History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 20

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 20
USA > Iowa > Bremer County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 20

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Resolved, That no species of industry should be fostcred to the injury of another, that no class of men should be taxed directly or indi- rectly for the benefit of another; that every de- scription of industry should stand or fall on its own merits, and that commerce should be unfet- tered, and, like the air, free.

Resolved, That the Democracy of Iowa adhere to the known and long-established doctrines of the party relative to the currency.

Resolved, That to the Democratic, Republican, State and federal institutions, resting on univer- sal suffrage and universal eligibility to office, do these United States owe their unexampled pros- perity among nations, and that it is our duty to sympathize with every people struggling against tyrants for freedom.

Mr. Walker introduced the following resolutions, which, on motion, were adopt- ed :

Resolved, That the present Commissioner of the DesMoines Improvement, General V. P. Van Antwerp, by the fidclity, energy and ability with which he has discharged tbe duties of his respon- sible position, is entitled to the highest esteem and gratitude of the people of this State.

Resolved, That to his faithful and judicious efforts we are indebted to the final grant by the general government of the fund for the Des Moines River Improvement, sufficient and ample to ensure a completion of the work, and develor the resources of the DesMoines Valley.

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Resolved, That in prosecuting the negotiations for the State, he has displayed unsurpassed per- severance, industry and discretion against the most trying discouragements and embarassments, and that he has not only faithfully improved every opportunity to advance the interests of his trust, but has signalized his term of service by measurcs which will identify his name with the successful completion of the public works.

Resolved, Therefore, that in his voluntary re- tirement from the office which he has so ably filled, we hereby tender to him, in convention of the Democracy of the State, the endorsement, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

The Whigs made no nomination, but supported Samuel A. Rice for the office of Attorney-General. Cloud was elected over Rice by 7,564.

In 1854 the Democrats convened on the. 9th of January, at Iowa City, placed the following ticket in the field, and adopted a platform: Governor, Curtis Bates; Secre- tary of State, Geo. W. McCleary; Auditor of State, Joseph L. Sharp; Treasurer of State, Martin L. Morris; Attorney-General, David C. Cloud; Supt. of Public Instruc- tion, Jas. D. Eads. The following is the platform :

Resolved, That we, the delegates of the various counties of Iowa, in State Democratic Conven- tion assembled, do hereby re-affirm and pledge ourselves to the principles of the Baltimore Na- tional Convention of 1852, and that we hold and cons der them as constituting the true platform of the Democratic platform, and as fundamental and essential with all true Democrats.

Resolved, That we look upon ourselves as members of the real National Democratic party, a party radically identical in all parts of the Union; and that we have no sectional views to gratify, no selfish designs to accomplish, but are wholly devoted to the Union, harmony and success of the cause; we therefore repudiate all disaffection on sectional or personal grounds, and denounce all bickering among ourselves

and most earnestly recommend "union, har- mony, concession and compromise," as a nucleus for universal observance.

Resolved, That we have increased confidence in the talents, and in the integrity and patriotism of Eranklin Picrce, that his administration of the government have been distinguished by wisdom, firmness aud unwavering adherence to its sound Democratic principles; that he has fully redeemed the pledges given to the Ameri- can people, previous to his election.

Resolved, That we regard the right of instruc- tion as the sheet anchor, the main pillar of our freedom; and that we are determined never to surrender it, but to the last stand by and defend it, convinced, as we thoroughly are, that it is only by frequent and rigid exercise of this in- Valuable privilege that the Democratic character of this government ean be preserved, and we believe the agent who disobeys to be unworthy the confidence of his constituents, and that he ought to resign his seat.

Resolved, That the liberal principles embodied by Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence, and sanctioned in the constitution, which makes ours the land of liberty and the asylum of the oppressed of every nation, have ever been cardi- nal principles in the Democratic faith, and every attempt to abridge the privilege of becom- ing citizens and the owners of soil among us, ought to be resisted with the same spirit which swept the alien and sedition laws from our statute books.

