Blackwell lauds effort to save Lathrop House

Official discusses Underground Railroad
By CLYDE HUGHES
TOLEDO BLADE STAFF WRITER

Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell said the Underground Railroad, which many believe ran through Sylvania and Toledo leading African-American slaves to freedom, represented the best of the American spirit and heart.

Mr. Blackwell made his comments last night during a presentation sponsored by the Friends of the Lathrop House at Wildwood Metropark.

Mr. Blackwell said the Underground Railroad brought people of different races and faiths together to help slaves win their freedom.

"By definition, there was a gap between the ideals of America and what was practiced," Mr. Blackwell told an audience of about 100. "Abolitionists stood in the gap. They knew how things ought to be. They saw that America's practice was in conflict with the ideals."

The Underground Railroad was a secret network that helped escaped slaves from the southern United States make their way to free states and Canada.

The Lathrop House, which was in the 5300 block of Main Street in Sylvania, is believed to have been one of the stops along the route.

Mr. Blackwell said abolitionists and others involved with moving slaves along the railroad and its various depots, like the Lathrop House, showed courage and took great risk because what they were doing was illegal.

He said the house's preservation serves as a reminder of how people can overcome obstacles for an important cause.

"Preserving [the Lathrop House] shows the best in American character and what is best about America's future," Mr. Blackwell said.

After the speech, Mr. Blackwell said the story of the Underground Railroad should be an example for those who want to alter the course of history for the better.

"Changing the human condition is not a spectator sport," he said. "You have to engage, take charge, and stand up for what is right."

It was Mr. Blackwell's second time to address Friends of the Lathrop House. He addressed the group in 2002.

Friends of the Lathrop House is an organization that supported the restoration of the home.

The house, built in the mid-1800s and the former home of Lucian Lathrop in 1847, was part of a heated battle between its support organization and St. Joseph Catholic Church, which bought the property in 2001 with the intent of razing it for a school construction project.

The home was moved off its foundation last year to Harroun Community Park, where the Toledo Area Metroparks is overseeing its renovation.

Toledo Blade September 15, 2005