Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-10-23
Honor to Ohio.

The Republicans Of Ohio elected their Governor
in 1865 by 10000 majority, and gave their State
ticket last yesr--by the powerful help of Andrew
johnson and Mayor Monroe-a round 10000. The
extra 10000 would probably have slipped away
this year; but with an ordinary canvass and no
unusual issue they could not have failed to succeed
on every ticket by at least 10000 majority They
have not been cursed with corrupt Legislators, as
their brethren in other great States have been ;
they were little distracted by local issues that
personal rivalries as to the pending United States
Senatorship were likely to hurt their Legislative
tickets in several counties-as they did. They had
simply to stand still in order to be sure of easy
canvass and certain triumph.
They chose not to stand still, but to ADVANCE
They were committed TO the principle of Manhood
Suffrage by the action Of their chosen representa-
tives at home and in Congress, and by the logic of
their position. When the Copperheads were sup
porting Vallandigham for Governor and doing their
utmost to break down the war for the Union, the
Republicans called the blacks to do their best in
the ranks of tho nations defenders, and the sum-
mons was nobly responded to. Denied voice in
directing the Government he fought TO uphold, pro-
scribed, despsed, spit upon the negro took up his
musket and went TO the front while Copperheads
we're fleeing TO Canada and skulking in every di-
rection to evade the draft. Hence the late Legis-
lature Of Ohio, by party vote, passed an amend
meut to the State Constitution providing that color
should no longer be test of political rightsthat
black, If a loyal, worthy citizen, should vote and
that deserter or s draft-sneak should not That
amendment was properly submitted to the people,
to be ratified or rejected at the late election.
OF course it was understood that we we're to lose
by it-how much, could only be determined by the
result. But the lower half Of the State, and espe-
ciAlly the southeastern counties, were originally
and largely settled from Virginia and Kentucky
and il was notorious that many Of their Republi-
cans would resist negro suffrage, while every Dem
II = L. g. JoG,o "a ~
lcans, therefore with everything at stake, includ-
ing Mr. Wades seat in the Senate, accepted-in
fact chaenged-an issue which they might have
postponed and thus transformed into hazard what
before was certainty. They did what was right
and just when they could not fail to lose by it, when
trimming and low eIpediency would have insured
them against all danger They have faults thai
might have harmed them, but did not they suffered
because they nobly dared to do right little sooner
than all who have hitherto acted with them weTt
readv TO do IT, They have lost the Legislature
they came very near losing the State tcket-oe
cause they were in advance Of their time-N I
Tribune.
"W Rat foosW exclaim the men wise in their gen
Grafton who can conceive no other end OF politiea
effort bu. 20 secure and enjoy power-who test al
things by their Immediate practical resuts-"WhJ
not, at least put off the question Of negro sunrag
10 more convenient season pas il party, thai
has a genuine life, were not always sloughing OF
dead matter and educating the masses 10 conside
;ustice first and success sfterward. What individ
ual ever acted nobly without daring and suffering
Who does not realize that the best acts OF MS nj
were those most misconceiyed, maligned, trad1ced
bov1ed att II the Ohio Republicans did not real
ize that black suffrage would be heavy load I
carry they deserve less honor than We freely seco
them.
/ But they did know it. They deliberately chos
10 be right rather than safe. They chose to fight
doubtful battle for 8 great and good end, rathe
than accept cheap and certain bu. relatively un
important success. And, as the universe is not
I produc. Of chance, but under moral governmen
We feel assured that events viii prove them wise
well as right We predict that their present n
verse viii prove their permanent advantage-th'
thew will rise from it strengthened and invigorate
and look back on it SIS we DO on the Bull Run {
'6l and the Mcclellan Of 62. We only ask tho'
who doubt 70 wait and see.