The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1888-03-08
NOT YET SHUTDOWN!
The Old Copperhead Serpent Still
Continues to Wiggle!

The Old Copperhead Serpent Still
Continues to Wiggle!
! Every boy has heard the old story
that when one kills snake, the tail
of the creature will still continue its
"wiggling" until sundown. Whether
this be literally true or not, regarding
most Of the serpent kingdom, it is GER
tainly true Of the great Copperhead
Serpent Of the Solid South. As long
ago as some Of the young men Of to-
day can remember, there were those
who earnestly and conscientiously de-
clared that "the war is over," and that
it remained now for the people to cul-
tivate and maintain friendly relations
between the sections. On the face
Of things, that seemed plausible
enough. ''Tbe war was over!' The
last armed traitor in the field had lain
down his arms-in daylight. Hesvig-
orously bore them again during the
night season. The armed and organ
lied brigades and divisions gave place
to the equally well-armed rife-clubs.
As the years rolled on, these wrig-
glings Of the serpent became perhaps
less vigorous. But there was reason
for this seeming lapse into passiveness.
The work Of the rife-club was done,
in that the Republicans of the South
had been taught the futility and peril
Of attempting to approach the ballot
box, the sacred heritage of the South
ern Gentleman" and something that
could not be tainted by the touch Of
the ''nigger.."
A great many people began to be-
lieve that the old serpent was indeed
dead, so quiet lay his folds upon the
surface of public affairs. But at every
flash Of the old, and fast-fading battle
fires Of the South, there has been a
perceptible wiggle, and on many occa-
sions positive movement along the
entire frame. Within the past few
years there have been unmistakable
signs Of life and activity. The old
head has been raised, the same old
forked tongue has protruded. and,
strange and startling as it may seem
to reasonable, thinking people, has
been fondly and tenderly caressed by
a President Of the United States, and
that President elected from Northern
State.
So, it is perfectly fair to say that
the political sun has not yet gone
down upon this old serpent. On the
contrary there has been a steady creep |
ing and coiling about the center of |
public affairs, and the folds Of the SER
pent are thought to be almost ready
to crush the prosperity out of the Ma
tion. A bitter, uncompromising Rebel,
who strove his best to destroy the
of the United States, has
been placed upon the Bench of the
Supreme Court, to decide questions
affecting the rights of the Govern
ment he sought to destroy. The lower
house Of Congress is practically in the
control of the old Southern Confed-
eracy. In fact, the Government of
the United States is now practically
in the control Of the worst element of
the late Confederacy. The people Of
the North have not noticeaS this fact
as closely as it deserveda The affairs
Of the Government have gone placidly
the exception of a little flag
episode, Familiar to the people, until
now, in the year 1888, with Presi-
Dental campaign upon US, we discover
that there must be a struggle for the
success Of the Government, almost as
well defined and important as the
great struggle of twenty-six years
ago..
This campaign is destined to be one
the exercise of calm deliber-
alton, and sound judgment, on the
part Of the people. The success of T
Grover Cleveland means the success
Of the Free Trade Democracy, and the
worst element Of the disloyalty Of the
South. It is time when every voter
may well think seriously before cast
ing his ballot. Opposed to Cleveland
and the Free Trade and Rebel Democ-
racy, will be arrayed the great Repub-
Lican party, doubtless under the lead
ership Of John Sherman, one Of the
grandest characters in the history Of
this great country. The credentials
this crowd brings consist In a record
Of patriotism, Of striving for the best
interests Of the Government, and the
welfare of the people, and of defend
ing the Government against the per-
iured traitors who sought its destruc-
tion. Thus the forces are arrayed.
only safe course, as we view it calmly
and conscientiously, is to vote the Re
publican ticket, and labor for its sue
cess. Let the final sundown for the
old serpent come in the good year
1888.
The Republicans of Jackson should
go into the Congressional Convention