Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-06-05
R.ac,,or Of RepubIlcan FanatIclsm.


of the state. even in some Of the most radi-
cal anti-slavery districts are engaged in i'm
pressing the party with the eminent fitness
Of Noah II. Swayne, of Columbus, for the
Supreme Bench of Ohio, TO succeed Judge
Brinkerhoff There can hardly be doubt
ofMr. Swayne's ability and fitness. He will
make safe, conservative Judge, with none
of the nonsense of notification about him,
but holding the same opinion as Judge Swan
on the constitutionaiity of the Fugitive-slave
Law.
In sympathy with this popular apprecia-
ton of his eminent fitness, Mr.. Swayne, who, |
since the organization of the Republican |
party has not taken an active interest in poll |
tics, has manifested a call TO address his
fellow-Republicans on the issues Of the day.
He was announced to address Lincoln rati-
fcation meeting at Columbus on Friday night,
and il was there stated that only imperative
necessity prevented, and that he would take
an early opportunity to address his fellow
citizens. 1t seems to be regarded as a matter
of great moment that Mr.. Swayne should ad-
dress his fellow-citiIens on the issues Of the
day, as his long retirement from politics must
have resulted in a vast accumulation of po-
litical wisdom, and, as in nature the import
ance of parturition is usually in ratio to the
time occupied in CESSATION, the address of Mr..
Swayne on political topics is regarded in the
Capital City as momentous event. Indeed
the case naturally excites ones wonder
how the Republican party existed so long
without Mr.. Swayne's wisdom on the issues
of the day.
tits somewhat remarkable that Mr.. Swayne,
who has, hitherto, been too conservative to
sympathize with the Republican party, should
take lively interest in its success, just as it
has nominated one of its most radical and
irrepressible men for the Presidency and
the coincidence is rendered all the more
striking and unaccountable by the fact that
Judge of the Supreme Court is soon to be
nominated.
We might remark parenthetically that the
ratification meeting referred to was the sec
ond at Columbus; not that the nomination of
Mr.. Lincoln has generated such an amount OF
enthusiasm that two ratification meetings
are required to let it of, for there is no place
in the State that takes the struggles and con-
tingencies of politics with so much equanm-
ity as Columbus; which, perhaps, is owing to
an abiding confidence that whatever the
event of the election, it will always bring
the same quantity of fish to their net. But
the first ratification meeting was not under
proper management, and 1t is Of vital impor-
tance that the right parties should be promi-
nent on these occasions; the ratification part
being merely poetical fancy. Senator
Chase was the star of the first ratification;
likewise Governor Dennison, who pledged
his undivided support" to the Chicago nom
nations II is a great relief to know that
the Governors support will not be divided.
The second occasion seems to have been TO
ratify Mr.. Galloway popularly known as
Sam Galloway, into the proper position in
the movement; likewise to relieve Mr..
Swayne, as before mentioned; and the occa-
sion was rendered peculiarly interesting by
Mr.. Galloway's beautiful and sincere eulogy
of Mr.. Chase, whom he suddenly seems to
love with all the fervor of n nature so tender
and affectionate, that if it has any fault, it is
the same that afflicted Mrs. Skewton-too
much heart.
But we were noticing the Republican
movement in favor of the nomination of Mr..
Swayne when we were led into depression
on the interesting topic Of Columbus politics.
We look upon this movement as evidence of
the striking change which has taken place
in Republican sentiment in Ohio, and
of the growth of a healthy, conservative and
national feeling. A comparison of this with
some of the former fanatieism of the party
will illustrate it, Not year ago the hopes
of that party were cast down by the decision
of a majority of the Supreme Court of Ohio,
sustaining the constitutionalty Of the Fugi-
tive-slave Law, in the.celebrated Wellington
rescue cases, which had excited much feeling
in the North part of the State. The Reserve
was rampant; the venerable Joshua R. Gid
dings was moved to sound his m's-horns
against the Republican Jericho. Hope of re-
tanning the Republican ascendancy in th'
State, for season bade the party farewell
and freedom has rarely shrieked so dismslly
as at this decision. Judge Swan was immo
lated on the altar of freedom, at the Conven
tion which met soon after, and the Republi
can Caligulasregretted only that the malorit,
of the Court had but one neck, that the blow
which decollated Judge Swan could hay
dropped all their heads in the same basket.
In proportion to their sanguinary feeling
toward Judge Swan, was their enthusiast
admiration of Judges Brinkerhoff and Sut
lift, who dissented from the majority, ant
maintained the unconstitutionality of tn,
Fugitive-slsye Law. What regrets were ex
pressed that all the Judges were not like untt
them What determination to make then
80 as fast as the expiration of their officia
terms would dpermii Now, mark the change
Judge Brinkerhof's term is about to expire
His integrity, ability and fitness for the Bencl
are only lnarred by his idiosyncracy on thu
Fugitive-slave Law, and Republicans who, no
year ago, could hardly await the natura
period of his existence 10 enshrine him among
the Apostles of freedom, now propose to re
buke him by putting a Judge in his place
who, when Judge Brinkerhof decided tn,
fugitive law unconstitutional, distinguished
himself by the array Of preeedents which b,
brought 70 sustain the United States Marsha
and the eonstitutionality of the law, and who
will hold, as Judge Swan did, that although