Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1867-12-26
WHO SHOULD BE ELECTED I


/ WHO SHOULD BE ELECTED U. 81
,SENAToR.-The position of the Demo-
cracy of Ohio when compared with
the party in the other States Of the
Union, is a proud and prominent one
Her compact columns, marskaled by
the ablest and wisest minds Of the ma
ton and inspired by the spirit of
patriotism and devotion to principle,
have many times been defeated but
never routed, and with q determine
tion that ignored failure waited for
that slime which sets all things even, "
resolving that, though unsuccessful
then, victory would yet perch upon
our banners. 91t re Ierfr.
4 That time has come. Now, shall
I'VE reap the legitimate fruits of that
victory? or shall we by following the
old worn out line of policy defeat the
very object for which we fought?
A consideration of this question
leads us naturally up to the Senatorial
question.
The Democratic party of Ohio is
truly fortunate in this :: that among its
members may be found many who
wohld do honor to the highest posi-
tiofhin the gift of the people; and
without doing injustice to host OF
others we can name Pendleton, Allen,
RPny, Thurman, ,Yallandigham,
PGgh, and Morgan. 1t seems to be
well-settled fact that from among
these gentlemen a Senator will be
selected to take the place of the noto-
rious Ben Wade. Now, in that
selection, should we please our oppo-
nents or ourselves? gi,qar ar
Some argue, and with some degree
of reason, too, that we should please
the Republican party because that
from their ranks during the last can
vass we gained recruits enough to
carry the Legislature, and to hold
them for the Presidential race in 1868,
we should so act as not to drive them
off. Now, we tried that plan in the
campaign of 1864, and the result was
spiritless canvass and an overwhelm-
ing defeat. The Belmonts and others
of the East-the bondholders of our
party, if you please -were willing
that the Western Democracy should
make the platform, but they must
select the man, for the reason that the
candidate on personal considerations
would take sufficient votes from the
!, opposition, together with our own
votes, to secure his election; at the
same time overlooking another great
fact, that such course took from the
Democratic party all the fire, enthusi-
asm, and pluck that a party should
have to insure success. Thousands
that heretofore were live workers in
the organization became cold and care
less Of victory, and more votes were
lost from the Democratic party than
/, were gained from the Republican.
In the campaign of 1863 in Ohio,
i there was no attempt made to please
the administration, and never before
had we as enthusiastic canvass or
one resulting in more good to the
whole Republic. Our candidate re-
ceived more votes than was ever given
before for the successful candidate
with one exception, we believe. The
last election is another illustration of
the fact that in the absence of enthu-
siasm in majority of any party de-
feat is certain. We honestly believe
that had the leaders OF the Radical
party boldly accepted the proposition
of Negro Suffrage early in the contest
and proclaimed it from every stump,
as they did ten days prior to the cleo
ton and before the sober second
thought of the people had come, that
to-day the word "white" would have
been stricken out of our Constitution
We all remember how rapidly they
gained just before the election. The
reason is evident: they became enthu.
siastic and began to believe that they
would be successful. arfGL 5Gel
Now what was the issue on. which
the Legislative contest was fought
!, ben Wade sounds the key not in hi
| Marietta speech. Simply this and
| ~ 0thinor m oora. HCond mn old Ror