History of Hardin county, Iowa, together with sketches of its towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 21

Author:
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1002

USA > Iowa > Hardin County > History of Hardin county, Iowa, together with sketches of its towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 21

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9. That the mismanagement and reckless squandering of the school fund of the State by the late Seperintendent of Public Instruction, and the manner in which this sacred fund has been dealt with in many counties in the State, as developed by the investigation already insti- tuted, under a Republican State administration, demonstrates. the wisdom of that thorough ac- countability and scrutiny provided for by the State Legislature.

10. That we, as Republicans, pledge our- selves to use all honorable efforts to promote the administration of the State and general government with strict economy and a just regard to the growing interests of our State and Union.

11. That our State should have that consider- ation from the general government to which her resources, power and future prospects entitle her, and that we will demand from the general government five per cent. of the proceeds of those lands hitherto entered with land warrants within the State; the improvement of the navi- gation of our great inland seas, and such addi-

tional grants of lands to aid the building of railroads through unoccupied portions of Iowa as will upbuild the population and wealth of our State and the general welfare of our common country.

12. That the members of this convention heartily endorse the candidates nominated to- day for the various offices, and promise their united and zealous support in the ensuing cam- paign, and, if their labors can achieve it, a triumphant election.

13. That the entire Republican delegation in Congress are entitled to the gratitude of the nation for their able and zealous advocacy of true Republican principles; and that our imme- diate Representatives, Messrs. Harlan, Curtis and Davis, have the unqualified approbation of their constituents for the talented and efficient manner in which they have represented the State of Iowa, and especially for the earnest and uncompromising opposition waged by them against the Lecompton English Bill bribe and other tyrannical abuses of the present adminis- tration.

The following ticket was then nomi- nated: Secretary of State, Elijah Sells; Auditor of State, J. W. Cattell; State Treasurer, John W. Jones; Attorney-Gen- eral, S. A. Rice; Register of State Land Office, A. B. Miller; Com. of DesMoines River Improvement, Wm. C. Drake.

The Democrats met June 23 at Des Moines, nominated the following ticket and adopted a platform: Secretary of State, Samuel Douglas; Auditor of State, Theodore S. Parvin; Treasurer of State, Samuel H. Lorah; Attorney-General, Jas. S. Elwood; Commissioner DesMoines River Improvement, Charles Baldwin; Register of Land Office, James M. Reid. The following is the platform:

The Democrats of Iowa, through representa- tives in State Convention assembled, proclaim their unalterable devotion and adhesion to the principles embodied in the resolutions following:

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Resolved, That we adopt, abide by, and will cherish and defend the platform of principles promulgated by the representatives of the De- mocracy of the nation, when assembled in national convention, at Cincinnati, in June, 1856, believing, as we do, that the platform there laid down is broad and strong enough to uphold and sustain every true patriot, and with such only do we desire companionship.

2. That all attempts to engender sectional prejudice and animosities are pregnant with mischief, tend to hinder the progress and devel- opment of our country, and must, if persisted in, lcad to the dismemberment of the union of the States and the destruction of the only free government of the world.

3. That the rights of the people should be maintained alike against the encroachment of federal power, the zeal of blind partisanism and wiles of unscrupulous and demagogue politi- cians, and that the office of the Democratic party is to see these cardinal principals main- tained in their party.

4. That the agitation of the slavery question tends to weaken the bonds of our union by de- stroying that confidence which should exist between the different States, and begetting sec- tional animosities, and that it is the duty of all true patriots to frown upon such attempts, and secure, by all honorable means, the discredit alike of the extremists of the South and North.

5. That the decision of the judicial tribunals of the State and Federal Government should be. respected, must be submitted to, obeyed and carried into effect; and that any attempt to set them at defiance is a step toward anarchy and confusion, tends to impair respect for the gov- ernment, and merits the unmeasured conderma- tion of all law-abiding and peaceably disposed citizens.

