History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 19

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1316

USA > Iowa > Butler County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 19
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Resolved, That we recur with pride to the tri- umphant success, the splendid achievements, and the imperishable renown of the late admin- istration; and that, while we point to thesc as the glorious results of past labors, we should re- member that, as they were gained by a strict adherence to honest principles and the adoption of an honest policy, they can be sullied or im- paired only by a base abandonment of them upon the altar of expediency, or by a disgrace- ful surrender in the form of coward silence.

Resolved, That we still adhere as firmly as ever to the principles and measures which dic- tated and governed the course of the late admin- istration; and that we derive a high pleasure from the fact that a Democratic Senate is vouch- safed to us as an impassable barrier between the federal high tariff, bank and paper policy, hopes and designs of the present dynasty, and the gold and silver currency, and low tariff and inde- pendent treasury policy of the people.

Resolved, That the administration of Gen. Taylor, as far as it has proceeded upon its mis- sion, has unblushingly falsified every promise and grossly violated every pledge given before the election by its nominal chief; that a party which can go before the country upon one set of issues, and immediately after its installation into power enter upon the practice of another set, is more than ever deserving of the reproba- tion of the world, and of the continued and uncompromising hostility of the Democratic party.

Resolved, That General Taylor, for the part which he has played, or has been made to play in this disgraceful game of deception, has dis- played a want of honest principle or weakness of mind and character, which equally disquali- fies him for the place he holds, and fully justi- fies the worst predictions ever made against his fitness for the Presidency; and that, although we may once have admired the soldier in the tented field, we are now reluctantly brought to condemn and to repudiate the cipher in the cabinet of the country.

Resolved, That the removals in this State have been made without cause and in direct violation of the professions of General Taylor, before the election; and that the appointments which have followed have been made in equal violation of the same professions.

Resolved, That the appointment of a bureau officer from this State, in the person of Fitz Henry Warren, is an act deserving the censure and undistinguished condemnation which it is receiving from a large majority of the Whigs of Iowa; and that his retention in office, in the face of these open and emphatic expressions of

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public disgust, is well calculated to prepare the mind of every one to be surprised at nothing, in the way of moral turpitude, which may mark the future character of General Taylor's admin- istration.

Resolved, That the Democrats who have been removed from office in this State by the federal and proscriptive administration now in power, retire from their respective posts without re- proaeh from government, and with the unim- paired confidence and respect of the Democracy of the State.

Resolved, That we deprecate any separate and seetional organizations, in any portion of the country, having for their object the advocacy of an isolated point involving feeling, and not faet-pride, and not principle, as destructive to the peace and happiness of the people and dan- gerous to the stability of the Union.

Resolved, That inasmuch as the Territories of New Mexico and California come to us free, and are free now by law, it is our desire that they should remain forever free; but that until it is proposed to repeal the laws making the country free, and to ereet others in their stead for the extension of slavery, we deem it inexpedient and improper to add to the further distraction of the public mind by demanding, in the name of the Wilmot Proviso, what is already amply secured by the laws of the land.

The Whigs met in convention June 30, at Iowa City, where they nominated the following ticket: President of Board, Thomas J. Mckean; Secretary, William M. Allison; Treasurer, Henry G. Stewart. The following platform was adopted:

Resolved, That this convention has unlimited confidence in the integrity, ability and patriotism of the people's President, General Zachary Tay- lor. The illustrious services he has rendered his country in forty years' devotion to her in- terests and her glory in the field, and the abun- dant evidence he has given since his inaugura- tion as Chief Magistrate of the Republie, of the possession of eminent administrative talents, afford a sure guaranty that his administration

will be devoted to the highest and best interests of the country, the whole country, and nothing but the country. With such a leader, one who has successfully encountered every danger,' whether in front, rear. or rank, we may look with confidenee to the speedy restoration of the euuntry to her true Republican destiny.

