Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 1, Part 33

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 864

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MINOR PARTY ORGANIZATIONS., It is fitting in this connection to make some mention of several parties which, while at different periods they have received the support of a small proportion of voters in Sangamon County, have had a brief existence, or have exerted little influence on public affairs except in cooperation with some other party organizations. Owing to dissatisfac- tion on the part of a considerable number of

Republicans with the administration of Presi- dent Grant during his first term, an attempt was made in 1872 to organize a Liberal Repub- lican party, which resulted In the nomination of Horace Greeley for President, a number of 'former Republicans in Illinois taking part in this movement. As this followed the defeat of the Democratic party In three successive clec- tions, including the Civil War period and the first four years thereafter-a result attributed to the hostllity of that party to the war policy of the Government-Greeley was accepted as the candidate of the larger portion of the Demo- cratic party under the name of Liberal Republl- can-Democrat, with several other Republicans on the National and State tickets, while a smaller faction supported what was called a "Regular" or "Straight-out" Democratic tieket. The greater part of those who had been original Republi- cans resumed their party affiliations in the next campaign, while a considerable number who had been Democrats before the war period, retained their permanent association with that party.

What was known as the "Independent Reform party," composed largely of former Democrats, was formed in 1874 and held a State Conven- tion in Springfield, its chief issues being oppo- sition to the National Banking law and advocacy of a tariff for revenue only. It nominated can- didates for State Treasurer, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and in the Springfield Dis- trict for Congress, which were later indorsed by the 'Democratic-Liberal" party, but failed of election.

The "Greenback party" took on its organiza- tion in 1876, following promptly the enactment of a law under President Hayes' administration for resumption of specie payments. In a Na- tional Convention held in Philadelphia during that year, it took the name "Independent Na- tional party," Indorsing the policy of making notes ("greeubacks") issued by the General Gov- ernment "full legal tender" for all obligations, except under special contracts. It maintained its existence through three national campaigns until 1SS4, when it practically went into dis- solution, its supporters generally retaining the name of "Greenbackers," however, for some time later.

The "Prohibition party," having as its prin- cipal issue restriction of the liquor traffic, has maintained a more or less active organization,

THE DAVID PRICKETT HOMESTEAD

Originally the Home of George Forquer, and the First House on which a Lightning Rod was Erected in Springfield

THE PRICKETT COAT OF ARMS

THE GIBSON COAT OF ARMS otto-"Ready, Ave ve Ready"

THE JOHNSTONE COAT OF ARMS Motto-" _"The Flying Sniir"

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

with candidates for National and State offices since 1872. While the total vote has shown a moderate Increase, and the main issue has ap- pealed to the sympathy of many members of other parties, the Prohibition party has met with success in Illinois only in the occasional election of one or two members of the Legisia- ture. The largest vote cast in Illinois was İn 1904, when its candidate for Governor received 35,446 votes.

The "Union Labor party" came into existence in 1SSS as a successor of the Greenback party, nominating A. J. Streeter, of Illinois, as its candidate for President, on a platform demaud- ing a circuiating medium to be "issued directly to the people without the intervention of banks, or loaned to citizens upon land security at a low rate of interest," also favoring the free coinage of silver. As its name indicates, its policy was to unite the Union Labor element In support of the measures of the Greenback party, while its deciaration in favor of "free coinage of silver" came eight years in advance of the adoption of the "free-silver" platform by the Democratic party in 1896.

The "People's" or "Populist" party was the outgrowth of a movement started in 1889 by a Farmers' Alliance Convention held in Florida. In 1890 it took on the name of "Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association" in Iilinois, and by the elec- tion of three members of the House of Repre- sentatives held the balance of power in the General Assembly, which resulted in the election of Gen. John M. Paimer to the United States Senate in 1891. Iu 1896 and in 1900 it ac- cepted William J. Bryan as its candidate for President, but in 1904 nominated a candidate of its own for President.

Besides those already mentioned other parties which have had a brief or somewhat extended existence in Illinois, as shown by the election records of the past twenty years, include the following : The "Socialists" (with Eugene V. Debs as its regular ieader), "Socialist Labor," "Independent Democratic," "Socialist Demo- cratic." "Continental" and "Independence." The vote received by each of these in Sangamon Connty at the highest has amounted to oniy a few hundred at any single election.

CHAPTER XIV.

NOTABLE POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS.

