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 24
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war having been prosccuted on our part, as ex- pressly declared by Congress itself, to defend and maintain the supremacy of the constitution, and to preserve the Union inviolate, with all the dignity, equality and rights of the States unim- paired, the federal arms having been victorious, we hold that all the States are still in the Union, and entitled to equal rights under the constitu- tion, and that Congress has no power to exelude 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 tl.e land.
3. While we fully concede to the federal government the power to enforce obedience to the constitution and laws enacted in conformity with it, and to punish those who resent its legiti- mate authority in the scveral States, we believe in the maintenance, inviolable, of the rights of the States, and especially of the right of each State to order and control its own domestic insti- tutions according to its own judgment, exclu- sively, as essential to that balance of power on which the perfection and endurance of our political institutions depend.
4. We hold that each State has the right to prescribe the qualifieations of its electors, and we are opposed to any alteration of the State constitutions on the subject of suffrage.
5. We consider the national debt a sacred obligation, and the honor and reservation of the government as irrevocably pledged for its liqui- dation; no obligation, incurred in any manner whatever in aid of the rebellion, should ever be assumed or paid.
6. The nation owes a lasting debt of gratitude to our soldiers and sailors of the late war for the suppression of the rebellion; and in the bestowal of public patronage by election or appointment, preference should be given to those competent to perform duties required, and as a positive reward for their services, the government should give to each of those who have fallen in the ser- vice, or have been -honorably discharged, or their legal representatives, one hundred and sixty acres of land; and justice to those who
entered the service in the early part of the war demands that immediate provision should be made for the equalization of bounties.
.7. We cordially endorse the restoration policy of President Johnson as wise, patriotic, consti- tutional, and in harmony with the loyal senti- ment and purpose of the people in the suppres- sion of the rebellion, with the platform upon which he was elected, with the declared policy of the late President Lincoln, the action of Congress, and the pledges given during the war.
8. We regard the action of Congress, in refus- ing to admit loyal representatives from the States recently in rebellion, as unwarranted by the constitution, and calculated to embarrass and complicate, rather than adjust, our national trouble.
9. The ratification by the legislatures of the several States of the amendment to the consti- tution of the United States, for the abolition of slavery, settles that question virtually, and meets our hearty approval.
10. We are opposed to any further amend- ments to the constitution of the United States until all the States are represented in Congress, and have a vote in making the same.
11. We are in favor of a strict adherence to the Monroe doctrine, and extend to all people struggling to preserve nationality and liberty our warmest sympathy.
12. All officers entrusted with the manage- ment of funds should be held to a strict aecount- ability for the faithful application of the same, and in case of the defalcation or misuse of such funds, they should not be permitted to evade responsibility by implicating irresponsible agents selected by themselves. Any party that counte- nances such evasion becomes accessory to the crime.
The Democratic convention assembled July 11th at DesMoines. No Democratic candidates were selected, save for two offices, the committee on nominations recommending that the convention nomi- nate candidates for Clerk and Reporter of
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the Supreme Court, and "that we recom- mend and will co-operate with the conser- vative element of the Republican party in their efforts to restore the Union and de- feat radical disunionism, and for that purpose hereby agree to support their candidates."
The convention named Capt. Albert Stoddard for Clerk of the Supreme Court, and Capt. Fred. Gottschalk for Reporter. The following resolutions were adopted:
Resolved, That the Democracy of Iowa will adhere in the present and the future, as in the past, with unfaltering fidelity and firmness to the organization of the Democratic party, and to its ancient and well settled principles, as enunci- ated by Thomas Jefferson, the great apostle of American Democracy, and as acknowledged and accepted by the party from the foundation of the government, and especially of equal taxa- tion and representation of all the States subject to taxation.
2. That the one great question of the day is the immediate and unconditional restoration of all the States to the exercise of their rights within the federal Union under the constitution, and that we will cordially and actively support Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, in all necessary and proper means to carry out his policy as directed to that end, and especially in securing immediate representation in the Senate and House of Representatives, to the eleven States from which it is now unconsti- tutionally and arbitrarily withheld.
