On October 13, 1868 voters in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana elected Republicans in state races by substantial margins. The Democrats were reportedly in such deep distress that they considered replacing Horatio Seymour as their nominee for the U.S. Presidency, possibly with Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase. In its October 14, 1868 issue The New-York Times didn’t try to hide its preferences as it declared “Victory!” Even 150 years ago Pennsylvania was considered a swing state: “The great battle has been fought and the victory won. Pennsylvania, the State to which both Republicans and Democrats have been anxiously looking, and for which both have vigorously contended, has gone Republican by a decisive majority.”
New York Times
October 14, 1868
New York Times
October 15, 1868
New York Times
October 15, 1868
Horatio hopeless?
