Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1889-07-11
AMArrER oF HISTORY.

\ NATTER OF HlS1Oh1.
On nthe fourth page of this impression
will be found an article, clipped from the
Urbana Citizen and Gazette, concerning
Ohio Governors, which will be found in
teresting.
1t is best in all things, but especially
in matters of history, to be accurate.
There was no Republican party in Ohio
in 1861. but, instead, the party led by
David Tod was called the Union party;
and up to the hour when rebels assailed
Fort Sumter with shot and shell Tod had
been the most conspicuous of Ohio Dem
ocrats. Instantly the grand old patriot
telegraphed President Lincoln, stand by
the Union, and the Democrats OF the
North will stand by you, and from that
hour President Lincoln had no more 10y
al supporter in the country. The Union
candidate for Representative from this
County (Hon. W. 5. KennOn) had been
one of the most brilliant Democrats OF
Eastern Ohio His father Was a Demo
cratic member of Congress during the
administration of President Jackson, and
afterward Judge of the Supreme Court
of Ohio. chosen by the Democrats. Judge
Kennon and the Major both supported
Douglas in 1860, the latter being the
Douglas candidate for Elector, but the
Union cause had no more loyal sup
porters in this county, and both after
ward became Republicans and remained
so. So with Hon. Daniel Peck, who sup
ported Bell-with Drs. Henry and 5. b
West and Lewis Boyer, who supported
Breckenridge, and many others of thi:
county.
The defeat Of Governor Tod in the
Convention of 1853 was burning shame
The writer recalls the occasion ViVidly
Columbus was packed with people the day
before. and those who arrived i'll the eve
ming had no alternative but to tramp the
streets or sleep in chairs, provided they
could get hold of them. 3. K. CoweI
had been among the early arrivals, ana
had secured a bed at the old United States
Hotel. Among the late arrivals were the
venerable Judge b. 5. COwen and Hon
Isaac Welsh. and to them Mr.. COWen sur
rendered his bed, and became tramp
| like many more of us. But men did not
90 there to sleep, and ali night long the
streets were vocal with songs, while ev'
cry corner was occupied with squads Of
earnest men, discussing the probabilities
of the moFroW, aHd occasionally some
one was found mounted on stofe- box
addressing squad of men.
The Convention was the most memora-
BILE ever held in Ohio. After the nomi-
nation of BrOugh, Governor Tod appear
ed on the Broad Street front of the capi-
tOl and spoke very briefly, acquiescing in
the action of the Convention, and prom
ising the ticket his loyal support. His
clean shaved face was pale, and it was
evident he felt the indignity very keenly.
Belmont County stood .Qyally by Gov
eFpOr Tod ia the Convention.
Of those who composed the company
from hereabouts who vaiply applied for
quarters at the Columbus hotels on that
occasion we recall Judge B. S. COwen,
Hon. Isaac Welsh, John A. Davenport
(of Woodsfeld), and Captain William
Askew. Mr.. Davenport has since be-
come a resident of the State of Kansas,
and Captain AskeW resides at Kansas
City, Mo. Judge COwen and Mr.. Welsh
are long since dead. B. r. CoWen became
Adjutant General under GOV. BrOugh
was Secretary of State and Paymaster
in the Army, and is now Clerk of the
United States Courts for the Southern
District of Ohio.
Governor Tod was Douglas man in
1860, and the Convention he presided
over was that of the Douglas wing of
the Democracy, which seeded from the
Charleston Convention, because of the
action of that body on the question of
the extension of slavery into the Terrific
ries. Mr.. Breckenridge was nominated
at Charleston, S. c.