Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1876-02-11
AsHTABULA, OHIO, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY H. 1876

of liberal Republican policy, which
should be fair and even generous to
the South, but firm in the maintain
ance of all the rights won by the
war. Our election in Ohio shows
that even under the most adverse
circumstances we can win on this ba-
sis. Every movement made by tins
Democratic House of Representa-
tIves is an appeal to every man who
ever voted with the Republican
party to rally to its support again,
and TO every man who fought in the
Union army toVote with us to pre-
serve the results of his victory. All
we need is such Presidential ticket
as will give assurance that we mean
to stand by our principles, and that
We will administer the government
honestly and economically.
AS TO CANDIDATES,
the drift of public opinion is fast
reducing the list, and has already
settled adversely the chance of
some. Above all, it has positively
closed the question of third term.
The conviction that it is not safe to
continue in one man for too long a
period, the vast powers of a Presi
dent. is based upon the strongest
reasons, and this conyiction is sup
ported by SO many precedents, set
by the voluntary retirement ut the
cad of second term of SO many
Presidents that it would be criminal
folly to disregard it. i do not be-
lieve that General Grant ever seri-
ously entertained the thought OF a
third term, but even if he did the
established usage against it would
make his nomination an act of sui
eide. 1t wonld disrupt our party
in every Republican State. Happi-
ly for us we do not need to look for
the contingency of his nomination.
Among the candidates now general
ly named l have such preferences
that | could not heartily support
either of them. They are men of
marked ability, who have rendered
important public service; but con-
sidering all things l believe
THE NOMINATION OF GOV. HAYES
would give US more strength, taking
the whole country at large, than
any other man. He is better known
IN Ohio than elsewhere, but the
qualities that have made him strong
in Ohio viii, as the canvass progress
es, make him stronger in every
State. He was a good soldier. and
though not greatly distinguished as
such, he performed his full duty,
and noticed while travelling with
him in Ohio that the soldiers who
served under him loved and respect
ed him. As a member of Congress
he was not a leading debater or
manager in party tactics, but he was
always sensible, industrious and
true to his convictions and the ten
dencifs Of his party, and command
ed the sincere respect of his col
leagues, As a Governor, thrice cleo
ted, he has shown good executive
abilities and gained great populari
ty, not only with the Republicans,
but with our adYersaries. On the
currency question, which is likely to
enter largely into into the canvass,
he is thoroughly sound, but is not
committed 70 any particular meas
ure, so as to be disabled from coop
Grating with any plan that may
promise success. On the main
questions, protection of all and
equal rights, and the observance of
the public faith, he Is as trustwor-
thy as any one named. He is fortni
nately free from the personal enmi-
ties and antagonisms that would
weaken some of his competitors, and
he is unblemished in name, charac-
acter and conduct, and he Is ma
tive born citizen of our State.
| have thus, as You requested,
given my views on the Presidential
question, taken as dispassionately
as if l was examining a proposition
In geometry, and the result drawn
from these facts, not too stronly
stated, is that the Republicans of
Ohio ought in their State Conven-
tion to give Gov Hayes a united
delegation instructed to support him
in the National Convention. Not
that we have any special claim to
have a candidate taken from Ohio,
but that in General Hayes We hon
estly believe the Republican party
in the United States will have can
didate who can combine greater
popular strength and greater assur-
ance of success than any other can
didate, and with equal abilities to
discharge the duties of President of
the Uuited States in case of ofelection.
Let this nomination thus be pre-
sented without any wire pulling or
depreciation of others, and as con-
SictiOn upon established facts, and |
believe Governor Hayes can be and
ought to be nominated. But if our
AJselbC 10 OAfA0CO OA 10 III CesAACoS
in this matter it is far better for
Governor Hayes and the State that
his, name be not presented at all.
We have never sufficiently cultiva-
our State pride, with every reason
for indnlging it, and thus our proper
influence has been wasted aud lost.
Now we have good opportunity to
crafty it and at the same time con-
tribute to the common good.
Remember me kindly to friends
in the Senate.
Very truly yours
JOHN SHERMAN.
To Hon. "A. NJ, Burns.
From the New York Tribune.aa
Turn Back the Hands.
Have we then been counting time
too fast, and must we turn back the