History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 24

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 24
USA > Iowa > Bremer County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 24

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8. That we approve the actions of our State executive in his hearty support of the general government, and we tender the thanks of this convention for the faithful administration of his office.

9. That we humbly return thanks to Almighty God for the deliverance of our State and nation from the further perils of war, and that we de- voutly recognize His hand in the great work which has been wrought in the last four years, for our people and for humanity.

The next convention held this year was a "Soldiers' Convention," or, as the body termed itself, "The Union Anti-Negro Suf- frage Party," which convened at the Cap- itol August 23d, and adopted a platform and selected candidates for the various offices to be filled, as follows : Governor, Gen. Thos. H. Benton; Lieut .- Governor, Col. S. G. Van Anda; Supreme Judge, H. H. Trimble; Supt of Public Instruction, Capt. J. W. Senate. The platform read as follows :

We, the delegated representatives of the sol- diers and loyal citizens of Iowa, feeling pro- foundly grateful for the restoration of peace after four years of bloody war, have met to- gether, as free American citizens, to adopt such measures as in our judgment will most certainly tend to perpetuate our glorious union of States, and with the blessings of free institutions and

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the peace so happily restored, hereby adopt the following platform of principles, viz:

1. We are in favor of the Monroe doctrine.

2. We sustain the administration of Presi- dent Johnson, and especially endorse his recon- struction policy, and we pledge him our earnest and unqualified support.

3. We are opposed to negro suffrage or to the striking of the word "white" out of the article on suffrage in our State constitution, and will support no candidate for office, either State or national, who is in favor of negro suffrage or of the equality of the white and black races.

4. We are in favor of the amendment of the constitution of the United States, abolishing slavery and the ratification of the same by our next Legislature

5. That, inasmuch as we do not sufficiently know the sentiment of the people of the State in regard to the prohibitory liquor law, we deem it expedient to refer this matter to the different county conventions to take such action in the matter as by them is deemed proper, and to instruct their Senators and Representatives accordingly.

6. We are in favor of the brave soldiers and marines who have faithfully served their coun- try in the army and navy. of the United States, and especially of the crippled or disabled sol- diers, having the preference for all offices of profit, honor or trust, either by appointment or otherwise, where they are equally competent and qualified to discharge the duties of the office or the trust reposed.

7. That we cherish with grateful remem- brance the memory of our dead soldiers, and ever will be ready and willing to lend our aid, sympathy and protection to the crippled and disabled soldiers, and the widows and orphans of the war.

The Democrats also held a convention, made no nominations, but adopted the fol- lowing platform:

1. That we heartily rejoice in the suppres- sion of the great rebellion and the preservation of the Union, and give unfeigned thanks to Almighty God for the restoration of peace.

2. In order that this peace may be permanent and its effects speedily and widely felt, we be- lieve it is the duty. of every patriot to sustain cordially the present policy of President John- son in reconstructing the States recently in rebellion.

3. That the establishment of a monarchy on the soil of this continent is in direct defiance of the Monroe doctrine-a doctrine accepted and recognized by all true Americans; and it is the duty of the Government of the United States to see that the people of Mexico are freed from the oppression of foreign bayonets, and the republic restored.

4. That we favor rigid economy in the national and State expenditures, and will insist on the reduction of the numberless horde of useless office-holders who feed like locusts on the hard earnings of the people.

5. That we earnestly condemn the trial of American citizens for civil offenses by courts- martial and military courts, in States and dis- tricts where civil law is unimpeded in its opera- tions and in full force.

6. That we are radically opposed to negro equality in all its phases, and accept the issue tendered by the late Republican convention of the 14th of June in making that doctrine the chief plank in its platform by proposing to strike the word "white" out of the article on suffrage in the constitution of Iowa.

7. That the attacks on General Sherman, originating in the War Department at Washing- ton, and servilely copied and endorsed by many of the leading Republican papers of the State, are the offspring of envy and fanatacism, and will recoil with crushing force on the heads of his calumniators.

