New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-06-25

him to return homo and make the canvass.
General Hayes replied to this letter as fol-
lows:
"IN CAMP, October .
"Yours of the twenty ninth ultimo is re-
ceived. Thanks. l have other business
lust now. ANY man who would leave the
army at this time to electioneer for Con-
Rress ought to be scalped. Truly yours,
"R. B. HAYES.
Notwithstanding this refusal to leave the
field to co Cd crate with his friends in secur
ing his political preferment, he was hand
somely elected, defeating Joseph c. Butler,
the Democratic candidate, by majority OF
2455, In 1868 he was reelected, his COM
petitor be ng Theodore Cook, and his ma
iority over that gentleman was 2oob. N
Congress his industry, SOUND judgment ana
fidelity to the interests of his constituents
were conspicuous and gave him position
of great prominence and influence with his
| fellow members Though not apparently
| ambitious of oratorical display, and seldom
occupying the time of the House with even
| q short speech, his unobtrusive and thor
oughly efficient discharge Of his duty won
| for him not only respect but reputation, and
| he was regarded both in Washington and
| in Ohio as one of the ablest and best MEM
bers on the floor. He took deep interest
| in all the great and agltating questions
| then before Congress. including those re-
latipg to the reorganiz alton of the lately re-
volted States, and acted uniformly in &C.
cord with the Republican line OF policy in
reference to the measures.
"M-. HAYES is a good-sized, well-formed
man. He is every way well made, has
handsome head and rather handsome
body, and face which would introduce
him favorably anywhere. His complexion
| is light, skin forid, temperament composed
O.f
the same proportions. He is neither too
fast nor too slow, excitable or sluggish, but
is at once suffi oiently energetic, original,
comprehensive, digpifed and resolute. He
ia more profound than snowy, and has more
application than versatility. He will finish
what he begins, and make thorough work.
He has hopeful, happy ature, is eminent
ly social, fond of home and ali that belongs
thereto, and as hospitable as he IS thought
full and considerable.
But to be more specific. This gentleman
is comparatively young in years, and
Younger in spirit; he has by no means
reached the climax of lis fame. H. Ia a
rising young statesman, and it spared will,
10 the course of few years, be found in
the front ranks of the best minds OF the
nation. We base our predictions on the
following points. viz:
"First, he has capital constitution, both
Inherited and acquired, with temperate
habits.
"Secondly, large, well-formed brain, with
q cultivated mind, with strong integrity,
honor, generosity hopefulnees, sociability,
and ambition, and all well guided by prac-
teal good sense. At present he may seem
to lack fire and enthusiasm, but age and
experience will give him point and EN- pha-
sis. Mark us, this gentleman will not dis
appoint the expectations OF the most n ps-
full"
ELECTED GOVERNOR OVER THURMAN AND
PENDLETON.
In Quick fulfillment Of this writer's pre-
CictioDs, Congressman Hayes was invited
TO take the leadership of his party in q
State canvass. The equal suffrage issue,
then very unpopular, but considered nfces.
sary to the safe reconstruction Of the South,
was presented to the people OF Ohio IN the
form OF an amendment striking the word
.swhite" from the constitution Of the State.
Owing to the strong prejudice against this
measure, and the inevitable loss CT Votes
attending its Endorsement in the platform
of the party, it became matter OF the ut
most Importance to the Republicans to place
one of their ST. ongest men at the head Of
the ticket as their candidate for Governor
He did not seek the position; it sought him.
The State convention met at Columbus on
the nineteenth of June, 1867, and by spOn-
taneous choice selected him for the first place
on the ticket. He resigned his place in Con
gress the ensuing August. and IN the latter
part Of that month entered actively upon
the canvass, in the course OF which he made
one or more speeches in nearly every one OF
the eighty-four counties of the State. The
Democrats had nominated Hon. Allen q.
Thurman as his competitor, and nov threw
their entire array of forensic talent into tbs
contest. Messrs. PendletOn, Vallandigham,
Rauney, Morgan, S. S. Cox, Voorhees,,
Groesbeck, and. indeed. all the ablest men
Of the Democratic party in OHIO, brought
the tulI weight of their talents and ipt1u-
ence to bear in behalf of their ticket.
Added to the prejudice against the suffrage
measure, which accrued wholly to the
benefit of the Democrats, was the demon
alizing effect OF Mr.. Pendleton's plausible
currency theories, then new to the people,
and peculiarly specious and captivating.
The proposition to pay the bonded DIT b. OF
the nation in greenbacks was bought out
prominently in the canvass by the.Demo-
cratic speakers and advocated by them with
great ingenuity and dangerous effect.
General Hayes vigorously opposed these
mischievous doctrines, and with equal zeal
supported the suffrage amendment. The
canvass was indeed a pivotal one with RET,
erence to these questions, and determined
the subsequent drift of public opinion with
regard to them. The Republicans lost the
Legislature, but General Hayes and the
rest OF their State ticket were elected. The
suffrage amendment was defeated, mainly
because OF its odioua and unnecessary dis
trauchising clause, but the principle OF
equality before the law had developed pop
uiar strength, which amounted to VIC
tory, and which insured its subse queIt
triumph The contest was the Gettys ourg
of the struggle for the sacred keeping OF
the public faith, and the enfranchisement
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 feel
ing, Governor Hayes administration was
inVulnerable to criticism, and commanded
the respect of his political antagonists. Ac-
cordin Civ when the Republican State Leg
islature met in June, 1869, his nomination
for second term became matter OF course
and was made by reclamation. amid great
enthusiasm.
The Democracy again realizing the ne
cessity of making the strongest nomination
possible in order to win, selected General
w. S. ROsecrans, then absent in California,
IS their standard bearer, and adopted a
radical Democratic platform. General
Rosecrans. when these tacts came to his
knowledge, declined the nOmin alton. and
Hon. George Fl. 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 Re-
publican success had been greatly i'm
paired by the difficulties of the recon-
struction and finance questions, resulted in
General Hayes reelection by a largely in
creased majority.
HIS ADMINISTRATION PRAISED BIZ BOTH
PARTIES.
His second administration was quite as
able and nonular aa his fret and at its