Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-07-14
The Northern and Southern DcmOc-
rACye


TIE fact that Mr.. Alexander II. Ste
phcns has become the editor of the At
lanta San, and distinctly rcpudiates the
new departure of his party, is but another
illustration of the serious division of that
party. Mr.. Stephens is Democrat who
has proved his Democracy by his conspic-
uous fidelity to the rebellion. He is Dem
ocrat whose Democracy is not questioned.
He is a Democrat who announces that he
stands upon the national platform of his
party promulgated only three years ago.
He is also by general consent a politician
of experience and ability. He is unques-
tionably more powerful and acknowl-
edged Democratic leader than any who
has yet declared for the new departure
He can not be contemptuously silenced
by sneer of "a burned. out rocket" And
when he returns TO the political field and
states his position distinctly, he may not
represent majority of the votes of his
party, but he does represent its traditional
principles and policy, and the latest and
most authoritative declaration of them and
it may fairly be supposed that he repre-
sents also the real convictions of his party
In his own section of the country. Mr.
Stephens denies that the recent amend
ments to the Constitution are valid, and,
recalling their denunciation as usurpations
of the Democratic party of 1853, he adds,
T" No people devoted to constitutional
law need ever expect to secure rectihca
tion of admitted usurpations of power by
accepting them as accomplished facts, and
granting in advance complete absolution
te the perpetrators of them"
When, therefore, the New York World,
in the face of such declaration by one of
the most conspicuous, and certainly the
ablest, of Southern Democrats, says that
Northern Democrats deny, as they have
always denied, the right of secession, and
"Southern Democrats accept the situa-
tion," its remarks need only fidelity to the
| fact to be effective. If, as probably many
of its own party would seriously question,
the World may assume to speak for North
ern Democrats, there is no question that
Mr.. Stephens may speak for the Southern.
And when he, and Jefferson Davis, and
the Mobile Register, and other acknowl.
edged Southern Democratic leaders and
organs declare emphatically that they do
not accept the situation, it is in vain that
the World declares that they do.
And the Northern Democratic accept
ance of the situation in the new departure
is very we'll defined by Senator Sherman
in his speech at the Ohio Convention. 1t
admits the amendments, but opposes the
laws for their enforcement. tits the coun-
terpart of the Democratic acquiscence in
the war, with opposition to the measures
necessary to carry it on. So that the ex.
act Democratic situation is this: Some ol
the Northern Democrats profess acquies
cence in the amendments, and Immediately
proceed to qualifications and explanations
which leave everything in doubt; while
the chief Southern Democrats declare that
they cling to the last national platform Of
their party, and regard the amendments as
usurpations, and void. These are the opin
ians, distinct upon one side, obscure
and suspicious upon the other, which
will divide the Democratic Nationa
Convention as did the Democratic STATE
Convention in Ohio. And as the party
placed General Mcclellan upon their sur
render Chicago platform in 1864, and Nj
Seymour, who had professed hostility t
reputation upon their repudiating plat
form in 1863 and General McCook, who
virtually spurned the amendments, upoI
the new departure platform in Ohio, SO
following the same practice, the Conven
ton of 1872 will probably pronounc,
vaguely for acquiescence, and then nomi
nate candidate who does not acquiesce.
The important fact for all American citi
zens who are looking for stability and re
lease from the questions which the wa
virtually settled is that the Democratic
party is still torn by desire to cling tC
the old issues as all that remains of thei
traditional policy. While some Northern
organs and conventions vociferously shou
that all is settled Southern organs quite
; as authoritative, contemporary retort tina
nothing is settled Is this party to com
mand the confidence and support of hon
est men who are resolved that, as slavery
is abolished, all taint of slavery in Law
and customs shall also disappear? and that
as the political excuse for the rebellion
was the doctrine of State sovereignty, tn,
sovereignty of States to defeat the nation
al will shall be as effectually abolished a
slavery Weekly.