History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 30

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 30
USA > Iowa > Bremer County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 30

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2. We oppose the refunding of the national debt or the issue of interest-bearing non-payable bonds upon any pretext, and demand the pay- ment and destruction of those outstanding at the earliest possible moment.

3. We demand a gradual income tax, where- by capital shal! bear a just share of the public bnrden.

4. We regard the act substituting a railroad commission for laws governing freight rates in the State as a frand secured by the railroad companies through a Republican legislature, and demand its repeal. While we favor liberal na- tional appropriations for the creation and im- provement of water-ways, we demand laws protecting the people of Iowa from discrimina- tion, pooling, watering of stock, drawbacks or rebates, and all unjust charges on the part of railroads, until such time as the people, who built most of these roads with land grants, taxes and subsidies, shall own and operate or fully control them.

5. We demand a revision of our patent right laws, placing a fair limit upon the royalties of inventors, and protecting the people from injus- tice.

G. We demand that all land grants forfeited by reason of the non-fulfillment of conditions by

railroad companies shall be at once reclaimed by the government, and henceforth that the public domain be reserved exclusively for homesteaders or actual settlers.

7. We demand absolutely Democratic rules for the government of Congress and State legis- latures, placing all representatives of the people upon an equal footing, and taking from all com- mittees a veto power upon proposed legislation

8. We denounce as most dangerous the ie- strictions of the right of suffrage in many States, and its abolition in the District of Col- umbia, and demand equal political rights for all men and women.

9. Believing that all questions affecting the public interest should be decided by the people, we favor the submission of the proposed consti- tntional amendment to the popular vote.

10. We demand that all ballots in this State shall be of uniform size, color and material, and that each party having a State organization sh ill have one member on the election board of each towuship precinct.

11. We favor the abolition of the electoral college, and the election of President, Vice- President and Senators of the United States by a direct vote of the people.

13. In the furtherance of these ends, we ask the co-operation of a'l men and women, without regard to previous party affiliation or prejudice.

The Republicans met at DesMoines, June 7, and nominated the following ticket: Gover1.or, Buren R. Sherman; Lieutenant-Governor, Orlando II. Man- ning; Supt. of Public Instruction, John W. Akers; Judge of Supreme Court, Austin Adams. The convention also adopted the following platform:

We, the representatives of the Republican party of Iowa, demand anew of the people of the State their fullest confidence and support, because of the faithfulness of the party, in the State and in the nation, to party pledges; be- cause of the marvelous devotion it has shown in support of the Union; because of its abhorrence

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of slavery and polygamy, and of its successful efforts to crush the one, and of its persistent struggle to get rid of the other, sure to go on to its final extirpation; because of its active inter- est in the relief of struggling and oppressed humanity everywhere; because of its determin- ation to abolish all inequalities of citizenship, to give all men of all races and nationalities in this land equality of civil and political rights; be- cause of its efforts to establish temperance, to educate the people and build up all moral forces; because it has been earuest in its efforts toward honest and economical government, and has been swift to correct abuses when it has discov- ered them; because it has steadily maintained the financial honor of the nation, is rapidly dis- charging its great war debt, and has made the recent financial history of the goverumeut the marvel of nations; because it has protected the labor of the country, and built up its agricultu- ral and manufacturing interests, and promoted the means of internal commerce by judicial leg- islation; because it is positive and progressive, and will, in the future, as in the past, prove its capacity to grapple promptly and successfully with every emergency of the nation, and with every question affecting the people's interests; and, finally, because it will secure a complete and lasting unifieation of the country, entire peace and concord, upon the statute basis of free schools, free speech, a free press and a free ballot.

In the spirit of the purpose that has redeemed former pledges and produced these results, the Republican party of Iowa resolves-

1. We re-affirm the Republican national plat- form of 1880, and insist upon its enforcement in its relation to the several affairs of the nation, the States and the Territories, in order that sound policies shall prevail in the nation, and ample protection be afforded to its citizens in all of their rights of citizenship in the several States; and that the territories be made as abso- lutely free from the debasing presence and per- nicious influences of polygamy as the States now are of slavery.

