Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-09-19
The Campaign In Ohio.

THE peculiar character of the contest
in this State--the open, frank and honest
course of the Republicans, and the efforts
of the Democrats to plant themselves upon
the issues which agitated the people years
ago-is exciting general interest in the
Ohio campaign throughout the whole
country. So far as the Democratic party
is concerned, the contest on their part is
not simply for the control of the affairs of
the State. That is but secondary con-
sideration with them. What they are
really working for is to keep their party
alive and to make it once more formid-
able rival for supremacy in the General
Government. With them it is question
of life or death. They certainly have no
expectation that success will crown their
efforts, so far as the election in Ohio is
concerned, but they hope to inject little
vitality into the National Democratic
party. Some of the old fossils have so
often declared their purpose to olive and
die Democrats" that they want to carry
out their pledge; and how could they die
in the Democratic party if no such party
exists? They propose to keep it alive
| just to redeem their pledges that they
would die in the ranks of that party. The
struggle, as far as the Democrats are con-
cerned, therefore, is of National oAarac-
ter, and creates no little interest all over
the country. Public journals in other
States are freely canvassing the situation
in Ohio, and expressing opinions as to the
result of the contest. The New York
Times makes the following reference to
the subject:
1t will be seen from our special dispatches that
| the Republicans of Ohio have opened the cam
pagn in their State under encouraging circum-
| stances. The meeting at Athens Saturday,
was, in attendance and in the spirit manifested, a
gratifying proof that the masses of the party are
fully convinced of the importance of the contest
upon which they are entering, and are determined
to use all honorable means TO secure success. The
Democrats boast that the Republican party in the
State is paralyzed by internal dssensiOns, and the
loss of popular confidence, IL disproved at the out
set OF this struggle by gathering larger and more
enthusiastic than il usual in purely State canvass
In entering this contest the Democrats played
their last cards in the nomination of William AL
len and a specious appeal to the farmers; but il
is already apparent that they have lost. There has
been no enthusiasm awakened in the Democratic
ranks by the exhumation of this political fossil
there has been no disintegration Of the Republican
party because of the Farmers movement.
1t is a mark of the vigor and good sense Of thC
Republicans that they are carrying on an ag grea
sive contest MIR. Allen is gentleman of hiGl
personal character, but his political record during
the war is exceedingly vulnerable, and II is bein!
properly used with great effect. ON the othe
hand the position of Governor Noyes is wholly un
assailable. In the personal aspect of the contest
therefore, the advantage is entirely with the Re
| puDllCdHS. OuT are etluhlly ndppS III III
record they have made in the administration o
State affairs. Ohio has given Democracy but littl
chance during the last twenty years to try IT
hand at government, and the State has consequent
ly prospered and become great. In purely !oca
issues the party is strong as ever, and Goyerno
Noyes has proved that 1t can face the nationa
questions which have become prominent sine
last year wi @hout losing any of its strength.
That is fair presentation of the situs
ton. The Republicans of Ohio go int
the fight in the best possible condition
They have no internal dissensions and n
corruption to weaken them. In State al
fairs, they have the strongest possible en-
{ dorsement from the Democrats them
selves, and in national politics the part
never stood fairer before the people. |
has purified itself and thereby given evi
dence that it is worthy the confidence o
, the people. 1t has turned its face sternl
against every form of corruption, and re
pudiated every dishonest officeholder
thereby establishing its honesty and devC
ton to the best interests of the people
With such a record, in contest with
party which has been, in the language G
our neighbor of the Democrat, for tn
,, past two or three years masquerading i
all kinds of fantastic costumes, ," there ca
be no doubt as to the result.-1'oted
I Blade