Resolved, That in the recent development of the grand political truth of the sovereignty of the people, and their capacity and power of self-government, we feel that a high and sacred duty is devolved with increased responsibility upon the Democratic party of this country as the party of the people, to sustain and advance among us constitutional "liberty, equality and fraternity," by continuing to resist all monopo- lies and exclusive legislation for the benefit of the few, at the expense of the many, and by vigilant and constant adherence to those prin- ciples and compromises and strong to uphold the Union as it was, the Union as it is, and the

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Union as it should be, in the full expansion of the energies and capacity of this great and pro- gressive people.

Resolved, That we look upon the speedy or- ganization of Nebraska Territory as a highly important object, and that its northern boundary shonld coincide, or nearly so, with the latitnde of the northern boundary of Iowa.

Resolved, That we hereby pledge ourselves to abide the decision of this convention, and to use all honorable means to secure the election of the nominees.

Resolved, That the proceedings of this con- vention be published in all the Democratic papers in the State, and copies be sent to the President, heads of departments, and to our Representatives in Congress.

The Whigs met at Iowa City, February 22, and nominated the following ticket: Governor, James W. Grimes; Secretary of State, Simeon Winters; Auditor of State, Andrew Jackson Stephens; Treasurer, Eliphalet Price; Attorney-General, James W. Sennett. The following is the plat- form:

Resolved, That an experience of seven years under our present constitution has demonstrated that that instrument is not suited to the politi- cal, the agricultural and commercial wants of the State or the Spirit of the age; that the wants of the people demand a constitution making liberal provisions for the promotion of works of internal improvement, and providing, also, for a well regulated system of banking, which will relieve the people of this State from the onerous and oppressive burden they now suffer in the shape of indirect taxation paid to the banks of others States, whose money is in circulation among us.

Resolved, That, in common with the Whig party throughout the Union, we recognize the binding force and obligation of the act of Con- gress of 1820, known as the Missouri Compro- mise, and we view the same as a compact between the North and South, mutually binding

and obligatory, and as a final settlement of the question of slavery withiu the geographical limits to which it applies.

Resolved, That we most unqualifiedly and emphatically disapprove of the efforts now being made in Congress to legislate slavery into the free Territory of Nebraska, and we do most heartily recommend to our Senators and Repre- sentatives in Congress to oppose by all honor- able means thic passage of the Nebraska Bill, as reported by Senator Douglas, of Illinois; and that we cannot otherwise look upon the pretense by Mr. Douglas and his aiders and abettors, that "the 8th section of the Missouri Compromise is suppressed by the acts of 1850," than as a propo- sition totally unreasonable and absurd on its face, conceived it bad faith and prompted by an ignoble and most unworthy ambition for party and personal political preferment; and that we do, as citizens of the West and the free State of Iowa, most earnestly desire to see an immediate organization of Nebraska Territory, without any infringement of the solemn compact of 1820, commonly called the Missouri Compro- mise.

Resolved, That, as Whigs and citizens of the great valley of the Mississippi, we are heartily in favor of that well regulated Whig policy of liberal appropriations by the general govern- ment, for works of internal improvement of a national character, and that we view all navi- gable waters in the country, whether rivers or inland seas, as eminently national in their char- acter, and recommend to our Senators and Representatives in Congress to endeavor, by all honorable means, to procure appropriations for such purposes, and especially for the removal of obstructions to navigation in the Mississippi river.

Resolved, That we view the proposition of Hon. Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois, to effect an improvement by the levying of tonnage du -- ties on the internal commerce of the country, as entirely inadequate to the accomplishment of such a purpose, and only calculated to impose heavy and nnjust burdens on the people of the West, in the shape of indirect taxation, withont

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securing to them any of the proposed advan- tages.

Resolved, That we unreservedly and cordially approve of the course and conduct of the Hon. Johu P. Cook, our Representative in Congress from the Second Congressional District, and we hereby pledge ourselves to sustain him in his able aud independent course.

