Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1885-09-25
HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF.
(From the New Era.)


II would be well II some of our politicians and
partisan editors would take retrospective view
of the not very remote past. They might see
that in their methods OF opposition they have
not outdone similar class who supported the
waning interests of the then dominant political
parties; and from the outcome OF such an OPP
position they might learn that there is nothing
potent but truth. 1t is certainly an indication
pitted against argument, n resort Is had 10 In
nucndoes, assertions stripped threadbare of u
supporting act attacks & on on personal character
out any direct culpation. and the absolute re-
fusal to honorably retract any and everything
that cnn possibly damage their political oppon-
ent. Yet such is the policy OF this campaign
carried on by tue politicians and political scrib-
blers in the ranks OF the dominant parties who
are now struggling for the Offices and the spoils
at the goal OF this political race.
Not daring to take. up the gauntlet of intel
lcctual warfare boldly laid at their feet by the
| seek to overwhelm him beneath base and cow
, ardly blows. The treatment of the thiId party
at the hands of their political opponents has its
| exact history in the anti-slayery movements.
| Such charges ss a ''oneidea party" II Demo
cratic md society party oil Impractical ideas,
;. together with n full chapter OF miserable per
sonaltics, are fully represented in the history
OF the political struggle from 1874 to 1856. have
in my possession files of the National Era GOV:
crng these dates, and 1t is not difficult to find
complete parallels to every charge brought
against the third party of to-day. For the en-
| cOurngement OF those who nre faithfully work
ing in the Prohibition ranks will transcribe Q
few, rs they occur, at random, in the pages o.
the ablest as well MS the most dignitled Of the
many able and digniiied papers which support
ed that cause. Lay this anent the charge Of
Democratic aid society The editor (Dr Baily
| had Just returned from short tour In which h,
had sought relaxation from his severe and con
slant work. In bringing up arrears he says
"Newspapers are filed away in which we ar
charged with double dealing, and foul play, am
7 working into the hands OF Wings, hnrborin
secret purposes TO come out for Scott, and cher
ishing bitter hatred for Pierce, and all sorts q
: | high crimes and misdcmeanors."
"Thc Ohio picayune, published In distric
where the ntislavery feeling Is pretty strong
tries to break the force Of our article by repr,
senting us as acting in concert with the Rcput
1 lie lWhig organ at Washinging) with the singl
D sending oil documents to the south to prov
that he is anti slavery, and the Era to the Mort
to prove that he is pro-snvery."
''Thc articles of the National Era have bee
adopted by the Scott leaders and circulated /
e pamphlet form by thousands throughout tn
u Anent Dr. Leonard's wine and beer drinkin
q let us put the charge OF abducting n "mulat,
; girl" by the Hon. Lewis ID. Campbell. Abolition
! Whig member Of Congress from Ohio. Cam
o bell had redeemed from bondage a colore
N woman In Washington, and on returning to h
I, home his wife had taken her along for nurs
: We're held responsible for fugitive slaves II the
a had been carried on their lines. In order
" protect themselves they required travellers q
\ their roads going north accompanied by colo
"A ed servants to give bond and security. 81
"a Baltimore Mr.. Campbell was rudely and incO
| yeulently detained by the usual demand Il
= bond and security. Thus from an act honorab
j TO him and discreditable TO Maryland was ma
ufactured the lie about his abduction OF mu
alto girl IN. Era, Oct II, 1852.
y Let Joshua X. Giddings sound the keynote
II Prohibitionists upon the "one-idea'' chnfg'
q II am aware that we are often charged with b
!. ing men of one idea; indeed we are sometm
u called u party OF one idea. ] reler 10 these fac
n TO vindicate ourselves from this charge. v
dared 10 go where neither OF those parties we
Wiling TO follow rs, nor to oppose us. ana
: less than three years the correctness Of Ol
i position has been acknowledged before Il
. country"
v Let me close this article with this ringing a
e peal from the same speech:
u 81 nm aware thai arguments arc often used
persuade frec-solers 70 vote for this or that ma
Tor this or that party. in order to gain some su
posed advantage. But, sir, we organized for u
N mnintainancc Of doctrines Important, not meI
ly to people OF II township, or II county, or
:, Stnte, but to man wherever found. lInpOrtai
y not merely to-day, or for this year, but for 1
o coming time. Can we leave such position
% unite with either Of the other parties in ord
:, to elect this or that man 10 Office, while
stands pledged 10 mainlain slavery and II
l. slave-trade In this district, and In our terrltt
"a les, aud TO continue the infamous Fngiti
Slave Law? Were we TO unite with either
T. these parties we would lose our sell'respect
u should lose the respect and confidence OF Z
Al world: Politically, sir. We are city set upol
y hill which cannot be id."-speech In Congre
= June y. 1852.
How prone we are TO forget the lessons Of /
past or 10 profit by their obvious teachings. !
:, day the party which came up through the
" surging fires Is the most ready 10 reduce II
K application on weak political opponent, IL
4 getiul that this very intolerance VIII work 20
own defeat J. W.
= Spntch Rtd0a n