Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1886-08-27
STATES NJ NSIIlP.

BY what particular mode political ly-
ing became 30 common and 30 popular, il
is rather difficult TO comprehend. 1t is
put on record that Statesman of ancient
times held the following self repro,chfu
soliloquy: III said in my haste all men
are liars.' A modern writer has observed
had this ancient law-giver liyed in our
day, he might have made the above re.
mark after mature reflection. Be this M
il may, one thing is very evident, if the
the fragments of all the lies told in one
political campaign, were taken up, there
would be more than twelve baskets full
even if each basket held thrice as much rs
the largest modern Saratoga trunk, The
extent and amount of political lying is
simply immense, II not truly alarming.
The common habit OF stretching the truth
has gone into political circles to such an
extent, that The scum of the dirty pool OF
politics has already so polluted the sweet
pure air OF our republic, as to blanch the
cheek of innocence and blast the fairest
and most exalted character. Such dark
pail of misery has settled down on the
body polite, that, had Satan, the father of
liars, entered bodily into the hearts of
mankind, horned and hoofed, the wretch
ed condition of political affairs could not
have been much worse. There is a large
class who have gone to their wits end TO
see which could tell the biggest yarn,' the
biggest fish story or make out the incest
| distinction between white and black
lie or TO sugar coat falsehood 30 as to
make il look beautiful and taste sweet, but
no class has studied harder, or been more
successful in the effort TO make up outrsg-
eous lies and roll them as sweet morsel
under their tongues, than demagogues and
political iricksters Do you say, o gentle
student OF political economy, that the afore.
said picture is dark and foul ? True. So
1t appears to us. Would that our pencil
could portray the conduct of these ofIicous
tricksters in shades 30 dark and foul as to
drive them all out with every remnant OF
lies. In every period of the Republic,
from its foundation to the present time,
some OF the most gifted Statesmen who
were devoted to the State and had given
their talents and their lives TO promote the
welfase OF the PEOPLE, have suffered more
or less from this class OF Demagogues and
no one OF them more than the great chief
tain. lrviag, the historian, says "Wash-
inglon. weary and impatient under the
dissensions OF his cabinet was stung by the
snggeslion that he might be held up as in
conflict with the Generals and subject TO
the ribaldry of the press" At this mo-
men. Knox blundered forth with scandu
lous libel already in circulation. "The
President now burst forth into one of those
transports OF passion beyond his control
inveighed against the personal abuse
heaped upon him. In the agony OF his
heart lie declared that he had rather be in
his grave Than in lis present situation.' p
The reputation of another able, honest
Statesman uas so blackened by his oppo-
nents that he said !: ~ ieel as i'll MAS a
candidate for States Prison. And 30 he went
in sorrow, with his nation outraged. to an
early grave, Let the youth early learn
that Statesmanship is the embodyrnent oi
oi truth, and that the man uho attempts
10 govern the State by lies ia one OF the
nieanesi bipeds that walks erect on the
face oil God's green earth. JUROR.