The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-01-25

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with rare zeal and fideli y, till at Fish
er's Hill and Cedar Creek, fields of high
historic fame, his bravery won for him
a major-general's commission.
His military service ended, he ac-
cepled political honors which he had
almost spurned when thrust upon him
while at the front facing rebels in arms.
lie was twice elected to the house
of representatives in congress, but
in 1867 ne resigned to accept the repub-
ican nomination to the governorship of
Ohio. The contest was famous one.
| Allan G.. Thurman led the democracy,
and only the republican highest in the
confidence of the people of Ohio could
hope to win the day for his party for
its platform was unpopular and the de-
mocracy had built with strength and
skill. General Hayes was triumphantly
elected, and two years later reelected
against no less formidable and popular
an opponent than George II. Peudleton
-" Gentleman George" of Buckeye
politics. Again in 1876, when republic
can fortunes were trembling in the bal.
ance, Governor Hayes, still the most
popular man in Ohio, was again made
his party's standard. bearer in the face
of his letter declining a nomination.
The currency question was the rising
issue. The Ohio republicans took
strong ground for honest money. The
canvass was hot one. Hayes was ON.
nipresent, leading his party wi h zeal
and fire, and great victory, for him
self personally and for honest money,
crowned his magnificent leadership.
At Cincinnati, in 1876, at the repub.
lican national convention for the nomi.
nation of a candidate for the presidency,
the embodiment of the great national
leaders of the party led 10 the nomina-
ton of Governor Hayes on the seventh
ballot. The events that followed a
campaign bitter and portentous almost
beyond the canvass of 1860 have be-
come historic. The hand of fraud,
guided by partisan determination of the
most daring and unscrupulous charac-
ter, had hopelessly involved the ques-
ton of the results of the election
in certain states. In the early
days of March, 1877, the nation
seemed on the verge of disrup-
ton. An electoral commission had
been created to settle the questions in
dispute. Both houses of congress and
the supreme court of the United States,
acting as referees, under the acquies-
cence of both of the great political par
ties now wrought up to white heat of
partisan excitement and trembling on
the ragged edge of civil violence, re-
solved all the disputed questions in ia.
vor OF the republican electors of presi-
dent. The great dispute was ended in
the declaration that Rutherford b.
Hayes was the leg Ally-elected president
for the four years from March 4, 1877.
Nopresident ever held his office by
clearer or stronger title; but the resent
ments of powerful rivals whose ambi,
ton had been foiled at the Cincinnati
convention, partisan rage at the final
failure Of elaborate and cunningly-
devised schemes for capturing the presi-
dency, made President Hayes political
couch anything but bed Of roses. His
administration was, however, one of
great strength, purity and wisdom. He
managed national affairs with SINGLE
nessof purpose that has never been SUR
passed. He chose cabinet conspicu-
GUS for its strength and ability. He adj
hered firmly, and conscieutiously, with
out buster or demagogery, TO clearly
defined line of policy-and that was
policy characterized by rare wisdom
and patriotism, wrought out to an issue
eminently successful, between the upper
and neither milestone of factious op.
position within his own party and the
rancorous enmity of the bourbon ele.
ment in the democratic party. Civil
government was restored to its normal
condition in the late rebellious states.
Long delayed and long-debated resump-
ton of specie payments became an &C
complshed fact, and scheme for
refunding the national debt at a rate of
interest that was laughed to scorn when
it was first proposed was carried far
along on its triumphant course. In
his administration was laid, amid the
storms of internecine party strife and
the brutality of malignant political
malcontents, the cornerstone of the
splendid prosperity that has since
blessed the country. His administra-
ton made possible the brilliant and de-
cisive victory of the republican party
in 1880. 1t is right and just to recall
these things around the bier Of the old
leader, the wise, unselfiSh, and unfal-