The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-06-07
POLITICAL MOVEMENTS IN OHIO.
JEFFERSON, ONO, May 80, 1856


To the Editor Of the National Era:
The difficulties which beset our path in Ohio
are those which have constantly retarded the
progress of Freedom-timidity among those
devoted TO the cause. Would to God that men
might feel more confidence in the power of
truth and Justice. The People never fail to
sustain correct measures, when placed before
them; but politicians are afraid TO trust the
People. This is the great error of those who
attempt to guide the popular feeling.
With many others, l had never dreamed
that sober. rejecting men should believe it pos
sible TO induce the electors of this State to sus-
tain 'secret political party The idea may
have been adapted to the fourteenth century,
but it is not adapted to this age of the world.
let our Know Nothings were well organized,
and made simultaneous movement in this
State to carry the elections in March. Through
out the State, by secret arrangement, they made
nominations in their lodges exclusively from
their Order. In every country town, when
they felt themselves strong enough to carry an
election, they tried their strength.
The result was disastrous. They not only
failed in their strongholds, but they aroused a
deadly hostility against themselves. They,
however. determined to run separate ticket
and appointed Convention, TO be held at
Cleveland on the 9th of June, to nominate
candidates.
But the Clereldnd Leader exposed the plan
The Toledo BdIe Summit Beacon, Ashtabulo
Sentinel, Ohio Columbian, PaiaesciRe Tsle-
graph, EtyTiG Democrat, Ho,,ton Ne,rs, and
others, denounced It, and strong feeling of
hostility prevailed against the Order. They
foresaw the storm of Indignation, withdrew
their orders for a separate ticket; but deter
mined to propose candidates approved by the
tndfr ma r
July, and compel them to nominate a Know
Nothing ticket. In the mean time. papers pro-
Tossing to be strongly Republican were pro
claiming the necessity of union, harmony and
concert Of action, among Republicans, repre-
senting the Know Nothings as Republicans
Know Nothing papers insisted there should
be union between the Republican and Know
Nothing parties, admitting two distinct, sepa-
rate parties 10 exist. In this state Of things,
1t was not strange that men should take differ
ent views. The Ohio Columbian. a stern, un-
finching paper, talked of the old parties, Wing
and Democrat, and Independent Democrats,
as though those parties still existed, after they
abandoned their organizations last fall and
spoke of 'concert Of action" as if willing to
cooperate with the Know Nothings
The Sentinel, Leader Blade and other pa
pers come out distinctly for a Republican nom
inaiion, free and Independent repudiating all
bargains with the Know Nothings, or any other
party. In this they were bold and unfinching
And if the Convention of the 18th dominates
Know Nothing candidates. it will simply be
regarded as a " Knor Nothing Contention :"
and Republican Convention will bring into
the field a Republican ticket, and our electors
who wish to go with the Know Nothingc will
be left TO follow out their policy, and those
who do not desire to be identified with them
will have an opportunity to vote Republican
ticket. That ticket ioiH be elected. OF that
there can be no reasonable doubt. A large
portion Of the Know Nothings will vote for it.
But should it fail, it will be far better than to
90 into Z" truck and dcker" with the new or
ganization.
The most fatal policy that could be pursued
would be an arrangement with the Know Moth
ings. That would drive from as at least thirty
thousand naturalized foreigners; and next year
the Know Nothings would say to us, Continue,
and 90 into the Presidential election on the
same arrangement :" and if we refuse to do
30, and separate from them on one side, and
the natursiized foreigners on the other, we
should be in poor condition TO sustain the
Republicans. Thus it is believed, here. that a
union between the Republicans and Know
NothinQs at this time will result in the total
DISBURSEMENT of our organization of last year.
For that reason, do not hesitate to say, zoe
shall hare Republican ticket, scffhom sur
render and scithoht compromise
And repeat If such a ticket be put in nom-
ination in proper manner, It acia DC elected.