6. That the outrages recently committed on our shipping by officers of the British Govern- ment demands an immediate and unequivocal denial and apology; that now is an appropriate time to settle finally the question of the rights to visit and search vessels o'n the seas, and in the event an apology is refused, the arrogant pre-

tensions of European powers should try the "last resort" of nations, the cannon's mouth, and the world taught the lesson that our flag cannot be degraded, nor our nation insulted with impunity.

7. That the administration of State affairs in Iowa for the last four years, under Republican rule, is of a character to warrant the most rigid investigation by the people, and that the expo- sure thus far of their speeulations, fraud and extravagance calls for the denunciation of all honest men.

8. That an empty treasury, extravagant ex- penditures, and the stifling of investigation into corruption, by Republican officials of Iowa, should be sufficient to arouse tax-payers to the enormous outrages perpetrated upon the people's treasury, and absolutely demand a change in the administration, that the guilty may bc brought to punishment, and our State preserved from utter bankruptcy.

9. That the Democracy of Iowa pledge to the people their earnest, persistent and unulterable purpose to reform the State government, and to bring to condign punishment whoever may be found guilty of criminal default in any of its departments.

The Republicans carried the State by an average majority of 3,000.

The Republicans were again first in the field for the State campaign of 1859. They met in convention, June 22, at Des Moines, and nominated the following ticket: Governor, S. J. Kirkwood; Lieu- tenant-Governor, Nicholas J. Rusch; Su- preme Judges, Ralph P. Lowe, L. J. Stockton, Caleb Baldwin. The platform adopted was as follows:

Possessing an abiding confidence in the intel- ligence and patriotism of the American people, an unwavering faith in their devotion to the eternal principles of liberty, as they came from the hand and heart of the fathers of the Repub- lic, and invoking the blessing of heaven upon our efforts to maintain them in their purity, wc

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commend them most cordially to the sympathy and support of the Republicans of Iowa and of the Nation.

Resolved, That we entertain an abiding confi- dence in the cardinal doctrines contained in the Republican National platform of 1856, and re- affirming the same, we commend them anew to the discriminating consideration of the people.

2. That the sum of nearly one hundred mil- lion dollars, supposed to be necessary to support the government under rule of the Africanized Democracy, is incompatible with just ideas of a simple, economical Republican government, and the issue of National shinplasters to meet such demand shows the hopeless financial degreda- tion of the present administration.

3. That we condemn the principles advocated by the Democratic party-no prohibition of · slavery in the Territories-and proclaim as our principles, no interference with liberty by the President, by Congress or by the federal court.

4. We claim for citizens, native and natural- ized, liberty and conscience, equality of rights and the free exercise of the right of suffrage. We favor whatever legislation and administra- tive reform that may be necessary to protect these rights, and guard against their infringe- ment or abusc, and opp se any abridgment whatever of the rights of naturalization now secured to emigrants, and all discrimination between naturalized citizens whatever, by the amendment of the State constitution or other- wise. And we cordially approve of the action taken by the Republican State Central Commit- tee in regard to the amendment proposed by the Massachusetts Legislature to its constitution.

5. That the Republican party will forever oppose the demand of the Southern Democracy for the enactment of a slave code for the Terri- tories.

6. That we look with horror upon the revival of the slave trade, and view with alarm the apathy and abortive attempts of administration and judiciary in arresting and bringing to trial and justice those who have recently been guilty of open infractions of those laws of our country which declare it piracy, and in sending such as

have been arrested to places of trial where in- dictment was doubtful and acquittal certain; and while we will oppose, by every just means, the repeal of those laws, we will also insist upon their being hereafter faithfully executed and enforced, even though it involve the exercise of the full power of the federal government.

7. That we are in favor of granting to actual settlers suitable portions of the public lands frec of charge; and we do most unqualifiedly con- demn the course of the present slavery Democ- racy in Congress, in opposing and defeating, in the United States Senatc, the Homestead bill, which was designed to secure free homes for free people, whether of native or of foreign birth.

8. That the rights of citizens are equal, and they are equally entitled to protection at home and abroad, without regard to nativity or dura- tion of domicile; and that the late refusal by the federal government, as expressed in the late official communication of Lewis Cass, Secretary of State, to guarantee against arrest and deren- tion, abroad, of naturalized citizens, on the ground of their allegiance to foreign power, is a cowardly abandonment of the true and noble position hitherto occupied by our government.

