The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-07
Tho Ohis Democracy and tho New Flat
form.

Tho Ohio Democracy and tho New Flat
There have been within the last few years
remarkable changes in political parties and
among politicians in this country, but none
| more so than the change Of the anti-war cop
perhead party of Ohio. Who would have
thought year or two ago that Vallandigham,
Pendeton and others of that extreme demo-
cratic school would swallow negro suffrage
the constitutional amendments and the
advanced political ideas Of the radicals? Yet
it is so. The platform Of the Ohio Demo-
cratic Convention, which was framed chiefly
by vallandigham and his old copperhead
confreres, would do very well for any repub-
lican convention. The transformations pro-
duced by the kaleidoscope are not more sur
prising than those which we see in the new
departure Of the democracy. What Is the
determination to carry, if possible,
the next Presidential election. The
action Of the democrats in all the Northern
States of late shows that the party, in the
North, at least, is resolved to leave nothing
undone that may strengthen Its prospects.
They have seen the folly of butting against
| accomplished facts, and now accept the issues
Of the war, including the constitutional
| amendments which abolish slavery forever
| and place the negroes on an equality with the
| whites before the law and in the enjoyment
Of all the rights and privileges of citizens.
/ T. ,f h. &c rauv Of ho
old anti-war democrats in the Convention it is
clear that the Ohio democracy has become
united, as the party in other Northern States
has, on broad and liberal platform for the
future, which leaves the radicals without any
advantage on the issues of the war.
The nomination of General George w.
McCook, who fought nobly for the Union and
| who has o good war record, for Governor
Of Ohio, shows that the democracy Of that
State has no sympathy with rebellion. What
ever may be said of the conversion of Vallan-
digham and others who had opposed the war,
no one can doubt the sentiments or misinter-
pref the conduct of General McCook, who
fought the rebels and for the Union. He is,
then, the representative man of the reunited
democracy Of Ohio, and the copperhead fac
ton of that State has ceased to exist, or at
least, it has become powerless. The resolu-
tions adopted a. the platform of the party
cover the ground as to the constitutional
amendments 1--WE recognize" the Conven-
ton said, ''as accomplished facts the three
amendments to the constitution recently de-
clared adopted, and consider the same as no
longer political issues before the country"
True, the Convention denounced the "extra-
ordinary means by which these were brought
about" but does not 60 behind that fact to
deny the binding obligations of the amend
ments. In the second resolution the Conven-
ton was more explicit even; for while de-
handing that there should be no latitudinarian
Interpretation of the constitution, as now
amended, to enlarge the powers Of the govern
ment beyond what is strictly expressed in the
amendments, it pledges the democratic party
''to full, faithful and absolute execution and
enforcement of the constitution as it now is,
so as to secure equal rights to all persons
under it, without distinction Of race, color or
condition" So far, then, as the platform
and the nominee for Governor Of the Ohio
democracy go, nothing more could be desired
to satisfy the most ardent Union man or the
greatest enthusiast for the equality and rights
Of all men, whether white or black.
The only thing the radicals may say now is
that the democrats are not sincere; that such
copperheads as Vallandigham and others like
him are not to be trusted; that they would, If
in power, cheat the people and attempt to
undo what has been accomplished by the war.
This, in fact, they say now. That is their
policy; but it is an appeal to the prejudices Of
the people, and Is hardly fair. Men change
their views and statesmen their policy accord
ing to circumstances. Many Of those who are
shining lights in the radical party were demo-
Gratis a few years ago. They changed with
| the changing circumstances of the times
and condition Of the country. Why,
| then, should not the democratic leaders
| or democratic party? These men have the
welfare of the country at heart as well as
| their opponents, though they may pursue
| different course to reach the object To APP
| peal to the prejudces of the people on the
issues Of the war is principally the political
| capital Of the radicals, and, no doubt, this
| will prove effective, to some extent, as long
as any war feeling exists. It is natural that
| the Northern people should be sensitive on
matter that has cost them so much. Still the
new departure of the democracy in the differ
ent States by frankly accepting the results Of
the war, will inspire confidence in the people
and give the party fresh start. We regard
this as gratifying sign of the times, and as
promising peace to the country, whether the
democrats come into power in 1872 or after
wards, or General Grant be reelected and the
radicals continue to hold the reins of govern