Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-10-17
m. n,nr,nn. n..nl, IN ohlo---Il. Moral.


sas Nebraska bill, united men OF every shade
and Of opposite extremes of political opinion, in
a common determination to rcbube and to pro-
test against that monstrous tct of Congret sional
treason againstthc people. This protest found
expression in an anti Nebraska majority that
year, unpr, ccdented in the history Of popular
elections TIE same feeling, combined with
the support given to the Republican ticket by
the American organization, swelled the major.
ity Of 1855 to huge proportions, although II
was apparent then that a partial reaction hal
followed the FIRST outburst OF anti.NebTaska feel.
ing. In 1856, tho free people Of Ohio were
again aroused by the Infamous and bloody war
against freedom in Kansas and by the exciting
interest Of a Presidential campaign In 1857,
the Treasury delacatun absorbed all other is
sues and the result of the contest was divided
victory, the Republicans securing the State Off
GERS, and the Democrats the Legislature. In
1858, the Republicans entered the contest with
everything in their favor. Their opponents
were divided into Lecompton and anti~Lecomp-
ton factions, aud the issue that thus distracted
the Democracy, united aud strengthened the
advocates of freedom in the territories. The
American vote of Hamilton county and Of other
sections united with them, and the result was
an average Republican majority OF about twenty
thousand
Inc canvass OF 1909 mas Deeu abLeHutu Dl
none of those advantages that grow out Of such
excitements as followed the Kansas Nebraska
treason and the Lecompton swiudle. No fresh
act of slavery aggression or of northern treach-
cry had occurred to awaken an UNUSUAL interest
among the people. On the contrary very
general indifference had succeeded a protract-
ed period of universal aud absorbing interest in
political matters. Superadded to this lethargy,
there was an apparent want of harmony and
unity between the Republicans of different
sections, the result of mlsapprehenslons to
which we need not now refer. In some quar-
ters there was an uadue desire to modify Re-
publican principles, go as to attract the support
OF that element OF the opposition whose SYM
pathy with the party did not 60 much farther
than their common hostility to the 30 called
Democracy; and in anotherdirectiOn, there was
a restless jealousy, ever on the alert to detect
and protest against the slightest indications Of
such compromise or surrender of the pure
Republican faith.
Upon these facts our opponents built great
hopes of victory But they underrated the pru-
dencc, the wisdom and forbearence of the Re.
publicans of Ohio. While differences of opin-
ion upon points not involved in the immediate
issues of the canvass were mutually tolerated,
rigid adherence was exacted and yielded to
the declaration of principles put forth by the
party at its June convention. That declaration
ombodies in plain and direct language the doc
trnes Inaintanedhy by the Republicans of Ohio
doctrines essentially and purely Republican,
without any intermixture of extraneous ideas
to catch votes from factions outside of the party
organization. They have been thoroughly dis.
cussed and ably advocated in every part Of the
State, by such speakers as Oorwin, Chase, Stan.
ton, Deano, Gddngs, Sherman, Bingham,
Cartier, and others-men, who, however they
may differ upon some points, are all united IN
their devotion to Republican principles, as de.
cared at Philadelphia and Columbus.
We have heretofore remarked upon the uni
form courtesy and fairness that distinguished
the discussion between the two candidates for
Governor, Messrs. Dennison and Ranney, both
of whom acquitted themselves ably. 1t ls due
to Mr.. Dennison, however, to say, in addition
to that which we have before said concerning
these debates, that his principal triumph does
not consist simply IN the fact that he has estab.
lished his superiority as ready and skiful
debater a profound thinker and thoroughly
informed politician, but in his eminent success
in presenting Republican principles to the peo-
pie in such a way as to secure for them hearty
and unqualified Endorsement from thousands
who have heretofore yielded them only luke>
warm and Indifferent support, lie has not
sought to conciliate that class ofvoters by max
ing concessions to their prejudices or by soft
enng the sharp outlines of the Republican
faith but he bas challenged them to justify their
dissent from the doctrines of the Republican
party to show wherein they are wrong, and to
vindlcate either, the position of che so called
Democratic party, or the more equivOCal posi-.
tiol of neut atty between the two great political
organizations Of the country.
In all Mr. Dennison's efforts he has boldly
and frankly proclaimed his sentiments, seeking
no advantage by equvOcation or reserve, and
shrinking from no responsibility that could
arise from q faithful and fearless enunciation Of
the great truths that form the basis OF Republi
cansm Never before in Ohio, have the
speeches of any candidate been 80 fully reported
and so widely circulated by the ne wspaper press;
so that il may be said literally that he did not
address, in any of his speeches, the people Of a
neiEhborhood or a section, but the whole peO-
ple of Ohio The debates, especially between
him and Judge Ranney, we presume have been
read by every intelligent voter in the State -
Upon the issues thus presented and thoroughly
discussed by competent champions represent
ing both sides ofthe controversy, the people of
Ohio have had an opportunity of making up
their deliberate judgment Republican prnci-
Piles and Democratic professions have had a
| fair and impartial trial before them-such trial
as they have never had before. The verdict of this
great popular tribunal has been rendered, and
wisely rendered-nOt upon the impulse of an
universal and irresistible Indignation as in 1854
and 1855; nor under the excitement of Presi-
dental contest, as in 1856, nor has it been at
taincd through the detection and division Of a
portion Of the Democracy as in 1858 1t is a
decision reached after calm and care lul review
Of all the questions, and especially of the great
question, dividing parties. 1t is majority, no
longer of coalition, but is almost entirely made
up of votes that are essentially and permanently
Republican. The powerful American element
that helped to swell it's first victory, has ceased
TO act as a separate political power, II has
either gone over to the Democracy or becomes
substantially incorporated with the Republic
cans. In some few localities, az in Hamilton
county, remnant of it is left, but the recent
election there shows that it threw most of It's
strength in favor of tho Democratic ticket.
| Hencelorth, Republicans will fight the battle
there we trust. not under the parti cOlored ban
ner Of Opposition" but under the boldly un.
| furled flag of Republicanism. We refer the
reader to an article in the Cincinnati Gazette
which is outspoken upon the point
| The returns Of the election teach an impor-
tant lesson. Wherever Republican doctrines
have been most boldly avowed, and wherever
the Republican organization has been most
| rigidly maintained, Onr success has been mark.
ed by the largest majorties. Even Monroe, the
stronghold OF Democracy, has partially yielded
to a compact Republican phalanx, which follow
cd no divided command Wherever the reverse
is the case, with few exceptions, We see diff
lerent result The Republican party is strong.
est where its principles are maintained and
avowed in their greatest purity. One Of the
valuable results of the last election has been
the demonstration of this truth. Tho battle
we have fought has not been one of coalition
and the victory has been achieved by the power