The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-06-30

word wnlte from the tOlsillutlOH VI
the State. Owing to the strong preju-
dice against this measure, and the in
evitable loss of votes attending its in
dorsement ia the platform of the party,
il became a matter of the utmost i'm
portance to the Republicans to place
one of their very strongest men AT the
head of the ticket as their candidate
for Governor Suggesting the kind of
a leader necessary in this emergency,
the Cincinnati Gazette (of May 81,
1869 said:
s'He must have a general character
becoming to the dignity Of the position.
He must have a living faith in the
principle of equal rights; not merely
an assent to it, while fearing the conSe-
ouences. but IA belief in the prevailing
power of Justice with the people. lie
must have that manly courage winch
believes that progress in the right, and
not timid clinging TO the wrong, l. the
true conservatism. He must be able
to take his stand upon these broad
principles, and to maintain them 10y
speech in the canvass. He must be
thoroughly identified with the nation
al cause by an earnest support oil IL
through the war which tried mems
sonia When we remark that
Gen. Hayes possesses in an eminent
degree the qualifications we have lald
down. we can do it in the confidence
that no one will question il. His Iden-
tity with the National cause Is estaD-
lished by patriotic, earnest, aud sue
cessful military service during the war.
An original believer in the principle Of
Justice to all men, il called upon TO he
the standard bearer in the State can
vass, be will do il upon this principle
in all its logical results, i'll both Ma
tional and State affairs, and with the
boldness of entire confidence that this
is the way TO popular success"
The Gazette concluded the foregoing
observations with these words: ''Gen.
Hayes position in Congress, and the
confidence which be possesses of the
people of bis district, preclude the
supposftion that lac seeks the office OF
Governor"
He did not seek the position; it
sought him. The State Convention
met In Columbus on the 18th of June,
1867, and by spontaneous choice Sc
lected him for the first place Oh the
ticket. He resigned his place in Con
gress the ensuing August, and In the
latter part of that month entered act
ively 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. Thur
man as his competitor, and now threw
their entire array of forensic talent
into the contest. Messrs. PendletoD,
Vallandigham, Ranney, Morgan, s. S.
Cox, VooTnees, Groesbeck, and indeed
all the ablest men of the Democratic
party in Ohio, brought the full weight
of their talents and influence to bear
ia behalf of their tickets. Added to |
the prejudices against the suffrage |
measure, which accrued wholly to the |
benefit of the Democats, was the de- |
moralizing effect of Mr.. Pendleton's |
plausible currency theories, 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 promi-
nently in the convass by the Democrat
ic speakers, and advocated by them
with great ingenuity and dangerous
effect. Gen. Hayes vigorously opposed
these mischievous doctrines, and with
tHudl Lchi
amendment Tie canvass was, indeed,
pivotal one with great reference 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 was elect
ed. The suffrage amendment WAS de-
feated, mainly because of its odious
and unnecessary DISTINGUISHING clause,
but the principle of equality bafore
the law had developed popular strength
which amounted To n victory. and |
which insured its subsequent triumph. /
The contest was the Gettysburg of the |
struggle for the sacred keeping of pub
lie faith, and the enfrancbiseInent of |
the freedmen. Other battles for these
great principles were yet To come, but
the iinai issue was no longer doubtful.
HIS ADMINISTRATION.
Though subjected To the severe test
of an opposition Legislature, in a time
of great political feeling, Gov. Hayes
administration was iDvulnerable To
criticism, and commanded the respect
of his political antagonists. Accord
.ingly, when the Republican State Con
vention met in June, 1869, his nomin
alton for a second term had become Il
matter of course, was made 10y accla
nation, amid great enthusiasm. The
Democracy, again realizing the neces-
sity of making the strongest nomina-
tion possible ia order TO win, selected
Gen. W. s. Rosecraus, then absent ia
California, as their standard bearer,
and adopted Il radical Democratic plat
|
facts came to his knowledge, declined
the nomination, and Hon. George H.
PeDdleton WAS selected 10 take lis place
oil the ticket. The canvass was again
conducted with great ability on both
sides, and, although the chances Of
Republican success had been greatly
impaired by the difficulties OF the re-
construction and finance questions, re
suited in Gen. Hayes reelection by IL
largely increased majority. His sec
ond administration was quite rs able
and at its termination was highly eulo-
glzed, not only by The Republican, but
by many Democratic papers. The
Ohio State Journal said:
"We have short eulogy so accom-
pany Gov. Hayes in his retirement. lt
is very effective as a eulogy. 1t con-
sists simply of list of some of the
measures began and consumated 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 Gov. Hayes:
Agricultural College established.
"a Reform School for Girls estab
lished.
San Orphans Home for children of
deceased Union soldiers and sailors es-
tablished.
"a Geological survey of the State
entered upon and great progress made
"The policy of providing for all the
insane of the State chronic as well as
recent cases, adopted.
1.-The extension of the Penitentiary, i
with a view to an Improvement in pris
on discipline. and the classification of
prisoners.
1.-The placing on permanent foot
ing, with the means for greater us,-
fulness, of the Board of State CHAIR
ties.
"A complete collection made of the
portraits of the Governors of the
State.
1.-The Lincoln Soldiers Monument,
placed in the rOtunda of the Capitol.
" A manuscript departuen added TO
the State Library containing the pa
pers of st Clair. and a large number
of pioneer sketches and letters relating
to the early hist ory of the State