3. That for the purposes above set forth we will co-operate in public meeting, conventions and at the polls with all men without reference to past party position, who honestly, and by their acts and votes as well as by their profes- sion, support the President in his policy of res- toration as declared.
4. That the exemption of United States bonds from tax is nothing else than exemption of rich men from tax, because they are rich, and they tax the poor man because he is poor.
Hence, justice and equality require that said bonds should be taxed.
5. That strict and impartial justice demands that the expenses of the general government as well as the State governments should be paid by the people according to their ability and not ac- cording to their necessities. Hence we are opposed now, as in the past, to the high tariff which tends to burden the producer for the ben- efit of the manufacturer.
6. That the so-called Maine liquor law is in- consistent with the genius of a free people, and unjust and burdensome in its operations. It has vexed and harrassed the citizens, burdened the counties with expenses, and proved wholly useless in the suppression of intemperance. The opinion of this convention is that the same ought to be repealed.
7. That the plunder of the State treasury, by Governor Stone and accomplices, calls for the condemnation of every honest man in the State, and if the radicals of the last Legislature had been true to the interests of the people, they would not have labored to save the criminals, but would have prosecuted them to a speedy and condign punishment.
8. That we are in favor of a prompt and effective enforcement of the Monroe doctrine, and we heartily sympathize with the people of every country struggling for their liberties.
9. That we approve of the National Union Convention to be held at Philadelphia on the 14th of next month; that we approve of the principles and policy set forth in the address of the Democratic members of Congress, urging the Democracy of the nation to unite with the objects of that convention.
10. That the memory of the brave officers and soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the Union during the recent rebellion, is embalmed in the hearts of the American people, and that justice, as well as humanity, demands at the hands of the American people that the widows and orphans of those who died in the Union service shall be duly provided for by liberal pensions; that there shall be an equalization of bounty so that those who breasted the war at
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the start shall share the equal pecuniary mu- nificence of those who entered the army at a later date.
11. That we most cordially sympathize with the movement now being made by the friends of Ireland to obtain the independence of that glorious country from under the yoke of English tyranny, and that we bid them God-speed in the noble work, and hope that the subject of the independence of Ireland will continue to be agi- tated until the Emerald Isle shall stand out in full and bold relief on the map of the world as one of the independent nations of the earth.
On Secretary of State the official vote was as follows:
Ed. Wright, Rep. .91,227-35,373
G. G. VanAnda, Dem. .55,854
In 1867 the Republicans met in conven- tion at DesMoines, June 19th. They nominated for Governor, Col. Saml. Mer- rill; Lieutenant-Governor, Col. Jno. Scott; Judge of Supreme Court, Hon. J. M. Beck; Attorney-General, Maj. Henry O'Connor; Superintendent Public Instruction, Prof. D. Franklin Wells. The following is the platform adopted by the convention:
1. That we again proclaim it as a cardinal principle of our political faith that all men are equal before the law, and we are in favor of such amendments to the constitution of the State of Iowa as will secure the rights of the ballot, the protection of the law and equal rights to all men, irrespective of color, race or religion.
2. That we approve of the military recon- struction acts passed by the 39th and 40th Con- gress. The illiberal construction by unfriendly officials depriving 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.
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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 denianded by justice, honor and a proper regard for the pro- tection of American citizenship, and by a due regard for the welfare and future safety of the. republic, and it is due not only to the dignity of the nation, but in justice to the loyal people who have been so heroic in their devotion to the cause of the constitution, the Union and liberty, and to the soldiers of the Union who survive and the memory of the heroic dead.
4. That we are in favor of the strictest economy in the expenditures of public money, and that we demand at the hands of all officials, both State and national, a faithful and rigidly honest administration of public affairs.