2. We congratulate this country upon the election of James A. Garfield, and the national

adminstration upon the vigorous manner in which it has undertaken to ferret out fraud and suppress extravagance iu public expenditures, to secure the personal and commercial rights of our people abroad, to deal justly with the Indian wards of the government, and upon the con- spicuous success of its financial policy.

3. That we are in hearty sympathy with the spirit of recent conventions for supplementing and improving the great water routes of the nation, and cordially endorse all measures which look toward a practical and judicious improve- ment of the magnificent water-ways which nature has afforded us for cheaply transporting the immense commerce of the States, and therefore developing the immense resources of the interior of our national domain.

4. That we recognize railways as one of the most potent agencies in our national progress, but one which by reason of its relation to the people, must be kept subordinate to the interests of the people, and within the legislative coutrol of Congress and the State. That in the spirit of its usefulness, it must be dealt with in fairness and without injustice. But we are in accord with the popular demand, that the unquestion- able legislative power shall be used to protect the people from any abuse and unjust exactions.

5. That the plenary power of Congress over the subject of pateut, should be so exercised as to protect the people against the wrongs and abuses which have been developed and are practiced under the present system of laws relating to patent rights, and we ask our senators and repre- sentatives in Congress, to lend their best efforts to the accomplishment of this end.

6. That the position attained in our com- merce by American meats and live animals, demand the enactment of effective legislation by both the nation and the States, for the sup- pression of such diseases as are calculated to interfere with this important feature of our foreign trade.

7. That in pursuance of the uniform justice of the Republican party to observe the pledges and perform the promises made and given in its platform, we declare that the provisions in the

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platform of 1879, for the submission of the so-called prohibitory amendment of the con- stitution of Iowa, to a vote of the people at a special and non-partisan election should be enforced, in order that the good faith of the party may be maintained, and that the people

in this government of the people, by the people, and for the people, may have an opportunity to express their wishes concerning the pending amendment, regardless of party affiliations, and with perfect freedom from all party restraint and influences.

CHAPTER XI.

TERRITORIAL AND STATE OFFICERS-A RETROSPECT.

In the limited space of this State his- tory, sketches of the various Territorial and State officers cannot be given, though they would be of great interest. It is thought best, however, to insert sketches of the three Territorial Governors. These have been prepared by Hon. Samuel Mur- dock, of Clayton county, a gentleman than whom none are better qualified for the task.

ROBERT LUCAS.

In the spring of 1832 the celebrated Indian Chief, Black Hawk, in violation of the treaty of St. Louis in 1804, which he himself had ratified in 1816, and again partially ratified in 1831, started with his band, composing a part of the Sac and Fox Indians, ascended Rock River to a considerable distance, where he took up a strong military position.

Gen. Atkinson, with a large number of United States troops and volunteers from

the surrounding country, immediately pur- sued him, with the intention of forcing the cunning chief either to retire or give him battle. And in compliance with this reso- lution, he dispatched forward Major Still- man, with three or four hundred volunteers, to reconoitre the position of Black Ilawk. But Stillman had before him a "Warrior tried;" a man who had been born and cradled upon the battle-field; one who had followed his father through many a hard- fought battle with the Cherokees; one who had stood shoulder to shoulder with Tecumseh at Brownstown and the Thames; one who, by experience, understood both the tactics of the white man and the Indian; one who had mingled in the strife and carnage of every desperate and bloody battle along the whole western border for nearly half a century before. As soon as he heard that Stillman was approaching his camp, he made preparations to meet him, and in doing this he planned and accomplished one of the greatest and most

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skillful military stratagems known to modern times.

Stillman, underrating the character of the man before him, rushed, with his whole force, into the very jaws of death; his troops were thrown into the worst kind of disorder, and fell around him dead and dying over the field.

