USA > Delaware > History of the state of Delaware, Volume I > Part 17
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The campaign was unusually animated. Large and en- thusiastic meetings were held by both political parties. Dur- ing the campaign Lewis Cass, the Democratic candidate, visited Wilmington, accompanied by several leading Demo- cratic Senators. This meeting stirred up much enthusiasm. James A. Bayard, the acknowledged leader of the Democratic party in Delaware at that time, made an elaborate speech in the City Hall, after which a brief address was made by Gen- eral Cass. Cass was not an entire stranger to Delaware, he early in the century having taught school in Wilmington for a brief time. The occasion was also graced by the presence of George M. Dallas, of Philadelphia, who was then the Vice- President of the United States. During the same campaign Abraham Lincoln, who was then a member of Congress from
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Illinois, addressed a meeting in Wilmington, but his coming did not attract much attention, as at that time he was an ob- scure man and there was no thought in the public mind that he would afterwards reach the high place which he attained in the nation. The Whigs were successful at the election, the electoral vote of Delaware going to Zachary Taylor, and a majority of the Legislature of this state being Whigs.
In 1850 the Whig party of this state became somewhat divided owing to a temperance issue that had arisen in state politics, the outcome of which was the nomination of Thomas Lockwood, of Kent County, for Governor. This defection among the Whigs led to the election of William H. Ross, the Democratic candidate for Governor, by a small majority. George Read Riddle, his associate on the Democratic ticket, was elected Representative to Congress, and the Democrats also, for the first time in many years, obtained full control of the state government.
John M. Clayton became Secretary of State under President Zachary Taylor in March of 1849, and Governor Tharp ap- pointed as his successor in the United States Senate, Joseph P. Comegys, who served until March 4, 1850, when he, in turn, was succeeded by Martin W. Bates, a Democrat, who was regularly elected by the Legislature in the January preceding. On the death of President Taylor in the summer of 1850, John M. Clayton retired from the Cabinet, and again assumed the leadership of the Whig party in this state. The succeed- ing election showed the effect of his management. The Whigs carried a majority of the House of Representatives, but by reason of the holding over of six members of the Senate, who were Democrats, the latter party had a majority of one on joint ballot in the Legislature. At the session of the Legislature in 1852, the Whigs nominated Mr. Clayton again for the Senate. The Democratic members of the Legis- lature refused for some time to go into joint session.
While the election was pending an attack was made in the United States Senate by several of the Democratic Senators
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upon John M. Clayton, reflecting upon him and charging him with duplicity in the matter of the negotiation of the Clayton- Bulwer Treaty. A strong effort was made to send Mr. Clay- ton back to the Senate in order that he might vindicate him- self. John Sorden, a Democratic member of the State Senate, but a personal friend of Mr. Clayton, announced to his col- leagues that he proposed not only going into joint convention but that he intended to vote for John M. Ciayton for Senator in order that he might go back to Washington and on the floor of the Senate defend himself. In this way the deadlock was broken, and Mr. Clayton was elected again to the United States Senate and by a Legislature that had a political major- ity against him.
In 1851 while Millard Fillmore was President of the United States, he and his entire cabinet made a brief visit to Wil- mington while on their way to New York. He was received by the Mayor of the City, and the address of welcome was made by Hon. John Wales, who served as Chairman of the reception committee. The President responded in an appro- priate and dignified way. The Wilmington committee ac- companied him to Philadelphia on the steamboat "Roger Williams," an elaborate banquet being spread on the boat.
For a few years previous to 1852 the question of a new constitution had been much discussed by the Democratic party of the State, and the campaign of 1850 was carried by the Democratic party on the cry of " Ross-Riddle and Reform." The General Assembly in 1851 provided for the taking of the sense of the people on the calling of a Convention at a special election to be held in October of that year. At that election a majority of the votes were cast for a Convention but not a majority of all the legal votes as was provided by Article 9 of the Constitution. The General Assembly that met in the winter of 1852 decided, however, that a majority vote had been cast, and provided for the election of delegates to the proposed Convention at the general election in November fol- lowing. The delegates elected to that Convention were the following :
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New Castle County-James A. Bayard, Benjamin T. Biggs, Daniel Corbit, Ben- jamin Gibbs, John R. Latimer, William C. Lodge, George Maxwell, Rathmell Wilson, James Springer, Andrew C. Gray.