9. That we re-assert, as cardinal principles of Republicanism, the maintenance of a strict economy in public expenditures, and the prompt and faithful discharge by public officers of their public duties; and we congratulate the people of Iowa that the present State officers are honest and enjoy their confidence in the execution of their official duties.

10. That while our State tax has been largely reduced, being less in 1858 than the preceding year, and less the present year than in 1858, the increasing county taxation is becoming so bur- densome as to call imperatively for reform in the system of county administration.

The Democrats met at DesMoines, June 23, adopted a platform, and placed the fol- lowing ticket in the field: Governor, A. C. Dodge; Lieutenant-Governor, L. W. Bar- bitt; Supreme Judges, Charles Mason, T.

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S. Wilson, C.C. Cole. The following is the platform, as to National policy:

WHEREAS, In view of the double relation in wh eh we stand toward the federal government on the one hand, and our own State on the other, we deem it expedient and proper, before enter- ing upon a contest which may, in no small de- gree, influence the character and destinies of both governments, to adopt and promulgate the following declaration of principles for the guv- ernment of our eonduet:

Resolved, That we affirm the principles of the national Democratie platform of 1856, and re- assert the doctrines of non-intervention therein contained, as the ground upon which a national party can be maintained in these confederate States.

2. That the organized Territories of the United States are only held in their Territorial condition until they attain a sufficient number of inhabitants to authorize their admission into the Union as States, and are justly entitled to self-government and the undisturbed regulation of their own domestie or local affairs, subjeet only to the constitution of the United States.

3. That, inasmuch as the legislative power of the Territories extends undeniably to all right- ful subjeets of legislation, no power ean prevent them from passing sueh laws upon the subjeet of slavery as to them may seem proper, and whether such laws, when passed, be eonstitu- tional or not, ean be finally determined, not by Congress, but by the Supreme Court on appeal, from the decisions of the Territorial courts.

4. That the Supreme Court of the United States, beiug under the constitution, and an independent co-ordinate branch of the govern- ment, with a tenure of office which cannot be changed by the action of parties, through the instrumentality of Congress, we hold the Democ- raey entirely irresponsible for its doctrines, and in no ease conelusively bound by the same, except so far as to inculcate obedience to its decisions while they continue in force.

5. That without courts of justice, both State and national, respeeted by the people, and sus- tained in their proper funetions by popular sen-

timent, anarehy and violence become inevitable, and all rights of both person and property be- come inseeure and worthless.

6. That the action of the publie authorities in some of the States, in attempting to set at defiance by State authority, decisions of the Supreme Court and aets of Congress passed in accordance with the constitution, is the very essence of nullification.

7. That a tariff for revenue alone is the true poliey of this country, but an ineidental protee- tion is one of its legitimate consequences. The amount of duties levied should be limited to the necessary wants of the government, and they should be so apportioned as to fall as lightly as possible upon the people, by whom they are eventually to be paid.

8. That it is a doctrine of the Demoeratie party that all naturalized citizens are entitled to the same protection, both at home and abroad, that is extended to the native-born citizens, and that even a voluntary return of such eitizens to the land of their birth, for a temporary purpose, does not place them beyond the range of that protection, but that our government is bound to shield them from injury and insult while there, at every hazard.

9. That the expansion of our national domain is desirable whenever it shall be necessary for the safety, happiness and prosperity of the Re- publie, and we will hail with pleasure the acqui- sition of the island of Cuba, whenever it ean be effected with justice and in accordance with the wishes of the people thereof , and as a nation we can never assent to its appropriation by any of the powers of Europe, and will incut all the hazards of war to avert such a result.

10. That the building of a railroad eonneeting our Atlantic and Pacific coasts, by grants of the publie lauds along the line thereof, or by any other constitutional means, will meet with the hearty approval of the Demoeraey of Iowa.

11. That we are in favor of granting a home- stead of 160 aeres of land by Congress to actual settlers, subjeet only to sueh restrietions as will exclude speculators from the benefits of sueh acts.