Resolved, That, in the opinion of this meet- ing, the recent demonstration of publie senti- ment inseribes on the list of executive duties, in characters too legible to be overlooked, the task of reform, and the correction of those abuses which have brought the patronage of the Federal Government into conflict with the freedom of election; and that as vacancies by death are few, by resignation none, the task of reform and the correction of those abuses ean be aceom- plished only byremoval; and we regard the wail- ings of the loeofoco press at the salutary and essential changes which the administration has seen proper to make, as involving a disregard of the important truth here referred to, and a contempt of the first principles of Democracy.

Resolved, That the welfare and interests of the people of Iowa imperatively require an amend- ment to the State Constitution, by which the incubus, imposed in some of its provisions upon their resources and prosperity, shall be removed.

Resolved, That the people have a right to demand that this question shall be submitted to them for their action, and in the judgment of this convention they will be reereant to their interests if they do not visit their condemnation upon a party that, with professions of Democ- racy perpetually upon its lips, has shown itself in practice to be destitute of the true principles of Democracy.

Resolved, That the course of the dominant party of this State, in the late General Assembly, in its daring assaults upon the most sacred pro- vision of the constitution; in the outrage which it committed against the great principles of civil and religious liberty, in depriving one of the counties of the State, as a punishment for the free exercise by its voters of the elective fran- chise of the rights of representation, in ex- cluding it from all the judicial distriets of the

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State, and in its flagitious attempt to destroy its organization altogether, and to excommunicate its inhabitants, indiscriminately, from the pro- tection of civil society; in its contemptuous refusal to allow the people of the State the priv- ilege of expressing their opinion on the subject of a convention to amend the State constitution; in its refusal to instruct the Senators in Con- gress from this State to favor the policy of the Wilmot Proviso, by excluding the institution of slavery from our newly acquired Territory; in its attempt to create new offices, not demanded by the public interest, as a sort of pension to partisan favorites-offices which would have im- posed new burdens in the shape of increased taxation without any corresponding benefit,- and in its reckless prodigality of the public money, should consign it to the perpetual con- demnation of a free people.

Resolved, That we are opposed to the exten- sion of slavery into territory now free, and that we believe it to be the duty of the Federal Gov- ernment to relieve itself of the responsibility of that institution, wherever it has the constitu- tional authority so to do; and that the legislation necessary to effect those objects should be adopted.

Resolved, That for the compliment paid to our State, in the appointment of one of our fellow- citizens to the important office of Assistant Postmaster, the President is entitled to our thanks.

Resolved, That we commend the ticket pre- sented by this convention to the people of this State for their cordial support.

Patterson was elected President over McKean by a majority of 712 out of a total vote of 22,632.

The Whigs met in convention May 15, 1850, at Iowa City, and made the follow- ing nominations: Governor, James L Thompson; Secretary of State, Isaac Cook; Auditor of State, William H. Seevers; Treasurer of State, Evan Jay; Treasurer of Board of Public Works, James Nosler.

The resolutions adopted were as follows:

Resolved, That every day's experience vindi- cates the sentiment proclaimed by the Whig State Convention last year, that the welfare and interests of the people of Iowa imperatively require an amendment to the State constitution, by which the incubus imported in some of its provisions upon their resources and prosperity shall be removed. .

Resolved, That the people have a right to de- mand that this question shall be submitted to them for their action, and in the judgment of this convention they will be recreant to their interests if they do not so determine by their votes at the approaching election.

Resolved, That we have undiminished confi- dence in the integrity, ability and patriotism of the people's President, General Z. Taylor, and in the wisdom of the policy by him recom- mended to Congress.

Resolved, That the Whigs of the country owe it to themselves and the great principles they profess to cherish, to give the President a Con- gress disposed to co-operate with him in his patriotic purposes to serve the country, instead of pursuing a factious opposition to the bitter end.

Resolved, That we cherish an ardent attach- ment to the union of the States, and a firm de- termination to adhere to it at all hazards and to the last extremity.

Resolved, That we hail with the highest grati- fication the rising of a new State upon the borders of the Pacific, and that we are in favor of its immediate admission into the family of States upon no other conditions than those im- posed by the constitution of the United States, and untrammelled by any question of Territorial legislation.

