Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1876-06-22
NEW SERIES.-VOL. Ii. NO. 2.

wounded four times.
His advancement was never sought
and did not come until long after il
had been fully earned. OF his militia
ry character one who served with
him in nearly all his campaigns has
written as follows:
General Hayes was one of the
mos gallant soldiers that ever drew
sword. More than four years SER
vice in the same command gave the
writer ample opportunity to observe
that no Drawer or more dashing and
enterprising commander gave his
services to the Republic than Gener-
al Hayes. He was the idol OF his
command. No soldier ever doubted
where he led"
How he was estimated by his
troops is shown by TIE proceedings
OF meeting held by them on the
Goth of April. 1865. At this time the
fighting in the valley was over, and
an expedition was being organized,
about 10000 strong, to move against
Lynchburg. Gen. Hayes had been
selected to command this expedition,
which was intended as one of several
cooperative movements against Gen.
Lees rear, but was rendered unnec-
essary by his surrender Anticipa-
ting the separation from them of
their old commander, the Ohio, Kan
awhas. and all other Ohio men in the
valley, without his knowledge, held a
meeting at Winchester on the date
already given, and unanimously
adopted the following:
Resolved. That Gen. Hayes. in addition to
| possessing the ability and statemanshlp nec-
essary to qualify HIM in an eminent degree
Ohio is aier nor .ns r.
| one bravery. he having served four years In
the army. earning his promoting from MAJOR
position
The first suggestion Of his nomina-
ton for Governor was strongly disfa-
vored by the General, who put qui-
etus upon the movement in that di-
rection as soon as he heard of it. He
greatly preferred to remain In the
military service as long as the iebel-
lion lasted, and no political promotion
was any temptation to him to leave it
l lxx-hf ha Fri, nr.h - hn al
arms was incomplete. During the
autumn of 1864 he was nominated for
Congress by the Republicans OF the
Second District, and directly after
ward received letter importuning
him to return home and make the
canvass. Gen. Hayes replied to this
letter as follows:
In CAMP. Oct. ?.
Yours of the 10Th ult. is received. Thanks.
/ have other business Just now. Any man
/ who would leave the army at this time to
electfoneer Tor Congress ought to be scalped.
Truly Yours. X. b. HAYES.
Notwithstanding this refusal TO
leave the field to CO. operate with his
friends in securing his political pre-
ferment, he was handsomely electe d,
defeating Joseph C. Butler, the Dem
ocratic candidate, by majority Of
2,455. In 1868 he was re- elected, his
competitor being Theodore Cook, and
his majority over that gentleman was
2,556. In Congress his industry,
sound judgment, and fidelity to the
interests of his constituents were con-
spicuous, and gave him position OF
great prominence and influence with
his fellow members. Though not ap-
parently ambitious of orator;cal dis
play, and seldom occupying the time
of the House with even a short speech,
his unobtrusive and thoroughly eflic-
lent discharge of his duty won for
him not only respect but reputation,
and he was regarded both in Wash
ington and in Ohio as one OF the
ablest and best members on the floor.
In 1867, General Hays became the
Republican candidate for Governor
and defeated Allen q. Thur nan. A
great array OF speaking talent was
brought against him i'm the campaign,
one of the main questions being an
amendment of the State constit ution
extending suffrage TO the colored
people. His administration of the
Office OF Governor was able and pop
ular. and in 1869 he was again elect
ed. defeating George III. Pendleton.
In January, 1872, at the expiration Of
his second term as Governor. he re-
turned to Cincinnati. He declined to
allow the use of his name i'm connec-
ton with the United States Senator
ship that year He was again nomi-
mated for Congress in Cincinnati, but
although he ran largely ahead of his
ticket, the Democracy carried Hamil-
ton county by 5000, and he was de-
feated There was a majority OF
1902 votes against him, but he was
the only candidate for Congress in
Ohio who received more votes than
Gen Grant.
In March, 1873. Governor Hayes
declined an appointment to be Assist
ant Treasurer OF the United States at
Cincinnati, and shortly afterward re-
moved to his old home at Fremont,
and resumed his residence there.
Here his time was passed quietly, and
in attending to private business, un-
til the spring of 1875, when the Re-
publicans began TO cast about for n
popular candidate for Governor. The
weight of sentiment in the party soon
settled on Gov. Hayes, and when the
convention met he was nominated on
the first ballot. The Democracy re-
nominated Gov. Allen. and threw in
to the contest the best talent and ef-
fort at their command. Gen. Hayes
canvassed the entire State, making
speeches in nearly every county, of
ten delivering two or three, at as
many different places, in a single day.
The warmth and energy of the ca n
vass were sufficiently attested by he
fact that it brought out the largest
vote by over $4,000 ever cast in Ohio.
The Republicans elected their en.ire
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