Bravely did Stillman attempt to rally his men and bring them into order, which he came very near doing; but the eagle eye of an old warrior was looking over that field, and just at the moment when the tide of battle seemed to hang in a balance, this brave old warrior puts him- self at the head of a chosen number of his gallant braves, and with a yell that sent a thrill through many a bold and daring heart, rushed to the charge, dealing death and destruction in his way.

Stillman ordered his' men to fall back, but all was now utter confusion, and the retreat became a perfect rout. Thus, sir, commenced the short and bloody "Black Ilawk War," a war in which few laurels were won, and nothing found to admire save the daring bravery of the savage commander. It is not my purpose to fol-

low it further; its history is a history of the most disgraceful outrages and vile treacheries on the part of the. Americans; and but for the noble conduct of the gal- lant Dodge connected with it, ought to be blotted forever from the recollections of American history.

The war ended by the capture of "Black Hawk" through the treachery of the Win- nebagos; and a treaty was concluded with him on the 21st of September, 1832, at Rock Island, by which he ceded to the United States a large tract of land, west

of the Mississippi, which became known as the "Black Hawk Purchase." This war had its important effects in the his- tory of the Great West; it brought into notice the rich valley of the Rock river; it laid open to view the wealth and treas- ures locked up for past ages in the lead mines of Wisconsin; it opened to the view of the emigrant a rich and fertile valley, lying between the Mississippi on one side and the Missouri on the other; and long before the stipulations of the treaty of 1832 could be carried ont, thousands rushed pell mell into the new land, ming- ling savage and civilized life together.

The National Legislature has never yet been able to keep up in making the neces- sary laws for their protection, with the great tide of civilization, as it rolls on- ward, year after year, upon the heels of retreating savages.

On the 20th of . April, 1836, Congress passed a law for the organization of the Territory of Wisconsin, by the provisions of which the northern boundary of Wis- consin extended west in a zigzag direction from a point opposite the main channel of Green Bay through Lake Superior, touch- ing the White Earth river, thence down said river to the main channel of the Mis- souri, thence down the Missouri to a point due west from the northwest corner of the State of Missouri, etc .; thus, you see, in- cluding within the bounds of Wisconsin . all the lands and territory which now compose the great States of Iowa and Minnesota It was soon evident that this arrangement could not last long; Young America had crossed the Mississippi, and had left a natural boundary behind him; stretching his eyes three hundred miles

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west, his vision rested upon another, and with this in view, he demanded a separa- tion, which no Congress at that time dared to refuse.

On the 13th day of June, 1838, Congress passed, an act organizing the Territory of Iowa into a separate and distinct govern- ment. This was the era of many a dar- ling project on the part of Young Amer- ica, which he has since carried out to per- fection and success; while at the same time it became the era of many a "bubble bursted" in the shape of fallen cities and deserted capitols. Cassville, below you, was once, in expectancy, a proud metropo- lis, and the seat of a more than Chinese Empire. The act took effect from and after the 3d day of July of that year, with all the requisites of a separate and inde- pendent existence.

Robert Lucas, of Ohio, the person whose namne heads this article, was appointed by Mr. VanBuren, her first Governor, in con- nection with Willian B. Conway, of Penn- sylvania, Secretary.

Governor Lucas, at the time of his appointment, was quite an old man, and far advanced in the decline of life; he had spent his best days in the service of his country. His youth was spent amid the strife and storms of a cruel and desperate border war. He was engaged in almost every battle from the Huron to the Thames. He had mingled personally in almost every skirmish on the frontier during the war of 1812, and his history was full of romantic adventures, hair-breadth escapes, and bold and daring encounters. He had seen the Great West territory pass from a howling wilderness, and become the abode of millions of freemen who could

cultivate their own vine and fig tree, wor- ship at their own shrine, with none to fear or make them afraid. He had seen Ohio a despondency, a little colony, struggling for existence, with almost her entire male population drafted for a border war, and he left her for Iowa, the third among a confederation of States, the greatest, the most powerful, and at the same time the most proud and glorious republic the world ever saw.