Resolved, That while we hold it to be the duty of all to be ready and willing to stand to and abide by the provisions of the constitution of the United States, we are nevertheless free to re- affirm, as we now do, the opinion heretofore ex- pressed by the Whig party in Iowa, that we are in favor of free men, free territory, and frec States.

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Resolved, That the Surveyor General's office of Wisconsin and Iowa, under the control of the Democratic party, has been, and is, an engine of vast political power, and that its extensive patronage has been used to subserve the interest of that party. We, therefore, re- spectively and earnestly request of-the President of the United States the immediate removal of C: H. Booth, Esq., the present incumbent, and the appointment of one who will not use the patronage of this office for political ends.

Resolved, That we cordially recomriend the candidates nominated by this convention, for the various State offices to be filled at the next August election, to the confidence and support of the people of Iowa.

The Democrats met at Iowa City June 12, 1850, and nominated the following ticket: Governor, Stephen Hempstead; Secretary of State, G. W. McCleary; Auditor, Wm. Pattee; Treasurer, Israel Keister; Treasurer Board Public Works, George Gillaspie. The following platform was adopted:

Resolved, That the events of the past year, having served to demonstrate the soundness and wisdom of the resolutions adopted by the last Democratic State Convention, we re-assert and re-adopt them, as follows:

Resolved, That we recur with pride to the tri- umphant success, the splendid achievements and the imperishable renown of the late admin- istration; and that, while we point to these as the glorious results of past labors, we should remember that, as they were gained by a strict adherence to honest principles, and the adoption of an honest policy, they can be sullied or im- paired only by a base abandonment of them upon the altar of expediency, or by a disgrace- ful surrender in the form of a cowardly silence.

Resolved, That we still adhere, as firmly as ever, to the principles and measures which dic- tated and governed the course of the late admin- istration; and that we derive a high pleasure from the fact that a Democratic Senate is vouch- safed to us as an impassable barrier between the

Federal high-tariff, bank and paper policy, hopes and designs of the present dynasty, and the gold and silver currency, low tariff and independent treasury policy of the people.

Resolved, That the administration of General Taylor, as far as it has proceeded upon its mis- sion, has unblushingly falsified every promise and grossly violated every pledge given before the election by its nominal chief; and that a party which can go before the country upon one set of issues, and immediately after its installation into power enter upon the practice of another set, is more than ever deserving of the reproba- tion of the world, and of the continued and un- compromising hostility of the Democratic party.

Resolved, That General Taylor, for the part which he has played, or has been made to play, in this disgraceful game of deception, has dis- played a want of honest principle, or a weakness of mind and character, which equally disquali- fies him for the place he holds, and fully justifies the worst predictions ever made against his fit- ness for the Presidency; and that, although we may have once admired the soldier in the tented field, we are now reluctantly brought to con- demn and to repudiate the cipher in the Cabinet of the country.

Resolved, That the removals in this State have been made without cause and in direct violation of the professions of General Taylor before the election; and that the appointments which have followed have been made in equal violation of the same professions.

Resolved, That it is as gratifying to the pride as it is creditable to the patriotism of the Dem- ocrats of Iowa, that prominent statesmen of all parties, in seeking for a satisfactory adjustment of the difficulties which unfortunately exist be- tween the slave and non-slaveholding States, are found uniting, in main, on the policy of non- intervention; and while they arrogate to them- selves no right to question the course of other States on this subject, they point to the fact, with feelings of unmingled satisfaction, and they, in co-operating with those who are striving t : preserve the Union, are required to "tread no steps backward."

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Resolved, That, regarding the preservation of our happy form of government as paramount to all other considerations, and believing that the threatened danger may be averted, we approve of the bill recently introduced into the United States Senate by the Committee of Thirteen, generally kuown as the "Compromise Bill."

