USA > Iowa > Tama County > History of Tama County, Iowa, together with sketches of their towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 18
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Resolved, That, believing the war terminated, our convictions require us to declare that the war with Mexico was a war brought on by the Executive, without the approbation of the war- making power, that had the same prudence which governed the administration in its inter- course with Great Britain, relative to the settle- ment of the Oregon question, exercised toward Mexico, a nation whose internal dissensions and weakness demanded our forbearance, the war would have been averted, and the boundaries between the two nations amicably and satisfac- torily settled.
Resolved, That we are in favor of the applica- tion of the principle contained in the Wilmot proviso (so called), to all territory to be incor- porated into this Union, and are utterly opposed to the further extension of slave territory.
Resolved, That our opposition to the sub treas- ury and the tariff of 1845 has not been dimin-
ished by the evidence furnished us of their oper- ations; that they are twin measures, calculated and designed to depress the frec labor of the country, for the benefit of a minority of the people-the one operating to lessen the price of labor, and bring down the wages of freemen, and the other throwing open our ports for the introduction of the productions of the pauper labor of Europe, thereby crippling our own man- ufacturers and compelling them either to sacri- fice their laborers or elose their business; that the one has failed as a disturbing system of the Government, the administration having been compelled to resort to banks and paper in making their payments, and the otber, as a rev- enue measure, has proved entirely inadequate to the support of the ordinary expenses of the Gov- ernment; that the one, by withdrawing from cirenlation, and shutting up in its vaults a large amount of specie, and the other, by overstock- ing the market with foreign goods, have largely contributed towards, if they have not entirely produced, the present financial difficulties; and that we cannot but foresee that the country will soon he visited, if these measures are continued, with a commercial revulsion as great and disas- trous as that of 1837.
Resolved, That the profession of the adminis- tration of James K. Polk, that it is in favor of, and devoted to, an exclusively metallic currency, while it is issuing millions u. on millions of paper money, in shape of treasury notes, irre- deemable in specie, is an insult to the American people, and deserves the unqualified denuncia- tion of every lover of truth and honesty.
Resolved, That the great West, whose popula- tion and commerce arc rapidly increasing, bear- ing, as it does, its full proportion of the public burdens, is entitled to some consideration at the hands of the General Government, and to some participation in the Union; that the Mississippi river is to the whole Mississippi Valley what the Atlantic is to the Eastern and the lakes are to the Northern States; that if it is constitutional to clear and improve any harbors in the latter, it is equ illy constitutional to do the same in the former; that the River and llarbor Bill of the last session of Congress contained only appro-
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pri tions for work that had met the approval of Jackson and VanBuren; that the veto of that measure by the Executive was a high-banded usurpation upon the rights of the people and their representatives, uncalled for and unneces- sary, and that, by that act, James K. Polk proved himself false to the principles of his pre- decessors, and hostile to the future growth and best interests of the West.
Resolved, That in view of the misrule, venality and infractions of the Constitution which have characterized the present administration, we deem the approaching Presidential election one of the most important that Las occurred since the organization of the Government; that it is necessary to the preservation of the institutions bequeathed to us by our fathers, that there should be a change of rulers as well as a change of measures; that, animated by a sincere desire to promote the welfare and honor of our coun- try, we have determined to buckle on our armor and enlist for the war; and, in the language of one who never faltered in his devotion to his country, we call upon every Whig in Iowa to "Arouse ! Awake ! Shake off the dew-drops that glitter on your garments !" and, in company with your brethren throughout the Union, "Once more march forth to battle and to victory !"
Resolved, That, although the Whig party of Iowa has expressed a preference for General Taylor as the Whig candidate for President, yet they deem it dne to themselves to declare that they commit the whole subject into the hands of the Whig National Convention, and whoever may be the nominee of that body for President, the Whigs of Iowa will give him a cordial sup- port.
