Ohio had shown profound loyalty to the Union and an enthusiastic support of all measures for its preservation.

Mr.
Thurman had run counter to the principles and prejudices of a large number of the people of Ohio by his bitter hostility to the war, and yet he now received a larger popular vote than had ever before been given even to a Republican candidate, except in the year 1863 when so many Democrats repudiated Vallandingham.
It was at the full maturity of his powers, in the fifty-sixth year of his age, that Mr.Thurman took his seat in the Senate, March 4, 1869.
He had been chosen a representative in Congress for a single term twenty-five years before, and had afterwards served a full term on the Supreme Bench of Ohio, the last two years as Chief Justice of the court.

He was not therefore an untried man, but had an established reputation for learning in the law, for experience in affairs, for intellectual qualities of a high order.

During the long interval between his service in the House and his installment in the Senate the relation of political parties had essentially changed.

Mr.Thurman had changed with the times and with his associates.