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 23

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 23

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2. That it is an inherent and constitutional right of the people to discuss all measures of their government, and to approve or disapprove as to their best judgment seems right. That they have a like right to propose and advocate that policy which, in their judgment, is best, and to argue and vote against whatever policy seems to them to violate the constitution, to imperil their literties, or to be detrimental to their welfare.

3. That these and all other rights guarantecd to them by the constitution are their rights in war as well as in times of peace, and of far more value and necessity in war than in peace: for in peace, liberty, security and property are seldom endangered; in war they are ever in peril.

4. That we now say to all whom it may con- cern, not by way of threat, but calmly and firmly, that we will not surrender these rights, nor submit to their forcible violation. Wc will obey laws ourselves, and all others must obey them

5. That there is a manifest difference between the administration of the government and the government itself. The government consists of the civic and political institutions created by the constitution, and to the people owc allegi- ance. That administrations are but agents of the people, subject to their approval or con- demnation, according to the merit or demerit of their acts.

6. That we are opposed to the war for the purpose of carrying out the emancipation procla- mation of the President of the United States; and if the Federal administration expect a united North to attend its efforts to suppress a rebellion, it must not only come back to its object of the war, as set forth in the Crittenden resolution adopted by the House of Representa- tives in July, 1861, but it must, in its dealings

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with the people of the States, infringe upon no one single right guaranteed to the people by either the federal or State constitutions.

7. That we declare our determined opposition to a system of emancipation by the State upon compensation to be made out of the treasury of the United States, as burdensome upon the people, unjust in its very nature, and wholly without warrant of the constitution.

8. That we deelare that the power which has recently been assumed by the President, where- in, under the guise of military necessity, he has proelaimed and extended, or asserts the right to proelaim or extend, martial law over States where war does not exist, and has suspended the writ of habeas corpus, is unwarranted by the constitution, and its tendeney is to subordinate the civil to the military authority, and subvert our free government.

9. That we deem it proper further to deelare, that we, together with the loyal people of the State, would hail with delight any manifestation of a desire on the part of the seeeded States to return to their allegiance to the government of the Union; and, in such event, we would eor- dially and earnestly eo operate with them in the restoration of peace and the procurement of such proper guarantees as would give security to all their interests and rights.

10. That the soldiers composing our armies merit the warmest thanks of the nation. The country ealled, and nobly did they respond. Living, they shall know a nation's gratitude; wounded, a nation's eare; and, dying, they shall live in our memory, and monuments shall be raised to teach posterity to honor the patriots and heroes who offered their lives at their country's altar. The widows and orphans shall be adopted by the nation, to be watched over and cared for as objects fully worthy of the nation's guardianship.

11. That we will adhere to the constitution and the Union as the best, it may be the last, hope of popular freedom, and for all wrongs which may exist, will seek redress under the constitution and within the Union by the peaee- ful but powerful ageney of the suffrages of a free people.

12. That we hail with pleasure and hope, manifestations of conservative sentiment among the people of the Northern States in their elee- tions, and regard the same as the earnest of a good purpose upon their part to co-operate with all citizens in giving seeurity to the rights of every seetion, and maintaining the Union and constitution as they were ordained by the foun- ders of the republic.

13. That we will earnestly support every constitutional measure tending to preserve the union of the States. No men have a greater interest in its preservation than we have. None desire it more; none who will make greater sacrifiees or endure more than we will to aeeom- plish that end. We are, as we have ever been, the devoted friends of the constitution and the Union, and have no sympathy with the enemies of either.

14. That the establishment of military gov- ernment over loyal States where war does not exist, to supersede the eivil authorities and sup- press the freedom of speech and of the press, and to interfere with the eleetive franchise, is not only subversive of the constitution and the sovereignty of the States, but the actual inaugu- ration of revolution.

15. That we denounee as libelers of the Demoeratie party and enemies of the country, the men who are engaged in representing the Democracy as wanting in sympathy with our gallant defenders.

16. That we earnestly denonnee the authors of those heresies, secessionism and abolitionism, which have culminated in an armed rebellion, desolated our country and brought sorrow to the heart of every person in this broad land.

The Republicans met at DesMoines, June 17th, and adopted the following platform :

We, a convention of representatives of the loyal people of the State of Iowa, assembled under the call of the Republican organization of the State, as an expression of the views which shall govern our political action, do declare:

1. That when our fathers formed our eonsti- tution, and founded thereon a republican form

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of government, they intended to and did grant to that government full power to sustain its natural existence.

2. That whenever the life of the Republic is endangered, either by invasion or rebellion, the constitution justifies the use of all necessary me ins known to civilized warfare in resisting invasion or suppressing rebellion.

3. That we fully and heartily endorse the policy of the administration, and we will to the utmost continue to sustain the government in suppressing the rebellion, and to effect that object, we pledge our fortunes and our lives.