5. That the Republican members of the Con- gress of the United States are entitled to the thanks of the nation for their firmness in resist- ing the conspiracy to turn over the control of the government to the hands of traitors and their allies, and defeating the purpose of a cor- rupt Executive, and thus sustaining the interests of liberty, in a great and dangerous crisis in our history.
The Democrac ; were in convention July 26th, and nominated the following ticket: Governor, Charles Mason ; Lieutenant- Governor, D. M. Harris; Supreme Judge, J. H. Craig; Attorney-General, W. T. Baker; Superintendent Public Instruction, M. L. Fisher. The platform adopted by the convention was as follows :
Resolved, That the maintenance, inviolate, of the rights of the States, especially the rights of each State to order and control its own institu- tions according to its own judgment exclusively, is essential to that balance of power on which the perfection and endurance of our political fabric depends.
2. That we believe each State has the right to regulate the elective franchises for itself, and, as citizens of the State of Iowa, are opposed to striking the word "white" out of our State con- stitution.
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3. That the existing tariff laws are unjust and heavily burdensome to the agricultural States, without being of a corresponding benefit to the government, and only of advantage to a few manufacturing States, and should be re- pealed or greatly modified.
4. That all classes of property should pay a proportionate rate toward defraying the ex- penses of the government. We are therefore in favor of taxing government bonds the same as other property.
5. That we are in favor of repealing the pres- ent liquor law of this State, and in favor of enacting a well regulated license law in lieu thercof.
6. That we are in favor of an amendment to the constitution of our State giving to foreigners the elective franchise after they have declared their intention of becoming citizens of the United States, and have resided in the State one year.
7. That we demand of our public officers in the State of Iowa and in the United States the strictest economy in order to reduce the present burdensome taxation, and we denounce in the severest terms the profligacy, corruption and knavery of our State officers and Congressmen.
8. That the denial of representation to ten States in the Union, through odious military reconstruction, in violation to the constitution, should meet the unqualified oppostion of every good citizen.
On Governor the official vote was as fol- lows:
Samuel Merrill, Rep. 90,200-27,240 Charles Mason, Dem. .62,960
The year 1868 brought with it another Presidential campaign. Ulysses S. Grant was the Republican nominee for President, and Horatio Seymour that of the Demo- crats. In Iowa the campaign was opened by the Republicans, who nominated the following ticket : Secretary of State, Ed. Wright; Auditor of State, John A. Elli- ott; Treasurer of State, Maj. Samuel E.
Rankin; Register of State Land Office, Col. C. C. Carpenter; Attorney-General, Major Henry O'Connor. The following platform was adopted :
We, the delegates and representatives of the Republican party of Iowa, in convention assem- bled, do, for ourselves and party, resolve-
1. That it is as important that the principles of the Republican party should control, in the administration of the State and nation now, and for the future, as at any time since that party's organization; and that the restoration to power, under any pretext or any form of party organi- zation of the men who would again apply the principles and policy of the pro-slavery party before and during the war, to the present and future administration of State and national affairs, would be an evil of the greatest magni- tude, and full of danger to the country.
2. That, while we recognize the fact that the elcctors of Iowa are to act individually and directly upon the proposed amendment to the constitution of the State; and while we recog- nize that the principles embodied in said amend- ment are more sacred than party ties, and above all consideration of mere party policy, never- theless we deem it proper to again proclaim it as a cardinal principle of our political faith, that all men are equal before the law, and we are in favor of the proposed amendment of the consti- tution of the State of Iowa, which will secure the rights of the ballot, the protection of the law, and equal justice to all men irrespective of color, race or religion
3. That we demand the strictest economy in the administration of our State and national government.
4. That we are in favor of the nomination of U. S. Grant as our candidate for President, and as a guarantee of his life and safety as well as that of the nation, our delegates are especially enjoined to secure, as our candidate for Vice- President, a Republican of unswerving fidelity and unimpeachable integrity.