8. That we feel a just pride in the progress of our army and navy, and especially of the soldiers of Iowa, who, under Grant and Sher- man, have made a lasting and glorious record of their patient endurance of suffering, their ad- mirable discipline and indomitable valor.

9. That we hail with joy the return of these brave men from the battlefield, and extend to them our grateful thanks for their services and

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a hearty welcome to their homes, and believe that it is the duty, as it will be the pleasure, of their fellow-citizens to see that a due proportion of the civil honors and offices of the State shall be distributed among them, and the fostering care of the public extended to the widows and orphans of those who died in the service of their country.

10. That the assassination of. President Lin- coln was an act of unmitigated barbarism, and one that should be held in utter abhorance by every good citizen.

The official vote for Governor is as fol- lows:

William M Stone, Rep .. 70,445-16,375 Thos. H. Benton, Anti Negro Suf.54,070

Questions growing out of reconstruction of Southern States afforded the issues for. 1866. The first convention in this State was held by the Republicans at the Capi- tol, June 20, where the following ticket was nominated: Secretary of State, Col. Ed. Wright; Treasurer, Maj. S. E. Rankin; Auditor, J. A. Elliott; Register of State Land Office, Col. C. C. Carpenter; Attor- ney-General, F. E. Russell; Reporter of Supreme Court, E. H. Stiles; Clerk of Supreme Court, Lieut. C. Linderman. A platform was adopted, which reads as follows:

Resolved, That the first and highest duty of our free government is to secure to all its citi- zens, regardless of race, religion or color, equality before the law, equal protection from it, equal responsibility to it, and to all that have proved their loyalty by their acts, an equal voice in making it.

2. That the reconstruction of the States lately in the rebellion belongs, through their representatives in Congress, to the people who have subdued the rebellion and preserved the nation, and not to the executive alone.

3. That we heartily approve of the joint resolution lately passed by the Senate and House

of Representatives in Congress assembled, pro- posing to the Legislature of the several States an additional article by way of amendment to the federal constitution, and we pledge the rati- fication of that amendment by the Legislature of Iowa.

4. That in the firm and manly adherence of the Union party in Congress to the above prin- ciples, we recognize new guarantys to the safety of the nation, and we pledge to Congress our continued and earnest support.

5. That we are in favor of the enforcement of the Monroe doctrine, and that we extend to all people struggling to preserve nationality or to achieve liberty, our warmest support

6. That we are in favor of the cqualization of the bounties of soldiers who faithfully scrved their country in the war for the suppression of the rebellion.

7. That we are in favor of the nomination and election to office of such persons as are known to possess honesty and capacity, and we unqualifiedly condemn dishonesty and careless- ness in every department of the public service.

A conservative convention was called, which convened at DesMoines June 27, and nominated the following ticket: Sec- retary of State, Col. S. G. Van Anda; Treasurer, Gen. Poe A. Slone; Auditor of State, Capt. R. W. Cross; Attorney-Gen- eral, Capt. Webster Balinger; Supreme Court Reporter, Capt. J. W. Senate; Clerk, Lewis Kinney. The following platform was adopted:

1. We hold that the constitution of the United States is the paladium of our liberties, and that any departure from its requirements by the legislative, executive or judicial departments of the government is subversive of the funda- mental principles of our republican institutions.

2. Repudiating the radical doctrine of State rights and secession on the one hand, and the centralization and consolidation of federal authority on the other, as equally dangerous; and believing that no State can secede, and the

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war having heen prosecuted on our part, as ex- pressly declared by Congress itself, to defend and maintain the supremacy of the constitution, and to preserve the Union inviolate, with all the dignity, equality and rights of the States unim- paired, the federal arms having been victorious, we hold that all the States are still in the Union, and entitled to equal rights under the constitu- tion, and that Congress has no power to exclude a State from the Union, to govern it as a terri- tory, or to deprive. it of representation in the councils of the nation, when its representatives have been elected and qualified in accordance with the constitution and laws of the land.

