New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-07-06
OHIO.
THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. FIGHT, ITS
ORIGIN AND HISTORY.

ORIGIN AND HISTORY.
CINCINNATI, June 22.-Since the last Demo-
cratic Convention at Columbus there has been consider
able discussion by newspapers in and out OF the State,
respecting the probable Democratic nomination for the
Presidency in 1872 To those unacquainted with the
internal condition Of the party in Ohio, this discus
sion may seem premature, and calculated to work mis-
chief through stirring early discussions and divisions,
which would weaken the Democratic vote at the moment
action. 1t is with this view probably that many Re
publican papers have been active in speculaons hoping
TO foster such discussions among the Democracy But
there are wheels within wheels in politics. There is
already feud in the Democratic party and its leaders
shrewd enough to see that II the internal disease Ia
TO healed the process Of dOctOrng must be entered
upon early and that two years ia not more than time
enough in which effect There is a story in TINS
connection which, far know has never been told
in full but which is worth the telling
When Mr.. Valandgham returned over the border, it
was with the determination at and actively
into political life. To the public at large he expressed
himself only DESTROYS OF quiet and opportunity to
devote himself exclusively TO the practice Of law But
his intimate friends well understood that 1t his in
tention enter the Congressional there
should be the least prospect Of success This shown
in the nominating Convention held at Hamilton in 1866
majority Of the delegates undoubtedly In favor Of
the nomination Of Vallandigham before the assembling
OF the Convention and many Of them had positive
tons to vote for him. But he sharp enough TO
that his time had not yet During the whole morn
ing before the Convention met he worked with its
bersurged every argument possible and finally convinced
his friends that they must not put him up only to he
defeated and at length actually secured the nomination
OF Gen. Durbin Ward, Democrat with splendid war
record and who had fought his way up from privates
position TO brigadlership Gen. Ward made most eff
fectve canvass in spite OF his unpOpularity with the old
antwar Democrats and in spite also OF yaandighams
singular apathy and lack Of personal endeayor favor
~ ha had hoo,
Gen. schenck was elected but by reduced majority
TO make it possible two years later elect Democrat
In his stead. IL generally understood among the
Democracy that Mr. Vaand CHAM desired 20 take
seat until time had obterated at least sofened the
memory Of his record and 1t also generally CON
coded that by OF the strong fight shown by Gen.
Ward the unexpected ability he had displayed, and the
damaging inroad he had made the last Republican
vote Of the District he should receive the Democratic
nomination in 1868. Such the understanding M
to the very morning when the Convention met;
and II Is doubtful IL even Gen. Ward himself
had any other anticipation than that vallandIgham
would throw his influence in his favor But as soon as
the members assembled, it became apparent that Val
landighams wire pulling had been more than match
for the Generals gaantry, and after few ballots the
former was put on the track Congressional nominee
The conducted with much spirit and feeling
on both sides, and resulted in yalandgham's defeat by
votes while Gen. Wards friends cursed the reachery
which had deprived him Of the nomination. and claimed
that had he been nominated, he could have been easily
elected.
On the sh OF January 1863 the Democratic Convention
met at Columbus for the nomination State candidates
IL also well known that the question Of the United
States SenaOrshp would then he settled The Democracy
were divided in their choice between Thurman and Val
landigham, with the chances very evenly balanced
though Thurman vas slightly ahead Mr.. Vallandlgham
and his partisans made the Goodale House their head
quarters, while the Thumanites, including Wash
Mclean OF The Cincinnati Inquirer and nearly all tho
newspaper men, were quartercd at the Neil House In
this contest 1t thought that Mr. Pendetons inhu
epce would have great weight from the peculiar posi-
ton In which he stood rs tho probable Presidential nom
inee also from his high persona character and his
thoroughly consistent Identification with the Democratic
party. II therefore became matter OF the first mpor
lance with each Of the rivals his
and support. But Mi. PendletOn, while personally
friendly to each, naturally thought that II he su
fered himself 10 De drawn into any entanglng alliance
the Senatorial question, he would offend the faction
against which ne threw the weight OF his name and in
Rasllt. aal Nv gase Wy elelea s2aiuAt lasel W tle