The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-02-26
The Enquirer and John Sherman.

LIE Clnclnnatl Enqutrer, although
recognized democratic organ. has long
manifested even greater dislike for
John Sherman than it has of love for its
own party. Its fight is not on the de-
fensive, nor even on the simple agrees
i've, but its whole energy is combined in
fierce charge on Sherman. We admit
at once that Sherman is a rascal. That
is almost universally admitted, but
there are others Of the corrupt Rapubli-
can party whose skirts are stepped in
fits, ss we'll as Sherman's. However,
the E"q"irer, in an editorial on the
recent attempt to start 8 Sherman
" boom" in Ohio by holding a meeting
at the capital, says some good things.
We quote:
'The public and advertised attempt of
tn riends of John Sherman in Ohio to
huI up his chances for the Presidential
10 ,.ination by popular demonstration
a The State Capital was complete
failure. State pride could not galvanize
the movement into enthusiasm. The
articles of politicians could not make the
demonstration popular. The enormous
patronage which John Sherman has
welded in Ohio could not infuse
warmth into the advocacy by the peo-
Pc of the man without warmth. 1t was
apparent in Columbus that the people
have no heart for the man who has no
heart for the people. The candidacy of
john Sherman for the Presidential
nomination has not received another
blow SO severe as that which it received
from its lack of friends at Ohio's
Capital. 1t should be recollected by
people outside OF Ohio that John Sher-
man has never been a candidate for the
sufirages of the people of his State.
His popularity, till now, has not been
tested. He has engineered the Conven-
tions of Congressional District; he has
managed the State Legislatures of his
party; he has managed a President.
This is all. The people have not had a
chance at him till now. He dared not
be u candidate for the Governorship of
his State last year; he was afraid of the
Convention, and he was afraid of the
people-after. The, Republicans of Ohio
were invited to assemble in Columbus to
further Sherman's chances for the nomi-
nation for the Presidency, and the meet
ing had peculiar significance. The need
of such meeting was significant. 1t
was thought necessary in Ohio to give
zest and life to the candidacy of Sher-
man by grand popular gathering of
the Republicans of the State; and the
popular gathering of the Republicans
OF Ohio was the most emphatic testi-
mony yet in evidence of the unpopu-
larity of Sherman. 1t was with diff
Guilty that Chairman could be found
for the meeting. 1t WAS with difficulty
that meeting could be found for the
Chairman. The orators were scarce.
They were out of trim or indisposed.
The Republicans of Ohio didn't put
in an appearance, and only few of the
Republicans of Columbus participated
in the funeral proceedings. Sherman's
friends called it lack of organiza-
tione There was an abundance of
organization. 1t was organization, not
the people, that brought about the
popular demonstration; and the peo.
pie were the only lacking ingredient in
the popular demonstration
"This chilling candidacy is already ex-
posed as failure. The attempt made
in Sherman's State to lift his candi-
dacy into formidable proportions became
pie of thirty-eight States are now more
fully made aware that this mercenary
iceberg is not the choice of the Ohio
Republicans for the Presidency. The
only visible enthusiasm among the peo.
pie of his party in his own State con-
corning his candidacy is the enthusiasm
not to be enthusiastic in his favor. The
machine warmth, the artificial ardor,
will not reach. Weak in his own State,
he is thus weaker out of it."