Kent County-Martin W. Bates, John S. Bell, William Collins, Charles H. Heverin, Henry Whitaker, James R. Lofland, Richard H. Merriken, James H. Smith, Caleb Smithers, William Wilkenson.
Sussex County-John H. Burton, John W. Calloway, William S. Hall, David Hazzard, Tyras S. Phillips, Nathaniel W. Hickman, Robert B. Houston, Thomas A. Jones, Truston P. McColley, Jesse L. Long.
This was the fourth Constitutional Convention that had been called in Delaware. It met at the State House in Dover on the first Tuesday in December, 1852, and after organizing temporarily adjourned until March 10, 1853. Truston P. McColley was elected President, and Charles Marim, Secretary. But twenty out of the thirty members were present. On the same day Andrew C. Gray presented resolutions setting forth that the Convention had not been called in the way provided by the Constitution of the State. The resolutions were dis- cussed for several days, the leading members of the Conven- tion participating in the discussion. Andrew C. Gray, John R. Latimer and Rathmell Wilson of New Castle County joined in a remonstrance against the Convention proceeding further, and then withdrew; David Hazzard from Sussex County tendered his resignation.
This action upon the part of these members had a demoral- izing effect on the Convention, but its sessions were continued until April 30th, when various amendments, which had been proposed to the existing Constitution, were adopted, and the Convention adjourned after voting in favor of submitting the New Constitution to the people of the State for ratification or rejection. At the election in November the New Constitution was the leading issue before the people. James A. Bayard and other leading Democrats opposed the adoption of the New Constitution, and at the election it was rejected by the people by a vote of 4,777 against it and 2,716 for it, there being a majority against it in all three of the Counties.
After the election of 1852, the Whig party of the State went
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to pieces, and a majority of that party drifted into what was called the " American " party. The latter party nominated Peter F. Causey for Governor in 1854, and he was elected by about 1000 majority. Elisha D. Cullen was elected to Con- gress. Two years later the American party suffered defeat in the State owing to the passage of a Prohibitory Liquor Law which proved to be very unpopular. In that year William G. Whitely, a Democrat, was elected to Congress and the Democrats controlled the Legislature ; the electoral vote of the State went to James Buchanan. The Republican party, which for the first time presented a National ticket to the people, with John C. Fremont as its candidate for President, received 305 votes in the entire State. In 1858 the Democrats nomi- nated William Burton for Governor and renominated William G. Whitely for Congress. Both of these gentlemen were elected by a majority of about 200 and the Democrats obtained a majority of the Legislature.
During the Presidential campaign of 1856 threats were made that if Fremont, the Republican candidate, should be elected, the Southern States would secede. This threatening attitude in 1856 was claimed by some to be merely an idle threat or an electioneering device, but during the next four years the gulf between the North and South widened rapidly, and the Southern leaders were loud in their expressed deter- mination to secede, as the remedy best adapted to cure their wrongs. The coming storm was evident as soon as the cam- paign of 1860 opened. On the stump and in the halls of Congress the speakers from the South reiterated the threat " Elect Lincoln, and the South will secede."
In the excitement of this period leading up to the Civil War, Delaware occupied a peculiar position. Delaware, while a border State, had always been classed with the Southern or slave-holding States, in distinction to the Northern or free- labor States. The census report of 1860 showed a slave popu- lation of 179S. At the election in 1860 a total vote of 16,049 was cast in Delaware, divided as follows: John C. Breckin-
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ridge the candidate of the Southern Democracy received 7,347 votes, Stephen A. Douglas who represented the other wing of the Democratic party received 1,023 votes, John Bell the can- didate of the party whose platform was "The Constitution, the Union and the enforcement of the laws " received 3,864 votes, and Abraham Lincoln the Republican candidate received 3,815 votes.
The electoral vote of the State went to Breckinridge. The Breckinridge Democrats nominated Benjamin T. Biggs for Congress, and also ran a full legislative ticket ; Elias S. Reed ran as an independent candidate for Congress, but received only a few hundred votes. The opposition to the Democratic ticket united in what was called " The People's Party," with George P. Fisher as its nominee for Congress, and full legis- lative tickets in the three counties. Fisher was elected to Con- gress by a majority of 247 over Biggs. The People's party elected its legislative ticket in New Castle County, and several members of the General Assembly from the other counties afterwards voted with the same party on questions that came before that body. It was a momentous time in the history of the State. The General Assembly that met in January, 1861 was composed of the following members :
STATE SENATE.
