National Republican., 1879-05-27
THE OHIO CANVASS.

The importance of the pending contest i'll
Ohio is very keenly felt by both political
parties, and hence it is exciting unusual in
terest, not only among the leaders of each,
but among the masses of the people The
most careful and shrewd observers of the
signs of the times, however, are fast settling
down in the conviction that, so far rs pub
lie sentiment in that State is concerned, the
victory is already substantially won that
is, if the people were to vote to-day. No mat
ter who might bear the banner of each po-
litical division, the Republicans would tri-
umph by an overwhelming majority; but
the election does not occur until October,
and the Democrats who cannot close their
eyes TO the fact that the present has been
lost to them, hope that something may turn
up within the next four months that will
increase their chances of success and give
them something more flattering than for
lorn hope to fight through.
1t is for these reasons that the Democrats
are using all their powers of persuasion and
argument TO induce Senator THURMAN to
take the Democratic banner and lead the
disconsOlaie hosts of Bourbonism to their
impending iate-and the same reasons are
acting with great force upon the Senator's
mind to promote II feeling Of reluctance on
his part to face the immolaton which con-
fronts him. Thus far, to all human appear
ance Senator THURMAN reslsts the cntreaties
of his political friends with much stub
borness. lie has one eye on the next Presi-
dency and the other on his present Senator
ial toga, and as he has no third eye with
which to contemplate the Governorship of
Ohio, he hcsitates, declines, and then con-
siders again, until he scarcely knows
whether he is in the body or the spirit. If
he felt sure that he could grasp the Presi-
Dental rope at will, should he let so of it
now, he might look more iavorably upon
the gubernatorial plum which is urged
upon him with so much zeal and fervOr. His
present Senatorial position he would un-
dOubtedly hold on to should he consent TO
run for Governor, as he must feel assured
that defeat in that direction is inevitable
and he could then fall back upon the Senate
as II safe retreat from the field OF his dis
aster and linger there until his political
career shall end, us it will with his present
Senatorial term
However, should the cOunsels of his
friends prevail, and the Senator should sc
| far lose his head rs the term goes, us to con-
sent to enter the canvass for Governor, there
are some Republicans who think that Secre'
tary SHERMAN should take the field against
him, and thus give II finishing touch to the
Car of the Caucus.n 1t would be rare
sport, we confess, to see the Secretary hand
ling and moulding THURMAN in the knead
ing trough of defeat throughout the State
The whole country would enjoy the per
| formance, as it would render assurance doubly
sure but in our Judgment tits not necessary
to thrust Mr.. SHERMAN into the arena now
against his own reluctant prOtestatiOns
even should THURMAN yield and consent {,
| his own sacrifice. He can he beaten by
either FOSTER or TAFT, for the power o
popular sentiment il equal to producing
| that result with either Of these gentlemen
as the standard bearer in this contest Th
extra session with its startling development
has wrought in the popular heart of Ohio
sense of danger which prompts it now t.
look where it did in 1860 for saiety-to tn,
Republican organization. The Republican
standard is to become the strong rallyin.
point Of the patriotic, connty-loying masses
of the people, and whoever the Republicans
may select as their standOrd-beare
will assuredly lead them on to victory
The people are not only weared with the
Democratic party, but have become alarmed