Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-07-20
Repeating a Fatal Blunder.

He must be very dull student of po.
litical history who cannot read in the
progress of events in Mississippi and the
other States of the South in which the
opposition to Democracy is gradually
disappearing, leaving to that party the
uDobstructed possession of power, event
ually disastrous results to the organiza-
ton whose affairs seem to be going ON so
swimmingly. The South was never so
weak as when it seemed strongest and
most united; the end of slavery never so
near and so sure as when its defenders
and advocates, in the arrogance of pow
err and with the assurance of certain sue
cess, began to demand, not merely nom
interference, but the extension and
spread over new territory of their pecul
lar institution. The North was never
unit until the continued encreachments
of united South and the increasing de-
mands of Southern statesmen forced her
into a position of defense; nor even then
was the North so thoroughly united as
the opposing section, for the party which
carried solid South divided the North.
ern States with an opponent which could
not poll, and was not permitted to poll,
hundred votes south of Mason and Dix
On's line. Never were the prospects of
a party fairer for uninterrupted power
than when the Democracy held all the
South beyond dispute and without Oppo-
sitiOn, and made an equal fight for as.
tendency in nearly all the Northern
States. 1t will be well for those who to-
day are counting upon the return of the
Democratic party to power through the
means of South so solid and united
that throughout its whole extent, as now
in Mississippi, no organized opposition
can be found, to remember what came of
precisely such a condition of affairs in
1855, when the new party to which it
gave rise took first shape.
History on such lines as this does re-
peat itself. 1t is no less sure than that
effect follows cause. 1t is the absolutely
certain logic of events. No element of
chance enters into 1t, for it is the opera
tion of natural laws which cannot be
overcome or turned aside. Leaving out
of the question the consideration of diff
fering climates, productions, forms of in
dustry, elements of growth, material re-
sources and popular habits and customs,
which might enter into a philosophical
analysis of the political problem, the
relative population of the two sections
is the conclusive factor in a sectional
contest which gives to such an issue the
certainty of mathematical demonstra-
ton. The political action which, in Mis-
sissippi and other Southern States, abol-
ishes opposition and sways the whole
voting population with one of the two
great parties which divide the North, is
i. =. s,s, IL IL kn,
tried once already, with the most disas-
trous results. 1t cannot be undertaken
now, or ever again hereafter, with any
thing like the chances for success it had
from 1856 to 1861. For then the South
had something like pretext for its ac'
tion in the defense of its peculiar insti-
tuition, and the need of union in com.
mon cause. To-day they are forming a
purely sectional party upon a purely
sectional basis, with no, not even the
flimsiest, pretense of pretext. The
party they unite against is the same they
fought before, but they were soon beaten
on the issue; and upon their pTetense of
having accepted in good faith the results
of the war they have been treated with
magnanimity, and have accepted at the
hands of the victors fayors for which
common decency to say nothing of graf
itude, should dictate some other return
thaa sullen and malignant hate. That
they have no reasonable ground of hostil-
ity to the party in power, certainly none
such as would justify this solid sectional
array against it, is attested by the very
fact that they are able to take such an
attitude. The South is deprived of no
right or privilege that any Northern State
enjoys, nor are any of her rights in danger
of attack or meddlesome interference.
They have their own sweet will in every
thing, and no one interferes or offers to-,
There is no ground whatever for section
alism in politics; nothing to excuse a
sectional issue or justify Solid South.
Against a Solid South there is soon to
be Solid North; not so perfectly united
as the South, perhaps; that is not neces-
sary; but solid enough and firm enough
to possess the Government. 1t will be
stronger than in 1861; stronger for the
prestige of past success, the enlarged ex-
perience of added years, increased cont.
dence in its own resources, and the con-
sciousness of having earned power hon
estly, and used it worthily. The small
margin by which the Democrats carried
two or three Northern States in 1876 will
crumble away the instant such a sectional
issue is presented as that which the
South seems anxious To invite. These
majorities were given by voters who were
actuated by the desire TO have the South