Charles T. Polk, David W. Gemmill and John R. Tatum, of New Castle County ; Wilson L. Cannon, Alexander Johnson and John Green of Kent County ; John Martin, Joseph A. McFerran and Hicks D. Hooper, of Sussex County.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
George W. Churchman, Edward Betts, Abram Chandler, John F. Williamson, Anthony M. Higgins, Robert A. Cochran and Henry H. Appleton, of New Castle County ; John A. Moore. Thomas Davis. Thomas Clements, Jr., Ambrose Broad- away, William Virden, Henderson Collins, Jr., and Charles Williamson, of Kent County ; William H. Rickards, Jonathan Moore, William S. Phillips, Lemuel W. Waples, Peter Calhoon, James H. Boyce, Jr., and Peter Robinson, of Sussex County.
The Democrats controlled the State Senate, and by a vote of five to four elected John Martin, Speaker. The People's
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Party, by a majority of one, organized the House of Represen- tatives and John F. Williamson was elected Speaker on the tenth ballot. Party spirit ran very high. During the session many communications were received from the various States ; the Southern States urging Delaware to join the Southern con- federacy, which at the time was rapidly forming from the States that were seceding, and the Northern States importun- ing the State to remain firm in its adherence to the Union. A wide-spread sentiment prevailed throughout the State in favor of peace and in opposition to the declaration of war, it being hoped that pending difficulties would be adjusted with- out resort to arms.
At the meeting of the General Assembly in 1861, Governor Burton presented his biennial message which was devoted largely to the distracted state of the country. He bewailed existing conditions, but took no pronounced stand, although his declarations made at that time, and subsequently, indicated his sympathies with the South. Early in the session a resolu- tion was offered in the House approving of the "Crittenden Compromise." It was adopted by a vote of 19 to 2, and hav- ing been sent to the Senate for concurrence was approved by that body by a vote of 8 to 1. Edward Betts, the member of the House from Wilmington, voted against it as did John R. Tatum, a State Senator from Christiana Hundred. This action on the part of these two men caused a great deal of comment at the time, and at Middletown the sentiment against them, represented by the rougher element in the community, ex- pressed itself by hanging them in effigy on a scaffold near the railroad depot where it could be seen by the parties in interest as they passed on the train.
After some quibbling as to who should be sent, the General Assembly united in naming George B. Rodney and Daniel M. Bates, of New Castle County, Henry Ridgely and John W. Houston, of Kent County, and William Cannon, of Sussex County, as commissioners to represent the State of Delaware in a convention of delegates from the States of the Union to
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be held at Washington on the fourth day of February, 1861 for the purpose of taking into consideration and perfecting some plan for adjusting the matters of controversy between the sections of the Union.
These Commissioners attended the Convention known as the " Peace Conference," and afterwards made their report to the Governor in which they state that they made every possible effort to have the convention adopt the plan of adjustment proposed by the "Crittenden Compromise," but finding they could not accomplish that, they gave their support to the measure which was finally adopted by the Convention. The Conference favored the adoption of an amendment to the Con- stitution of the United States and recommended its ratification by the several States ; but this mnode of adjusting the pending difficulties did not meet with popular favor, and no effort was made to carry out the recommendations of the Conference.
The General Assembly sat until March 8th, and was called in special session by proclamation of the Governor on the 25th day of November following. In the message of Governor Burton, submitted at that time, he says, "Our citizens have acted in a manner highly creditable to them, and well deserve the quiet they have enjoyed. Those, if there be any, and doubtless there are some everywhere, whose sympathies incline to the South, are quiescent, laying no impediments in the way of the Government, nor affording its enemies any sort of aid." He deeply regretted the fact that the country was now involved in a Civil War, "one of the most deplorable calamities that can befall any country."
