Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1878-04-26
Down With the Union sOldier-Up With
the Confederate.


situation, when the South dominated
the Democratic party and so absolutely
controlled public affairs. During that
period, embracing the growth of slav-
cry ideas in the legislative, judicial and
executive branches of the Government,
every attempt in Congress to stay the
aggressive tide was met with the most
arrogant defiance OF both language and
acts; and whenever Northern Demo-
crat, more conscientious and less sub
servient than the majority of his fell
lows, dared to protest, however hum
bly,, he was unceremoniously kicked
and cuffed out of the party sanctuary.
The denunciation and abuse of MEM
bers of the majority-Whigs and Abo-
litionists-did not stop with mere
words. The vocabulary of sneers,
taunts and threats being exhausted, and
the offender still protesting, there were
bullies at hand to waylay him in the
street, or even in the halls of Congress,
as in the case of Sumner, and beat him
into enforced silence, If not into mental
acquiescence. But, during the whole
course of this shameless history, there
was never a time when the Democratic
DdilN UdO uOl " SHY ~ III
Congress with discernment enough to
foresee the ruin to which it was hurry
ing and courage enough to predict such
impending destruction. The rigid pro-
scription practiced against this class,
however, quickly drove them into the
opposition, and, in conjunction with
Wings and Abolitionists, they subse-
quently became the founders of the Re-
publican party. The Doorkeeper con-
test disclosed all the distinguishing
characteristics observable in the old
conflicts between the slavery propagan-
dists and the advocates of freedom and
equal rights. There was the same dis
position to force upon the minority the
most Objectionable ex-Confederate Cen
eral that was shown by the ante-bellum
Democracy to force upon the Wings
and Abolitionists the most offensive leg
islation that could be framed as the
Fugitive-Slave law. In urging Field,
the old Democratic dictatorial, domi-
neering spirit was largely displayed.
Mr.. Clymer said: 81 do not propose,
as member of the majority, that he
(Gen. Butler) shall dictate who shall
be our officers" And he added: "We
are neither to be controlled nor fright
ened, and when the gentleman appeals
to me and to others from Pennsylvania,
| tell him that the red flag which he at
tempts to flaunt in our eyes has no ter
ror for me- What Mr.. Clymer is
pleased to call the Haunting of 'red
flag" was merely an appeal to Demo
Gratis to vote for a lifelong Democrat,
the hero of two wars, both for his coun-
try, as against another Democrat, the
hero of one war, but war of rebellion
against his country, at whose expense
he had been specially educated to fight
her battles.
In one respect tie late contest was
quite unique. So absolute is the con.
troll of the ex-Confederates over the
Democratic party in the House that
not single member dared open his
mouth in support of the claims of Gen.
Shields. One Democrat-Springer, Oi
Illinois-more polite if not more patri.
otic than the rest, saved his record by
voting for the brave old man who
fought on the Union side and against
the man who fought on the rebel side
during the late war. But it was si
lent vote. Springer, disgusted at the
stupidity of his party management, il
not ashamed of its want of patriotism
voted for Shields, but he had not the
courage of its convictions; he dared moi
raise his voice in support of his old po
litical and personal friend, or in denun,
citation of the folly of his associates ir
discriminating so pointedly in favor Of
an ex-rebel only two months reclotheC
with the rights of citizenship, anC
against veteran soldier of the Repub
| lie! This feature of the contest show,
| conclusively that the ex-Confederatf
members of the present Congress exer
| else more absolute control over theil
fellows of the North than that exer
cised over Northern members of the
| Democratic party by Southern mem
bers in ante-bellum times. This is {
startling proposition, but it is true; anC
| it shows what the country may expec
in the event of the accession of tn,
Democratic party to supreme power il
| Government affairs.
1t now controls the lower house o
! Congress. 1t is sure soon to contrO
the upper house. Shall it be allowed
to secure the Presidency in 1880? Thi
is the question of paramount impor
tance, not alone of 1880, but of to-day
In view of this possibility, it is tim,
that senseless wrangling should ceas
in the Republican party. We are abou
to enter upon the Congressional con
test which is to determine whether tn
Democratic party, groveling willingl,,
under the heel of the representatives o
the late Confederacy, shall retain con
troll of the lower house of Congress
and so secure absolute supremacy il
the legislative branch of the Govern
ment The chances for success in 1888
will be largely in favor of the winning
party in the Congressional contest o
this fall. With so much at stake, tn,
proposition to break away from tn,
President, or to read the President ou
of the party, are extremes of folly
Back of the Democratic party, con
trolled as it is by the ex-Confederates
there are schemes of robbery and re
venge. AS a Confederate, bearing
pardon barely two months old for trea
| son committed fifteen years ago, is pre-
| ferred by Congress to gallant veteran
of the Union, so, with the Democrati
party restored to power, Gems. Sher
man and Sheridan, and their fellow
now on the rolls of the army, will b
displaced to make room for Confeder
ates, Generals lately captured by then
while fighting against their country ant
their country's flag. This for revenge
The schemes for plumber are legion il
number, and comprehend in the aggre
gate hundreds of millions of dollars
Let the country be warned in time.-
Chicago Tribune.