Resolved, That locofocoism in Iowa has proved itself a faction, "held together by the coercive power of public plunder," and devoid alike of generosity and principle; that, under cover of an assumed love of law and order, it has under- taken and cast from office a citizen chosen by a large majority of the popular voice, while, at the same time, it is represented in Congress by men elected without the shadow of law; that in foist- ing into the halls of Legislature, men who had no right there, for the purpose of carrying out
their own selfish designs, they were guilty of a clear violation of constitutional law, and of usurpation upon the rights of the people; and that the Whig members of the Legislature, by refusing to go into the election of Senators and Supreme Judges, whde those individuals exer- cised the functions of Representatives, truly reflected the will of their constituents, and de- serve the thanks of every friend of good gov- ernment.
Resulred, That we most cordially commend to the support of the people of Iowa the ticket placed in nomination by this convention, of State otheers and electors of President and Vice President; that they are citizens distinguished for their ability, integrity, patriotism and cor- reet moral deportment; and that we pledge to this ticket a full, hearty and zealous co-opera- tion in the ensuing canvass, with the confident assurance that if every Whig does his "duty, his whole duty, and nothing short of his duty," at the ballot-box, they will receive from the people of Iowa a majority of their suffrages
Resolved, That we are watching with deep in- terest the recent movements in Europe, indica- ting as they do, the spread of popular liberty, and the determination on the part of the masses to throw off the fetters of despotism and kingly rule; that we joyfully admit into the brotber- hood of republicanism the new republic of France, trusting that an all-wise Providence will guide and watch over the destinies of the new government and establish it on a permanent basis; and that to the masses of the other na- tions of Europe, who are now struggling to be free, we tender our warmest sympathies, and bid them a heartfelt God speed in their efforts to obtain a recognition of their rights and liberties.
The Democrats placed the following ticket in nomination at a State convention held June Ist, at Iowa City: Secretary of State, Josiah II. Bonney; Auditor, Joseph T. Fales; Treasurer, Morgan Reno. The official vote showed Bonney to be elected Secretary of State by 1,212 majority, out of a total of 23,522.
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The campaign of 1849 was opened by the Democrats, who met in convention at Iowa City, and nominated William Patter- son, President of Board of Public Works; for Secretary, Jesse Williams; Treasurer, George Gillaspie. The platform adopted by the convention was as follows:
Resolved, That, in view of the large interest at stake in the judicious and vigorous prosecution of the public works on the DesMoines river, and in view also of the efforts on foot by the Whig party to obtain the control and direction of the same, by means of a Whig Board of Public Works, it is important that the Democracy of the State should take immediate and energetic steps toward a thorough and complete organiza- tion of the party, and he ready on the day of the election to secure to themselves, by a tri- umphant majority, the choice of the officers; and that, while we cordially and unreservedly recommend the nominees of this convention to the confidence and support of the people, we should also take occasion to admonish our friends, that in union there is strength, and in vigilance, success.
Resolved, That this convention has received, with feelings of profound grief, the intelligence of the death of that pure patriot and able states- man, James K. Polk, late President of the United St ites; and that for his eminent and distinguished services to his country, for his faithfulness to principle, and for his purity of private life, his memory will ever live in the cherished recollec- tions of the Democracy of the nation, by none more honored than the people of this State.
Resolved, That we recur with pride to the tri- umphant success, the splendid achievements, and the imperishable renown of the late admin- istration; and that, while we point to thesc as the glorious results of past labors, we should re- member that, as they were gained by a strict adherence to honest principles and the adoption of an honest policy, they ean be sullied or im- paired only by a base abandonment of them upon the altar of expediency, or by a disgrace- ful surrender in the form of coward silence.
Resolved, That we still adhere as firmly as ever to the principles and measures which dic- tated and governed the course of the late admin- istration; and that we derive a high pleasure from the fact that a Democratic Senate is vouch- safed to us as an impassable barrier between the federal high tariff, bank and paper policy, hopes and designs of the present dynasty, and the gold and silver currency, and low tariff and inde- pendent treasury policy of the people.
