Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1888-06-08

was retained as co-counsel in most of the
important cases. He has always been .
very laborious student, and indefatigabls
in the thorough preparation of his cases
and 9 forcible and direct speaker, who
wastes no time on immaterisl points. He
has always been Democrat of the straight
est sect and not inclined to run after tenn
porary expedients in politics. He firmly
believes that the safety Of the country in a
great measure depends upon the preserva-
ton of the organization Of the Democratic
party. At the same time he is liberal
aud courteous in his treatment of po-
litical opponents. While serving in
the Twenty Congress, with many
other Northern Democrats, he voted for the
"Wilmot Proviso," extending the anti
slavery provision of the ordinance of 1857
TO our newly acquired Mexican territory.
He was opposed TO the repeal of the mis-
souri, Compromise" because he believed il
was fair settlement of controverted ques-
tions, the reopening of which would cause
the sectional trouble which has since del
uged the country with blood. On ali the
exciting questions of that era he always
took decided and manly stand, speaking
out his opinions unhesitatingly and doing
his best to secure their settlement in the
interest of the national welfare. He has
always been opposed TO the doctrine of
nulli6cation and secession, as the platforms
OF his party in Ohio, drawn in many
cases by him, have repeatedly declared,
The Gubernatorial contest in 1867 wherein
the negro suffrage question was in issue,
brought him prominently before the peo-
pie as rising National man. In that can
vass he spent over four months on the
stump, and carried the Legislature in both
branches for his party. and defeated negro
suffrage by over $1,000 votes in one of the
strongest Republican States in the Union.
In the meeting of the Legislature, after a
very exciting contest he was nominated by
the Democratic caucus for United States
Senator over Vallandigham, by vote of
two TO one. In 1872 he succeeded in again
carrying both branches of the Legislature,
which secured his reelection 10 the Senate
for q second term of six years, and at
the same time electing ex-senator William
Allen, the Democratic candidate for gov
error, bv q majority of six hundred. Upon
his entering the Senate he was assigned to
the Judicisyr Committee and continued to
be member of that committee during his
entire service in that body. In the forty
six tn Congress the Democracy obtained |
majority in the Senate when he became
the chairman of the Judiciary Committee
and was also elected president pro tempore |
OF the Senate. Prior 20 the assembling of |
the National Democratic Convention at |
st. Louis in 1876 his name was generally |
mentioned in the press and other |
wise in every section of the coun. |
try as q favorite candidate for the |
Presidency, but division in the party in |
Ohio on the currency question prevented |
his friends from urging his nomination or |
his name before the conven
ton. In 1880 the Democratic State Con-
vention, assembled to appoint delegates to |
the National Convention at Cincinnati, |
adopted resolutions favoring |
his candidacy, and instructing the dele
gates to vote for and support him in the
National convention. On the first ballot |
in the convention be received the vote of |
Ohio and q fattering vote from other
States. On the second ballot il became ap-
parent that General Hancock would be
and the vote of all the States
except Indiana was changed to the latter
In 1854 his name was presented for the /
Presidency, but owing TO the division of |
opinion in the Ohio delegation his candi-
iacy was not effective. On retiring from
the Senate March l. 1881. he determined to
devote himself to his private affairs and to
decline all invitations TO become a candi-
late for any public place. In few weeks,
however, he was appointed by President
Garfield, with ex-senator Howe, of Wis
>onsin, and ex-Secretary Evarts, to
the American Government
IN the International Congress to as
'emble in Paris, in the spring
of 1881 to consider and agree, if possible,
Ipon the propriety of fixing a uniform rule
oy which silver should be regarded as
money in the countries therein represented.
Inasmuch as this was in accord with his de-
ire to visit Europe, the appointment was
accepted, and he accordingly sailed from
New York on the 5th of April, 1881, and
Irriyed in New York on his return in Oc-
ober. Since that time, leading men in the
,arty have frequently urged him to accept
,laces of honor and trust but he has stead
astly refused, preferring to remain in pri-
'ate life with his old friends on the shelves
II his immense library.
General Blacks Letter.
Sr. LOUIS, June S-The following is the
etter of General Black withdrawing in fa-
Tor of Judge Thurman:
WASHINGTON, D. c., June S.
4on. 7. NJ Patterson care of Southern Hotel:
I have been advised by YOU and other
rear and dear friends of the situation of af-
airs in the National Democratic Conven-
ion, at whose hands, in my behalf, you
we're about to ask the honor of a ncmins-
ion to an exalted Office. / hoped for the
lonor, as one of the noble condolences of
solitical associates worthy of exalted de-
ire and honest patriotic ambition, but
ave too long wrought for the successes of
institutional principles not to surrogate
ii personal claims TO the welfare of the
,arty of the constitution. The party has
dearly decided in advance of the express
ion of your assembly in favor of Allen
Thurman for vice president. bow to its
ugh behest- While my heart is lull of
,ratitude TO you and my friends, whose
avor had promised me support, l ask you
o withdraw my name from the consider
tion of the convention to the end that
here may be exhibited the fullest har-
nony of resolve and action.
Your fellow-citizen.
JOHN C. BLACK