3. While we fully concede to the federal government the power to enforce obedience to the constitution and laws enacted in conformity with it, and to punish those who resent its legiti- mate authority in the several States, we believe in the maintenance, inviolable, of the rights of the States, and especially of the right of each State to order and control its own domestic insti- tutions according to its own judgment, exclu- sively, as essential to that balance of power on which the perfection and endurance of our political institutions depend.

4. We hold that each State has the right to prescribe the qualifications of its electors, and we are opposed to any alteration of the State constitutions on the subject of suffrage.

5. We consider the national debt a sacred obligation, and the honor and reservation of the government as irrevocably pledged for its liqui- dation; no obligation, incurred in any manner whatever in aid of the rebellion, should ever be assumed or paid.

6. The nation owes a lasting debt of gratitude to our soldiers and sailors of the late war for the suppression of the rebellion; and in the bestowal of public patronage by election or appointment, preference should be given to those competent to perform duties required, and as a positive reward for their services, the government should give to each of those who have fallen in the ser- vice, or have been honorably discharged, or their legal representatives, one hundred and sixty acres of land; and justice to those who

entered the service in the early part of the war demands that immediate provision should be made for the equalization of bounties.

7. We cordially endorse the restoration policy of President Johnson as wise, patriotic, consti- tutional, and in harmony with the loyal senti- ment and purpose of the people in the suppres- sion of the rebellion, with the platform upon which he was elected, with the declared policy of the late President Lincoln, the action of Congress, and the pledges given during the war.

8. We regard the action of Congress, in refus- ing to admit loyal representatives from the States recently in rebellion, as unwarranted by the constitution, and calculated to emharrass and complicate, rather than adjust, our national trouble.

9. The ratification by the legislatures of the ' several States of the amendment, to the consti- tution of the United States, for the abolition of slavery, settles that question virtually, and meets our hearty approval.

10. We are opposed to any further amend- ments to the constitution of the United States until all the States are represented in Congress, and have a vote in making the same.

11. We are in favor of a strict adherence to the Monroe doctrine, and extend to all people struggling to preserve nationality and liberty our warmest sympathy.

12. All officers entrusted with the manage- ment of funds should be held to a strict account- ability for the faithful application of the same, and in case of the defalcation or misuse of such funds, they should not be permitted to evade responsibility by implicating irresponsible agents selected by themselves. Any party that counte- nances such evasion becomes accessory to the crime.

The Democratic convention assembled July 11th at DesMoines. No Democratic candidates were selected, save for two offices, the committee on nominations recommending that the convention nomi- nate candidates for Clerk and Reporter of

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the Supreme Court, and "that we recom- mend and will co-operate with the conser- vative element of the Republican party in their efforts to restore the Union and de- feat radical disunionism, and for that purpose hereby agree to support their candidates."

The convention named Capt. Albert Stoddard for Clerk of the Supreme Court, and Capt. Fred. Gottschalk for Reporter. The following resolutions were adopted:

Resolved, That the Democracy of Iowa will adhere in the present and the future, as in the past, with unfaltering fidelity and firmness to the organization of the Democratic party, and to its ancient and well settled principles, as enunci- ated by Thomas Jefferson, the great apostle of American Democracy, and as acknowledged and accepted by the party from the foundation of the government, and especially of equal taxa- tion and representation of all the States subject to taxation.

2. That the one great question of the day is the immediate and unconditional restoration of all the States to the exercise of their rights within the federal Union under the constitution, and that we will cordially and actively support Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, in all necessary and proper means to carry out his policy as directed to that end, and especially in securing immediate representation in the Senate and House of Representatives, to the eleven States from which it is now unconsti- tutionally and arbitrarily withheld.

3. That for the purposes above set forth we will co-operate in public meeting, conventions and at the polls with all men without reference to past party position, who honestly, and by their acts and votes as well as by their profes- sion, support the President in his policy of res- toration as declared.

4. That the exemption of United States bonds from tax is nothing else than exemption of rich men from tax, because they are rich, and they tax the poor man because he is poor.

Hence, justice and equality require that said bonds should be taxed.