He commenced his public career in Ohio in her infancy; he assisted, by his valor and courage, to drive back the mur- derous foe who hung upon the borders to glut his vengeance on the innocent child at its mother's breast. And not until the Indian had buried the tomahawk, and England had ceased to desolate her fron- tiers, did he quit his post and return to enjoy himself in the peaceful avocations of private life. He mingled in her halls and in her councils, and his namne con- nected with almost every public act of that great State, which gave her prosperity and greatness; and as a tribute to his worth and a reward for his services, she conferred upon him, in his declining years, the office of Governor.

It was soon after his term of office ex- pired in Ohio that he received from the President the Governorship of Iowa.

It was during his term of office as Gov- ernor of Ohio that the dispute arose between that State and the territory of Michigan, in relation to their respective boundaries, which came very near plung- ing both of them into a cruel, desperate and fratricidal war. The matter was set- tled, finally, by giving Ohio all she claimed; and in order to keep the youngest child of

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the Republic in these days from being naughty, she was given a strip of poor territory, two hundred and fifty miles from her, and north and west of the main channel of Green Bay.

He commenced his career in Iowa with all the bouyancy of youth and better days, and looked forward with a great deal of interest to the day when he should see her a proud and noble State.

Scarcely had he time to look around him and gather information, in his new field of labor, before he found himself involved in another question of boundry, between Iowa and the State of Missouri. Missouri had set up a claim to a strip of country about six miles wide extending along the south line of our whole State; and on this strip of land she liad several times attempted to collect taxes and en- force her laws.

The settlers resisted these claims of Missouri, and appealed to the Governor for protection. No sooner was their case made known to him than he resolved to call forth all the military force he could procure, and for this purpose he issued his proclamation. Hundreds responded to liis call, and in a short time he had col- lected here and there through the territory a set of men who only wanted a nod from their commander, and they would have thrown themselves against odds into the very heart of Missouri. Gov. Boggs, of Missouri, had also called on his State for assistance, and he, too, was on his march with a desperate set of men to assert his claim. IIad those two forces have met, nothing could have prevented a dreadful and fatal encounter.

But wise councils prevailed, and the legislature of Iowa, to its everlasting credit, drew up and passed a preamble and resolutions requesting both Governors to suspend hostilities until the first day of July thereafter. These resolutions had the desired effect; military preparations were suspended by both parties, and an- other cruel and fratricidal war averted.

The matter was afterwards submitted to Congress, where, through the influence of A. C. Dodge, with his uncle, Dr. Linn, who was at that time a Senator in Congress from Missouri; the matter was finally settled by giving to Iowa all she ever claimed.

Thus ended the celebrated "Missouri war," a war whose history is full of fun and anecdote, a war which has since fur- nislied the theme for many an idle, but interesting romance; and a war which will only be remembered in machine verse and burlesque song; for

"Missouri shall many a day" "Tell of the bloody fray "

"When the Hawkeyes and Pukies"

"First met on her border."

Governor Lucas never forgot the inci- dents of this war during his life; and long after the difficulties had passed away, he never could talk about it without flying into a passion at the conduct of Missouri. Ile cherished a holy hatred for the land of "Pukes" during his lifetime.

Not long after the difficulties with Mis- souri were settled, he got into a desperate quarrel with the legislature, and for a time, everything about the capital wore a bel- ligerant aspect. It will be recollected that at that time the legislature was filled exclusively by young men; "mere boys,"

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as it was said of them at the time, and a higher set of fellows than they were, could scarcely be found. They looked upon Iowa as their own and each of them looked himself as the future Senator, . Governor, or chief justice of a future State, which he himself was at that time laboring to bring about; and the history of occurring events will show, that with a large number of them, their early antici- pations turned out to be true; and with those who are still in obscurity, but yet in. the prime of life, a bright and happy future is still before them. The Governor was an old man, and, as they thought, tinctured somewhat with "Foggyism," and they did not hesitate to declare that he was here for the office, and for the office alone, and that as soon as his term expired, he would return again to Ohio, as all Governors of new Territories have generally done. What wonder, then, that between such elements, there should, in the course of events spring up a collision.