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12. That we are in favor of an economieal administration of the federal government, and will lend our best efforts to those who advocate reform and retrenchment in our national expen- ditures.

13. That we are uneonditionally opposed to the re opening of the African slave trade; that its revival would not only renew those eruelties which once provoked the indignation of the civ- il zed world, but would entail a foul blot on our country's fair eseuteheon.

14. That we cordially tender to the Democ- raey of the Union an invitation to unite with us in maintaining our organization on principles indieated in the foregoing resolutions, and that we earnestly appeal to them to drop past differ- enees, and assemble again as a band of brothers. under the panoply of the constitution and Union.

As to State poliey-

Resolved, That the burdens of taxation have increased and are increasing under the present administration of State affairs, and that a eom- plete and thorough reform of existing abuses and expenditures is demanded by the highest interests of the people.

2. That the Demoeraey cordially and sineerely invite emigrants to settle in the State, promising tl.em all the protection and right they have en- joyed under the laws of Congress since the days of Jefferson; and that we earnestly deplore the acts of the Republican party in Massachusetts, and their attempts in New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, to confer upon the uncouth, semi-barbarian negro from the South the right of suffrage and office in one year, and requiring for the same purpose of the naturalized citizens a residenee of two years after naturalization, equivalent to an extension of the period for nat- uralization to seven years, thus degrading the foreign white man below the negro and mulatto.

3. That we are opposed to the poliey inaugu- rated in this State by the Republican party, by which the immigration to this State of the Afri- ean raee is eneouraged and promoted, thus bringing cheap negro labor into direct eompeti- tion with the labor of the white man, and filling our State with a class of population that ean

never beeome eitizens thereof; and we are in favor of a ehange which shall discourage and prevent the settlement of that raee among us.

4. That, sinee the border States of Ohio, In- diana and Illinois exclude the free negroes of the South from their limits by stringent laws, Iowa will beeome the great receptacle of the worthless population of the slave-holding States, to the exelusion of an equal number of free white laborers, if the present Republiean policy be persisted in.

5. That such a policy leads necessarily to the intermixing of black and white ehildren in the common schools, or the necessity of dividing the common sehool fund to maintain separate and independent sehools in every loeality where free negroes reside.

6. That the Demoeraey demand a total repeal of the provisions of our State constitution, and the law made in pursuanee thereof, requiring negro children to be admitted into our common sehools, or separate schools, to be supported out of the common sehool fund for their edueation.

7. That the Maine liquor law is ineonsistent with the spirit of a free people, and unjust and burdensome in its operations; it has vexed and harrassed the eitizen, burdened the eounties with expense and litigation, and proven wholly use- less in the suppression of intemperanee.

8. That we favor a total change in the present common sehool system, so as to give the people the full benefits of a common sehool education without the eumbersome machinery and enor- mous expense which the present system requires.

The vote for Governor was as follows:

L. J. Kirkwood, Rep .56,506-2,964 A. C. Dodge, Dem .53,542

The campaign of 1860 was the most ex- citing one in the history of the State, and, next to that of 1840, the most exciting campaign in the history of the Govern- ment. Abraham Lincoln had been nomi- nated by the Republicans for the Presi- dency; Stephen A. Douglas by the North-, ern wing of the Democracy; John C.

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Breckenridge by the Southern wing, and John Bell by the Union party. The Re- publicans of Iowa met in convention at Iowa City, May 23d, and selected the fol- lowing named candidates : Secretary of State, Elijah Sells; Auditor of State, J. W. Cattell; State Treasurer, Charles C. Nourse; Register of State Land Office, A. B. Miller. The platform adopted was short, and as follows :

Resolved, That this convention approve and endorse the platform of principles laid down by the late Republican convention at Chicago, as the true and sound exposition of Republican doctrine, which we are prepared to advocate and defend.

2. That, in reference to State policy, the Re- publican party of the State of Iowa are in favor of a rigid economy in the expenditures of the public money, and the holding of all public offi- cers to a strict accountability.