Resolved That the administration of Gen. Taylor, as far as it has proceeded upon its mis- sion, has unblushingly falsified every promise and grossly violated every pledge given before the election by its nominal chief; that a pirty which can go before the country upon one set of issues, and immediately after its installation into power enter upon the practice of another set, is more than ever deserving of the reproba- tion of the world, and of the continued and uncompromising hostility of the Democratic party.
Resolved, Thit General Taylor, for the part which he has played, or has been made to play in this d sgracetul game of deception, has dis- played a want of honest principle or weakness of mind and character, which equally disquali- fies him for the place he holds, and fully justi- fies the worst predictions ever made agains' his fitness for the Presideney; and that, although we may once have admired the soldier in the tented field, we are now reluctantly brought to condemn and to repudiate the cipher in the cabinet of the country.
Resolved, That the removals in this State have been made without cause and in dircet violation of the professions of General Taylor, before the election; and that the appointments which have followed have been made in equal violation of the same professions.
Resolved, That the appointment of a bureau officer from this State, in the person of Fitz Henry Warren, is an act deserving the censure and undistinguished condemnation which it is receiving from a large majority of the Whigs of Iowa; and that his retention in office, in the face of these open and emphatic expressions of
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public disgust, is well calculated to prepare the mind of every one to be surprised at nothing, in the way of moral turpitude, which may mark the future character of General Taylor's admin- istration.
Resolved, That the Democrats who have been removed from office in this State by the federal and proscriptive administration now in power, retire from their respective posts without re- proach from government, and with the unim- paired confidence and respect of the Democracy of the State.
Resolved, That we deprecate any separate and sectional organizations, in any portion of the country, having for their object the advocacy of an isolated point involving feeling, and not fact-pride, and not principle, as destructive to the peace and happiness of the people and dan- gerous to the stability of the Union.
Resolved, That inasmuch as the Territories of New Mexico and California come to us free, and ate free now by law, it is out desire that they should remain forever free; but that until it is proposed to repeal the laws making the country free, and to erect others in their stead for the extension of slavery, we deem it inexpedient and improper to add to the further distraction of the public mind by demanding, in the name of the Wilmot Proviso, what is already amply secured by the laws of the land.
The Whigs met in convention June 30, at Iowa City, where they nominated the following ticket: President of Board, Thomas J. MeKean; Secretary, William M. Allison; Treasurer, Henry G. Stewart. The following platform was adopted:
Resolved, That this convention has unlimited confidence in the integrity, ability and patriotism of the people's President, General Zachary Tay- lor. The illustrious services he has rendered his country in forty years' devotion to her in- terests and her glory in the field, and the abun- dant evidence he has given since his inaugura- tion as Chief Magistrate of the Republic, of the possession of eminent administrative talents, afford a sure guaranty that his administration
will be devoted to the highest and best interests of the country, the whole country, and nothing but the country. With such a lender, one who has successfully encountered every danger, whether in front, rear or runk, we may look with confidence to the speedy restoration of the country to her true Republican destiny.
Resolved, That, in the opinion of this meet- ing, the recent demonstration of public senti- ment inscribes on the list of executive duties, in characters too legible to be overlooked, the task of reform, and the correction of those abuses which have brought the patronage of the Federal Government into conflict with the freedom of election; and that as vacancies by death are few, by resignation nonc, the task of reform and the correction of those abuses can be accom- plished only byremoval; and we regard the wail- ings of the locofoco press at the salutary and essential changes which the administration has seen proper to make, as involving a disregard of the important truth here referred to, and a contempt of the first principles of Democracy.
Resolved, That the welfare and interests of the people of Iowa imperatively require an amend- ment to the State Constitution, by which the incubus, imposed in some of its provisions upon their resources and prosperity, shall be removed.
Resolved, That the people have a right to demand that this question shall be submitted to them for their action, and in the judgment of this convention they will be recreant to their interests if they do not visit their condemnation upon a party that, with professions of Democ- racy perpetually upon its lips, has shown itself in practice to be destitute of the true principles of Democracy.