5. That strict and impartial justice demands that the expenses of the general government as well as the State governments should be paid by the people according to their ability and not ac- cording to their necessities. 'Hence we are opposed now, as in the past, to the high tariff which tends to burden the producer for the ben- efit of the manufacturer.

6. That the so called Maine liquor law is in- consistent with the genius of a free people, and unjust and burdensome in its operations. It has vexed and harrassed the citizens, burdened the counties with expenses, and proved wholly useless in the suppression of intemperance. The opinion of this convention is that the same ought to be repealed.

7. That the plunder of the State treasury, by Governor Stone and accomplices, calls for the condemnation of every honest man in the State, and if the radicals of the last Legislature had been true to the interests of the people, they would not have labored to save the criminals, but would have prosecuted them to a speedy and condign punishment.

8. That we are in favor of a prompt and effective enforcement of the Monroe doctrine, and we heartily sympathize with the people of every country struggling for their liberties.

9. That we approve of the National Union Convention to be held at Philadelphia on the 14th of next month; that we approve of the principles and policy set forth in the address of the Democratic members of Congress, urging the Democracy of the nation to unite with the objects of that convention.

10. That the memory of the brave officers and soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the Union during the recent rebellion, is embalmed in the hearts of the American people, and that justice, as well as humanity, demands at the hands of the American people that the widows and orphans of those who died in the Union service shall be duly provided for by liberal pensions; that there shall be an equalization of bounty so that those who breasted the war at

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the start shall share the equal pecuniary mu- nificence of those who entered the army at a later date.

11. That we most cordially sympathize with the movement now being made by the friends of Ireland to obtain the independence of that glorious country from under the yoke of English tyranny, and that we bid them God speed in the noble work, and hope that the subject of the independence of Ireland will continue to be agi- tated until the Emerald Isle shall stand out in full and bold relief on the map of the world as one of the independent nations of the earth.

On Secretary of State the official vote was as follows:

Ed. Wright, Rep. .91,227-35,373 G. G. VanAnda, Dem .55,854

In 1867 the Republicans met in conven- tion at DesMoines, June 19th. They nominated for Governor, Col. Saml. Mer- rill; Lieutenant-Governor, Col. Jno. Scott; Judge of Supreme Court, Hon. J. M. Beck; Attorney-General, Maj. Henry O'Connor; Superintendent Public Instruction, Prof. D. Franklin Wells. The following is the platform adopted by the convention:

1. That we again proclaim it as a cardinal principle of our political faith that all men are equal before the law, and we are in favor of such amendments to the constitution of the State of Iowa as will secure the rights of the ballot, the protection of the law and equal rights to all men, irrespective of color, race or religion.

2. That we approve of the military recon- struction acts passed by the 39th and 40th Con- gress. The illiberal construction by unfriendly officials depriving tliese acts of their energy and vitality, we demand that Congress assemble in July to carry out by additional enactments the true and original intent of said acts, the restora- tion of the rebel States upon a sure and loyal basis.

3. That the promt trial and punishment, according to law, of the head of the late rebel- lion, for his infamous crimes, is imperatively

demanded for the vindication of the constitu- tion and the laws, and for the proper punish- ment of the highest crimes, it is demanded by justice, honor and a proper regard for the pro- tection of American citizenship, and by a due regard for the welfare and future safety of the republic, and it is due not only to the dignity of the nation, but in justice to the loyal people who have been so heroic in their devotion to the cause of the constitution, the Union and liberty, and to the soldiers of the Union who survive and the memory of the heroic dead.

4. That we are in favor of the strictest economy in the expenditures of public money, and that we demand at the hands of all officials, both State and national, a faithful and rigidly honest administration of public affairs.

5. That the Republican members of the Con- gress of the United States are entitled to the thanks of the nation for their firmness in resist- ling the conspiracy to turn over the control of the government to the hands of traitors and their allies, and defeating the purpose of a cor- rupt Executive, and thus sustaining the interests of liberty, in a great and dangerous crisis in our history.

