Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-02-19
The Political Campaign of 6 The
Field In ConneeffcuG


y New Hampshire and Connecticut, which
hold their elections in the spring, are al
ways looked to with anxiety in the open
ing months of the new year, not SO much
on account of the intrinsic Importance of
their elections, as because they furnish an
excellent indication of the tendency of the
political tide. This year the eyes of all
are turned upon Connecticut. New
Hampshire is Republican to the back
boHe-and as radical as she is Republican.
Even the Democrats concede that there is
no hope for them from the old Granite
State. But Connecticut is closely con-
tested, and her Republicans are Of a timid
and conservative nature. The majority
for Lincoln in 1854 was only 2,4o6, and a
proposition to grant the ballot on equfl
terms to the black men of the State was
voted down in October last by e majority
Of 6,aT2. Tho Democrats are therefore
hopeful that by making equal suffrage an
issue and wearing the guise of being
President Johnson's peculiar supporters,
they may possibly carry the state. The
election takes place on the first Monday in
April, and both parties already have
hsld their conventions, nominated their
tickets and framed their platforms. For
the next six weeks the contest will be q
warm one. The Democratic Convention,
which met on the 7th inst, nominated
Ex-Congressman james E. English for
Governor, and Endorsed the President in
the following terms:
ResolDcd, That we pledge to Andrew
johnson, OF Tennessee, President Of the
United States, our support in the efforts he Is
making to secure to all the States immedi-
ate representation in Congress, and their
full rights under the Constitution as States
of the Union, and that we will stand by him
so long as he stands BY the Constitution, and
we invite all patriotic citizens to unite with
US 10 this purpose.
The Republican Convention met on the
18th, nominated General Hawley for Gov
ernor and passed the following resolutions
on national affairs:
ResoIue5 That we gladly express our con-
fdence in the integrity, ability and patriot
ism Of his successor, Andrew johnson, who
braved secession in the Senate and defed
armed rebellion in Tennessee, who sprang
from the people and is identified with all
all their interests; and we do pledge him
our hearty support in his labors for a just,
complete, and permanent restoration Of the
onion.
Resolved, That an The UaioH majority Of the
present Congress te recognize a noble array Of
true and tried defenders of the principles Of
constitutional liberty aud ORDER aud that acc
repOse 5iM eonfdeRee IN their soisdoHI and
patriotism for the settlementof the questions
appropriately pertaining 10 the legislative
department Of the government.
1t will be observed that while both par
ties endorse the President, the Republicans
take especial pains to endorse the Union
majority in Congress. The campaign will
not be fought, therefore, on the issue of
"the Presidents policy" but rather on the
issue of the measures now pending in or
recently passed by Congress-the last Con-
s~titutional Amendment, the Negro Suf-
frage bill, and the Freedmen's Bureau bill.
If the Republicans triumph, it will be
radical victory; if they lose, it will be a
radical defeat.
General Hawley, the Republican eandi-
date for Governor, is a radical of the rad
iOals. Twenty-one years ago, then just
entering upon political life, he gave his
ardent support to James G. Birney, the
abolition candidate for President and his
course since that eventhas been uniformly
and consistently snti-slavery. His nOmi-
nation is good sign, and his administra-
ton, flor we are confident that he will be
elected, viii be guided and controlled by
the principles of freedom.