Resolved, That the course of the dominant party of this State, in the late General Assembly, in its daring assaults upon the most sacred pro- vision of the constitution; in the outrage which it committed against the great principles of civil and religious liberty, in depriving one of the counties of the State, as a punishment for the free exercise by its voters of the elective fran- chise of the rights of representation, in ex- cluding it from all the judicial districts of the
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State, and in its flugitious attempt to destroy its organization altogether, and to excommunicate its inhabitants, indiscriminately, from the pro- tection of civil society; in its contemptuous refusal to allow the people of the State the priv- ilege of expressing their opinion on the subject of a convention to amend the State constitution; in its refusal to instruct the Senators in Con- gress from this State to favor the policy of the Wilmot Proviso, by excluding the institution of slavery from our newly acquired Territory; in its attempt to create new offices, not demanded by the public interest, as a sort of pension to partisan favorites-offices which would have im- posed new burdens in the shape of increased taxation without any corresponding benefit,- and in its reckless prodigality ot the public money, should consign it to the perpetual con- demnation of a free people.
Resolved, That we are opposed to the exten- sion of slavery into territory now free, and that we believe it to be the duty of the Federal Gov- ernment to relieve itself of the responsibility of that institution, wherever it has the constitu. tional authority so to do; and that the legislation necessary to effect those objects should be adopted.
Resolved, That for the compliment paid to our State, in the appointment of one of our fellow- citizens to the important office of Assistant Postmaster, the President is entitled to our thanks.
Resolved, That we commend the ticket pre- sented by this convention to the people of this State for their cordial support.
Patterson was elected President over McKean by a majority of 712 out of a total vote of 22,632.
The Whigs met in convention May 15, 1850, at Iowa City, and made the follow- ing nominations: Governor, James L Thompson; Secretary of State, Isaac Cook; Auditor of State, William H. Seevers; Treasurer of State, Evan Jay; Treasurer of Board of Public Works, James Nosler.
The resolutions adopted were as follows:
Resolved, That every day's experience vindi- cates the sentiment proclaimed by the Whig State Convention last year, that the welfare and interests of the people of Iowa imperatively require an amendment to the State constitution, by which the incubus imported in some of its provisions upon their resources and prosperity shall be removed.
Resolved, That the people have a right to de. mand that this question shall be submitted to them for their action, and in the judgment of this convention they will be recreant to their interests if they do not so determine by their votes at the approaching election.
Resolved, That we have undiminished confi- dence in the integrity, ability and patriotism of the people's President, General Z. Taylor, and in the wisdom of the policy by him recom- mended to Congress.
Resolved, That the Whigs of the country owe it to themselves and the great principles they profess to cherish, to give the President a Con- gress disposed to co-operate with him in his patriotic purposes to serve the country, instead of pursuing a factious opposition to the bitter end.
Resolved, That we cherish an ardent attach- ment to the union of the States, and a firm de- termination to adhere to it at all hazards and to the last extremity.
Resolved, That we hail with the highest grati- fication the rising of a new State upon the borders of the Pacific, and that we are in favor of its immediate admission into the family of States npon no other conditions than those im- posed by the constitution of the United States, and untrammelled by any question of Territorial legislation.
Resolved, That while we hold it to be the duty of all to be ready and willing to stand to and abide by the provisions of the constitution of the United States, we are nevertheless free to re- affirm, as we now do, the opinion heretofore ex- pressed by the Whig party in Iowa, that we are in favor of free men, free territory, and free States.
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Resolved, That the Surveyor General's office of Wisconsin and Iowa, under the control of the Democratic party, has been, and is, an engine of vast political power, and that its extensive patronage has been used to subserve the interest of that party. We, therefore, re- spectively and earnestly request of the President of the United States the immediate removal of C: H. Booth, Esq., the present incumbent, and the appointment of one who will not use the patronage of this office for political ends.
Resolved, That we cordially recommend the candidates nominated by this convention, for the various State offices to he filled at the next August election, to the confidence and support of the people of Iowa.
