Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1859-09-14
Judge Ranney in 1913, and How!

Judge Ranney in 1913, and How!
From the newspaper accounts of the &c
bate between Messrs. Ranney and DENIM.
son, at Tifin and Dayton, Mr.. Ranney
would seem hardly to meet the expecta-
-tioGs Of his friends as a politician. He
spears, it is true, to exhibit much Of the
same adroitness which enabled him to
maintain a very respectable position at the
bar while residing here, but it does Eot
seem as well adapted to his present as to
his former position. Indeed the striking
change in his views at this time, from what
were his wellknOwn and often expressed
sentiments only q few years since, must be
very embarrassing to himself, where that
change is as well known as it is here in
the vicinity Of his old home.
No person here doubted in 1913, that
Mr.. Ranney really entertained the scnti-
ment expressed in his letter to Judge Hoff-
man. Nor did any enc in 1850, doubt
that Mr.. Ranney sincerely believed what
Le uttered n his speech at Garfield against
the Fugitive Slave law, when he declared
the law utterly unconstitutional, and that
no political necessity should ever cocrce
him to yield It his assent. We doubt not,
sifle had then been told by a prophet, as
of old, that in the year of grace 1859, he
would be heard to say that he had recan-
ted and had CONE to entertain sentiments
directly contrary to those of his letter of
1859. and that he was opposed to the re-
peal of the Fugitive Slave law, which in
kis Garfield speech he 50 earnestly de-
pounced as-ilfmous and unconstitutional,
he too would have exclaimed-'is thy ser
van. a dog tAat he should do this thing?"
Yet at Dayton he distinctly opposed the
repeal of this infamous and unconstitution-
al enactment as he terms it in 1850, and
at 1ian only Wednesday last, lie clearly
intimates that be does not now hold to the
doctrine contained ia the Hoffman letter.
So, too, upon another question contained
in lis political catechisn, which he putsa at
Mr.. Dennison, the Judge seems to have
un1crsne a change, or to have very con-
siderably progressed. At Tifin, after at
tempting bya series Of questions to badger
his antagonist into the same position he
himself voluntarily took in 1850, against
the Fugitive law, he proposes to him the
following;
sAre you in favor Of the exercise Of the
elective franchise by persons having a Wis
ible admixture of African blood?!'
From the fact of the Judge having been
unable, during the lengthy session of the
constitutional convention, Of which he was
a mem Der, to determine whether he was in
favor OF, CT opposel to the exercise Of the
right Of suffrage by that class.of persons,
it is to be inferred that his mind has III
dergone quite a change upon that subject.
At least the question shows that the Judge
has not forgotten the trouble that a SINH
lar question oecasioncd Kim in the conven-
ton, as shown by the absence Of his name
from the list of yeas and nays, on pages
-b54 and 555, vol. . of the debates, and On
all other occasions as It is believed, when
a vote was had upon Mat subject.
But the Julgc seems, By his last ques-
ton, to have some confidence in himself up
On polemic theology. In concluding his
efj-t at Tifia, as a final cl;n:hcr. h. pro-
posed to Mr.. Dominion the following:
do you approve of tie resolutions aaQP-
tad by the christian anti-slavery convex
ton lately assembled at Columbus
Some time since, it viii be remembered,
there was a convention Of clergymcn held
at Columbus. and as usual with every as
semblage of earnest and sincere christian
ministers, t..cy expressed their sympathy
for those in bonds" and reproof to their
oppressors by resolutions against the sin
Of American Slavery, and its coatemptible
~apologists. Jaaso Rarn2y seems either by
orervatiop if IN attendance, or otherwise
b. critical reading, to have come 70 the
conclusion that there was sons ~iyreGRlari-
ty or impropristy in the resolution, or pro
cced;ngs Of that body Of diyipez Nkea
or the Judge eoutenslatcs. after the CAM
paign, improving that leisure which the
people Of OHIO viii see taat he has the !
full enjoyment Of, BY writing z somewhat
critical disluisition upon the p~;o:eeding5
o: that body we are noe inIormeL. Blu:
from this question to Mr.. Dcnn;son. and
from the judges known dissatisfaction
with the manner in which the clergy mar J
age and settle questions Of morals and tie :
Dizzy. We shall expect, in tie discussion at :