Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-12-19
------a----e- -
TWENTY YEARS AGO.

Twenty years ago to-day John Brown,
late oi Ossawattomie, was swung from
s.affold into eternal fame. lie was hung
"a a malefactor and then embalmed in his
tory as n martyr. Whatever elements OF
fanaticism or rashness there may have
been in his career, there is no question as
TO the sing ngle-mindedncss OF his purposenor
as to the rugged greatness that was hidden
in his gaunt frame.
These have been twenty memorable
years to the nation whose laws condemned
old John Brown to death. They have done
more to settle its future and measure its
chance of life than did the six decades pre-
ceding the I'd OF December, 1859. They
have delivered us from the evil that made
John Brown do the deed lie did, and have
placed in the Constitution the eternal fiat
Of the people that hcnceforth no slave shall
be held in chains under the shadow Of the
| American flag.
When John Brown was led upon his
scalfOld he saw the government in the hands
Of men who were even then intent upon
| its ruin. The door of his refuge at Harp
ers Ferry had been broken down bv the
orders OF a subordinate officer, who was to
be the chief reliance of the Cunfederacy
then already fore-shadowed-Rob +.
Lee. Buchanan was in the Presidential
chair, and some OF the men who have since
made their eternal impress upon the record
of American history were M unknown as
is the man who shall sit in the seat OF
HAYES in 1899. General Grant was a real
estate officer in St. Louis; Abraham Lin,
coin was an almost unknown lawyer OF H.
linois; John G. Breckenridge was Vice.
President of the United States fancy was
Chief Justice Winfield Scott was at the
head Of the army. Stephen A. Douglass
Robert Tombs and Jefferson DAVIS were
members OF the United States Senate, with
Tom Corwin, Thaddeus Stevens, s,J Ohm Sher
man and Clement l.. Vnlandigham rs
members Of the House. In the Cabinet
were Lewis Clss and John B.Floyd. Chase
was Governor OF Ohio. General Sherman
was teaching in military academy
Thomas was Major in the regiment com.
manded by Albert Sidney Johnston, and
among his fellow officers were William j
IIardee and Robert +. Lee. Mcclellan
was Chief Engineer on the Illinois Centra
Railroad; Ben Butler was praciicing laM
at Lowell; Garfield was unknown outside
Of his native State, and a thousand mer
who to-day stand in the front rank Of events
we're boys at school, or beardless youths on
whom the responsibilities Of life were just
beginning TO dawn.
Who can count the great men and women
who have gone the way Of the earth since
that old hero went bravely up to his fate
Who can name the Improvements that th'
enterprise of the age has wrought and thu
great inventions that have been given the
world? The resources OF the country thn
have been developed, ami the miles ant
miles OF Western territory that have beer
won from the wilderness and covered will
farms and villages? One seems to toucl
on the marvellous when he attempts to pac
! to day by the aide Of that long ago yester
day, and to measure the one by the dimer
q sons of the other. The twenty years l.
! come can hardly do as much for the Natin
as have these twenty past, hnt If they d.
America will have gained proud postio
A in all respects among the nations OF th
earth
: One thing has been done by these tw
decades for the old martyr who died in
: cause he thought so precious that his iii
= was counted as nothing in its advancement
o They have justified him, and have prove
that he was right when he declared tbs
u his country could be safe and free onl
II when il ceased to be n tyrant, and when !
Y laws were not standing disgrace in Il
= presence OF the Declaration that made
what il is CereLdnd Leader, Dee I'd, 1877