The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-06-12
The Ohio Campaign.

The Ohio Campaign.
The nomination of Hon. Thomas Ewing
as the Democratic candidate for Governor
of Ohio is significant of two things. First,
the Democratic party is jast now in dick
ing humor, and recognizing its demoralized
condition, is ready for any coalition, bar
gain or sale that may be presented, to
give assurance Of respectable front in the
Presidential contest of 1880. Second, that
there is to be a formidable struggle in the Or
ganization Of that party between the two
factions which constitute 1.-THE hard and
soft money wings-with Tilden represent
ing the former and Ewing the latter.
The comments of the Democratic press
and the speeches of Democratic orators on
the result of the Ohio nomination, show
that the party is totally unconcerned about
any defined governmental principle, and
that an effort will be made to harmonic
all discordant elements with view to success
1880. Mr.. Thurman understands the situa-
ton very well, and the peril which besets
his own pretensions. To support the hard
money wing of his own party, is to aid in
crystalizing the influences which favor Til
den. To cooperate with the Ewing fac
ton is to surrender Internationally to the
Greenback policy, and further the chances
OF some other one than himself. To hold
to middle ground, as between these ex-
tremes, is to risk fall. and very hard
fall, between two stools.
Indeed it may be safely assumed that
both Thurman and Hendricks are Presiden-
tial impossibilities, and that the issue in the
Democratic party is to be clearly drawn
between the Greenback and Hard Money
extremes, with the certainty that repre-
sentative of one or the other policies will
be nominated. While nominal coalition
may be effected, as it Is proposed m the
nomination of Mr.. Ewing in the Ohio con-
test, yet men of convictions, business men,
who do not participate in the partizan de-
visements Of campaigns, but are governed
by considerations which enter into the SUBJ
stantial commercial interests of the coun-
try, can not be handed over, as so much
goods bought for price, and driven as
sheep to the shambles. Whatever policy,
therefore, succeeds in the formulation of a
campaign, defeat is sure to follow. The sue
cess of the Tilden interests will force third
party nomination OF the Greenback persua-
sion. The triu mph Of the Ewing Or
Greenback wing will drive from the organ
ization the friends of honest money, and
strengthen the Republican party by their
cooperation. Every Eastern State, en-
bracing New England, and New York and
Pennsylvania, and the Pacific States will
range in the Republican column, thus as
surfing national triumph for the nominees
of that party.
AS to the Ohio contest, we entertain no
doubt of the election of Hon. Charles Fos-
ter, the Republican candidate for Governor.
His great personal popularity, and the solid
financial principle upon which he stands,
will draw to his support many who have
not heretofore co-operated with the Repub-
licans. Already have many business men,
heretofore active in the Democratic organi-
ton, signified their purpose not to support
Gen. Ewing. In past contests, notably in
1875, between Gen. Hayes and Gov. Allen,
the same issue was made that is now to be
contested. Then the resumption policy
was a question of speculation and discus
sion, and many Republicans doubted the
expediency Of the methods adopted to put
it into practical operation. Now it is an
accomplished fact. The country begins al
ready to realize the wisdom of the states
manship that formulated it, and look upon
the law as great boon to the business in
terests of the nation. To assault 1t, is to
strike at national credit and commercial
stability, and to seek to throw into confu-
sion all the great business pursuits Of the
country, unsettle values and inspire doubt
and distrust. Gen. Hayes, in 1875, was
triumphantly elected, although the full
strength of the party was not given him.
Now that the party is united, and resump-
ton is not an open question, in solid column
the party will march to the support Of its
gallant standard bearer. Ohio is Repub-
ican State, upon full vote and sharply
defined issues, and there has not been a
contest for many years, when the princi-
pies of the party were more prominently
presented than in this. With the success
of Foster, the Democracy will be again
driven to sea without a compass or rudder
the greenback ship scuttled, and then the
Tilden dug-out will heave in sight to foun-
der awhile amidst the breakers that will sur
round it, and go down in storm Of popular
rebuke in 1880, never again to arise.