3. That the Republicans of the State of Iowa in convention assembled, do hereby endorse the nominations made' at the Chicago convention, of Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois, for President, and Hannibal Hamlin, of Maine, for Vice-President, and pledge to them the undivided support of the party of the State.

4. That this convention have full confidence in the nominations made by it to-day, both for State and national officers, and we recommend them with entire unanimity to the support and confidence of the people of Iowa.

The Democrats held their convention July 12, at DesMoines. Their ticket was as follows: Secretary of State, James M. Corse; Auditor of State, Geo. W. Max- field; Treasurer of State, John W. Ellis; Attorney-General, Wm. McClintock; Reg- ister of Land Office, Patrick Robb. Their platform was as follows:

Resolved, That the Democracy of Iowa, by their delegates in the State convention assem- bled, do hereby most cordially endorse and

approve of the Democratic National Convention, which convened at Charleston on the 23d day of April, and which concluded its labors at its adjourned session, in the city of Baltimore, on the 23d day of June, by the nomination of Stephen A. Douglas for the Presidency.

2. That this convention heartily endorses and approves the platform enumerated by said convention; and that we will give that platform and the nominees of the national Democracy for the Presidency and Viee-Presidency, Douglas and Johnson, our most zealous and energetic support.

3. That retaining unabated confidence in the intelligence, integrity and patriotism of the people, the Demoeracy of Iowa firmly adhere to the doctrine of non-intervention and popular sovereignty, laid down in the said platform, as presenting the only just and practicable solution of the question of domestic slavery.

4. That the Iowa delegates to the National Democratic Convention are entitled to the thanks of their constituency for the able and faithful manner in which they discharged the duty entrusted to them, and that this convention heartily approves of their action in said body.

5. That in view of the fact that efforts are being made in some of the States to form so- called union electoral tickets, pledged to vote for this or that candidate for the Presidency, as circumstances may subsequently determine, the Democracy of Iowa totally disapprove of all attempts to compromise the integrity of the Democratic party organization, by putting Dem- ocratic candidates for electors upon the same ticket with candidates who are not pledged to vote, if elected, for Douglas and Johnson, and for no other persons whomsoever.

6. That we approve of a homestead law, giv- ing to every citizen of the United States a home for himself and family; and that this convention recommend to our Representatives in Congress to use their best efforts to procure the passage of a law for that purpose.

7. That we cordially invite all conservative national men to fall into the Democratic ranks and help to crush the hydra-headed monster, Congressional Intervention.

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8. That the dominant party, called Republi- can, during the brief period it has been in power, inflicted upon the people of Iowa a con- stitution and laws, the result of which has been the constant perplexity of the people, the crea- tion of an enormous, unconstitutional debt, and the imposition of taxes too gricvous to be borne, thereby exhausting and using up the hard earn- ings of the industrious and the prudent-all of which call loudly for reform at the hands of the people.

9. That it is high time there should be a change of men in power and policy in govern- ment; that the Legislature should pass more wholesome and stringent laws, by which men in official station occupying a judicial capacity, either as directors and officers of banks or rail- road companies, shall be made personally liable for an improper use of the moneys of the people entrusted to their care and custody. .

10. That the Democratic party of the State of Iowa is committed to and pledges itself to carry out, so soon as it obtains the administra- tion of the affairs of the State, the following measures of State policy:

1. A reduction of the enormous and unneces- sary expenses of the government, which have grown up under the administration, and through the corrupt partisan management of the so-called Republican party.

2. A reduction of the appropriations of money for extraordinary purposes.

3. A reduction of appropriations for chari- table institutions and purposes, to the necessary requests of those classes of the unfortunate, for which it is the duty of the State to fully and liberally provide.

4. To reduce the excessive taxation which now burdens the people and consumes the hard earrings of the industrious and frugal.

5. The construction of buildings for the use of our charitable institutions upon plans com- mensurate with the wants of those institutions and the ability of the State, without attempting to imitate the grandeur or magnificence of the public buildings erected for similar purposes in old and wealthy States or Governments.

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History of Hardin county, Iowa, together with sketches of its towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 21

Author: Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1002

Author:
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1002