Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1880-09-03
our WASHINGTON LETTER
WASHINGTON, D. c., Aug. 81, 80.

The spirit OF seltsacrihce shown by the
Southern Democracy is truly remarkable.
So trusting; so con6ding so generous; so
almost pathetic in its expression. Self
convicted OF treason, confessedly unworthy
to claim the election Of one of their own
representatives to the high office of the
President Of theUnion they 30 lately sought
to destroy. The leaders Of the party South
went into the Convention at Cincinnati,
handicapped by the overwhelming incon-
sistencies Of their loyal pretensions yet,
proudly conscious of their numerical
strength in the party councils, and silently
and solidly resolved to secure the tacit ac-
acknowledgement of their power in the dec
larations Of their platform aud the selec-
tion OF their platform and the selection of
their candidates.
Yet this was done with such SAVIOR of
modesty aud humility, such an abandon
ment-such an absolute show of submis.
sion TO the will and choice of their North
crn Allies, as almo TO cover the deep in
tehSllI vi tleii dHAit'N ' anu olinu tHe COln-
try to the studied preparation and care
with which their covert approach to pow
er and dominion in the party had been con-
Quoted.
Once secure in the adoption of plat
form distinguished only for its vageres Of
statement and it's similitude to a general
Indictment, without specific count or charges
and with candidates who will consent to
ride upon the sal me without careful scruti-
ny Of its nm meaning nothingness the late
heroes of the rebellion are content TO swal-
low their disgust at the necessity OF sup
porting full uniformed wearer OF the 10y
nj blue, and console themselves and their
followers-wro wore only the gray-with
the fond hope and declaration lhat, some
how or other that blue has faded into rus
set, touched by the corrosive rust of time
or, may be, saddened into sympathy with
their lost cause only to revive it in n newer
and more successful form by political ell
ovation into the councils of the State, by
the election of this loyal soldier of the I'm
ion as the representative of his late armed
foes in rebellion.
This noble annunciation and self-sacri-
fee eloquently poured out in the ears of
his old allies by Wade Hampton in his late
address, when he says respecting the nomin-
ating convention: "There was but one
feeling there among the Southern delegates
That feeling was expressed wnen we said 10
our Northern Democratic brethren give
us any available man. They gave us
that man, and we have put it within the
power OF the people TO elect the ticket.
They can elect it il they will. You will
hear from one to-day who can speak for
North Carolina. General Vance will con-
firm my words that we can ca rry the South
il you will carry Virginia. He has come,
like me, to appeal to you not to forsake us
in thehOur Of our need. Consider what
Lee and Jackson would do il they were
alive. These are the principles for which
they fought for four years. Remember the
men who poured forth their life blood on
Virginia soil and do not abandon them
now. Remember that upon your vote de-
pends the success of the Democratic ticket"
We know that it is now said that the re-
vised speech does not contain this allusion
to Lee and Jackson. 1t may be deemed
wisdom in Hampton 10 take it out and say
lie never saId it. But look at the other
things which he did say; notice the smooth
connection oil the whole paragraph; observe
the nicely of the finished period, and the
entire drift of the sentiment, and say il
the complete sounding Of the phraseology
does not sound too felicitous, impassioned
aud life like for any doubt as to It's being
at first correctly reported.
But it is no less self sacrifice. To
struggle against themselves, to keep out Of
sight all the real sentiment OF their hearts
TO be forced to yield to the growing inhu-
ence of freedom-tO even stand on Repub-
| lican platforms and declare adherence to
| Republican doctrine because they dare not
go before the country and repudiate them,
at the same time knowing that they are en-
titled by strength Of number, to dictate
terms to the Northern Democracy, is a hard
lesson for the impetuOus chivalry to learn.
The boys ia blue" are still in line.
| The silent comrades "hold the fort" IN
their memoriesanl in their hearts. They,
too, "ponred forth their blood on NirginiH's
soil" and its crimson tinge must still pre-
vail To preserve that reserved land from
treason's stain and dishonnr. Let no talse
sympathy for the luck less fate of those
"other dead pervert our sense of right
lead us to condone their fault by adopting
the cause in which they fell, and thus con.
fesS ourselves their murlerers. 1t is mol
so, while we honor their courage and de
voton, we still deplore their fatal error
aud uphold and sustain now rs then, ON
country's flag, emblem Of Union-symbe
Of liberty, Tom.
If you are tired taking the large old
1