Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-09-29

vention, like the whole history OF the
party, shows that the Southern element
il still the really controlling force OF the
party, and would prevail in the next Con-
yention or breed fatal discord. Either re-
suit would be disastrous, and therefore
that element think Mr.. Thompson and
Judge Nicholson had better stay at home,
Nor will the shallow Interpolation of the
new departure as a mere declaration of &C
complisned facts probably affect the
Southern sentiment 1.-THE amendments,'
IL is alleged by the Northern advocates of
the new policy, "have been declared by
the proper authority parts of the Constitu-
ton. 1t is idle, therefore, to dispute 1t.
We must make our fight upon their ad-
ministration, upon the way in which they
are to be enforced This is the true
Democratic ground" But the Southern
reioinder is conclusive, that according to
the Democratic theory the declaration of
the amendments is part OF the usurpation; T;
that they have never been properly
adopted; that they ere therefore totally
invalid; and that the true Democratic
ground is tine authorized declaration OF The
whole party that the entire system OF re-
construction, of which the amendments
are the security, Is usurpation, uncon-
stilutional and void.
The subterfuge of the method Of en-
| forcement does not deceive the Southern
| Democrats. "Since we have declared the
thing to be enforced unconstitutional and
void" they say, "why do you try to cozen
us with rhetoric about the methods OF en-
| forcementp" They are not wise, and they
| do not comprehend the situation, but they
are consistent. The Northern Democrats
do understand the situation, and perceive
that it requires them to be inconsistent.
They know that the people mean TO sus-
tain the Republican reconstruction. That
cannot be disturbed, and therefore any
psrty which hopes for success must profess
acuuiescence. The fatal difficulty of the
new departure Is that the Southern Dem
ocrats don't understand it, and the North
ern Democrats don't believe it. A few
persons in that party have at last discov-
cred that the legitimate ground OF party
difference IN a free government is admin
Istration. But difference as to the nature
of the government itself Is revolutionary.
When the question is, who rightfully holds
the purse and the sword, not how shall
they be used, there are breakers ahead.
English history shows it, and our own his
tory proves it. The Virginia and Ken
lucky resolutions of 1898 were the politi-
cal dogmas of the Democratic party, and
| they led, logically, TO the war. Inc new
York Tammany resolutions of 1868, de
claring part of the Constitution void, are
no less revolutionary
If, therefore, the Democratic party
would return within the legitimate con
stitutional sphere of difference, it must re
scind these resolutions. 1t may, if i
chooses, declare that in case of success II
would propose other amendments nulliiy
ing them but ii it proposes to contest the
validity of the Constitution, it may spare
itself trouble and expense, for it is already
defeated. This is what the Southern
wing neither SEES nor believes, and there
fore its leaders advise its absence from thu
Convention, that the revolutionary ele
ment which 1t represents may bide it
time But if this advice should be disre
garded-as it undoubtedly will be-if th'
Southern Democrats come to the Conven
ton and quietly follow the lead of thei
Northern associates, will it be politica
combination to which the government an'
welfare of country recently saved from
the sane hands can be safely intrusted =
Hqrpsr's Weekly.