The Portland daily press., 1874-09-04
Ohio Repuhlicanism.

Inc platform OF the Republican Conven-
ton of Ohio, held at Columbus, Wednesday,
indicates that in that state at least both par
ties go into the canvass with clearly defined
and antagonistic principles. The Repubii-
cans in their admirable platform denounce
reputation in every form, and demand that
the government shall pay its honest debts in
the money recognized by the commercial
world They also reaffirm the Philadelphia
platform, which demands a return to specie
payments, and, as if to make the declaration
stronger, assert that the Republicans of Ohio
believe in immediate measures to gradually
restore our paper money to specie basis. On
the other hand, with great unanimity, the
Democrats re-assert their adherence to Mr..
Pendleton's scheme of paying the national
debt in greenbacks, and, without mention
of specie payment, declare that the currency
of the country should be regulated by the de-
mands of business.
Until within few weeks this question of
the currency has been the most important be-
fore the nation, and basing the result of the
canvass upon the utterances of both parties
upon this single issue, the Republicans of
Ohio ought to succeed.
In this connection, it is curious to notice
the important change of sentiment taking
place among the Western Republicans on this
subject of the currency. Directly after the
panic it was given out that the men of the
West demanded an expansion of the curren-
cy, and greater part of the members of Con-
gress from that section acted on that pre-
sumption. What might have been the case
when that country was suffering from the
grpes of the panic, cannot now be known;
but it is true that the Republicans of Ohio
have entirely recovered from such fallacy,
and if Messrs. Morton and Logan had not
duplicated partial endorsements their states,
Indiana and Illinois would, to-day, stand on
the honest platform of Ohio.
But since the Republicans of Maine held
their State Convention, encouraged by the
utterances of Democratic conventions, politi-
clans and journals of the North, the hot
headed Democracy of the South, by their
lawless acts and violence, have revived the
old issue, involving not only the right of citi-
right of the ballot but even the privilege of
living ia peace. Until within few weeks
the Republican party had considered this
matter forever settled, and were ready to
turn their attention to those measures of re.
form which must follow the final adjustment
of the question affecting the right of Ameri-
can citizens to enjoy in peace all their political
privileges. But since few Democratic sue
cesses in the North and the assurances of such
leaders as Senator Eaton Of Connecticut, that
they will be their champions, the Southern
Democracy have disclosed their purpose to
secure victory by system of bloody deeds
that will keep every defenceless colored man
from the polls.
Intent on securing past successes, the Re-
publicans of Ohio turn their faces to the old
issue and declare that first of all things Amer
lean citizens, regardless of race or color. must
have their personal rights secured, even if
the federal government is obliged to interpose
its strong arm. Thus, the Ohio Republicans
but express the sentiment Of the entire party,
and Maine will respond by the return of its
present delegation to Congress by substantial
mJorities.
Meanwhile, our adversaries, eager to be re-
stored to public confidence, will ignore this
issue and all other issues, preferring as politi-
cal scavengers to hunt the streets for petty
scandal and to make capital out of distorted
facts.