WHEREAS, The object of our educational sys- tem was to place the means of a common school education within the reach of all; and

WHEREAS, Under its present management more than one-third of the proceeds of the fund set apart to cherish and maintain that sys- tem is annually absorbed by its constitutional guardians, subjecting it to a loss, iu the year 1851, of $10,751.40 to pay the salaries and ex- penses of the Superintendent of Public Instrue- tion and Commissioners of the School Fund, and leaving only the sum of $20,600.11 to be dis- tributed among the public schools; and

WHEREAS, The duties of said officers may all he discharged by other State and county officers, without any or with but a trifling expense to said fund; therefore,

Resolved, That sound policy and enlightened philanthropy demand such legislation and amendment to our constitution as will preserve this fund inviolate to the purposes originally intended as an inheritance to our children and their posterity.

Resolved, That we are in favor of a donation, by Congress, of public lands, in limited quanti- ties, to actual settlers.

Resolved, That we believe the people of this State are prepared for, and their interests re- quire, the passage of a law prohibiting the man- ufacture and sale of ardent spirits within the State as a beverage.

The official vote on Governor was as fol- lows:

James W. Grimes, Whig. .23,025-1,823 Curtis Bates, Dem .21,202

The election of 1855 was for minor offi- cers. The Democrats met in convention,

January 24, at the Capitol, and nominated the following ticket: Commissioner Des Moines River Improvement, O. D. Tisdale; Register DesMoines River Improvement, Wm. Dewey; Register Land Office, Stark H. Samuels. The following is the plat- form adopted:

WHEREAS, It is in accordance with the Dem- ocratic party, to declare, from time to time, its views upou the various political principles that occupy the attention of the country; therefore,

Resolved, That there lias been a period iu the history of our country, when we could with more confidence prochain to the world our entire adherence to and approval of the old landmarks of the Democratic party.

2. That the temporary success of our foes being a result of an abandonment of principles on their part, and of the aggression of discordant elements, brought together for mercenary ends, affords no grounds for alarm; but confident of the correctness of our principles, and of the in- tegrity of the masses, we appeal to the sober, second thought of the people with no fears as to the verdict they may render.

3. That we declare our firm determination to sustain the principles recognized as correct, in reference to slavery agitation, to support the constitution faithfully, to carry out its provis- ions, and discountenance all incendiary move- ments that tend to the overthrow of our govern- ment, from whatever source they may originate.

4. That the efforts being made to colonize free negroes in their nátive land, is a measure that commends itself to every philanthropist as being the only favorable plan for the ultimate accomplishment of the first wish of every friend of frecdom.

õ. That we endorse, to the fullest extent, the compromise measure of 1850, believing those measures to be constitutional, just, and proper.

6. That in changing his domicile from one portion of a republican government to another, man does not divest himself of his political, moral or natural rights, nor can he be deprived

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of them otherwise than as he has consented to constitutionally.

7. That the liberal principles embodied by Jefferson, in the Declaration of Independence, and sanctioned in the constitution, which makes ours the land of liberty and the asylumn of the op- pressed of every nation, have ever been cardinal principles in the Democratic faith, and every at- tempt to abridge the right of becoming citizens and the owners of soil among us ought to be re- sisted with the same spirit that swept the alien and sedition laws from the statute books.

8. That we adhere to the doctrine of an un- restrained religious liberty, as established by the constitution of the United States, and sustained by all Democratic administrations.

The Whigs held their last State conven- tion at Iowa City, January 25, 1855, and, without resolutions, made the following nominations: Commissioner on Des Moines River Improvement, Wm. Mckay; Regis- ter DesMoines River Improvement, J. C. Lockwood; Register Land Office, Anson Hart.

The official vote for Commissioners was as follows:

William McKay, Whig. .24,743-4,737

O. D. Tisdale, Dem .... .20,006

A vote was taken this year on the pro- hibition liquor law, with the following re- sult:

For the law 25,555-2,910 Against the law. 22,645

While the Whig party in this State ap- parently was in a well organized condition, throughout the Union it was undergoing a process of disintegration. In the South it was being absorbed by the American or Know Nothing party, and in the North by the newly organized Republican party, born.out of the issues growing out of the slavery question. Representatives of the Republican party met in convention at

Iowa City, February 22, 1856, and selected the following ticket: Secretary of State, Elijah Sells; Auditor, John Patten; Treas- urer, M. L. Morris; Attorney-General, S. A. Rice. The following platform was adopted at the same time and place.

