The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1886-12-30

ENoUrRER; Hubbard. of the Beliefon-
Democrat; Flanagan, OF the Kenton pa
per. and David 8. Fisher, of Democrat 81
he same place: Kitchener. of the Tuscarawas
Democratic; Proctor, of the Lebanon Patriot,
of the xenia Democrat; Reddeid. OF
he Norwalk Experiment.; Gaumer of the
Shield; DUNN, of the wyandot :
Union: Harris, OF the Portage Democrat:
Clark, of the Ottawa Democrat; Herzog, OF the
Sentinel; Green, Of the Hooking
Sentinel: Thomas Wetzler, of the Lancaster
Eagle. Others no doubt as prominent ~
these are at work. now faithful sentinelsn
upon the Democratic watch-towers.
modestly venture the assertion that no
in the Union can produce SO
many vigorous, pointed and ready POI
writers as can be found cone
with the Democratic county Journals
Of Ohio. To their labors. to their active par
In political management, to their
earnest work in behalf of the Democratic
party. to their fidelity to its organization, to
their firmness. much of the success that has
attended the party In Ohio is Justly attribut-
able. That they will do their duty 10 the
party in the approaching State and Congress
sionaI contests is as certain as they have per-
formed 1t thoroughly and satisfactorily in
the past.
The Democratic editors Of Ohio have made
glorious fights against the principles
promulgated by the opposition press. bat no
contest is more memorable-than that Of 1855,
when they arrayed themselves against the
secret political society known as the Know
Nothings, which had swept the State in 1854
by an overwhelming majority, totally anni-
hilating majorities in Democratic counties
which had been regarded as almost impreg-
nable. alike athief in the night. this mon-
ster organization, having for its avowed prIn-
ciples the prescription of foreigners on ac-
count of birth, and one class OF onr fellow
citizens on account of their religion. burst
from its den n for . brief period held un-
disputed sway. But being attacked by DEM
ocrauc orators. exposed and dashed by the
Democratic press. who appealed with unan-
swerable e~ioquence to the people, II could not
stand In the open sunlight, and soon sunk
"Back to the vile dust from which 1t sprung,
Unwept, unhonored and unsune."
The campaign OF 1858 proved the nerve,
courage ana gameness of the Democratic EIDE
itors, and. although ~valiandigham was de-
feated. the result was the complete vfndica-
ton of the right OF Ohioans to exercise the
utmost freedom of speech in the discussion
OF public measures and public affairs.
In the Presidential campaign OF 1854, when
General Mcclellan headed the Democratic
ticket: in the campaign OF 1858. when Horatio
Seymour was our candidate; in 1877, when It
swallowed its prejudices for the sake OF the
country. when it a.sclasped hands over the
bloody chasm," and followed the flag of
Greeley. the Democratic press showed that Its
desire for the reconciliation and harmony OF
the country was prompted by e patriotism
that was above p-artisanism: but In 1875 and
1876 it won its greatest onors forts efficiency,
- 10 xxx,1I lS-Ansa a. e1-~I--~R
the opposition, and when, In 1879. the Presi-
dental theft: was perpetrated. when the
people were robbed OF their fairly
elected President by the most un-
~scrupulous and gigantic conspiracy ever
conceived in . free country, IL demanded that
Tilden hould take the seat to which he was
chosen by . majority of the ELECTORAL College
and the people. Bat the timid OF our party
in the East took counsel of their fears;
capital became frightened and cIamored for
compromtse; the leaders, who should have
been equal to the occasion and emergency.
remained silent and uttered NO word, and the
Presidency. through the forms OF law. was
thrown into q lottery to be decided by fifteen
men. eight of whom proved TO be bitter par
tisans, and ignoring the seven honest men,
gave the Presidency to the man who was
never elected. The moderation OF the Demo-
cratic press OF Ohio. under these mortifying
and humiliating circumstances speaks well
for the patriotism Of the men who control 1t,
as they preferred, after the forms Of law had
been complied with, TO quietly accept the situ.
alton. vowing, however, as long as they had
press to revolve, pen to write, paper TO print
and tongues to speak, they would work ia
overthrow the party hat made q mockeryso
the elective franchise, and secured National
power by the most infamous per5uries. falsi.
hcations and corruption that have ever been
heard of or witnessed in this or any other
country. They worked>in 1880 TO right the
wrong, but vengeance for . season was post.
poned. In 1884, however, the rebuke of fraud
was secured and the wrong righted. Z
slime sets all things event."
The ulustrious man who was laid quietly "a
rest on the 7th OF August in the unpretendinf
cemetery of his native village, at Lebanon
N. Y, lived to see the party he loved IL
National power, and he believed by prudence
and wisdom, py reform and economy in IL
management of the Governments. that it vii
again become In the future as IL has been II
the better days of the past the controlling
political party Of the United States.
This sketch of the history and mention o
some Of the men of the Democratic party
because of the haste in which it has been pre-
pared, and the necessity Of keeping 1t within
the limitation of q newspaper article, mus
necessarily contain some Inaccuracies, but Ii
the old Democrat 1t win revive recollection
of old times, old friends and old associates
while II VIII be of Interest to those youn|
Democrats of this State who are presstnl
forward TO wear the mantles that envelope,
their fathers.