. Resolved, That, as this bill authorizes the im- mediate admission of California, organizes the Territories of New Mexico and Utah, provides for the settlement of the Texau boundary ques- tion, enforees the provisions of the constitution with regard to the reclamation of persons escaping from service, and abolishes the slave trade in the District of Columbia, we believe its adoption, as a whole, would be hailed as a peace- offering by an overwhelming majority of the people; nor is our confidenee in the wisdom of the measure diminished by the fact that the ultraists of both extremes are found united in opposition to it, but rather increased.

Resolved, That the late decision of Secretary Ewing, by which the State of Iowa has been robbed of nearly a million of aeres of valuable land, and the improvement of her principal interior river, retarded, if not wholly destroyed, is an aet which finds no justification in the pre- cedent or usages of the government; that it is a derogation of both the letter and spirit of the aet of Congress making the donation, and that, in the name of the people of Iowa, we feel ealled upon to denounee it as illegal and unjust.

Resolved, That this decision, taking away from the State, by a Whig administration, the greater portion of a valuable grant, made to it under a Democratie rule, the people of Iowa have suf- fered a wrong which, while they have no alterna- tive but submission, they cannot but feel most deeply and sensibly that the administration at Washington is not less responsible for the deci- sion thau those who defend it; and that it is the duty of the Democracy to arraign them at the bar of public opinion at the approaching election for aiding and abetting in erippling the energies of our young and expanding commonwealth.

Resolved, that President Taylor's Cabinet have, in the recent Galphin swindle and other speeula- tions of the same kind, proven to the world that

their promises of retrenchments and reform in the administration of the government were made to deceive the people, and not with the inteution of being kept.

Resolved, That the present Governor, Secre- tary of State, Auditor and Treasurer, whose terms of office are about to expire, each and all of them, by the honest, efficient and impartial discharge of their duties, deserve the cordial approbation of the people of the State of Iowa.

Resolved, That we confidently present the uominees of the convention to the voters of the State of Iowa for their support; and that we, ourselves, will individually use all honorable meaus to secure their election.

The official vote on Governor was as fol- lows:

Stephen Hempstead, Dem 13,486 -2,083 James L. Thompson, Whig .11,403

William Penn Clark. 575

In 1851, for Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Democrats nominated Thomas H. Benton, while the Whigs sup- ported William G. Woodward, an Inde- pendent candidate. Benton was elected by a majority of 1,351.

In 1852 the Whigs were early in the field, meeting in convention at Iowa City, February 26, and placing in nomination the following ticket: Secretary of State, J. W. Jenkins; Auditor of State, Asbury Porter; Treasurer of State, Hosea B. Horn. The following platform was adopted:

Resolved; That we most cordially approve of the administration of President Fillmore, and have the fullest confidence in the executive offieers of our government, and that the admin- istration of our foreign and domestic affairs deserves our highest admiration and firmest support; and we have the assurance that under such an administration our republic will always be safe.

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Resolved, That our warmest gratitude is due to those of whatsoever political party, who have, for the last two years, battled for the uuion of these States, and that we now regard the question out of which our apprehension of disuniou arose as settled now and forever.

Resolved, That we rejoice to see our Demo- cratic fellow-citizens in the Western States occupying a part of our political platform, es- pecially that relating to currency, to the im- provement of rivers and harbors by appropria- tions from the national treasury, and a revision of the tariff of 1846.

Resolved, That, as by alone following the advice of the illustrious Father of our Country for three-quarters of a century, our nation is prosperous and happy, we are still for adhering to that which teaches us to be at peace with all nations, ard to form entangling alliances with none.

Resolved, That the delegates to the National Convention be left free to act according to their own judgment, when they meet their brethren in the National Convention, to nominate candi- dates for President and Vice-President of the United States, according to the lights that there may be presented, and so to act as to harmonize conflicting claims and interests, and to maintain the integrity of the Whig party and the ascend- ancy of Whig principles.

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this con- vention that a convention to revise the constitu- tion of the States should be called at as early a day as is practicable; and, with a view to the advancement of this object, it is hereby reconi- mended to State and local candidates in every part of the State to make this issue distinctly and strongly before the people.

