The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-11-05

us As truth viii permit.
Yours, with highest regard,
ERAsTUs HEATH.
CINCINNATI CORRESPONDENCE.
OHIO ELECTIONS, ETC. 60 60
To the editor ofthe National Era:
You ask of me some account of the late po-
itical contest in Ohio, and the reason, if any
can be found, for the unexpected results.
would comply with pleasure, could honestly
say that we had any such contest. The fact is,
that we have been thrown into such unhappy
confusion by events not legitimately connected
with issues of party political character, that
it is impossible to say that we have solved any
questions growing out of the principles or want
ofprinciple in either party. One fact alone
stands prominently for recognition on all sides
and that is, that our heightened, clear-headed
stateman, Salmon P. Chase, is personally q
popular man. And with this we are for the
present enough content.
We began fairly. The issue was clearly
made up. The Republican party nominated
their ticket, and formally announced as politi'
cal platform, that Ohio should be saved from the
pollution of Slavery; and that, with her sanction
the Territories should be preserved to free Ia
Dor alone. On the other hand, the Buccaneers
endorsed the bred Scott decision at their nom
mating State Convention, and feariessly an
nounced themselves as followers of Douglas
and the South. This latter Convention was
under the control of what is known here as the
Miami Tribe, much the drawer, and if we may
use the expression the better part of this stupid
and corrupt organization.
The issue, 30 made up, was not effected by
the heavy defalcation of the late Democ ratio
Treasurer, who VIGOROUSLY used over half a
million of the public money to further certain
party designs in this State, from the fact that
the Republican Treasurer, his successor and
brother in law, had covered up the fraud until
too late to punish the defaulter or recover the
money.
Had we have gone to the country upon the
Questions thus agreed on, no one could doubt
the verdict. The BUCCANEERS had from the
start no reasonable prospect of success, nor, in
deed, did they indulge ia any such hope. Their
nominating Convention was composed of con.
tending factions, each bent only on the injury
Or destruction of the other. The friends of the
Administration were under the leadership of
Ranney and Mcdowell, while Payne, McLain,
and Steadman, led the reckless horde of Pro
Slavery Douglasites. Che latter were victori.
Gus, and returned home congratulating each
other that they had buried the affectionate Of
6ce.seekers and friends OF Mr.. Buchanan. I'm
der this state of fact all that we had to fear was
the overveening confidence of the Republicans
For the first time in ms.ny years, we had but
two parties in the field, 70 the Know Nothings
were completely demoralized-to such an ex
tent, indeed, that it was q avely announced that
the grea. body of them would vote, as they
eventually did, for the so-called Democratic
ticket. it only ne eded this last Inconsistency
to put the iniship g touch to this monstrous or.
ganizatiyn. 1t 'oegan its career in Ohio by
bitter attacks n pom the Democracy for having
built up the 70 reign influence, and terminated
is existence by sale to the same party of all
lis lodges, dark lanterns, passwords, and grips,
'snd opposition to the foreign influence. At
the polls, were treated to the strange
sight of Patr lex, the sturdy soldier of the Pope
voting the slime ticket with the church burning
ti-Catholic Know Nothings.
The cam paign, thus fairly opened, was thrown
Into confu sion by our monetary revulsion. The
feeling created by general depreciation of
rniser able currency in the hands of our entire
people, to say nothing of the distress arising
froin the loss Of millions in railway and land
sp'sculations, was too much for an ordinary DO.
htIcal contest. To understand this, it is neces-
aafy to know that in Ohio the Democracy has
henn the only party that ever clearly and fair
~ declared itself in favor of gold and silver
currency. In all the surrounding States, bank
pafer owes its existence to the fostering care
OF the Democratic party but with US, Cory,
Ro lrno 1sr I'll 9th
ers, had at an early day 80 indoctrinated their
patty with sounder views, that it has always been
in deadly opposition to bank monopolies and
bal k paper. Now, although the party, deserted
by its better men, and entirely Invested of all
netve or intellect, dare not assume the old
ground of hard money, yet thousands from past
ASSOCIATIONS voted the ticket, and actually now
Halter themselves with the fond delusion that
the incoming Legislature, with its Democratic
m'Jority, will take high ground upon the sub
jet of the currency. l say fond delusion, for,
hsppy as the Old Line Wings, such as Charles
Anderson, Durbin, Ward, Griger, and others,
present leaders of the Democracy, have shown
themselves in their easy change of opinion, it
is expecting too much to suppose that they will
le' their hold 60 of bank vaults, and become
6e' ice partsans of what they once termed the
pc tmetal currency.
Amid untoward events of this kind, the Re.
ublican leaders fought galantly, but all in
vain. On one side they encountered q deadly
az athy, arising from past success in part, and
inepart from the fact that the greater number
found or feared themselves to be on the brink
OF rain-while on the other, a large class voted
TO. Pro-Slavery Senators and Representatives,
NJ der the impression that old promises would
ptove good, and, under the rule of an ultra De-
m ,Scracy, mismanaged banking system would
b. controlled, and a worthless currency swept
o't of existence. Add to this the fact, that
tb entire vote of the Know Nothings was cast
W th our opponents, and you can understand
h''w it was we lost the Legislature, and elected
osr State ticket by so small mai ority.
That, under the circumstances, our gallant
lie ader, Salmon P. Chase, should come out tri.
uthphantly, is something to make note of and
rtioice over. That 80 able statesman and so
pare a man should be appreciated and sus-
timed by the masses, is q fact cheering in it.
s. II, while we take his triumph as q pledge that
o. beautiful State is true to her birth, civilizs-
ii IN, and generous impulses. The true est.
n ates of party may be made from the men it
Il rows to the surface, and its strength tested
b ! the capacity to bear defeat In either point
o. view, We have every reason to be proud of our
organisation. They who speak of the dissolu-
ii Of the Republican party, forget that we
hive grown up to what we are through defeat.
That ignorance, cruelty, and narrow bigotry,
sIould for time prevail, bring no terrors TO
tire truehearted patriot. He only reioices that
ignorance, cruelty, and bigotry, have so small
q majority, and he takes hope in its gradual
decrease. His aspirations reach higher than
st,ch frail considerations. The clouds pass, but
the stars remain. When the Republican party
dissolve, truth, justice, wisdom. generous i'm
r.