James Monroe

Monroe, Cox, and Garfield presented a united front in representing the six counties of the Western Reserve on the eve of the Civil War. Alike in many ways, they differed in some personal qualities. Monroe had met Cox while the former was a theological student and tutor and the latter a newcomer at Oberlin. Both had been greatly influenced by Charles G. Finney. Cox, in fact, had married Finney's daughter, Helen Clarissa Finney. Cox had graduated from Oberlin to become a school superintendent in Warren, Ohio, and then a lawyer. James A. Garfield had served as a professor at the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute, later Hiram College, before entering politics. Although most politicians had a legal or business background, Monroe, Cox, and Garfield had carved their avenues into politics through education, and all possessed a strong religious background.

Despite the similarities of these men, they differed in style and belief. Although holding advanced racial views, Monroe found it in his nature to present the appearance of a logical, rational man rather than the image of a fire-eater. This persona made him the perfect representative from Oberlin. He had established himself as a political reformer who would compromise when necessary. Cox also could exhibit an unemotional presence. However, the six-foot-tall Cox could also display emotions at times. Unlike the refined, slender Cox and the well-proportioned Monroe, Garfield had a "rumpled, massive, bear-like" appearance. He utilized his emotions to sway opinion and fit more aptly the stereotype of a high-strung antislavery man. Unlike the more humble and quiet Monroe, Cox and Garfield displayed much ambition.

This ambition could have led to great competition between Cox and Garfield, but instead they became good friends while living as roommates in Columbus. Monroe often joined Cox and Garfield on their walk to the senate each day. Yet, Monroe stood out from the three because he held the most advanced views on racial equality. Monroe was the real Radical Republican of the three because he advocated an immediate end to slavery. Garfield, more attuned to the moderate Republicans, desired a gradual end to the institution. Cox, although strongly antislavery, did not believe in immediate equality for blacks.

With Cox and Garfield as able colleagues, Monroe found that the political situation in the Ohio General Assembly had changed since his last term. Governor Chase had declined to run for reelection because he had set his sights on the Republican presidential nomination in 1860. Instead, the newly elected Republican William Dennison would serve as governor. Dennison had a strong foothold in the businesses of banking and the railroad, and he had proved his worth to both moderates and radicals. The Republican party would once again enjoy a majority in the legislature that amounted to fifteen in the Senate and twelve in the House, and Monroe could work to implement a platform that had called for repeal of the Fugitive Slave Law.