party, as in his judgment the cause of freedom should require." Townshend and Morse were Independent Free Soilers, that is, they had been elected over both Whig and Democratic candidates in their respective counties. Hence they wielded free lances, and held the balance of power. Among both Whigs and Democrats in the Legislature were men of antislavery views and tendencies. What the Free Soilers wanted was the United States Senator. And this is how they got it. Mr. Morse proposed to the Whig members that if they would help repeal the "Black Laws" and elect Joshua R. Giddings Senator, he (Morse) and his colleague, Townshend, who acting together could control results, would vote to put Whigs on the Supreme bench. Supreme Judges then were chosen by the Legislature. On the other hand, Dr. Townshend made the proposition to the Democrats that if they would help repeal the "Black Laws," and elect Chase Senator, he (Townshend) and his colleague, Morse, would vote for their candidates for Supreme Judges. These two propositions were made with a clear understanding between the two free lances. Both political parties were extremely anxious to have a majority in the Supreme Court, because it was supposed that political questions growing out of the Hamilton county contested seats would soon be before the court.

Mr. Giddings was not acceptable to all the Whig members, and the Democrats accepted Dr. Townshend's proposition. The "Black Laws" were repealed, schools were provided for colored children, Mr. Chase was elected United States Senator, and two Democratic Judges were elected to the Supreme

Bench. To this bargain and coalition Mr. Chase was not a party directly or indirectly. It was suggested, arranged and consummated by Messrs. Townshend and Morse, who of course were under no obligations to either Whigs or Democrats, and were in the Legislature to do those things as "the cause of freedom should require."

In the Senate Salmon P. Chase faithfully carried out the trust reposed in him by the anti-slavery Legislature of 1848-9. He led the forces of free speech and free men, moulding the public sentiment of his own State by his battle against slavery. He fought the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, he demanded the exclusion of slavery from National territory, and stood side by side with Sumner and Wade and Hale. With them he opposed the Fugitive Slave Law. All these things had crystalized the thinking and libertyloving element into a new party organization. There were Whigs who opposed slavery, and Democrats who did the same, but they could see no place for anti-slavery men in either of the old parties. So the Free Soilers and Whigs and Democrats and Americans opposed to slavery met at Columbus, in the Town Street Methodist Church, July 13, 1855, and then and there held the first Republican State Convention in Ohio.

Joshua R. Giddings called the Convention to order and designated Judge B. S. Cowen, of Belmont county, as temporary chairman. John Sherman, then a young man but recently elected to Congress, was chosen as the permanent chairman of the Convention. The controlling idea and doctrine of the new party was opposition to the extension of slavery.

Its platform expressed this in the following terse language: "We will resist the spread of slavery under whatever shape or color it may be attempted." On this one question there was absolute harmony. The different elements of the Convention- the Whig, the American, the Free Soil and the Democraticall had their different ideas as to the intensity with which the declaration of principles should be laid down and as to who should be the standard bearer.

Joshua R. Giddings, the leader of the Free Soil element, was not satisfied with the plank on slavery. It was too mild. He regarded it as "weak food for men who had bared their breasts to the slave power for twenty years." But he was a wise and practical man, and he recognized that the Convention was a fusion of different ideas in the main opposed to slavery, but not so radical as he. On the other hand the American wing, led by Lewis D. Campbell, opposed the nomination of Salmon P. Chase for Governor, and favored that of Jacob Brinkerhoff, of Richland county. Mr. Chase was the best type of the principle on which the new party was founded, and was recognized as the natural leader of the new Republican party. He was therefore nominated, although before the nomination a resolution was offered by the American members requesting the withdrawal of both Chase and Brinkerhoff. The resolution was tabled after a warm speech in favor of Chase by Giddings.

Mr. Chase made an active and effective canvas throughout the State. Governor Medill was the Democratic candidate for re-election, and Allen Trimble, who had been Governor from 1826 to 1830, was the American candidate. Against Chase was all

the pro-slavery and Know-nothing sentiment of the State; he was elected, however, by 15,651 majority, although that of his Lieutenant-Governor was 37,500. Ex-Governor Trimble received 24,276 votes.

On January 14th, 1856, Governor Chase commenced his gubernatorial term. His election was a national affair; it was national in its importance and in its results. He, more than any living man knew just what was in store for the future. His first term was devoid of events. Under his official oath he administered the Fugitive Slave Law, at the same time doing justice to the poor fugitive, yet fulfilling the obligations of his State to the constitution and laws of the United States. Mr. Chase was re-nominated by his party in 1857, and after a short and close campaign was elected over Henry B. Payne, Democrat, by 1,503. The most important measure of Governor Chase's second term and the one event which more than any other gave Ohio prominence in the succeeding years, was their organization of the militia of the State. Whether Governor Chase with prophetic eye saw what three years would develop or not, cannot be said; but at his suggestion legislation re-organizing the militia was effected. A review of the military forces of the State was had in 1858, and the regulation and rules governing military drills were printed and scattered among the militia, thereby creating a martial and patriotic spirit which afterwards burst out with almost uncontrollable enthusiasm.

Slowly the nation was approaching the crisis of its history, and Mr. Chase marched abreast of all the events that led to it. In October, 1859, John Brown

made his famous invasion of Virginia, and immediately afterwards Governor Henry A. Wise wrote to Governor Chase notifying him that Virginia would pursue Abolition bands even into sister states to punish them. Mr. Chase dignifiedly replied that Ohio would obey the Constitution and laws of the United States, and would discountenance unlawful acts, but under no circumstances could the military of other States invade Ohio territory. This was his last official declaration as Governor; in January, 1860, his term closed, and he left the Executive Chamber and was again elected United States Senator a month afterwards.

William Dennison was his successor. He was a comparatively new man in Ohio politics, and his reputation was based on his solid qualities of financial ability and business standing rather than upon the single term he had served in the State Senate. But he surprised those who had under-rated him. In the debates during the campaign with his Democratic opponent-none other than the profound lawyer, Judge Rufus P. Ranney-he was able to reach the popular heart in a much greater degree and in a much better manner than the acknowledged leader of the Ohio Bar. Mr. Dennison was elected by a majority of 13,331 votes. He assumed the duties of his office under the most uncertain condition of affairs. The slave-power was daily becoming more aggressive and threats of disunion were rife in the American Congress. Little did the new Chief Executive know of the responsibilities and duties that would be thrust upon him before his term should expire. He knew the signs were portentious, he felt