4. That the gratitude of a free people is due to our soldiers in the field, both native and foreign born, for that heroic valor by which they have honored us and sustained the flag of our country, and we guarantee to them con- tinued encouragement and support.

5. That we have witnessed with pride and admiration the bravery and heroism of Iowa soldiers, and we recognize in their brilliant ca- reer a history for the State of Iowa, second to that of no other State in the Union.

6. That we approve of the action of the Gen- eral Assembly of the State, in enacting a law giving to our brave soldiers in the field an opportunity to vote at our elections, and we earnestly hope that no technicality may deprive them of their right.

7. That this convention hereby tenders to Hon. Samuel J. Kirkwood the cordial thanks of the loyal people of lowa for the able, fearless, and patriotic discharge of his duties, during the two terms he held the office of Governor of the State.

8. Finally, we declare that the preservation of the constitution and the Union is above and beyond all other interests, and that all questions of party, of life, and of property, must be sub- ordinate thereto.

At that convention the following ticket was nominated: Governor, William M. Stone; Lieutenant-Governor, Enoch W. Eastman; Judge of the Supreme Court, John F. Dillon.

The official vote on Governor was as follows :

W. M. Stone, Rep.,. 86,122-38,174 J. M. Tuttle, Dem. 47,948

The year 1864 brought with it another Presidential campaign. The Republicans placed in the field for re-election Abraham Lincoln, while the Democrats nominated General George B. McClellan. In Iowa the Democrats met in convention at Des Moines, June 16th, and placed in nomina- tion the following named, without adopt- ing resolutions: Secretary of State, John H. Wallace; Attorney-General, Charles A. Dunbar; Treasurer, J. B. Lash; Auditor, H. B. Hendershott; Register State Land Office, B. D. Holbrook; Supreme Judge, Thomas M. Monroe.

The Republicans held their convention July 7th, at DesMoines, when they nomi- nated the following ticket: Supreme Judge, C. C. Cole; Secretary of State, James Wright; Auditor of State, John A. Elliott; Treasurer, Wm. H. Holmes; Attorney- General, Isaac L. Allen; Register Land Office, J. A. Harvey. The platform adopted was as follows:

Resolved, That we hereby ratify the nomina- tion of Abraham Lincoln for President, and Andrew Johnson for Vice - President of the United States, for the next term, and we pledge for them the electoral vote of Iowa,

2. That we cordially approve and adopt the platform of resolutions presented by the National Union Convention at its recent session in Balti- more, and that we most heartily endorse the action of Congress in repealing all laws for the return of fugitive slaves and abolishing the inter-State coastwise slave trade.

3. That the brave sons of Iowa who have gone forth to defend the cause of liberty and Union on the battle-fields of the South, and

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whose heroic achievements have shed imperish- able glory on our State and nation, we offer our highest praises and our most fervent gratitude, and that our State government should continue to make liberal provisions for the protection and support of thelr families.

4. That to the women of Iowa, whose patriotic labors have contributed so much moral and material aid and comfort to our sick and wounded soldicrs, we tender our heartfelt thanks.

A Peace Convention was held at Iowa City, August 24th, when the following res- olutions were adopted :

WHEREAS, We believe that there is indispu- table evidence existing that the Union may be restored on the basis of the federal constitution; and,

WHEREAS, We further believe that a vigorous prosecution of this abolition war means the speedy bringing about of a division of the Re- public; and being ourselves in favor of a restored Union, and against the acknowledgment of a Southern Confederacy, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the war now being prosecuted by the Lincoln administration is unconstitutional and oppressive, and is the prolific source of a multitude of usurpations, tyrannies and corrup- tions, to which no people can long submit, with- out becoming permanently enslaved.

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 upou which all the people may again live together in peace and harmony.

3. That believing war to be disunior, 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 an armistice and national convention of States is known.

4. That in the coming election we will have a free ballot or a free figlit

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 le attempt to execute the dutics 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 descrt.

6. That if the nominee of the Chicago con- vention is fairly elected, he must be inaugurated, let it cost what it may.

7. That, in respect to the general relations which do and ought to exist between the federal aud State governments, we approve and will ad- here to the principles in the Virginia and Ken- tucky resolutions of '98-to the interpretations thereof by Jefferson, Madison and Jackson -- and to the resolutions passed by every Democratic convention held in this country-to all of which special reference is here made, in utter condem- nation of thic 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 mixcd) 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 politica! 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,(33-40,090 John H. Wallace, Dem. 49,913

The Republicans were the firstto 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 demonstratcd, 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 spcediest trial and swiftest execu- 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 soldicry 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 lim 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 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 tendercd 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 servilcly 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 subducd 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 arc 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 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, exccutive 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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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 23

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