The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-05-13

II, AT COLUMBUS
Thursday last week being the day des-
ignated for meeting of the Democratic
State Central Committee, to decide upon
the time and place for holding the Demo-
cratic State Convention, we made it our
business to be present,
The Chairman of the committee had
notified the members thereof of its occur
renee, and prominent Democrats from
all parts of the State were invited to par
ticpate in the proceedings, and the!
came in numbers.
Never before in the history of the
Democratic party of Ohio has there been
such harmonious, enthusiastic gather.
ing; such union of Democratic feeling
and sentiment exhibited at an almost inn
promptu Democratic gathering. 1t was,
by far, the largest meeting ever called
under similar circumstances. Every Con-
gressional district in the State was repre-
sented, and gentlemen from every coun-
ty in the State were present.
The meeting was held in Thurman
Hail. and was called to order at 2:30 p.
m., by A. T. Walling, Chairman of the
Democratic State Ce. tral Committee.
He stated the meeting had been called
for the purpose Of deciding the time and
place Of holding the next Democratic
State Convention, and also that any sug-
gestions were in order
Daniel Flanagan, of Hardin, suggested
the l7th Of June, the anniversary of the
battle of Bunker Hill, as a suitable time
for holding the State Convention,
This was followed by motions for the
7th and 10th Of June, when VIM. Nun
gen, of Hancock, arose and suggested the
first Wednesday in August as the best
time for holding the convention that
would be after harvest, and the farmers
would then have time to leave their fields
aud come up en- masse.
Senator Seitz, of Seneca, was for hold
ing the convention at the earliest mo-
ment. 1t was to be the largest Mass
Convention ever heldin the State of Ohio,
and he felt that while the fire was burn
ing, and the iron was hot, it ought to be
struck.
Colonel Robinson, of Tuscarawas, spoke
enthusiastically of the work Of the last
Legislature it was the best work of leg
islation ever done in Ohio; the fee bill,
causing a reduction of salaries of county
officers S2j0,000 to 100000, was u good
enough flag for any one to fight under.
All the Democracy had to do was to
buckle on their armor, march to the front
boldly, fight the battle squarely, and vic
tory was bound to follow. Every city in
the State had gwen Democratic majorities
but Toledo, and she was beyond the reach
of railroad communication. Enter early
into the canvass, strike home for party
and the nation. The cities, he said, were
all right, and he laid stress upon the
apathy Of the Democratic press in not
standing up for the party with yigor.
The 18th of June was his day, and he
hoped there would be no disagreement
about an early gathering of the clans,
SENATOR THURMAN.
Senator Thurman addressed the meet
ing substantially as follows
Nh. PREsIDENT--I have reflected not a
little on the question under consideration,
and the more | have reflected the more
] am satisfied the Convention ought to
be held at an early day. No matter
when you hold the Convention, the
stumping will not commence till the first
week in August. In 1867 the Demo-
cratic Convention was held on the Sth of
January, and the Republican Convention
in February. Both commenced stump
ing on the same day in August. The
time has gone by when Ohio can be car
ried by stump speaking. Stump speeches
are useful toarOuse the people and reiute
false charges, but the minds of the voters
are made up generally before the stump
ing begins. 1t seems to me the cam
paign will be most affected by organiza
ton. That party which has the most
efficient organization, has the best ad-
vantage. In the light of seven years eX-
perienCe as member of the State Cen
trail Committee, am able to say it takes
more time than is generally supposed to
organize campaign, to establish corre
spondence with counties. This isa work
of prodigious labor, which no man can
appreciate unless he has assisted III it.
That work will not be done till the State
Convention puts q ticket in the field.
You may say that the State Executive
Committee ought to 60 to work at once.
The State Committee is very energetic
one, but the county committees will not
be ready. My friend here (the chairman
of the Executive Committee) might send
Oub lllo IOlICoJOhuCllSC NO-hlpilOhJ DhI
the expiring county committees will wait
for the county meetings. Experience
shows that counties will not organize till
after the State Convention. For this rea-
son, in my judgment, the State Conven-
ton should be held at an early day.
There are other reasons for an early |
Convention. 1t is apparent to every one
that unless the Republican party can
carry Ohio its fate is sealed. Zap |
plause.l If the Democratic party car
ries Ohio next fall by a large majority, it |
settles the question Of party ascendency |
in the nation. Ohio is the first TO speak,
and her voice will exercise an influence
that can scarcely be overestimated. Ohio
will have far more potency even than
last year. The Republicans know it is a
matter of life and death to them to re-
cover Ohio. They held a meeting in
in February last, and there
4 g.. L