Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1880-08-20
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
WASHINGTON, D. c., Aug. 16, 80.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Aug. 16, 80.
There has been nothing new or startling
that has transpired during the past week,
business being dull in the Departments, on
account not so much OF any dearth Of any
accumulation, but because the brain, bone,
and sinew of the Executive branches of the
Government are nearly all absent from
their posts, some doing the White Noun
tains and the savage businesses of the Adri-
ondacks, while others are at seaside, or in
their rural homes. The latter class is
mostly composed OF lady clerks, and a stran-
ger would carry away with him a fuller
and fairer idea of our civil service if he
could but watch outgoing trains, and see
the eagerness and child-lIke anticipations
depicted on the Office worn faces OF the lady
clerks Of the Government. With them,
their month OF leisure brings health and
rest, while with our gentlemen clerks, it is
more season of hard work than leisure,
particularly with that class which irequents
our summer resorts.
Political matters are as yet dull, though
there are signs OF activity. Yet thus far
the canvass has put on the appearance OF
a still hunt, each party seemingly wait
ing and watching. This does not seem 10
be the plan or purpose OF the State cam
paigns, but so far near as can discover,
it has been the plan of both the National
and Congressional Committees, TO pursue
the old plan OF sending out documents and
speeches aud letting it 60 at that. Wheth-
er this is the fault Of the Committees, the
system, or whether it is the true way to con-
duct a canvass, remains TO be seen. haE
ard the prediction that before November
something more than franking documents
viii have TO be done by our Committees
The ways OF the Democracy are past find
ing out, or rather the illogical ways can
not be discovered by the far seeing polti
clan. Some OF its organs, in fact nearly
all of the Democratic papers are bursting
their side sticks with arguments to show
that they were the party of the Union, be
cause their ex-Confederate leaders have
masked their designs with Union Gener
al The party in the position Of persona
pronoun, has hnd to do duty in many
dubious and deuious way, but it has neve
10 my mind placed itself in SO absurd
position as at the present, abandoning al
its issues to the winds and waves of popu
lar opinion, il now seeks TO ride into pow
er as Union party, and is angry and re
pellent when the people poiut at its follow
ing Of ex rebels and are not quite cerIai,
in which direction the procession will final
ly head. If sectional ISSUES are revived
the Republican party is not responsible fol
it. # recognizes national issues Of finance
of tariff, of interstate commerce, and il
prepared 10 deal with them. 1t has con
Quoted the financial interests so far, and IL
the face of Democratic opposition, will
what result the people know. It's prepar
ell 10 maintain its principles and carry it
works to completion. 1t has effected mos
imported reforms and is disposed TO max
further advances. All these matters al
not left ont of its platform of purposes, an
1t has nominated an able and experience
statesman and whose known opinions ar
in direct harmony with these declaration
Why then should sectional Issues have
, place in this CANVASS? Why should tn
/ control of the Union, or this and that SCI
tion come up at all? Because the Demot
} racy has brought them up aud they hav
} to be met.
The party ignores the question OF polio
to which have referred, and will pTeser
r no plan of action regarding them and pr,
!. sents a candidate who knows nothing abOu
+. them. Their candidate is the choice
= the Southern Democrat and receives thei
l hearty support. If he can be elected III
South will control him. Ashley ask br
AZ electoral votes from the % Norther
States. Hence The issue is presented whetl
: er party whose main strength is made II
OF ex-rebels, and whose minds wonld
Z the men who led in rebellion ia to be il
/ trusted just now with the Government.
' If this is the sectional issue, II is mad
: by the Democratic party, and the Republ
y cans are ready to meet 1t. They are M
. yet ready to admit that the nomination {
\ r Union General makes the ex-rebels M
I hide-hound bourbons OF the South the oriJ
z inal Union party-for the real Union pa
: ty is not, nor was not party of section
E but a party Of principles and policies.