democrats supported him.
declaring the whole Republican recon.
struction, as they had declared the Repub-
hcan conduct OF the war, to be unconsIitu.
tional, revolutionary, and void. Embold-
ened by the possibility Of their ascenden-
cy, the smothered feelings in the South.
ern States showed itself in the massacres
al New Orleans and Memphis, and the
loyal people of the country seeing these
- N.N ASeAAhS CSilloCidllC hpeeCl6B
and resolutions, closed their ranks and
elected General Grant.
AT last, perceiving that the people of
tne United States have repudiated the ira
di.ions, the opinions, the policy, the can
didates, the spirit, of the Democratic
party, some of its leaders are trying to do
the same, in the hope that when every
thlng distinchVely Democratic has disap-
peared, the people may not be unwilling
10 trust party which retains only
the name. The ohio Democratic Con-
Vention, therefore, under the presidency of
a gentleman who was in favor of seces. !
sion, has nominated for Governor a sol |
dier OF the fratricidal and unconstitutional
war and at the instance of another gen
ueman, who wished to surrender 10 the |
rebellion in 1854, and who declared Repub. |
Ican reco4struclion revolutionary and |
void In 1868 resolves that Republican re'
construction is valid and must be enfore.
ed. Yet even this action was by no means !
unaslmons; After a stormy struggle, a
Tots Yves 800 yeas against 1870 nays.