5. That the views, purposes and principles of the Republican organization of Iowa has ever
0
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becn well defined, understood and sustained, and we are resolved that the Republican standard shall never be lowered or compromised; that on the battle-field, at the polls, and in the councils of the nation, Iowa has ever been radically in earnest in fighting for and maintaining our lib. erty, our Union, the rights of man and the honor and integrity of the nation; and that we cxpect and demand of the national convention to as- semble at Chicago on the 20th inst., an unequiv- oeal avowal of our principles, and upon such platform we propose to meet and overwhelm our political opponents.
The Democracy met at DesMoines and made nominations as follows : Secretary of State, David Hammer, Register of Land Office, A. D. Anderson; Treasurer of State, L. McCarty; Auditor of State, H. Dun- lavey; Attorney-General, J. E. William- son. They also adopted the following res- olutions :
Resolved, By the Democracy of Iowa, in con- vention assembled, that the reconstruction policy of Congress is unconstitutional and destructive of the spirit of American liberty, and, if carried out, will inevitably result in a permanent mili- tary despotism.
2. That the present depressed condition of the country, with its prostrated business, para- lyzed industry, oppressive taxation and political anarchy, are the direct results of the un wise and unconstitutional legislation of the dominant party in Congress.
3. That it is the avowed object of the Con- gressional policy to continue in power the most venal and corrupt political party that ever dis- honored any civilization; a policy vindictively enacted and mercilessly prosecuted, with the unconstitutional purpose of centralizing and perpetuating all the political power of the gov- ernment in the dominant radical party in Con- gress. -
4. That for the maintenance of the national credit, we pledge the honor of the Democracy of Iowa; but that we will unalterably oppose that policy which opposes to pay the rich man in
gold and the poor man in depreciated currency; and that we believe that the currency which is good enough to pay the soldier, the widow and the orphan, is good enough for the bondholder; and that the bonds of the government, which are made payable on their face in "lawful money," popularly known as greenbacks, having been purchased with that kind of money, may be justly and honorably redeemed with the same; and it is the duty of the government to pay them off as rapidly as they become due, or the financial safety of the country will permit.
5. That the national bank system, organized in the interest of the bondholders, ought to be abolished, and the United States notes substi- tuted in lieu of a national bank currency, thus saving to the people, in interest alone, more than $18,000,000 annually; and until such system of banks shall be abolished, we demand that the shares of such banks in Iowa shall be subject to the same taxes, State and municipal, as other property of the State.
6. That it is the duty of the United States to protect all citizens, whether native or natural- ized, in every right, at home and abroad, without the pretended elaim of foreign nations to per- petuate allegiance.
7. That we are in favor of the repeal of the prohibitory liquor law, and of the enactment of a judicious license law in its stead.
8. That we are opposed to conferring the right of suffrage upon the negroes in Iowa, and we deny the right of the general government to interfere with the question of suffrage in any of the States of the Union.
9. That the soldiers of Iowa, in the recent great revolution, exhibited a spirit of patriotism, courage and endurance, under great privation and sufferings, that have won for them the ad- miration of the nation, and entitle them to the kind recollection of their countrymen and the aid of a graceful government.
10. That Hon. Geo. H. Pendleton, of Ohio, is the first choice of the Democracy of Iowa for President of the United States.
On Secretary of State, the official vote stood as follows:
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Ed. Wright, Rep .. .120,265-45,801 David Hammer, Dem. 74,464
The Republicans, in 1869, re-nominated Samuel Merrill for Governor; - Waldon for Lieutenant-Governor; John F. Dillon for Supreme Judge; A. S. Kissell for Superintendent of Public Instruction. They adopted the following resolutions:
Resolved, That we heartily endorsc the admin- istration of Governor Merrill as economical and honest, and that it deserves, as it has received, the hearty approval of the people of Iowa.
2. That we unite upon a continuance of striet and close economy in all departments of our State government in behalf of the maintenance of the happy financial condition to which our State has attained under Republican rule.
