Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1895-02-07
Our Columbus Letter !

CoLuMBUs, o., Feb. CT has been stated
recently in several newspapers, of both polit-
ical persuasions that never in the political
history of the State of Ohio were there 80
many, or such distinguished candidates for
nomination, as are likely to come before the
nea Republican State Convention.
This. however, does not happen to be n
fact. The Democratic party in lSiS largely
discounted the Republican party of 1895 in
the number and dignity of its gubernatorial
candidates before it's annual convention.
That is the year when John B. Weller was
nominated to what was considered "lead
pipe cinch" for the winner, to be inglOrious-
ly beaten by Seabury Ford, of whom no one
outside of little corner of tie Western
Reserve. had ever heard.
But what then, and subsequently, disting
uished list of names came before the Con-
vention, and from whom the 286 delegates
had the opportunity to make a choice.
Heading the list, almost, was Edwin M.
Stanton, the great Secretary of War during
the civil eommotion from 1861 to 1866. And
yet his highest vote on any ballot, was 5.
David Tod, Who had been defeated by mar
row margains in 1874 and 1876, was a candi-
date with toerably fair following. Fifteen
licans and he became the second war Gov
ernor."
The third "War Governor" was also can
didate before the same convention. John
Brough who failed of the Democratic nomi-
nation in 1913, and the most radio of radi-
cal partisans, waselected on the Republican
ticket to the same Office seventeen years
later
Reuban Wood, who was elected Governor
| IL. 1,A,
stood second on all the ballots.
Gen. Jos. j. Mcdowell, of Highland. who
had already distinguished himself in Con
gress, was a candidate with devoted fol-
lowing.
Another candidate well known in South
western Ohio, was Hon. James j. Faran, ,one
of the proprietors of the Enquirer, who had
behind him distinguished career, both in
Congress and the Ohio Senate.
Emory d. Potter, of Lucas, a noted Con-
gresham even at that early day had big
following from the Northwest, and made a
game fight for the nomination.
Douty Utter, of Clermont, who served al
most terms without number in the Legislat-
ure. and was not only one of Ohio's ablest
legislators. but its best parliamentarian was
strongly supported.
Alexander Duncan, of Hamilton, who had
served in Congress and in the Ohio Senate,
seemed for time to have the inside track
for the nomination, but stopped finally at
third place.
The fourth man, when the race was finish
ed, and one of the two now living. who were
before the convention, was William Law
renee, of Guernsey, who subsequently served
in the Ohio Senate, then went to Congress,
and again came back to the Ohio Senate. He
now lives in graceful retirements in the quiet
little town of Nashington over on the Ma
tional road.
Daniel McCook, 'the head of the tribe of
Dan," was also among those whose eligibili-
ty was urged upon the convention.
Among Others whose names were up for
consideration before that memorable COW
vention, we're Peter p. Lowe, BENZ. Tappan,
w. @. Walton, Thos. M. Drake, Geo. W.
Manypenny, VIM. Duane Morgan, D. p.
Leadbetter and A. p. Edgerton.
Not one of all these twenty men but shine
with conspicuous brilliancy in the history of
the State, the most of the defeated cqndi-
dates by far outshining the nominee of the
convention then and subsequently.
Before and at the time of the assembling
of this convention, a nomination was looked
upon as the equivalent of an election. and
Ohio was booked on all hands for Gen. Lewis
Cass for the Presidency. To all outward ap-
pearances the Democratic party in the State
But this was in outward appearance alone.
Down underneath the surface there was
fierce personal aud factional fight going on,
and really accounted for the numerous Dem
ocratic aspirants for the governorship who
appeared on the apparently placid surface.
For years the Democrats had been man.
aging State affairs in an unsatisfactory way,
and this bred factions within the party, and
gave rise to the pers 1nal followlngs of diff
ereni Ineii. Even TING rank and file Of the
party did not fully understand why they felt
restless. They only knew that they wanted
to kick, and, bv st, PapI, they did kiJk
shortly afterward.
There we're only tvs things that the Dem
ocratic leaders could agree on: First rot 70
permit the condition of the States affairs to
come into the campaign as an issde. Sec
ond, not to say anything positive one way or
another on the slavery question which was
then showing itself consplcuously into the
field.
And now comes the remarkable parallel.
In 1895 the Republican party is to all ap-
pearances united, conf lent and irresistible
just as the Democrats were 43 years ago.
Twenty or more distinguished leaders
have entered the lists to carry off the guber'
material prize which is to fall TO the most &C.
complished rider and fencer.
For four years the affairs of the State have
been growing from bad to worse, and the
people are getting restive. The tinancia
que tion-silver coinage-has showed itsel1
Ito the field and is going to stay there un-
til it is settled properly.
There are but two things which the Rep
ublicau leaders Of Ohio agree upon today
First, that State affairs and their existing
condition must not enter into next fall
campaign. Second, that nothing positiv
one way or the other shall be said on the sill
yer question.
What is to prevent the parallel from com