IMPORTANT CAMPAIONS AND THEIR INFLUENCES ON FUTURE NATIONAL AND STATE HISTORY-THE PRO-SLAVERY CONTEST OF 1822-24-SANGAMON COUNTY AGAINST A PRO-SLAVERY STATE CONSTI- TUTION-THE JACKSON CAMPAIONS OF 182S AND 1832-LOO CABIN MASS MEETINO AT SPRINOFIELD IN 1840 CAMPAIONS OF 1848-56-LINCOLN NAMED FOR UNITED STATES SENATOR IN 1858- LINCOLN-DOUOLAS DEBATES-LINCOLN NOMINATED FOR THE PRESIDENCY-HIS NOTIFICATION AND AC- CEPTANCE-WIDE AWAKE RALLY IN SPRINGFIELD -ELECTION AND DEPARTURE FOR WASHINGTON --- VOTE OF SANOAMON COUNTY FOR PRESIDENT AND GOVERNOR FROM 1832 TO 190S-SOME NOTABLE STATE CONVENTIONS.

(By J. McCan Davis.)

As an appendix to the history of political par- ties, iu which Sangamon Connty has been so important a factor, it is fitting that some men- tion should be made of the most notable cam- paigns and'events connected therewith. In the light of its influence on fnture history, the most important measure upon which a popular vote was cast in the' early years of county his- tory was the question of calling a State Con- ventiou in 1824, which had for its object the legalization of slavery in Illinois. The total vote of the connty on this issue was 875, of which only 153 votes were in favor of the meas- ure and 722 against-a result indicating that, while the county was then strongly Democratic and its population composed largely of immi- grants from border slave States, popular senti- ment on this subject was independent.

In the election campaigns of both 1824 aud 1828 Andrew Jackson and John Quincy Adams were the principal leaders, the former as the candidate for President of what was then the Republican party and the latter of the remmant of the Federalists. In 1832 Gen. Jackson won over Henry Ciay in Sangamon County by a vote of 1,035 to S10 for the latter. Abraham Lin- coln was a candidate for the first time for Representative in the General Assembly during the year just mentioned, but for the ouly time in his life failed of election. (Other citizens of

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

Sangamou County who, during this period and later, were eiected to National and State offices wlil be mentioned, as well as Representatives in Congress, iater on in the succceding chapter.)

During that period and until the adoption of the Constitution of 1848, the office of Governor was fiiled by eiectiou In what is now called the "off-year"-that is, the second year after the presidential eiection-while the eiection of county officers occurred at more irreguiar perlods, the State elections being then heid every four years on the first Monday in August, and tlie Presi- dential in November. The first year in which the Democratic and Whig parties were fairly organized in the manner in which they continucd to exist until the campaign of 1852, was 1836, when Van Buren was the candidate of the former for President and William Henry Harri- son of the latter, Harrison then receiving a majority in Sangamon County of 560 out of a total vote of 2,366. This marked the stauding of Sangamon County in the Whig colunin, whichi continued until after the dissolution of the Whig party following the election of 1852. The most active campaigu during this period was that of 1840-known as the "Log-cabin and Hard-cider campaign"-which resulted in the election of Harrison by the country at large, the vote of Sangamon County being then 2,000 for Harrison to 1,249 for Van Buren. A memorable incident of that campaign was a mass-meeting held In the city of Springfield in June, 1840, this being the year after Springfield had become the State capitai. Of this meeting, Moses, in his "Illinois : Historical and Statistical," gives the following interesting account :

"Twenty thousand people, nearly five per cent. of the entire population of the State, attended the meeting, among whom was a delegatiou from Chicago. . Securing fourteen of the best teams available and four tents, they captured the government yawl, which they rigged up as a two-masted ship and piaced on a strong wagon . drawn by six fine grey horses. Thus equipped. with four sailors on board, a band of music, and a slx-pounder cannon to fire saiutes, with Cap- tain (afterward Maj. Gen.) David Hunter in command as Chief Marshai, they started with flying coiors on their journey. They were seven days making the trip. Their vessel was a wonder to the inhabitants aiong the route, many of whom had never seen anything of the kind. At Springfield it divided the at- tention of the masses with a huge log-cabin,

twelve by sixteen feet, constructed ou an im- mense truck whose wheeis were made of solid wood, cut from a large tree. The latter was driven by thirty yoke of oxen; a couple of coons were playing in the branches of a hickory sapiing at one corner; and a barrel of hard- clder stood by the door, whose iatch-string was hanging out. The brig was presented to the Whigs of Sangamon County, in an able speech, by Wiiiiam Stuart, of the 'Chicago American,' in return for which the Chicago delegation was presented with a llve grey eagle, in an eloquent address by E. D. Baker, at the critical por- tion of which, when he described the eagle's flight as emblematic of the election of Harri- son, the 'noble bird' responded to the sentiment by rearing its head, expanding Its wings and giving a loud cry. The applause of the im- mense crowd was correspondingly wild and en- thnsiastic. The entire trip consumed three weeks' time, but was enjoyed by the party from first to last."

