Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-09-30
THE OHIO CAMPAIGN.

, THE OHIO CAMPAIGN,
Two weeks from to-day the State election
takes place in Ohio, and everyone is looking
with anxiety for the result. It cannot be
disguised that upon this result hinges to q
large extent the political complexion Of the
whole country. The two parties in that
State are pretty nearly evenly divided, and
each has made, a vigorous canvass of the
people. The issues upon which the contest
has been fought have been almost purely ma
tional. The policy of Congress at the extra
session has been discussed in all it's bearings,
the Republicans taking issue with and the
Democrats defending the acts Of that body.
Especial stress has been laid upon the repeal
and attempted repeal of the legislation en-
| acted after the war designed to restrict the
freedom Of the ballot the laws authorizing
the presence of troops at the polls under
pretense of maintaining the peace, and the
law relating to the appointment of super
visors and deputy marshals to supervise the
elections for President and members of Con-
gress. The Democrats have held that
these laws are subversive Of the liberties of
the people-that they give to the central
power at Washington dangerous power
that can be exercised to prevent free e1-
preston of the will of the people at the
ballot. box; that they SAVIOR wholly of mon
archism, and are out of place in free gov
eminent. The Republicans, on the other
hand, have commended that these safeguards
are necessary in order to prevent fraud, and
that In case they we're removed there would
be no restraint placed upon those who would
intimidate voters Of the other party or stuff
the ballot boxes with illegal votes. It has
been retorted that for nearly hundred
years the republic has existed without these
laws, and during that long period the cleo
tons as pure as they have been since
their enactment, and even more 60, and fur
thermore that the laws of the several States
had amply provided for the honest conduct
and count of all legal votes.
The question of State rights, more or less
involved in the two questions already re-
ferred to, has been very generally discussed.
1t has been held by the Republicans that the
authority of the general government is SUI
preme in all matters relating to the election
Of members of Congress-, as these officials
are national, not State, officers. As well
might they contend that the federal govern
ment should interfere in the election of
members of the legislatures of the several
States for the reason that these bodies choose
the Senators of the United States who are,
equally with the Representatives, federal Of
fcers. The Democrats deny the jurisdic-
ton of the general government in the pre-
misses, holding that all elections are essential
ly State elections, and must be held in &C.
cordance with the laws of the States. They
have further resisted all manner of legisla-
ton tending to abridge in any respect the
powers reserved to the States under the
constitution, believing that instrument as
originally framed to be the best guide for the
conduct of the people. The enorOachments
of Capitalization, tending to undermine the
theory of republicanism, have been denounc-
ed unsparingly, and the people counselled
to return once moro to the terms of the orig
maj compact OF the States.
The financial question has entered largely
into the campaign. The Republicans have
claimed the sole credit of bringing about re-
sumption and inducing return of prosperi-
ty to the country, though they have been
unable to deny that without remonetiza-
| ton of silver-a Democratic measure re-
| sumption would have been impossible, and
without abundant crops and good weather,
the prostration of business could not have
been overcome. They have taken good care,
however, not to allude to the ;original cause
| of the prostration from which have suf-
fered-the ruinous financial policy, the OK
travagance and dishonesty of the Republican
party in the past. ~ s-- sl a4y
The people of Ohio will soon be called
upon to decide as to which of the parties is
right on these issues. If they by their votes
elect tho Republican candidates, it will be
taken all over the country as condemna-
ton of the policy of the Democratic party,
more especially of its course at the extra
session of Congress. It is notable, however,
that the indications of the last two weeks
have worked great change in the manner
of the Republicans. While, previous to that
time they had been claiming majority for
Foster, ranging from twenty Thousand to
fifty Thousand, they now concede that the
contest will be close, and express themselves
satisfied if the hero ct the yard-stick can be
chosen by five thousand. The Democrats
are making most vigorous campaign.
They have less money than their opponents,
but are filed with enthusiasm and conf
dence. Their speakers are among the most
eloquent in the country, thoroughly versed
in all questions that have come up for dis
oussion. With the exception of Hendricks
Voorhees, and Doolittle, they are all resi-.
dents of the State, and are known and es.
teemed for their patriotism and ability. The
prospects are most favorable for a sweeping
Democratic victory two weeks hence. 'a
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