The Democracy were in convention July 26th, and nominated the following ticket: Governor, Charles Mason; Lieutenant- Governor, D. M. Harris; Supreme Judge, J. H. Craig; Attorney-General, W. T. Baker; Superintendent Public Instruction, M. L. Fisher. The platform adopted by the convention was as follows :

Resolved, That the maintenance, inviolate, of the rights of the States, especially the rights of each State to order and control its own institu- tions according to its own judgment exclusively, is essential to that balance of power on which the perfection and endurance of our political fabric depends.

2. That we believe each State has the right to regulate the elective franchises for itself, and, as citizens of the State of Iowa, are opposed to ,striking the word "white" out of our State con- stitution.

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3. That the existing tariff laws are unjust and heavily burdensome to the agricultural States, without being of a corresponding benefit to the government, and only of advantage to a few manufacturing States, and should be re- pealed or greatly modified.

4. That all classes of property should pay a proportionate rate toward defraying the ex- penses of the government. We are therefore in favor of taxing government bonds the same as other property.

5. That we are in favor of repealing the pres- ent liquor law of this State, and in favor of enacting a well regulated license law in lieu thereof.

6. That we are in favor of an amendment to the constitution of our State giving to foreigners the elective franchise after they have declared their intention of becoming citizens of the United States, and have resided in the State one year.

7. That we demand of our public officers in the State of Iowa and in the United States the strictest economy in order to reduce the present burdensome taxation, and we denounce in the severest terms the profligacy, corruption and kuavery of our State officers and Congressmen.

8. That the denial of representation to ten States in the Union, through odious military · reconstruction, in violation to the constitution, should meet the unqualified oppostion of every good citizen.

On Governor the official vote was as fol- lows:

Samuel Merrill, Rep. .90,200-27,240 Charles Mason, Dem .62,960

The year 1868 brought with it another Presidential campaign. Ulysses S. Grant was the Republican nominee for President, and Horatio Seymour that of the Demo- crats. In Iowa the campaign was opened by the Republicans, who nominated the following ticket: Secretary of State, Ed. Wright; Auditor of State, John A. Elli- ott; Treasurer of State, Maj. Samuel E.

Rankin; Register of State Land Office, Col. C. C. Carpenter; Attorney-General, Major Henry O'Connor. The following platform was adopted :

We, the delegates and representatives of the Republican party of Iowa, in convention assem- bled, do, for ourselves and party, resolve-

1. That it is as important that the principles of the Republican party should control, in the administration of the State and nation now, and for the future, as at any time since that party's organization; and that the restoration to power, under any pretext or any form of party organi- zation of the men who would again apply the . principles and policy of the pro-slavery party before and during the war, to the present and future administration of State and national affairs, would be an evil of the greatest magoi- tude, and full of danger to the country.

2. That, while we recognize the fact that the electors of Iowa are to act individually and directly upon the proposed amendment to the constitution of the State; and while we rec g- nize that the principles embodied in said amend- ment are more sacred than party ties, and above all consideration of mere party policy, never- theless we deem it proper to again proclaim it as a cardinal principle of our political faith, that all men are equal before the law, and we are in favor of the proposed amendment of the consti- tution of the State of Iowa, which will secure the rights of the ballot, the protection of the law, and equal justice to all men irrespective of color, race or religion

3. That we demand the strictest economy in the administration of our State and national government.

4. That we are in favor of the nomination of U. S. Grant as our candidate for President, and as a guarantee of his life and safety as well as that of the nation, our delegates are especially enjoined to secure, as our candidate for Vice- President, a Republican of unswerving fidelity and unimpeachable integrity.

5. That the views, purposes and principles of the Republican organization of Iowa has ever

HISTORY OF IOWA.

been well defined, understood and sustained, and we are resolved that the Republican standard shall never be lowered or compromised; that on the battle-field, at the polls, and in the councils of the nation, Iowa has ever been radically in earnest in fighting for and maintaining our lib erty, our Union, the rights of man and the honor and integrity of the nation; and that we expect and demand of the national convention to as- semble at Chicago on the 20th inst., an unequiv- ocal avowal of our principles, and upon such platform we propose to meet and overwhelm our political opponents.

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History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 24

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