The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-02-04
GOV. HAYES.

The career of Gov. Hayes, says the
Dayton Journal, has been remarkable.
But he owes his great success in life as
much to his industry, integrity, and
sound judgement as to that good fortune
which has ever attended Linn. At col
lege he graduated with the first honors
of his class. He was admitted to the
bar with honors, and shortly acquired q
handsome practice. The Office of City
Solicitor sought him in Cincinnati, and
in that he won distinction. In 1861 he
volunteered in the service of his country,
and entered the field as Major of the
Twenty-third Ohio Infantry. By faith
full and distinguished service in the field
he was promoted step by step to the
high grade of Major General. While IN
the field he was urged to be a candidate
for Congress, and he abruptly replied in
substance that the man who would de-
sert the field at such a time to become
an office-seeker deserved TO. be shot. His
admiring fellow-citizens, however, sent
him to congress afterwards, where he |.
won distinction as legislator of super
rior discretion and SQUAD judgements.
In 1867 he was unanimously nominated
for Governor, and, after q severe con-
test, defeated. Hon. Allen g. Thur
man, then unquestionable the strongest,
as he was the ablest, leader of the DEM
ocratic party. In 1869 he was renomi-
mated by acclamation, and in another
sharp contest, in which his abilities as a
speaker won universal respect, he de-
feated George HI. Pendleton, the most
popular Democrat in Ohio. Retiring to
private life to look after his own large
personal interests, he was again urged
to take the field for Governor last year,
but he firmly and repeatedly declined.
The Republican party, however, refused
to take no for an answer, and nominat-
ed him in spite of his refusal to permit
the use OF his name in Convention.
After a canvass, unparalleled in the
political history of Ohio, he overcaIne
the Democratic majority of the preced-
ing two years in the State, and defeated
Gov. Allen, whose popular strength was
Beyond question, much greater than
that of any other Democrat in the State.
The credit of this victory was due more :
to the signal ability displayed by Gov.
Hayes than 10 all other causes. People
had confidence in his integrity and dis
cretion, and he exhibited ability in
affairs that established for him a repu-
tation of which Ohio is as proud as his
most intimate friends. With such a
character, and such a record, it was not
only natural, but irresistible, that his
name should be brought to the front for
the Presidency. While his qualities, in
some respects, may not be as shining as
those of Blaine or Morton, the two lead
ing Republican aspirants for the Presi-
dency, we presume that none who know
Gov. Hayes will deny that he is superior
III SOuuu uloCictlOu, duu Cdinl, 6oot
judgment. He is pre- eminently q safe
man. He does not fly off at tangents;
he makes no mistakes; he strives for no
popular effects. Reviewing the line of
Presidents, we do not recall any since
the early days of the Republic who pos
sessed qualities that better fitted him in
any material degree than thoss which
distinguish Gov. Hayes He has broad
well trained, and comprehensive intel
lect, with a knowledge of practical
affairs acquired in both private and
public life. These, united with superb
personal character, firm and resolute
purpose, seem to us a combination that
ought to commend Gov. Hayes, in an
eminent degree for the office of Chief
Magistrate of this Republic. We do
not know his superior in solid qualities
in public life, and his record, personal,
military and official, are so much IN his
favor that when the Representatives of
the Republican party meet in Conven-
ton to select delegates to the National
Nominating Convention, we do not see
where they will find candidate more
deserving of their support. He is eligible
both North and South.