Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-10-22
The Defeat Of PendletOn.

THE country has had u fortunate escape.
The election in Ohio might have resulted
in national calamity; that il did not, Is
most Fortunate. George III. Pendleton is
unquestionably the alIiest man, intellectual
w, among the Democratic leaders. by
BIRTH education, tastes, habits, and assOcia-
ton, he has possibly less of the democrat
about him than any Of his competitors
lie Is proud Of his relation TO the "supe-
rior race of the South, and had he been
n resident cf that section in the days of
slavery he would have lived as prince
among his feudal followers. - t
This gentleman has been an avowed can
didatc for the Presidency ever since 1860.
In 1864 hcwas nominated for the Vice
Presidency, and was rejected by the -pco-
pie. In 1866 he proclaimed the new doc
trlne of Reputation, by forcing the holders
Of the public bonds TO take In lieu thereof
an irredeemable paper currency, and, To
make that currency valueless, he proposed
to issue IL by the thousands of millions.
lie appealed TO the sclfishness and sup
posed dishonesty of the people. lie point
cd out to them how they might escape pay
ment of both principal and interest, and
| escape the taxation made necessary TO
meet both. This policy lie advocated by
| speech and in letters. He visited all parts
of the country, exhibiting his financial
| scheme, and did as much as-if not more
| than-any other man TO weaken the pub.
| lie credit, and retard the restorat on of the
national finances to sound basis. He
found willing followers among that por.
tion of the Democratic party whose sym
pathics and interests had been on the side
of slavery and the rebellion. He was ac-
ccpted by these as their leader, and, when
tho Democratic Convention met In New
| York, in July, 1868, lie was the iavorite of
nine.tenths of the rank and file of the
| Democracy. lie was their choice for an.
other reason. lie had not only voted
| against the constitutional amendment
abOlishing slavery, but he has always
maintained that slavery could not be abol.
ishcd in that mode, and therefore,
had never been legally abolished
This theory admitted the claims of
shareholders for their slave property. He
was, therefore, not only the advocate of
repudiating the national debt, but In favor
of paying the rebels for their property in
slaves.
In the convention there were rivals.
Hendricks and Hancock, infinitely his in
fcriors in intellect, were also candidates.
To defeat him they adopted his distinctive
policies, and claimed that they would go
further than he had promised. The
friends of these men, combined, constituted
nine tcnths of the convention, but, being
hopclessly divided, their efforts resulted
only in mutual defeat. The result was
the nomination of SeymOu.
Since that time the New York Democ-
racy have sought to make n champion of
Hoffman. They elected that gentleman
Governor of New York. They had sur
rounded him with the prestige of success.
Under these circumstances il became Pen.
dlcton's policy to offset the growing popu-
larity of Hoffman by getting elected Gov
crnOr Of Ohio. The result of that elec-
ton has been fatal 60 Pendleton.- 1t has
covered him with defeat i'm his own State
1t is personal as well as a political defeat
1t Is u refusal by the people of Ohio to ac-
ccpt him, even with his high personal
qualifications, and il is a refusal of the pco
pie to accept his spccious promises of good
times and plenty of money.
The country has reason To rejoice at this
decision of the people of Ohio II is the
death blow to the grecnbaCk pelicy. II
puts an end to the scheme of reputation
II is another popular declaration that the
debt is to be honestly paid. 1t isa public
protest against the further issue of II de
preciated paper currency. 1t is a demand
for return to specie payments and specie
values. 1t is II protest against reckless
expansion, initiation, and speculation, end
ing, finally, in national and individual
bankruptcy and ruin. -
This election in Ohio is, perhaps, the
close of the political life of Mr. Pendle-
ton, it will, at least, put an end to his
Presidential aspirations Other men will
take his place, He bid high,--hc played
the dCmagoguc in the most mastcrly style
,, but he has failed. He had ability, ant
was, therefore, more dangerous In hi
defeat, We repeat, the country has grea
cause for rejoicing Chicago Tribune
| October IA.