3. . That the means now in the State treasury, and which may become available, ought to be issued for the purpose of defraying the neces- sary expenditures of the State government, economically administered, and for no other purpose; and no State taxes, or only the mini- mum absolutely required, should be levied or collected until such means are exhausted, to the end that the burden of taxation may be made as light as possible.
4. That we rejoice in the glorious national victory of 1868, which has brought peace, happi- ness and prosperity to our nation; and we heartily endorse the administration of General Grant.
5. That the public expenditures of the na- tional government should be reduced to the lowest sum which can be reached by a system of the most rigid economy; that no money should be taken from the national treasury for any work of internal improvements, or for the erec- tion of any public buildings not clearly neces- sary to be made or erected, until the national debt is paid or greatly reduced. That all the money that can be saved from the national revenue, honestly collected, should be applied to the reduction of the national debt, to the end that the people may be relieved of the burthen of taxation as rapidly as practicable.
6. That we endorse and approve the poliey which the present Secretary of the Treasury of the United States has pursued.
The Democrats placed in nomination the following ticket: Governor, George Gillespie; Lieutenant-Governor, A. P. Richardson; Judge of the Supreme Court, W. F. Brannan; Superintendent of Public Instruction, Edward Jaeger. They, also, adopted as a platform the following:
WHEREAS, Upon the eve of a political canvass, the time-honored usage of our party requires that a platform of principles be announced for the government of those who may be elected to of- fice; therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Democratic party view with alarm the action of an unscrupulous majority in Congress, in its attempt to absorb the powers of the executive and judicial departments of the government, and to annihilate the rights and functions reserved to the State governments.
2. That we favor a reform in the national banking system, looking to an ultimate abolition of that pernicious plan for the aggrandizement of the few at the expense of the many.
3. That now, as in time past, we are opposed to a high protective tariff, and that we will use every effort to prevent and defeat that system of national legislation which will enrich a small class of manufacturers, at the expense of the great mass of producers and consumers, and that we are in favor of such reforms in our tariff system as shall promote commerce with every nation of the world.
4. That the pretended trial, conviction and execution of persons not in the military or naval service of the United States, by military commis- sion, is in direct conflict with the constitution, and we denounce the same as unworthy of a free people, and disgraceful to the American govern- ment.
5. That we demand no more, and will submit to nothing less than the settlement of the Ala- bama claims according to the recognized rules of international law, and that we declare it to be
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the duty of the government to protect every cit- izen, whether naturalized or native, in every right of liberty and property throughout the world, without the pretended claims of foreign nations to their allegiance.
6. That we are in favor of, and insist on, an economical administration of the national and State governments, that the people may be as speedily as possible relieved from the load of taxation with which they are now oppressed, and that public officers should be held to a strict accountability to the people for their official acts.
7. That a national debt is a national curse, and that while we favor the payment of the present indebtedness according to the strict let- ter of the contract, we would rather repudiate the same than see it made the means for the establishment of an empire upon the ruins of constitutional law and liberty.
8. That in the opinion of this convention the so-called Maine liquor law, which now disgraces the statute books of the State of Iowa, ought to be repealed at the earliest possible moment.
The campaign of 1870 was short, the first convention being held by the Demo. crats at DesMoines, August 10. The nominations made were as follows: Sec- retary of State, Charles Doerr; Auditor of State, Wesley W. Garner; Treasurer of State, William C. James; Attorney-Gen- eral, H. M. Martin; Register of State Land Office, D. F. Ellsworth; Reporter of the Supreme Court, C. H. Bane; Clerk of the Supreme Court, William McLenan; Judge of the Supreme Court, long term, J. C. Knapp; Judge of the Supreme Court, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resig- nation of Judge Dillon, P. Henry Smythe; Judge of the Supreme Court to fill the va- cancy occasioned by the resignation of Judge Wright, Reuben Noble. They adopted the following platform:
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