United in a common resolve to maintain right against wrong, and believing in the determina- tion of a virtuous and intelligent people to sus- tain justice, we declare-

1. That governments are instituted among men to secure the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

2. That the mission of the Republican party is to maintain the liberty of the press, the sov- ereignty of the State, and the perpetuity of the Union.

3. That under the constitution, and by right, freedom is alone national.

4. That the federal government, being one of limited powers, derived wholly from the consti- tution, its agents should construe these powers strictly, and never exercise a doubtful authority -always inexpedient and dangerous.

5. If the plan is Jeffersonian, and the early policy of the government is carried out, the fed- eral government would relieve itself of all re- sponsibility for the existence of slavery, which Republicanism insists it should and means it shall do, and that regarding slavery in the State as a local institution, beyond our reach and above our authority, but recognizing it as of vital con- cern to every citizen in its relation to the nation, we well oppose its spread, and demand that all national territory shall be free.

6. That the repeal of the Missouri Compro- mise, and the refusal of the slave power to abide by the principles on which that repeal was pro- fessedly based, make the national domain the battle ground between freedom and slavery; and while Republicans stand on a national basis, and will ever manifest and maintain a national spirit, they will shrink from no conflict and shirk no responsibility on this issue.

7. That the slave power, the present national administration and its adherents, having violated

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this policy, and the principles on which it is based, by a disregard of the law and its own profession, by encroachments upon the State and personal rights, and hy breaking solemn covenants of the country, make the issue whether freedom shall be limited to the free States, or slavery to the slave States, and make that issue absorbing and paramount.

Resolved, That the firm, consistent, and patriotic course pursued by the Republican members of the present Congress, during the arduous protracted struggle for the speakership, meets with our cordial approval, and we recog- ·nize in Hon. N. P. Banks a statesman of mature abilities, a Republican of reliable character; and we hail his election as a proud triumph of those great principles of human liberty upon which the American government was founded.

The Democratic convention met at Iowa City, June 26, 1856, and adopted a plat- form and made the following nominations: Secretary of State, Geo. Snyder; Auditor, Jas. Pollard; Treasurer, George Paul; At- torney-General, James Baker. The follow- ing is the platform:

Resolved, That the Democracy of Iowa receive with joy, and ratify with confidence, the nom- inations of James Buchanan and John G. Breck- enridge.

2. That the platform of Democratic principles laid down by the Cincinnati convention meets our hearty concurrence, and that it is such a one as is worthy of the only National party in exist- ence.

On motion of Col. Martin, of Scott, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:

Resolved, That freedom and equal rights are the basis of Democracy, and that no measure or principle not embracing or recognizing these is any part or parcel of the Democratic creed; that Democracy is equality against privilege, freedom against aristocracy, liberty against licentious- ness, strict construction against latitudinarian interpretations of the constitution, law and order

against anarchy and violence, and the peace, har- mony, prosperity and perpetuity of our glorious Union to the end of time.

The entire Republican ticket was elected. Sells, for Secretary of State, received 40,- 687 votes and Snyder 32,920.

There were three elections in 1857-the first in April, for Superintendent of Public Instruction, Register of Land Office and Des Moines River Commissioner; the sec- ond in August, for the purpose of a vote on the new constitution; the third in Octo- ber, for Governor and Lieutenant Gov- ernor. The Democrats nominated the following ticket: Superintendent Public Instruction, Maturin L. Fisher; Register, Theodore S. Parvin; DesMoines River Commissioner, Gideon Bailey; Governor, Benj. M. Samuels; Lieutenant-Governor, Geo. Gillaspie.

The Republicans nominated the follow- ing ticket: Superintendent Public In- struction, L. A. Bugbee; Register, W. H. Holmes; Des Moines River Commissioner, H. F. Manning; Governor, Ralph P. Lowe; Lieutenant-Governor, Oran Faville.

