The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-10-12
TIE OTTUMWA COURIER

TIE OTTUMWA COURIER
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THE SENATORIAL 0oNTnsT.
Never before, perhaps, in the his
tory Of lows politics since the
republican party came into power,
has there been 30 determined, 80
extensively organized, 90 adroitly
conceived Q scheme 10 defeat .
prominent and distinguished citizen
Of the State for any position in the
gift Of our people, ss is now waged
aud tor three months past has been
waged against the Hon. James Har-
Ian for reelection to the q. 8. Sem
ate. This war dues It come from
the people, but il the work of
CLOSELY cemented body Of prominent
politicians of the State, and we fear
not alone drawn from the republican
ranks, because the leading democrat
10 papers f the State. such as the
Consultations Of Keokuk, tho Gazette
of Burlington, the Democrat of Dav-
export, tho Herald Of Dubuque and
lesser lights following in their wake,
have poured out daily their Walls of
wrath and vituperation upon the
head Of Mr.. Harlan. We expressed
the view early in the contest, and
before we had taken position for
anybody for the Sena-e, that we
hoped no unfair meaus, no ungentle-
manly and abusive course would be
pursued by any ono against any can.
didate who might DO named. This was
a,Fain hope;among the very first shots
fired by the opponents to Harlan,
was bitter and slanderous attack
upon him personally, and upon his
reputation IS man of integrity by
the Cedar Rapids Times. How could it
be otherwise than that such an attack
would irritate Uarlan's friends,
and invite q caustic reply. The Du-
buqe Times quoted from that article
of its nsmesake, and published a
portion of the scurrilous article.
Next appeared the scheme-no
doubt consummated in it's arrange
ments ut the State Convention
which comprised the bringing forth
of the Newman letter, and that 9TH
or novelty to-wit: A German ad-
dress directly attacking Mr.. Harlan
and introducing dangerous ele-
ment OF discold into tho party, by
attempting to array a strong and
very respectable portion of it
against him individually. In case
Of success, then would the coterie of
these schemers say, will you drive
from our ranks this great and strong
German element 10 the great repub
Rcan party BY insisting upon the
candidacy Of . man SO hateful to
this important element Of the party2
Allow US to say further that this
ypove Was intimately interlinked
and aided by that other, headed BY
Senator Schurz, who hated Harlan
for bis defense of the administration
and which has finally adopted, SO
far as its leader is concerned, at least,
opposition to Grant in '72 though
he be the nominee. In the midst
OF this triple sor,ie upon Mr.. Har-
Ian. devised by coterie of political
wire.wOrkers in our party, there
rained down in conjuction herewith,
and in aid of the attack, from the
democratic press, ,ts wondrous
stock Of billingsgato.
Up TO this time no harsh words,
no charges. no recrimination of any
kind had been INDUCED in by the
friends of Mr.. Harlan, and indeed
since that time the character and
reputation of MIR. Allison has beer
invariably guarded by the papers
advocating the elction of Harlan.
Who then candid reader is respon
sble for whatever Of bitterness thi,
canvass has engeDdered2 Who
urges the dropping of the two leading
candidates when defeat stares then
in tho face, but those who dropped
the roll Of gentlemanly warefare and
famed the flames OF bitterness. w
will not say that it was their intention
to 90 arouse tho intensity Of feeling
upon this subject that they nigh
avail themselves of tho fact to pusl
the laying aside Of old candidate
and to defeat tie man they coul,
destroy in no other way, but
thrusts itself upon us to tho exten
Of almost absolute conviction ths
such was the case, and SO it doe
upon tho mass Of the republicans Q
the State, who look with unjaundice
eyes.upon the progress.of events, an
let US say here that the candid il
telligent unbiased observer of til
state Of things now admits, and b,
all along admitted that q very lart
majority Of the masses of the par,
have been, and are now, the earne
warm friends and supporters of NJ
Harlan, while arrayed against him