Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-10-03

ion and occupation. But the Republican party,
having more confidence in the people accepted
the issue and took up the gage OF battle.
During the struggle which ensued, 1t was con-
stantly accused by the opposition with mismanage-
ment and corrupt purposes. Was It proposed to
invade the nsurgent States and bring them TO feel,
by earnest war, the consequences OF rebellion, we
were told that would never dol that we must stand
on the outside OF these States, squeeze them gent
ly, and At the same time hold out to them olive
branches, Or In other words, "stoop. to conquer ="
Was II proposed that our army should live upon the
enemy's substance, II was declared that such pol
Icy would be nhunian treatment Of our brethren.
Was 1t proposed to make negro slaves contraband
OF war, and use them 10 cook and to carry KNAPP
sacks Tor tle soldiers, we were denounced as vio-
lators Of the Constitution. Was 1t proposed to
abolish slavery in States where rebellion existed,
we were met with yell OF rage and vituperation
at the bare suggestion OF this common sense prop
osluOn. Was IL proposed to make cOloted men
soldiers the army was advised to resist
any Introduction Of the colored element into
the soldiery OF the countryi while from almost ev-
cry Democratc mouth there were prophecies OF
dire calamities, defeats and humiliatlons. Was II
proposed to issue grpenbacks, to sell bonds, and
hnally to establish system OF National banks to
promote the financial operations OF the Govern
ment, all this was rdculed and opposed by the
Democracy. Finally, when the war closed In the
suppression Of the rebellion, and the capture OF
the rebel armies, this same reactonary element
opposed every step looking to the reconstruction
OF the rebel States. Was II proposed to disfran.
chse the leaders Of the rebellion, they were de-
cared the only element in the South fitted to re-
build the States they had so lately fought to de-
stroy Was Il proposed to enfranchise the black
loyast, this reactiOnhry party could find no words
strong enough to measure such an outrrge upon
constitutional government Was II proposed to
put down Ku-Kluxism, 1t declared to be an
infracton Of the constitutional rights OF the States.
Was it proposed to meet the National debt In ac-
cordapce with our contract Il was declared thus
was burden which the people would
never consent to bear. But the Republican
party met all this opposition, and with
out bluster or vndictiveness pursued the path OF
As ~ gn IL
justment, IL moved forward fearlessly and honestly
to their determination and settlement. II has Sc
cured to the country peace, good order and rea-
sonable prosperity. 1t has established q system
OF currency which Is equally safe and current
everywhere throughout the country and which,
with some additional features, giving It more OF
the expansiveness OF a free banking system, will
be the safest and best in the world. 1t has inau-
gurated new method of dealing with complex
only obtained for the sufferers by the Alabama
Sl5,LO0,O0O in money, but also maintained an hon
orablc peace, besides giving to the world, in the
Geneva arbitration, a model aud q principle by
which other nations may be guided in the future.
1t has succeeded in making treaty regulations with
other nations whereby the right Of expatriation
was acknowledged, so that the naturalized foreign
er may return to his former home without danger
or fear of mpressment INTO the armies Of his native
country. In short, will you tell me of a single
desirable thing in law or politics, coming up
az an Issue in the last fourteen years, which was
likely to promote our honor, prosperity, or happi-
ness as people, that has not been carried into
cHCCl anu lllhue u paFl Oh our hcpuOnCan history
This was acknowledged one year ago, by all the
opposition elements Of the country, when they UNI
dertOok to wipe out the past by formal indorse.
mcnt of all the principles which, prior TO that time
they had opposed, ridiculcd and denounced.
read from the Cincinnati and Baltimore platforms
I'VE recognize the equality OF all men before the
law, and hold that il Is the duty of the Govern
ment, in its dealings with the people, TO mete out
equal and exact Justice TO ALL of whatever nativi-
ity, race color, or persuasion, religious or politt
caln
1--WE Dledpe ourselves to maintain the union oi
these States, emancipation. and enfranChisement,
and to oppose any reopening Of the questions set
tied by the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth
amendments to the Constitution" Again:
The public credit must be sacrcdy maintained,
and we denounce repudiatOn in every form and
guise."
Here Is full acceptance so far as words are
equal to II, OF all the past policies of the Rcpubli
can party every item OF which had, up to that time
been opposed and condemned. This Endorsement
of the record of the Republican party, for the
twelve years Of its administration, OF course, i'm
piled that up to that time II had uniformly been
right upon all these vital and fundamental issues
while the Democratic party had uniformly beer
wrong. This would have been well enough If they
had dropped ii there by advising the scattered
remnants of the Democratic party TO vote the Re
publican ticket. But the bold insOlence Of which
this party Is capable and which for GOODNESS rises
into the region OF sublimity, is in the sequel
when the gentlemen, instead Of making this re-
cOmmcndation, say in effect, that Notwithstanding
the comparative merits of these two parties as
shown in their past history, still the Republican
party l. not wise and honest enough to administer
the government In the future, and It should there.
fore be turned over to them and the dissatisfied
Republicans who had reinforced them.