Clark County, Ohio

History and Genealogy



Political Meetings—Garfield and Pendleton Debate


From 20th Century History of Springfield and Clark County, Ohio by Hon. William A. Rockel
Chicago: Biographical Publishing Co., 1908


Springfield and its vicinity has for a long time in political matters been of sufficient importance to those managing party campaigns to secure from them some of the noted political speakers of the day. In former times General Harrison, Henry Clay, and Thomas Corwin made political addresses in this city, and perhaps every governor that has ever been elected by the Republican or Whig parties appeared before a Springfield audience.

Formerly, and until a quite recent time party managers sought to influence the voter by the demonstrations made at these political meetings. It was a common thing to have parades in which as much of a display as possible would be made.

A large portion of the Democratic party was composed of Germans and Irishmen, while a considerable portion of the Republican party were of the negro denomination. These two elements were always antagonistic and generally during these parades some participant would be the recipient, somewhere along the line, of a brickbat or some other missile of a like character. Speeches and speakers were often forgotten by most of the paraders. Cannons were fired, fireworks blazed forth to impress upon the mind of the voter the importance of casting his vote for a certain candidate.

In 1877 during the governorship campaign between Judge West and R. M. Bishop, a series of debates were arranged for between James A. Garfield and George H. Pendleton. Garfield was then a leader of the House of Representatives, and Pendleton a senator from this state. Both were leading and talented men and fairly representative of their parties. Pendelton had been the nominee of his party for Vice-President.

The debate was held in Black's Opera House, and it was the general opinion of those who were present that Garfield was more than a match for Pendleton.

John Sherman frequently made speeches in Springfield and was always enthusiastically received; so was William McKinley whose speeches were always of a serious kind, scholarly and thoughtful throughout.

One of the most favorite speakers that frequently visited Springfield was Gen. Wm. H. Gibson, of Tiffin, whose power to entertain an audience was never excelled by a political speaker in Ohio, at least since the times of Tom Corwin.

In 1888 Thomas B. Reed made a speech at the Fair Grounds.

Blaine was here, I think, in 1876. In 1884 when he ran for the Presidency he stopped at South Charleston but did not come to Springfield. He was a very great favorite here, especially with the younger element of Republicans.

President Roosevelt came through here when he was a candidate for Vice-President.

Democrats of almost equal prominence have visited the city but not so frequently as Republicans.

Vice-President Hendricks on several occasions was here.

Perhaps one of the most popular speakers for the Democrats was S. S. Cox, former representative in Congress. William J. Bryan was here during each time that he ran for the Presidency.

The canvass of 1880 was a spirited one in this county. A noted Republican meeting was addressed by "Bob" Ingersol, and later in that campaign Samuel Shellabarger made his last political speech in Springfield. William N. Whitley was then in the height of his manufacturing career and contributed both his means and efforts in this campaign.







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