Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1867-09-21


W. G. HowEr1s,
c. S. SNoNDs,
s. 4. NuRTHAwAY,
JAMES REED,
S. HAYWARD,
Union Central Committee.
bR. EDITOR As our county central committee
have called the attention of the Union voters of
this county, 10 the great importance of the pres
tnt political campaign-allow me to say few
words in addition. The Central Committee tell
us that the great danger is in our apathy and
indifference. II we may judge from appear
ances, that apathy is greater now than at any
general election for many years. But we have
learned by experience that Ashtabula County
is more unf,vorably affected by this feeling Of
Indifference than most of the other counties in
this state. Our votesfuctuates from full to n
very meagrc one at about every second year,
and sometimes when great principle is involv-
ed we arc surprised, and almost disgusted at
the lightness of the vote.
If any one will take the trouble to look up
the record for the past ten years. he will find
that The republican vote has varied almost one
half in different Yeas, ard that the mai0rilies
have varied at least one half, viz, from little
over $500 in 1858 to little over 5000 in 1864,
(six years later,) and that in each year the ma
jorty bore the closest relation to the lakor that
was performed by way of meetings, addresses,
&C., in the various townships in the county.
This seems to he the most certain way to get
the voters interested, and when any great prin-
o;r Ia l. of etaEn ic tbat shnpll hn dill
gently used. In 1856 when Fremont was can
didate for President, and the county was thor
oughly stumped, the republican majority was
almost 1000, SQacking only lI9 votes) The
next year there was no effort made, and Chase
received only 2,749 majority for Governor. In
1865 there was no effort made, and the state
ticket only received 2,54l and Hutchins only
., ,29S er the democratic candidate.
In 1859 it was equally quiet, and the majori-
ty was ouly 1867. In the Presidential election
of 1860 all parties were aroused, and Old Ash
tabula gave 4,287 majority for Lincoln, and tie
whole vote of the county was 800.
The next year l"ll WIS arathy,-ao town
ship meetings were held, and very little inter
est was felt, and only 3,O42 majority was given,
although the opposition to Tod was very small,
only amounting to 3IS votes. In 1862 the whole
majority wss 2,6ll, and the campaign was if
anything, more quiet than any of the preceding.
In 1868 when the monster rebel, Falandig-
ham, was candidate for the gubernatorial hon
or in Ohio the people turned out in their might,
and every township in the county did IFS best.
Rousing meetings were held all over the coun-
ty, and the majority of 1926 was rolled up a.
gainst the traitor who is now so Zealousfy Ia
boring for Thurman.
In 1864 the people were again called to elect
president, and the enormous vote of 5000
was cast in Ashtabula, with majority of 5,0O5
for Lincoln over little Mac, and 4,4SS majority
on the state ticket.
This result also, as all can remember, was
brought about by hard labor and earnest effort
In 1865 general apathy prevailed, and General
Cox only received 3,iO6 majority. In 1866 un-
der the excitement of the Judgeship question,
the Union majority was +,9GS.
At the last census the following FIVE counties
had about the same population as Ashtabua
County, viz. Hchland, Ross, Fairfield, Cler
mont and Wayne. The following table will
show how unstable is the vote of Ashtabula
compared vi h oh.r COUNTIES, and how much
it is govtr.. Led ny circumstances.