The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1876-02-10

We were OF the opinion last summer
that r. B. Hayes was the strongest man
in Ohio for candidate for Governor We
are satisfied that that opinion was cor.
rect.
Last week we referred to a letter writ.
ten by Senator Sherman in favor oi
Hayes as the Republican candidate for
President. Harper's Weekly, referring
to Senator Sherman's letter, says:
Senator Sherman, of Ohio, has written
frank and decided letter, to a friend
in his State, declaring himself in favor
of Governor Hayes for the Presidency.
The Senator begins by stating the Demo.
cratic policy of organizing the Southern
States into a compact political power
which will require but a small fragment
of the North to give it absolute control.
The consequences of success in this plan
he plainly portrays, and justly regards
the election of Republican President,
with liberal Republican policy, as the
only safeguard against the mischief He
thinks that public opinion has decided
conclusively against a third term, and a
denomination in his judgment would be
criminal folly" He does not believe
that the President has ever seriously en-
tertained the proposition, but if he has,
denomination would none the less be
"an act of suicide because lit would
diGrupt our party in every Republican
State" The Senator declares his ability
to support heartily any of the candidates
who have been prominently mentioned,
but, upon the whole, he thinks that the
nomination of Governor Hayes would be
the strongest that could be made. He
is wholly free, Mr.. Sherman says, from
the personal antagonisms and jealousies
that would weaken some of his competi-
tors. As a soldier, a member of Con-
gress, and Governor, he has been efficient
and upright, and his personal character
is spotless, while his views upon the cur
rency question is entirely sound, and up
on the great points of equal rights and
the public faith he is as trustworthy as a
man can be. Thus thinking Governor
Hayes a thoroughly available" candi-
date, Senator Sherman urges the united
action of the party in Ohio for his nomi-
nation.
This is very significant letter. Mr..
Sherman is the first among leading Re-
publican Senators to declare that a re-
nomination Of the President would be
not only unwise, but suicidal folly, sure
10 ueledL anu 0cbbTOJ lne hepuOllcan
party. He is also the first of the same
class of leaders to suggest that success is
more probable with candidate who is
free from the disadvantages OF those
who have been conspicuously engaged in
angry controversies, or whose public re-
lations of various kinds are such as to
have excited enmities. This is a double
category, which includes almost every
prominent candidate, such as Mr.. Nor
ton, or Mr. Blaine. or Mr.. Bristow, or Mr..
Senator Sherman's argument
for Governor Hayes, is that of availabili-
bility. The worst of this argument is
that it is negative. 1t recommends a
candidate on the ground that nothing is
sive argument for a Presidential candi-
date should be that so much is known in
his favor. The Presidency should be the
reward of public service so great and
as necessarily to be known TO
he whole country. This, indeed, is not
the way the thing works" but it is the |
rue view, and that "the thing works"
should be but another incen- |
i've to vigorous efforts to make it work |
We do not forget that the |
,reatest of our Presidents since Wash |
ngton was not selected because of emf |
tent and familiar public service, but the |
reception does not prove the wisdom OF |
he rule.
We are speaking in general and imper-
onally, for all we know of Governor
iayes is most creditable. He has beaten
etore the people in turn the leader of !