The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1879-06-19
THE PLAINLY EXPRESSED VIEWS
OF HON. STEPHEN JOHNSON,

The National Candidate for Governor In 1877,
and Rar U. ). Senator In 1878 No MOIe ''Aid
and Comfort to the Common Enemy
Hon. Stephen johnson of Piqua, the
"Nationap candidate for Governor in
1877, and for U. s, Senator in 1878, issued
a circular last week, addressed to the
delegates to the National State Conven'
tion at Columbus of which the following
is the main portion. Mr.. Johnson was
formerly strongly pronounced Repub'
liCan, and severed his connection with
that party since the war. But we shall
let him tell his present opinions and po'
sition in his own way. Mr.. Johnson
writes as follows;
"After the result of the fall elections
last year, and the success of the Repub'
lican party, l became satisfied that un-
less some measures were adopted by
which the honest men of our country
could be united to check the onward
march of the moneyed power at the en-
suing elections, that the success of our
principles would be postponed, and prob
ably crushed out by the overwhelming
irfuence of capital. Under this impress
sion and conviction of duty, l wrote a
letter to Hon. Thomas Ewing, and also
one to Hon. Robert Mackey, a member
Of the Ohio Legislature, and member
Of our party, giving him copy of the
letter to Ewing, and in which l favored
uniting the Greenback money element
Of Ohio with other men in full sympa-
with our principles and against the gold
men in other parties. This movement
by me was open and public, and no act,
word, letter or deed by me in connection
with the movement, or any other involV.
ing the welfare OF the National party,
but what l now challenge to public in.
spection. What | have said and done
favoring cooperation with the Demo
Gratis in fnl sympathy with our views;
has been done wholly independent of
any personal ambition, only 80 far as the
success of our principles might be the
reward of the striCtest integrity. When
my position was understood favoring a
cooperative movement, | received let
teri, tUTitten in the interest of the Republican
party, az alpesliDg to me to come out and
deDounce coalition through the press
which refused to do.
You are now about TO assemble in con.
vention, and With great unanimity will
differ with me in regard to the plan Of
the campaign. Your views and your
policy in regard to cooperation will be
the cause of qualification to the worst
enemies of our country. l do not call
in question your right, your integrity or
your sincerity, as regards the great mass
or majority of the men composing your
convention to be assembled. The ques
tion upon which we differ are simply
questions of policy, not of principles.
Ten years ago, after and in consequence
of the passage by Congress Of the "bil
to strengthen the public credit" l cut
loose from the Republican party, with
which had been identified from its or
ganization, for its treason against the
people and the gallant soldiers of the
country. You are all familiar with the
partisan odium and reproaCh heaped
upon the man who thus yielded to his
convictions of right and duty. Since
then have on all occasions and under
all circumstances, denounced the imam.
GUS and fraudulent acts Of Congress, and
the Departments of our Government In
the interest Of foreign and domestic cap
ital. The condition Of our country at
this time land indeed throughout the
civilized world present questions Of pol
icy of deep and vital concern TO every
friend of humanity, DnTing our fratri-
cidal war, from 1851 to 1855, bad men be.
came entrenched at our capital and
closely connected with the machinery Of
our Government. They have been gull
ty of the most infamous and disgracefil
frauds. in foisting upon our people pol.
icy fraught with the foulest injustice and
robbery.
God sparing my life and preserving
my health and reason, l shall feel 1t my
duty and privilege to unite and cooper
ate with any and all true men to resist
and hurl back the advancing cohorts of
the money power, and under no circum
stances shall be found rendering aid
and comfort to the common enemy.
Time and experience only will test the
wisdom OF our judgment and the integ-
rity of our motives.
Conscious Of having discharged my
duty with the utmost fidelity to the Ma.
tional party and its principles, l am with
very great respect your most obedient
servant, SfEPHEN JOHNSON.
PiquS, O., Nay 20, 1879. 40