The Governor attempted from time to time, to check these young law-makers in their public expenditures, and did not hesitate to call them a set of proflligates. In retaliation for these acts on the part of the Governor, the legislature appointed a committee, consisting of James W. Grimes, since United States Senator, Chauncy Swan, who subsequently died at sea on his return from California, and Laurel Summers, afterwards United States Marshal for Iowa, to inquire into his power, and define his duties. This committee after due delibera- tion, gravely reported to the legislature, that the Governor had full power and authority to vote all acts of the legislature, of every kind, name and description, except

acts for the appropriation of money, and then asked to be discharged from the fur- ther consideration of the subject. But the matter did not end here, for the legis- lature on the 16th of January, , 1840, instructed their delegate to Congress, W. W. Chapman to use his influence in procuring a law, allowing the people to elect their own Governor, and provided in this resolution, that the Governor himself should circulate it. This resolution he took good care to approve, and actually sent copies of it to Washington city.

He was removed from the office of Governor, after the 4th of March, 1831, and John Chambers, of Kentucky was appointed to succeed him.

After his removal he returned to private life, and resided at Bloomington for a number of years.

He returned to Ohio and ran for Con- gress, but was defeated, after which he again returned to Iowa, and if I mistake not, was a member of the first constitu- tional convention.

Old age crept upon him at last, and he died a number of years ago, at Muscatine. He was always a Democrat of the Jack- sonian school, and throughout a long public life he was strictly and religiously honest. He was not a man of much talent, but his long public life had made him familiar with the whole routine of public affairs.

With his intimate aquaintance with public men and public affairs, he could have written an admirable history of the Great Wests. But he has left nothing behind him save his own acts.

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In person, he was tall and slender, and in his younger days, capable of enduring great hardships.

As her first Governor, and one of her truest and best friends, he will live on the pages of Iowa's history, when statues of marble and brass, shall have crumbled into dust.

JOHN CHAMBERS.

On the 4th day of March, 1841, William Henry Harrison was inaugurated President of the United States. He was carried into office through one of the most renowned and exciting political campaigns our coun- try has ever witnessed.

During the administration of Mr. Van Buren, his immediate predecessor, our country, and indeed the whole civilized world, was visited by one of those great commercial revulsions which seems peri- odically to take place in the affairs of man. Never before had our country witnessed and felt such a universal depression of all kinds of business, nor could the most gifted seer in commercial pursuits tell how or when this great commercial calamity would end, or be remedied.

The people thought they could look back into the administration of General Jack- son, when the deposits were removed, as the primary cause of all the distress in every ramification of trade which followed during the administration of his successor, and in order, as they supposed, to apply a remedy, and restore confidence and secu- rity again to the country, demanded a change in the affairs of the government.

For twelve years previous to 1840, the government had been in the hands of a

party calling themselves "Jack on Demo- crats," and from their long tenure in office, many of them had come to the conclusion that they owned them in their own right, and that almost every office in the gift of the President was a life tenure.

Acting upon this principle, many of these incumbents had become notoriously cor- rupt, and appropriated the money belong- ing to their respective offices to their own private and pecuniary profit.

These things, added to the commercial distress I have mentioned, increased the popular clamor for a change, and General Harrison was triumphantly elected Presi- dent. And although the writer of this article heard him declare in a public speech that he would suffer his right hand to be cut off before he would remove a public officer for opinion sake alone, yet one of the first acts of his administration was the removal of Robert Lucas from the Governorship of Iowa, and the appoint- ment of John Chambers, of Kentucky, to succeed him.

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History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 30

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