Resolved, That this convention request the executive committee of the State, and of each county and of each district composed of several counties, to effect a complete and efficient or- ganization of the Whig party in their respective counties and districts.

The Democratic convention met May 28th, at Iowa city, and nominated the fol-

lowing ticket: Secretary of State, Geo. W. McCleary; Auditor, William Pattee; Treasurer, M. L. Morris. The following platform was adopted:

Resolved, That paramount to all questions of a party or sectional nature, we are in favor of "The Union now and forever."

Resolved, That to carefully regard the rights of States, is the only possible way to strengthen and perpetuate our glorious confederacy .

Resolved, That a strict construction of the Constitution of the United States is the only safeguard for the rights of the States, and that we fully recognize the doctrine of the Virginia and Kentu ky resolutions of 1798 aud 1799 and the Baltimore platform of 1844.

Resolved, That we are opposed to a national bank, a high protective tariff and all measures and monopolies of a like nature, and are in favor of the independent treasury and tariff of 1836.

Resolved, That we are opposed to a wasteful, extravagant and corrupt system of internal im- provements; but hold that improvements of a national character may properly be made with the nation's money, and that, in justice, the general government, as a great landholder in the States, should contribute of her large domain to those public enterprises by which her interests are secured and promoted and the value of that domain enhanced.

Resolved, That we are in favor of the "com- promise" as a final settlement of the question which has so long agitated the country upon the subject of domestic slavery.

Resolved, That we are opposed to " nullifica- tion" of every kind, whether in the legislature of Vermont, or in the latitude of South Carolina, and are in favor of a faithful execution of laws of Congress until they are repealed, or declared iuoperative by the proper tribunals of the country.

Resolved, That our adopted citizens well deserve the political blessings which are now extended to them by the existing naturaliza-

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tion laws passed by our Democratic forefathers, and we are opposed to any alteration of them sought for by native "Americanism."

Resolved, That we are opposed to the nomi- nation of a candidate for the Presidency upon the naked idea of availability, but are in favor of a candidate whose principles are known to be national and in conformity to the time-honored tenets of the Democratic party.

Resolved, That we are in favor of the nominee of the Baltimore convention, as our candidate for the Presidency, and to such nominee we pledge our hearty and individual support.

In regard to State policy-

Resolved, That we heartily concur in the great · principles of judicial and financial reform which are agitating the civilized world, and which have to some extent been recognized by the adoption of our revised code; but at the same time repro- bate many of the provisions as destructive of the great ends sought after, and earnestly recom- mend a thorough revision of all obnoxious fea- tures.

The official vote for Secretary of State was as follows:

George G. McCleary, Dem. .16,884-1,857 J. W. Kenkins, Wbig. .15,027

In 1853 the Democrats inaugurated the campaign by nominating David C. Cloud for Attorney General, and adopting the following resolutions:

Resolved, That the delegates this day in con- vention assembled, congratulate the Democracy of the Union, upon the emphatic verdict of the people in favor of Democratic principles, as ex- pressed in the election of Franklin Pierce and Wm. R. King, to the Presidency and Vice-Pres- idency of this Republic.

Resolved, That we recognize as principles car- dinal in the Democratic faith: "The election of all officers by the people." "The limits of State indebtedness." "Equal taxation"-compelling the property of the rich, invested in stock, to bear its proportion of the public burthen of con-

tribution to the taxes of the State. The restraint of the legislative power-confining it to the legitimate subject of general legislation, and the crowning glory of repeal, which secures the people sovereign from ever becoming slaves to any law or charter passed by their servants.

Resolved, That a wise political economy de- mands a more liberal system of disposing of the public lands, and that the prosperity of the country, and the happiness of individuals would be eminently promoted by the passage of a law giving the public domain in limited quantities to actual settlers at a price covering the cost of survey and other necessary expenses.

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History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 19

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company Number of Pages: 1316

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1316