Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1878-04-26
A Letter From Secretary Sherman.

AT the recent meeting of the Ohio
State Republican Committee at Colum-
bus the following letter from Secretary
Sherman, in response to an invitation to
attend, was read:
WASHINGTON, April Is.
DEAR SIR: Your circular letter of April 2
was duly received.
My official engagements will not permit me
TO attend the meeting you propose, and it
would be better that, as an officer of the Gov
ernment of the United States, / should not
personally participate in the direction of the
campaign. | feel deeply interested in the
election of the next house of Representatives,
in the hope that it may contain a majority of
those who agree with us in opinion that Re
publican policy should prevail in the popular
branch of Congress, and no effort should be
spared to bring about that result especially
in Ohio, which hitherto has, in the main, been
in the vanguard OF our political contests, and
ought now to be true to the principles and
convictions which gave to our State so much
honor during the war.
Upon two or three things we certainly ought
to agree. This is a Republican Administra-
tion; the President was elected by the Repub-
licans; he has been faithful and true to the
pledges made by the party in the convention
that nominated him, and represents the aspi-
ratiOns and hopes Of the best elements of our
party. Some complaint has been made as to
the distribution Of offices, and as to the inter
ference Of officers in elections, but surely such
complaints should not come from the people,
upon whom properly devolye the conduct of
all political movements free from officous in
reference by Federal officers With very rare
exceptions, founded upon local or special
reasons, Republicans have been nominated to
office, and official duty has been faithfully and
well performed-as much so as during any
period of our history.
1t is true, also, that the policy of conclia-
tion to the South, from the highest motives
OF public good, has resulted in quiet, peace
and order, and, as | believe, will In due time
result in the ascendency Of the Republican
party in several of the Southern States
Upon the financial question we certainly
have done what we promised to do. We have
faithfully executed the law providing for the
resumption OF specie payments, and the equal
ity OF gold and silver and paper money is now
so near that it would be the height of mad
ness TO recede to the uncertainty and perils of
inconyertible paper money. The law so much
decried and so much misunderstood has
worked its way to successful execution, and
in little while, confidence being restored, all
forms OF money Will contribute to promote
the revival of industry
The only threat that endangers the public
peace and safety is the restoration of the
Democratic party to power Embittered by
being long out Of power, composed largely Of
elements that warred against the Govern
ment, and having no sympathy with the
measures that are in course OF successful
execution, and, from the nature of theirp posi-
tiOn, interested In a policy as to Southern
claims which would impoyersh the Treasury
and arouse anew all the bitterness Of sectional
strife, | cannot but regard its restoration to
power as the only danger that really threatens
our public peace and safety. Ii is far better
we should meet and resist this danger than to
quarrel among ourselves about the smaller
questions Of Official patronage and official in
reference in elections. Very truly yours,
JOHN SHERMAN.
Gen. j. S. RoBINsoN, Chairman. etc. Columbus,
Ohio,