The following Republican platform was adopted:

United in a common resolve to maintain right against wrong, and helieving in the determina- tion of a virtuous and intelligent people to sus- tain justice, we declare:

1. That governments are instituted among men to secure the inalienable rights of life, lib- erty and the pursuit of happiness.

2. That the mission of the Republican party is to maintain the liberties .of the people, the sovereignty of the States and the perpetuity of the Union.

3. That under the constitution, and by right, freedom alone is national.

`4. That the Federal Government being one of limited powers, derived wholly from the con-

HISTORY OF IOWA.

stitution, its agents should construe those powers strictly, and never exereise a doubtful authority, always inexpedient aud dangerous.

5. That if this Jeffersonism and early policy were carried out, the Federal Government would relieve itself of all responsibility for the exist- ence of slavery, which Republicanism iusists it should, and means it shall do, and that regard- ing slavery in the States as a local institution, beyond our reach, and above our authority, but recognizingit as of vital concern to the nation, we still oppose its spread, and demand that all national territory shall be free.

6. That the repeal of the Missouri compro- misc, and the refusal of the slave power to abide by the principle on which that repeal was pro- fessedly based, made the national domain the battle ground between freedom and slavery, and while Republicans stand on a national basis, and maintain a national spirit, they will shirk no responsibility on this issue.

7. That the slave power-the present national administration and its adherents having violated this policy, and the principles on which it is based, by a disregard of law and its own pro- fessions, by an invasion of the State and per- sonal rights, and by breaking solemn covenants, has forced upon the country the issue whether freedom shall be limited to the free States or slavery to the slave States, and makes that issue absorbiug and paramount.

Resolved, That the recent opinion of the Su- preme Court of the United States, in the Dred Scott case, is the most alarming of those bold innovations upon the rights of the free States which have marked the administration of the government for years past, as sectional and disloyal to the spirit of our free institutions. We regard it as virtually revolutionizing the judicial action of the government, if tolerated; by giving to s'avery a national instead of a local character; opening free States and free Terri- tories for its diffusion; reducing to the condi- tion of chattels those who are recognized by the constitution as men, belying the sentimeuts of the Declaration of Independence, and casting reproach upon the action of those who, amid

toil and peril, laid deep the formation of the Union.

2. That the National Administration has brought disgrace upon the country by so long tolerating the demoralizing and heaven-defying practices of Brigham Young and his followers in Utah. The embarrassment experienced by the preseut administration in reaching and cor- recting the evil, is mainly attributed to the doe- trine embodied in the Kansas Nebraska Bill, and the retentiou of the U. S. soldiery in Kansas to overawe unoffending men, instead of sending them to Utah, where the authority of the gen- eral government is brazenly defied, is humili- ating evidence of perversion of the powers of the national government.

3. That we invite the affiliation and co-opera- tion of freemeu of all parties, however differing from us in other respects, in support of the principles herein declared, and believing that the spirit of our institutions as well as the con- stitution of our country, guarantee liberty of conscience and equality of rights amoug citi- zens, we oppose all legislation impairing their security.

4. That we congratulate the people of Iowa upon the new constitution, for many reasons, but most of all in view of the fact that it enables them to provide for themselves a sound currency, and places the annual election in October instead of August, thus consulting the couvenience of an agricultural population.

5. That it is a deliberate conviction of this convention, that the next Legislature should provide a system of banking that will secure to the State a circulating medium, redeemable at all times, within its limits, in gold and silver; and we will support for State officers and the Legis- lature such, and such only, as are avowedly qualified favorable to this result.

6. That the administration of Goveruor Grimes deserves and receives our warmest en- dorsement, and that the thanks of all who love the character and prosperity of the State, are due to him, as well as to the Legislature, for their efforts to bring to justice a dishonorable publie servant, defeat speculation, and prevent

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the squandering of the fund consecrated to the education of the children of the State.

7. That in the nominees for Governor and Lieutanant-Governor we recognize men capable and honest, and every way worthy the support of the Republican party of this State.

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History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 20

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