Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-10-20
From the Albany Journal.
The Lessons of Ohio.


Republicans should be be perfectly frank,
candid and fair in dealing with each other.
When they differ it should be as friends
who agree as to the great ends though
they may not agree as TO the best means
There should be no other spirit than sim
cere desire to ascertain and speak the ex-
act truth, to treat all views with generous
consideration and TO aim honestly at what
shall be best for the party and the coun-
try.
In seeking an explanation of the disas-
ter in Ohio and in drawing the lessons
from 1t, we should be guided by the same
spirit. We can have no desire to make ii
. matter of reproach, and the only object
in dwelling on it is to gain just under
sanding of its warnings as to the future.
Nor have we any purpose to ascriJe to one
cause what was due to many, or to fix up
on one source what should be divided
with others. 1t is due to ourselves, due to
the truth. and due to the magnitude of the
crisis that we should fairly and earnestly
consider why we have lost and how we
shall recover.
The republicans of Ohio lowered the
republican standard. They dalied with
the inaationists, and lost the moral force
Of incorporating public honesty. They
paltered with the enemies of resumption
and Of the public faith, and sacrificed the
strength OF a firm, courageous and up
right attitude. They tempered with COM
munism, And encouraged a spirit which
was ready to cut their own throats. They
found the cry for money, the dread of the
resumption pledge and the whole
brood OF financial misconceptions and her
estes; and instead of boldly and honestly
graphing with those follies, exposin q
their true character and fighting out the
battle manfully and courageously as they
did 10 1875, they weakened and hesitated
and equivocated. Their campaign lost
moral vitality and power. They did not
60 into The fight with the courage of lofty
convictions and grand Inspirations They
did not lift up the true standard and sound
the stirring battle notes which would
hold their own ranks together The
democratic party of Ohio is utterly hope
lessly given over to every false and dan
gerous tendency which threatens the hon
or and the safety OF the country. The
mass OF the Republicans of Ohio are sound
and true. But the leadership was limp
and pulpy. and had none of the bravery
and herolsm OF worthy canvass. They
managed in such way that thousands
Joined the labor movement, and that was
sufficient to defeat them.
But it was not alone among the work
ingmen of Cincinnati and of the iron and
coal regions that the Republicans suffered
Their greatest losses were in the old
strongholds which have never before tai
tered. In the Western Reserve and other
staunch Republican sections, thousands oil
Republicans stayed at home. 1t is con-
ceded on all sides that this was largely be-
cause, whether rightly or wrongly, they
were dissatisfied with the Presidents pol
ICY" The Presidents civil service order
dsarmed and neutralized many of those
who have heretofore done the work of or
ganizing campaigns, and there were none
who stepped forward to take their place.
The organization which is always essen
tial to success was thus neglected. Added
to this lack of the usual machinery for
getting out the vote, was the feeling about
the Southern "policy" which directly
served to keep thousands away from the
ballot.box, We do not believe the Repub