USA > Iowa > Cass County > History of Cass County, Iowa; together with sketches of its towns, villages, and townships; educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of old settlers and representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, and a brief review of its civil, political, and military history > Part 23
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2. That we are opposed to the further prose- cution of the war, believing that the Union can be preserved in its integrity by the President agreeing to an armistice, and by calling a national convention of sovereign States, to con- sider the terms upon which all the people may agsin live together in pesce and harmony.
3. That believing war to be disunion, and desiring to stop the further flow of precious blood for a purpose so wicked as disunion, we respectfully urge the President to postpone the draft for 500,000 men "to be driven like bullocks to the slaughter," until the result of sn armistice and national convention of States is known.
4. That in the coming election we will have & free ballot or & free fight.
5. That should Abraham Lincoln owe his re- election to the electoral votes of the seceded States, under the application of the President's "one-tenth" system and military dictation, and should he attempt to execute the duties of the President by virtue of such an election, it will become the solemn mission of the people to depose the usurper, or else be worthy the slavish degradation, which submission under such cir- cumstances, would seem to be their just desert.
6. That if the nominee of the Chicago con- vention is fairly elected, he must be inaugurated, let it cost what it msy.
7. That, in respect to the general relations which do and ought to exist between the federal and State governments, we approve and will ad- here to the principles in the Virginis and Ken- tucky resolutions of '98-to the interpretations thereof by Jefferson, Madison snd Jackson-and to the resolutions passed by every Democratic convention held in this country-to all of which special reference is here msde, in utter condem- nstion of the war, and of its incidents.
8. That in respect to the new and disturbing element of our times-negro equality-we shall maintain that the status of the inhabitants (black, white and mixed) of the States, within their respective States (now sought to be con- trolled by federal bayonets), is, and ought to be, an exclusively State regulation; that the African negro is not our equal in a political or social sense; and that every usurping attempt, by fed- eral force, so to declare him, will meet with our determined resistance.
9. That the foregoing preamble and resolu- tions be submitted to our delegation to the Chi- cago convention, for their consideration.
The official vote at the November elec- tion, on Secretary of State, was as follows: James Wright, Rep. .90,033-40,090
John H. Wallace, Dem. .49,943
The Republicans were the first to meet in convention in 1865. They met at Des Moines June 14th, and selected the follow- ing ticket : Governor, Wm. M. Stone; Lieutenant-Governor, Benjamin F. Gue;
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Supt. of Public Instruction, Oran Fayville; Supreme Judge, Geo. G. Wright. The platform adopted was as follows :
Resolved, That the perpetuation of the federal Union, with all guarantees of Republican liberty which its founders contemplated, is the most sacred political duty of American citizenship.
2. That, during the four years of war, inau- gurated by pro-slavery traitors, the great truth has been demonstrated, in devastation and death, that the nation cannot exist half slave and half free, and believing that political and religious freedom is the natural right of man- kind everywhere, we do most fervently pray, and shall most earnestly labor, for the ratifica- tion of that amendment to the fundamental law which provides for the abolition of slavery throughout all the States and Territories of the federal Union.
3. That, to the end that the consequences of treason may be made so appalling that never again shall it be inaugurated upon the United States soil, we recommend the permanent dis- franchisement of leaders of the rebellion, civil and military; and that the late President of the so-called Confederate States of America, as the deepest embodiment of criminal barbarity, be brought to the speediest trial and swiftest exccu- tion, regardless of the habiliments, under the immunities of which he sought, in the day of his calamity, to take refuge.
4. That, with proper safeguards to the purity of the ballot-box, the elective franchise should be based upon loyalty to the constitution of the Union, recognizing and affirming equality of all men before the law. "Therefore, we are in favor of amending the constitution of our State by striking out the word 'white' in the article of refuge."
5. That we extend to Andrew Johnson, in his assumption of Presidential responsibilities, our confidence and support, pledging for the patri- otic masses of Iowa a continuance of the same devotion to the federal flag which was promptly extended to his predecessors.
6. That now the war is practically ended, and our brave citizen soldiery of Iowa may return to
their homes and avocations of peace, we extend to them the grateful thanks of the people, and a welcome, such as only the patriotic and the brave are entitled to receive.
7. That every man who voluntarily left his home in this State, before or during the rebellion, with a view to serve the cause of treason in the rebel army or navy, and also every man who left his State to avoid military service, due from him to the government, should be forever debarred by constitutional provision, from holding public office, and from the exercise of the rights of suf- frage in this State.
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 earneat 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 aupport 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 Statea, abolishing slavery and the ratification of the same by our next Legislature.
5. That, inasmuch as we do not aufficiently 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 auch action in the matter as by them is deemed proper, and to instruct their Senatora and Representativea accordingly.
6. We are in favor of the brave soldiera 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- aion 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 apeedily and widely felt, we be- lieve it is the duty of every patriot to austain cordially the present policy of President John- son in reconstructing the Statea recently in rebellion.
3. That the establishment of a monarchy on the aoil of this continent is in direct defiance of the Monroe doctrine-a doctrine accepted and recognized by all true Americans; and it ia 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-holdera who feed like locusts on the hard carnings of the people.
5. That we earnestly condemn the trial of American citizens for civil offenses by courta- martial and military courts, in States and dis- tricts where civil law is unimpeded in ita opera- tions and in full force.
6. That we are radically opposed to negro equality in all its phases, and accept the isaue 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 aervilely copied and endorsed by many of the leading Republican papers of the State, are the offspring of envy and fanataciam, and will recoil with crushing force on the heads of his calumniators.
8. That we feel a just pride in the progresa of our army and navy, and especially of the aoldiers 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 sec 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 equalization of the bounties of soldiers who faithfully served 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 been prosecuted on our part, as ex- pressly declared by Congress itself, to defend and maintain the aupremacy 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 righta under the constitu- tion, and that Congreas 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 ita 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- tutiona according to its own judgment, exclu- aively, 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 ita electora, 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 ahould give to each of those who have fallen in the aer- 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 demanda that immediate provision should be made for the equalization of bounties.
7. We cordially endorae the restoration policy of Preaident 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 embarrasa and complicate, rather than adjust, our national trouble.
9. The ratification by the legislaturea 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 meeta 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 auch 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 oonser- 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, aa in the past, with unfaltering fidelity and firmness to the organization of the Democratic party, and to its ancient and well settled principles, aa 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 aubject to taxation.
2. That the one great question of the day ia the immediate and unconditional reatoration of all the Statea 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 aet 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 acta, and votes as well as by their profea- sion, support the President in his policy of rea- toration as declared.
4. That the exemption of United States bonds from tax ia nothing elae 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 expenaea of the general government aa well as the State governmenta 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 paat, 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 ia in- consistent with the genius of a free people, and unjust and burdenaome in ita operations. It has vexed and harraased the citizena, burdened the counties with expensea, and proved wholly uselesa in the auppression of intemperanee. 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, calla for the condemnation of every honest man in the State, and if the radicals of the last Legislature had been true to the interesta 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 aet 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 loat 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, demanda at the hands of the American people that the widows and orphana of those who died in the Union aervice ahall be duly provided for by liberal pensiona; 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 mn- 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 these 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 republie, 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.
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