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 23

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1088

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 23

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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 186+ brought with it another Presidential campaign. The Republicans placed in the field for re-election Abraham Lincoln, while the Democrats nominated General George B. MeClellan. 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, Jobu H. Wallace; Attorney-General, Charles A. Dunbar; Treasurer, J. B. Lash; Auditor, H. B. Hendershott; Register State Land Office, B. D. Holbrook; Supreme J idge, 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, aud 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

173

HISTORY OF IOWA.

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 their 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 soldiers, 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 iu 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 uo 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 upon which all the people may again live together in peace and harmony.

3. That believing war to be disunion, and desiring to stop the further flow of precious blood for a purpose so wicked as disunion, we respectfully urge the President to postpone the draft for 500,000 men "to be driven like bullocks to the slaughter," until the result of an armistice and national convention of States is known.

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

5. That should Abraham Lincoln owe his re- election to the electoral votes of the seceded States, under the application of the President's "one-tenth" system and military dictation, and should he attempt to execute the duties of the President by virtue of such an election, it will become the solemn mission. of the people to depose the usurper, or else be worthy the slavish degradation, which submission under such cir- cumstances, would seem to be their just desert. 6. That if the nominee of the Chicago con- vention is fairly elected, he must be inaugurated, let it cost what it may.

7. That, in respect to the ger cral relations which do and ought to exist between the federal and 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 conden- nation of the war, and of its incidents. .

8. That in respect to the new and disturbing element of our times-negro equality-we shall maintain that the status of the inhabitants (black, white and mixed) of the States, within their respective States (now sought to be con- trolled hy 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 90,033-40,090

John H. Wallace, Dem. 49,943

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;

174

HISTORY OF IOWA.

Supt. of Public Instruction, Oran Fayville; Supreme Judge, Geo. G. Wright. The platform adopted was as follows :

Resolved, That the perpetuation of the federal Union, with all guarantees of Republican liberty which its founders contemplated, is the most sacred political duty of American citizenship.

2. That during the four years of war, inau- gurated by pro-slavery traitors, the great truth has been demonstrated, in devastation and death, that the nation cannot exist half slave and half frec, and believing that political and religious freedom is the natural right of man- kind everywhere, we do most fervently pray, and shall most earnestly labor, for the ratifica- tion of that amendment to the fundamental law which provides for the abolition of slavery throughout all the States and Territories of the federal Union.

3. That, to the end that the consequences of treason may be made so appalling that never again shall it be inaugurated upon the United States soil, we recommend the permanent dis- franchisement of leaders of the rebellion, civil and military; and that the late President of the so-called Confederate States of America, as the deepest embodiment of criminal barbarity, be brought to the speediest trial and swiftest 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 soldiery of Iowa may return to

their homes and avocations of peace, we extend to them the grateful thanks of the people, and a welcome, such as only the patriotic and the brave are entitled to receive.

7. That every man who voluntarily left his home in this State, before or during the rebellion, with a view to serve the cause of treason in the rebel army or navy, and also every man who left his State to avoid military service, due from him to the government, should be forever debarred by constitutional provision, from holding public office, and from the exercise of the rights of suf- frage io 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 Gud 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

175

HISTORY OF IOWA.

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 disah'ed 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 contineut is in direct defiance of the Monroe doctrine-a doctrine accepted aud 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 earuings 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 tendered by the late Republicau 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 servilely 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 hrave men from the battlefield, and extend to them our grateful thanks for their services and

176

HISTORY OF IOWA.

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. II. 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, cqual protection from it, equal responsibility to it, and to all that have proved their loyalty by their aets, an equal voice in making it.

2. That the reconstruction of the States lately in the rebellion belongs, through their representatives in Congress, to the people who have subdued the rebellion and preserved the nation, and not to the executive alone.

3. That we heartily approve of the joint resolution lately passed by the Senate aud House

of Representatives in Congress assembled, pro- posing to the Legislature of the several States an additional article by way of amendment to the federal constitution, and we pledge the rati- fication of that amendment by the Legislature of Iowa.

4. That in the firm and manly adherence of the Union party in Congress to the above prin- ciples, we recognize new guarantys to the safety of the nation, and we pledge to Congress our continued and earnest support.

5. That we are in favor of the euforcement 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 bonnties 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 ju every department of the public service,

A conservative convention was called, which convened at DesMoines June 27, and nominated the following ticket: Sec- retary of State, Col. S. G. Van Anda; Treasurer, Gen. Poe A. Slone; Auditor of State, Capt. R. W. Cross; Attorney-Gen- eral, Capt. Webster Balinger; Supreme Court Reporter, Capt. J. W. Senate; Clerk, Lewis Kinney. The following platform was adopted:

1. We hold that the constitution of the United States is the paladium of our liberties, and that any departure from its requirements by the legislative, executive or judicial departments of the government is subversive of the funda- mental principles of our republican institutions.

2. Repudiating the radical doctrine of State rights and seccssion on the one hand, and the centralization and consolidation of federal authority on the other, as { qually dangerous; and believing that no State can secede, and the

177

HISTORY OF IOWA.

war having been prosecuted 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 vietorious, 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 exclude a State from the Union, to govern it as a terri- tory, or to deprive it of representation in the couneils of the nation, when its representatives have been elected and qualified in accordance with the constitution and laws of the land.

3. While we fully concede to the federal government the power to er.force obedience to the constitution and laws enacted in conformity with it, and to punish those who resent its legiti- mate authority in the several States, we believe in the maintenance, inviolable, of the rights of the States, and especially of the right of each State to order and control its own domestic insti- 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 qualifications 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, preferenee should be given to those competent to perform duties required, and as a positive reward for their serviees, 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 de mands that immediate provision should be made for the equalization of bounties,

7. We cordially endor, e 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 deelared policy of the late President Lineolu, 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 caleulated 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 account- 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 1Ith 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

178

HISTORY OF IOWA.

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 C'apt. 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 taxa'ion.

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 frou tax is nothing else than exemption of rich men from tax, because they are rich, and they tax the poor min because he is poor.

Hence, justice and equality require that said honds should be taxed.

5. That stric . 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. Ilence 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 barrassed 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 accompl ces, 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 he 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.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 23

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company Number of Pages: 1088

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1088