Several attempts were made during the extra session to adopt resolutions expressive of the sentiment prevalent in Del- aware as to pending questions. The two bodies had shifted politically. Wilson L. Cannon, a member of the Senate from Kent County, who had been elected as a Democrat two years before, became a pronounced Union man and his vote made the Senate anti-Democratic by a majority of one. Robert A. Cochran, who had been elected a member of the House on the
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People's ticket from New Castle County, gradually grew more pronounced in his sympathies toward the South, being a slave- holder, and in course of time his vote shifted to the Democratic side of the House, and gave it a majority of one. The two bodies were never able to agree upon a set of resolutions. Mr. Gemmill offered the following resolution which was adopted by the Senate by a vote of four to two; the vote of the mem- bers being as follows :
Yeas-Messrs. Cannon, Gemmill, Hooper and Polk.
Nays-Messrs. Johnson and Mr. Speaker.
Excused from voting, Messrs. Tatum and Green.
JOINT RESOLUTION DECLARING THE ADHERENCE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Delaware in General Assembly met,
1. That the people of the State of Delaware recognize the Constitution of the United States as the Magna Charta of their liberties, and the Union as the safe- guard of their political existence, and regarding the Constitution as a form of government emanating from, and established by, the authority of the people of the United States, with their fathers, they hold the duty which they owe to the State to be subordinate to their allegiance to the Government of the United States.
2. That the lamentable civil strife that now afflicts the country, has been forced on the nation by the unjustifiable acts of those who have long conspired its de- struction, and who, by open rebellion, are now striving to overthrow the Govern- ment by which we have been protected in the past, and to which alone we can look for safety in the future.
3. That now, as heretofore, the State of Delaware, will sustain the Govern- ment of the United States, and she believes that the only mode of bringing pres- ent peace and future security to the country, is, by the speedy and effectual sup- pression of the rebellion, thus manifesting the power of the Government in the preservation of the Union, the maintenance of the Constitution, and the firm, but impartial, enforcement of the Laws.
4. That in the execution of this highest trust devolved upon the Government, the people of the State of Delaware are not disposed captiously to criticise its measures or restrict its authority. They have faith in its cxpressed determination to suppress this unholy rebellion, and recognizing the embarrassments by which it is surrounded, they only ask, that, confining itself to this legitimate object, it shall, at whatever cost, preserve the integrity of the Union and the supremacy of the flag of the United States.
5. That copies of these resolutions be transmitted to the Governors of the sev- eral States and also to our Senators and Representative in the Congress of the United States, with the request that they be laid before their respective Houses."
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The House refused to concur in the above resolution by a vote of eleven to ten, Mr. Cochran voting with the Democrats against the resolution. The General Assembly at this session appropriated $74,681, the direct tax apportionment, assessed upon the state by the general government for the prosecution of the war.
The firing on Fort Sumter, which really marked the be- ginning of the Civil War, created the most intense excitement throughout the state, and particularly in the city of Wilming- ton. A strong Union feeling exhibited itself and a large and enthusiastic meeting of Union adherents was held in the City Hall on the evening of April 16th. Mayor Gilpin presided, and a large number of representative citizens acted as vice- presidents. Patriotic speeches were delivered by Dr. William H. White, Joshua S. Valentine, and John Sebo. The feeling of the meeting was expressed decidedly in favor of the Union by a series of resolutions that were offered and adopted amid much enthusiasm.
A few days later the City Council appropriated eight thousand dollars for the defence of the city, the general feel- ing being at fever heat, owing to the attack that had been made on the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment, while it was passing through Baltimore on its way to defend the Capital. Shortly afterwards, further excitement was created by the burning of the bridges on the line of the Philadelphia, Wil- mington & Baltimore Railroad, between Havre-de-Grace and Baltimore. This led to grave apprehension as to the safety of Wilmington.
A United States revenue cutter was sent from Hampton Roads to guard the city, and steps were taken to strengthen the garrisons at Fort Delaware and Fort Mifflin. Arms were purchased in Philadelphia, and several companies of the Delaware Guards were mustered into the service of the city, and night sentinels were established who were stationed on the bridges leading into Wilmington. The services of med- ical doctors and druggists were tendered and a general prepara-
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tion made to defend the city in case of an attack. Another large Union meeting was held on April 22d. Judge Hall pre- sided, and leading representative citizens throughout the county were named as vice-presidents. Vigorous resolutions were adopted, one of which quoted below shows the deep feel- ing prevalent in the community :
" Resolved, That we deem it our highest privilege to live under a government of laws, and for the administration of the Federal Government and the enjoyment of its benefits. Those constitutionally invested with its functions must be unhes- itatingly acknowledged and their authority firmly upheld by all good citizens, especially in times of revolution ; and we pledge ourselves to support the govern- ment in all constitutional measures."
