The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1875-05-29
Ohio.
From the New York sun,

The first great battle of the Pre,iden-
tlal campaign will be fought in Ohio
next October, and both parties are
already preparing for the contest.
During the last tour Years this State
has almost completely changed front
in its relation TO parties, and from beng
one of the most pronounced of the Re-
publican phslanN, has gradually broken
loose from its former ties, so that the
pending election will probably not only
determine Its future position, but have It
most decisive bearing on the National
election of 1876.
In 1852 General Grant received ma
iority OF &7,53l. In 1879 William
Allen, Democrat, was elected Governor
by ST. majority over NOycS. In 1874
the OPPOSITION elected thirteen members
of Congress against seven Republicans,
exactly reversing the political complex.
ion of the delegation i'll the previous
Congress. Bell, Democrat, was chosen
Secretary of State last fall by a majority
Of l7,2O2, but his election was not 80
much Il real test between parties rs the
contest for Congress.
1t Is thus seen that large part of the
capital held by the Republicans in 49,.
has disappeared under the new sgItations
and discomfort which have arisen from
tn" corruption, frauds and outTages per-
potrated at Washington. The question
now Is, can the disaflected DC brought
back and the party rallicd to n saving
effort four months hence?
Although the out.ookis discouraging
to the Republicans, their defeat i not
to be taken for granted by any means
merely upon the basis Of these elections.
B There Is u reserve force which, # II can
be brought out for the Republican
ticket. may sweep away the Democratic
maioriticS. Every energy will be excl
ted, 10 conCilate this vote that stayed
away from the polls in 1878, and by
lis presence partiallyto purge Congress
OF the impurities last year. A large
sum of money is to be raised by assess
ment on the otficc-holders, and the cam
ya-s is to be conducted without interior
cncc from Washington, or at least the
President has agreed that it shall be SO
Still, with all the advantages of IL dis
cipiincd force; vast patronage; and the
sinews OF war in abundance, the Re-
pubicans have a desperate struggle be-
fore them. With the load Of Grant S
Administration to carry, the popular
demand for change of men and meas
urc, meets them at every turn.
The Democrats, while confident of
winning after hard campaign, are by
no means - sanguine rs sorHe of their
papers profess to be. They have the
current with them; but on the other
hand they know that nearly one hundred
thousand voters defaulted In 1878. when
Allen was elected by the skin of his
teeth. They are nerved, however, to
extraordinary, zeal by the encourage
/ mcnt from other States, the general po-
litical drift, and the belief that Ohio may
now virtually settle the Presidential
election, and even send one OF her own
sons to the White House On the other
hand, defeat would set back the Demo
cratic successes in the last two wears,
and finish ut bow NIL the hopes o:
three or four candidates who are now
competing with each other in that State
for the honor of being President. Hence
Mr.. Thurman very prudently advised
his friends at Columbus, the other day,
to organize by counties and townships,
and instead Of wasting the time in
stump speeches alone, to go to work in
detail and dead earnest, so that every
man can be brought ont on election
day.
There is a great danger thata new and
grave element will bc introduced into
this campaign by the Republicans,
which in the event of success would
take vast proportions, and might ultl-
rnatclv effect the Presidential question.
1t is understood that the oil Know
Nothing organization Is to be- revived
with additional features, and in fact that
secret lodges have already been c,tab-
H,hcd with view to excite religious
preildicc and convert it to the worst Of
PARTISAN uses. This i two edged
sword. and they had better take care
how they handle it.