Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-10-10

military force had saved tho union II was q
proper instrument OF government in time OF
pence
Whatever may have been his merits or his
defects rs chief executive he was unquestion-
ably our greatest soldier, and his matchless
achievements in the field and their influence
upon the fato OF his country amply justify this
beautiful testimonial. So long as love OF lib
erty and equality and admiration for heroic
deeds and unselnsh patriotism last, the mem
ory OF Grant will be venerated. Some OF the
acts of his civil administration were really
worth n ora to the country and the world than
the dull routine and solemn respectabiiity OF
many others, N
1t was the successful leader OF our armies, in
our greatest war, who took the lead in bringing
the civilized world to q practical recognition of
the value OF peaceful arhitrament of inter
national disputes. and the treaty of washing.
ton is monument to his memory which will
outlive those OF bronze and stone. Its moral In
fiuence extends infinitely beyond the immedi.
ate parties to 1t, or the age In which 1t was ne
gotiated More than once he displayed inde-
pendence, high courage and strong sense OF
duy by vetoing legislation which seriously
threatened the public welfare.
The men who have left the profoundest i'm
press on our history were not so much distin'
guished for their wealth. or their erudition, as
the qualities, or some Of them which dis
tinguished Grant. These qualities are essen
tial ingredients of political manhood, and they
are no less useful and necessary in peace than
in war. We need men possessing them to re-
sist the aggressions of those who seek to
make OF our politics both an art ana q mystery,
Ineligible only to the adept and in.
itiated, who assume the management OF
them, by virtue OF their capacity for
the deft and artful manipulation OF
their fellows. Their influence upon the coun-
try is corrupt and debasing, and the area OF po'
litical vennlity constantly enlarges under II.
According to their views the whole interest
that any citizen has In municipal, state or ma
tional government is measured by what he can
make out of it. 1t is worse than idle to shut
our eyes to the existence of corrupt methods
and practices in our politics which threaten to
subvert our free institutions. The man
who accepts bribe of any sort
places his conscience and Judgment in
the vilest bondage. He is no longer free. Ar
gument is wasted on him. Considerations OF
the public veal or woe do not affect him Bay
onets ut the polls would not control his con-
duct more effectively. And men who contribute
money to buy votes. and to bribe the peoples
representatives, as well as those who disburse
1t, are deadly enemies Of the republic. Their
greed and love OF power are greater than their
love OF country. They impair popular respect
for law, which is the only safeguard for life and
property; and 1t will be an evil day for
the nation when it's preservation depends
may masquerade in the garb of righteousness,
and address the people in the language Of
patriotism but their virtues are assumed;
they are hypocrtes and assassins of liberty,
and would welcome dynasty rather than shed
their blood in defense of popular government.
Their shameless and insidious attacks on free
institutions are infinitely more dangerous than
the revolutionary teachings and practices Of u
comparatively few visionary and misguided
men and women in our large cities.
1t is not such men as these but the great
multitude, engaged in active and hardy pur-
suits, who constitute the real strength OF the
nation. They are not enemies of law and order,
they do not envy or hate those who have ac-
quired property by honest methods, they bear
their full share OF the public burdens. and so
long as the powers of the nation are not pervert-
ed to their injury for The enrichment OF
few, they will rally tu its defense with
unselfish ard devoted patriotism. Their energy
and courage have not been deadened by ease
and luxury. There can be no prosperity with
out public tranquility, and the people will not
long remain tranquil under well-founded be-
lief that the corrupt use Of money prevents
free and honest expression of their choice OF
men and measures II public opinion cannot
be honestly expressed in authorized ways, our
elections will become expensive and useless
mockeries, and free government will exist only
in name. Let US not be deceived by mere
forms.
Men like Grant who have sprung from the
people, with strong and resolute character, un.
spoiled by luxury, clear.minded and level
headed, able to see men and things as they
really are, undeceived by outward show and
conventionality, are worth more to our nation
than all its mere cunning, self seeking polti.
clans, its political theorists or its plutocrats.
In war and peace these qualities lie at the
foundation of all true character. A nation not
only needs such men but they are Indispensable
to it. In times OF peril it may perish without
them.
1t is not improper at this time to call atten.
tion to baneful influences and practices which
lower our national standard and, unchecked
threaten disaster. Engrossed in the cares Of
business and laborious occupations, men seem
inattentive to the requirements OF citizenship
but they do not consciously and willfully shirk
its duties and responsibilities, when they are
clearly seen and fully understood. They may
be slow to act, but when danger be-
comes imminent they will assert themselves
again as they have in the past. They will not
allow the republic to perish from neglect. The
sentiment of patriotism is still strong In the
people. 1t is neither dead nor short-lived. II
grows and strengthens with honest appeals to
it, and IL may be appealed to with confidence
for the vindication OF good measures. 1t In
creases with every draft that is made upon it
| and while it may become silent through
| neglect, 1t does not cease to exist. Its
voice may be unheeded for season,
and may be drowned by the noisier tongues OF
| greed and selfishness, but 1t will be heard
again. II patiently submits to many afronts,
and quietly endures many indignities. But in
its temporary silence it gathers an accumula.
tion of energy, and when the limit of endurance
has been reached its commanding voice breaks
forth on the startled air, trumpet-tongued ant
against its mighty tones NO other voice dares
| lift ITSELF tl sA4 81 te..
The vast majority of the people are patriotic
| and sound to the core. In them Is our main
stay and chief dependence. Our confidence ir
their steady and unfalteriug love OF country
which is indifferent about any show of itself
and speaks only in its acts, will never be mis-
placed 1t was this sort of patriotism that wal
personifed in Grant.
NATURES MYSTERIES.