A committee of safety composed of the following gentlemen was appointed : John Wales, Thomas F. Bayard, Jesse Sharpe, John R. Latimer, Joseph Shipley, Dr. Henry F. Askew, Henry duPont, David C. Wilson, Theodore Rogers, J. Morton Poole, Edward G. Bradford, Elijah Hollingsworth, and Victor duPont. Robert S. La Motte and Charles E. La Motte were instrumental in enlisting a company of "Minute Men ;" they soon succeeded in enrolling four hundred men. Union meetings were held throughout the state. At Georgetown, Seaford, Felton, New Castle and St. Georges, leading citizens interested themselves in assembling the people together, and at all of these places resolutions were adopted calling upon the loyal citizens to support the Union and uphold President Lincoln in maintaining the authority of the government.
Governor Burton, under date of April 25th, issued a procla- mation calling for the enlistment of volunteers. A week later he supplemented his first proclamation by another, directing that all volunteers who had enlisted, and who desired to be mustered into the service of the United States, under the call of the President, should rendezvous in the City of Washington to be mustered into the United States service by Major Ruff, who had been detailed by the War Department for that purpose.
To encourage enlistments leading citizens contributed a fund
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for the support of the families of volunteers who might need assistance during their absence in the field. The ladies of Wilmington took early steps to provide clothing and other necessaries for the troops who were enlisting. A volunteer sewing society was formed, and the co-operation of ladies at other points in the State was had, through whom useful articles were sent to the encampments near Wilmington. In every section means were raised and food and clothing pro- vided. A company, known as the "Wilmington Home Guards," was organized with Captain F. B. Sturgis in com- mand. The preachers in Wilmington representing all de- nominations, and almost without exception, evinced a patri- otic spirit and by word and act identified themselves with the Union cause.
Nearly eight hundred men had been enlisted prior to May 1st. Captain Thomas A. Smyth, who had organized Company C of the Delaware Blues, left Wilmington on the 30th of April with his company, and was mustered into ser- vice on the 7th of May, joining the 24th Regiment of Pennsyl- vania Volunteers. This was the first company to leave the State for the front, and after serving out the three months term of enlistment, it returned to Wilmington on July 30th. Outside of Wilmington much activity was manifested in en- listments. The "Union Home Guards" was organized at Newport. A Mounted Guard was formed in Red Lion Hun- dred. Captain C. Rodney Layton commanded a company enlisted at Georgetown. The " Dover Home Guards," under command of Captain Isaac Jump, was organized at Dover. At Bridgeville and Greenwood a company numbering one hundred men was organized and called the "Governor's Guard," with Captain W. O. Redden in command. An en- campment was pitched on the old agricultural fair grounds west of Wilmington, and called "Camp Brandywine." Here the First Delaware boys began service with the following regi- mental officers : Colonel, Henry H. Lockwood ; Lieutenant- Colonel, John W. Andrews; Major, Henry A. du Pont ;
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Doctor Robert P. Johnson surgeou, and Doctor James M. Knight assistant surgeon.
Henry du Pont of New Castle County, was on the 11th of May, 1861, appointed and commissioned Major-General of the forces raised and to be raised from the State of Delaware, and Jesse Sharpe was appointed Brigadier-General. A second proc- lamation issued by Governor Burton on May 23, recited that the requisition of the President for a regiment of three-months men had been fully met. He now asked the State to furnish another regiment for a period of three years. In pursuance of this call the Second Delaware Regiment was formed and it together with the Third and Fourth Delaware Regiments be- came a part of the Union forces and was assigned to the command of Major-General Robert Patterson, who was in charge of the Military Department of Washington, which in- cluded the State of Delaware. Many of the Delaware men were ordered along the line of the railroad between Wilming- ton and Washington. Nearly all of the officers and men of the First Delaware Volunteers re-enlisted in the new Regi- ments for the term of three years.
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