The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1878-05-09
Ohio Republicans Shermans Last
Mistake.

1t is the misfortune of Secretary Sher-
man that he can not permit the Repub-
lican press of his own State to speak ap-
provingly of his course for more than a
month at a time The bitter censure
which had been called forth by his atti-
tude on the Silver bill, and by his foolish
fancy that the public could be tricked
into unwittingly consenting to whole
sale contraction of the currency and to
the withdrawal of the small bills, had no
sooner passed into warm compliment at
his sudden change of attitude, and at the
first prospect of safe and successful re-
sumption which he has given us-this
change, we say, from open condemnation
to genuine praise had no sooner taken
place in the press of the State, than he
knocks us all out of time again by his
letter to the Republican gathering at
Columbus.
1t is curious that the writing of such a
letter, at all. should not have struck the
Secretary, after his expressions of sym
pathy with the Presidents proposed pre-
gramme of Civil Service Reform, as re-
markably inconsistent. He declined to
be present at the consultation, for he
could understand that at would be bet
ter, as an officer of the Government, l
[hel should not personally participate in
the direction of the campaign Yet he
sees nothing wrong in appearing by letter
(weighted with all the authority of posi-
BILE Treasury patronage) to dictate the
course which the party should pursue.
But while lack of consistency might be
expected in Mr.. Sherman, after past ex-
perience, a want of political common
sense in the management of his own
States politics was certainly not to have
been anticipated For example. it seems a
little queer that member of the Cabinet
should undertake solemnly to assure the
people of Ohio that This is Republi-
can Administration" Has it not some
what the appearance of man proclaim
ing on the public highways that his wife
is virtuous. If it be indeed Republican
Administration the people ought, by this
time, to have found it OUT and, what
ever their conclusions, they can be but
little affected by such interested testi-
mony as that of one who holds Office and
influence at the Administrator mercy.
But that to which we particularly OBJ
ject, in Secretary Sherman's letter, is his
attempt to dictate the sort of platform
upon which the Republicans of this State
can agree: Upon two or three things"
says he, 1--WE certainly ought to agree.
the President was elected by the Repub-
icans. He has been faithful and true to
the pledges made by the party
that nominated him, and repre-
sents the aspirations and hopes of the
best elements of our party" Now this
is exactly that to which we can not and
ought not to 'agree," and no one should
know it better than Secretary Sherman.
1t was the foolhardy attempt to make US
agree to such doctrine as this, last Octo
ber, which elected Democratic Cover
nor in Hayes own State by $4,000 ma
jority; and if there is to be any such at
tempt again this fall, we may as well
throw up the sponge now, and save much
trouble and expense-for such a platform
there is not a ghost of show of carrying
the State of Ohio.
If Secretary Sherman had been at the
Columbus gathering and have witnessed
the reception of his letter, it might have
taught him a much needed lesson. Wher
General Beatty Chief of the ''Stalwarts, ,
declared for party harmony, for the reit
Grafton of time-honored Republican prin
ciples, and for the avoidance of all issues
on which there was difference of opinion
he was greeted with hearty applause
When General Grosvenor, foremost o
the Hayes Matthews representatives
counseled the same course, he, too, me
with warm approval. When Mr.. Eggles
ION, VINO mas DeeQ nelQ TO De not alto
gether friendly toward the course of tn
Administration, referred with the ut
most respect to the President, yet ez
pressed his qualification that the part,
was now ready to take its stand upon it
own principles, without going out of tn
way to declare for or against what ha
been done at Washington, he also recei1
ed demonstrative commendation fron
the listeners. But when Secretary Shel
mans letter was read, advising the rept
tition of the fatal blunder at Cleveland
not a voice was raised, not hand wa
lifted, not a word of approval was spoke
it fell fiat upon an assembly coolly COZ
temptuous.
Therefore, we respectfully suggest t
the Secretary that he let US alone w
are doing well. AT no time since the ir
auguration of Hayes has the prospec
looked so bright for the party in thi
State. But it is prospect obtained onl
by the burying of all issues on 9Th
Policy" Let that be brought up again
let the President be thrust, in any way
into our State platform, and anothe
Democratic victory is inevitable.