The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-06-24

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of the party, it became a matter of the ut
most Importance to the Republicans to
place one of their strongest men at the
head of their ticket as their candidate for
Governor. He did not seek the position; it
sought him. The State Convention met at
Columbus on the 10Th of June, 1850, and
by spontaneous choice selected him for the
/ first place on the ticket. He resigned his
place in Congress the ensuing August, and
in the latter part of that month entered ac-
lively upon the canvass, in the course of
which he made one or more speeches in
nearly every one of the eighty-four coun-
nominated Hon. Allen G. Thurman as his
competitor, and now threw their entire ar
ray of forensic talent into the contest.
| Messrs. Pendleton, Nallandigham, Ranney,
and, indeed, all the ablest men of the
! Democratic party in Ohio, brought the full
weight of their talents and influence to
bear in behalf of their ticket. Added to
.
which accrued wholly to the benefit of the
! Democrats, was the demoralizing effect of
Mr.. Pendleton's plausible currency theo-
ries, then new to the people, and peculiarly
specious and captivating. The proposition
to pay the bonded debt of the nation in
greenbacks was brought out prominently
in the canvass by the Democratic speakers
and advocated by them with great ingenu-
ity and dangerous effect.
| Gen. Hayes vigorously opposed these
mischievous doctrines, and with equal zeal
supported the suffrage amendment. The
canvass was indeed pivotal one with re-
ference to these questions, and determined
the subsequent drift of public opinion with
regard to them. The Republicans lost the
Legislature, but Gen. Hayes and the rest
of their State ticket were elected. The
suffrage amendment was defeated, mainly
because of its odious and unnecessary dis
franchising clause, but the principle of
equality before the law had developed pop
ular strength, which amounted to a victory,
and which insured its subsequent triumph.
| The contest was the Gettysburg of the
struggle for the sacred keeping of the pub
lie faith, and the reimbursement of the
freedmen. Other battles for these great
principles were yet to come, but the final
issue was no longer doubtful. Though
subject to the severe test of an opposition
! Legislature in time of great political
feeling, Gov. Hayes administration was
invunerable to criticism, and commanded
the respect of his political antagonists.
Accordingly when the Republican State
Legislature met in June, 1860, his nomina-
ton for a second term became a matter of
course, and was made by reclamation, amid
great enthusiasm.
| The Democracy, again realizing the ne
cessity of making the strongest nomina-
ton possible in order to win, selected Gen.
MIA, as their standard bearer, and adopted
radical Democratic platform. General
| Rosecrans, when these facts came to his
knowledge, declined the nomination, and
Hon. George II. Pendleton was selected to
take his place on the ticket. The canvass
was again conducted with great ability on
both sides, and, though the chances of
Republican success had been greatly i'm
tion and finance questions, resulted in Gen.
Hayes reelection by a largely increased
majority.
HIS ADMINISTRATION PRAISED BY BOTH
PARTIES.
| His second administration was quite as
able and popular as his first, and at its ter
mination was highly eulogized, not only
| by the Republican party, but by many
| Democratic papers. The Ohio .Stute Jour-
nal said:
GIVE have short eulogy to accompany
Gen. Hayes on his retirement. 1t is very
effective as eulogy. 1t consists simply of
a list of some of the measures begun and
consummated under his administration of
two terms, just ended, the greater part of
which may be said to be Justly due to more
or less of the personal efforts of Governor
| Hayes: Agricultural College established
| A Reform School for Girls established. An
Orphans Home for children of deceased
Union soldiers and sailors established A
| Geological Survey of the State entered
upon and progress made. The policy of
providing for all the insane of the State,
chronic as we'll as recent cases. The ex-
tension of the Penitentiary, with a view to
| an improvement in prison discipline, and
the classification of prisoners. The placing
on a permanent footing, with means for
| greater usefulness, of the Board of State
| Charities. \ complete collection made of
| the portraits of the Governors of the State
| The Lincoln soldiers monument placed in
/ the rotunda of the Capitol. A manuscript
department added to the State Library,
containing the papers of st. Clair and a
large number of pioneer sketches and let
tiers relating to the early history of the
State. A collection of casts of the pot
terry of the Mound builders, purchased for
| the library. Public attention called to the
neglected graves of Gen. Harrison and
| Gen. Hamer, with a prospect of securing
| monuments. Minority representation on
election boards. The extension of suffrage
to all citizens without distinction of color
secured by the fifteenth amendment In
his messages he has made specialties of the
following principles, and has urged their
incorporation into the legislative will of
the State: Against excessive legislation and
against extravagant local expenditures, and
against all public debts. During his adj
ministration the State debt has been large
ly reduced, and in the last year rcduc-
ton of taxes, State and local, as compared
with the previous year"
Speaking further on this topic, the State
journal at another time said
Gov. Hayes is certainly the happiest
man in his messages that ever occupied the
| Gubernatorial chair. 1t is nothing that all
| praise his messages. without distinction of
party; but everybody publishes them
| which is a more substantial compliment
They need no abstracting- whole thing
complete is brief abstract which every
one may read with interest"
The Ohio .StatssnaA central Democratic
organ of the State, said:
"Gov. Hayes retired from office yester-
day with good wishes generally of the peo-
pie of the Capital and of the State. On
one or two points he has been subject to
criticism, but it is likely that in important
political emergencies most men cast in the