The Democrats met at Iowa City June 12, 1850, and nominated the following ticket: Governor, Stephen Hempstead; Secretary of State, G. W. McCleary; Auditor, Wm. Pattee; Treasurer, Israel Keister; Treasurer Board Public Works, George Gillaspie. The following platform was adopted:
Resolved, That the events of the past year, baving served to demonstrate the soundness and wisdom of the resolutions adopted by the last Democratic State Convention, we re-assert and re-adopt them, as follows:
Resolved, That we recur with pride to the tri- umplant success, the splendid achievements and the imperishable renown of the late admin- istration; and that, while we point to these as the glorious results of past labors, we should remember that, as they were gained by a strict adherence to honest principles, and the adoption of an honest policy, they can be sullied or im- paired only by a base abandonment of them upon the altar of expediency, or by a disgrace- ful suntnder in the form of a cowardly silence.
Resulced, That we still adhere, as firmly as ever, to the principles and measures which-dic- tated and governed the course of the late admin- istration; and that we derive a high pleasure from the fact that a Democratic Senate is vouch- safed to us as an impassable barrier between the
Federal high-tariff, bank and paper policy, hopes and designs of the present dynasty, and the gold and silver currency, low tariff and independent treasury policy of the people.
Resolred, That the administration of General Taylor, as far as it has proceeded upon its mis- sion, has unblushingly falsified every promise and grossly violated every pledge given before the election by its nominal chief; and that a party which can go before the country upon one set of issues, and immediately after its installation into power enter upon the practice of another set, is more than ever deserving of the reproba- tion of the world, and of the continued and un- compromising hostility of the Democratic party.
Resolved, That General Taylor, for the part which he has played, or has been made to play, in this disgraceful game of deception, has dis- played a want of honest principle, or a weakness of mind and character, which equally disquali- fies him for the place he holds, and fully justifies the worst predictions ever made against his fit- uess for the Presidency; and that, although we may have once admired the soldier in the tented field, we are now reluctantly brought to con- demn and to repudiate the cipher in the Cabinet of the country.
Resolved, That the removals in this State have been made without cause and in direct violation of the professions of General Taylor before the election; and that the appointments which have followed have been made in cqual violation of the same professions.
Resolved, That it is as gratifying to the pride as it is creditable to the patriotism of the Dem- ocrats of Iowa, that prominent statesmen of all parties, in seeking for a satisfactory adjustment of the difficulties which unfortunately exist be- tween the slave and non-slaveholding States, are found uniting, in main, on the policy of non- intervention; and while they arrogate to them- selves no right 10 question the course of other States on this subjeet, they point to the fact, with feelings of unmingled satisfaction, and they, in co-operating with those who are striving t ยท preserve the Union, are required to "tread no steps backward."
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Resolved, That, regarding the preservation of our happy form of government as paramount to all other considerations, and believing that the threatened danger may be averted, we approve of the bill recently introduced into the United States Senate by the Committee of Thirteen, generally known as the "Compromise Bill."
Resolved, That, as this bill authorizes the im- mediate admission of California, organizes the Territories of New Mexico and Utah, provides for the settlement of the Texan boundary ques- tion, enforces the provisions of the constitution with regard to the reclamation of persons escaping from service, and abolishes the slave trade in the District of Columbia, we believe its adoption, as a whole, would be hailed as a peace- offering by an overwhelming majority of the people; nor is our confidence in the wisdom of the measure diminished by the fact that the ultraists of both extremes are found united in opposition to it, but rather increased.
Resolved, That the late decision of Secretary Ewing, by which the State of Iowa bas been robbed of nearly a million of acres of valuable land, and the improvement of ber principal interior river, retarded, if not wholly destroyed, is an act which finds no justification iu the pre- cedent or usages of the government; that it is a derogation of both the letter and spirit of the act of Congress making the donation, and that, in the name of the people of Iowa, we feel called upon to denounce it as illegal and unjost.
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