CAMPAIGNS OF 1848-56 .- An especiaiiy note- worthy campaign was that of 1848, when Zach- ary Tayior, a hero of the Mexican War, was elected as the Whig candidate for President over Lewis Cass, Democrat. The vote of Sangamon County then stood 1,843 for Tayior to 1,336 for Cass and 47 for Van Buren as ,a Free-Soiler. The plurality iu Iliiuois for the Democratic candidate in that campaign was 3,253-the smaliest for a Democratic candidate for Presi- dent from the campaign of 1840 up to the final defeat of that party in 1860.

A campaign of historic interest was that of 1852 in which two soldiers of the Mexican War -Geu. Winfield Scott, Whig, and Frankiin Pierce, Democrat-were opposing candidates for the Presidency. Scott received a somewhat smaller majority in Saugamon County than that received by Taylor four years earlier, while the Democratic majority in the State was in- creased lu the same proportion. The defeat of the Whig party in this campaign, with the chaotic condition produced by the passage of the Kausas-Nebraska act and the repeai of the Mis- souri Compromise two years later, brought about the practical dissoiutiou of the Whig party.

The contest in the General Assembly in 1855 for the seat in the United States Senate then occupied by James Shieids, and following the first eiectiou after the passage of the Nebraska act, was the leading political event of this pe- riod. Abraham Lincoln was the choice of a

Thomas & Pickett.

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

large majority of the Anti-Nebraska members, Including practically ali the Whigs in that body, and on the first baliot in joint session of the two Houses received 45 votes to 41 for Shields, 5 for Lyman Trumbuil, 2 for Gustavus Koerner and one each for six other candidates. The vote cast for Trumbuil on the first ballot came from five Anti-Nebraska Democrats, and if added to that for Lincoln, would have been sufficient to insure his election. On the ninth ballot Trumbull's vote had Increased to 35, while Lincoln's had been reduced to 18. In the mean- time Gov. Matteson had become the Democratic candidate, receiving 47 votes. Lincoln, then foreseeing the possiblilty of Matteson's election, advised his friends to vote for Trumbull, which they did, the tenth ballot resulting in 51 votes for Trumbull to 47 for Matteson, and one for Archibald Williams of Quincy, an Anti-Nebraska Whlg-Mr. Trumbuil thus winning his first elec- tion for the seat which, by two subsequent elec- tions, he filled for eighteen years.

The election of 1856 marked the advent of the newly organized Republican party in both State and Nationai affairs. While John C. Fre- mont as candidate for President was defeated by James Buchanan, Democrat, William H. Bls- seli, an ex-soldier of the Mexican War, and former Democratic Member of Congress, was elected Governor with the rest of the State ticket, thus marking the beginning of Republican ruie in State affairs, which continned uninter- ruptedly (with the exception of State Treasurer and Superintendent of Public Instruction for a few terms) up to 1892. In this election the Democratic candidate for Governor received a plurality in Sangamon County over Bissell of only 387, against 863 for Buchanan (Democrat) · for President.

LINCOLN NAMED FOR U. S. SENATOR .- An event of especial Interest in connection with Sangamon County history was the nomination of Abraham Lincoln for United States Senator by the Re- publican State Convention which met at Spring- field June 17, 1858, for the purpose of nomi- nating candidates for State Treasurer and Super- intendent of Public Instruction. After, noml- nating James Miller and Newton Bateman for these offices, respectively, the convention adopted the following resolution :

"Resolved, That Abraham Lincoln is the first and only choice of the Republicans of Illinois

for the United States Senate, as the successor to Stephen A. Dongias."

It was In the evening foliowing this con- vention that Mr. Lincoln delivered his celebrated "house-divided-against-itself" speech, in the old Hail of Rrepresentatives, before an audience of whom many were startied by his predictions and logical argument. His views were severely crit- icised by his political opponents and even by some of his friends, all of whom have since been compelled to recognize the foresight and sagacity then shown by the future President -- nothing short of a prophecy of future events in which he was destined to play a most con- spicuous part within the next seven years. This led directly to the famous Lincoln-Dougias de- bates within the next four months, and while Lincoln failed of election to the senatorship, these debates resulted in his election to the Presidency two years later and hls final preser- vatlon of the Union.

NOMINATED FOR THE PRESIDENCY .- Of ail polit- ical events undoubtedly that of deepest interest to citizens of Springfield up to the time it occurred, was the nominatlon of Mr. Lincoln for the Presidency in 1860. While he had made no active campaign In his own behalf, his can- didacy was vigorously launched in the State Convention which met at Decatur, May 9, of that year, and at which Richard Yates was nominated for Governor. This was just one week before the meeting of the National Con- ventlon In Chicago. That body remalned in session three days, and on the third baliot taken on the third day Lincoln came within two and one-half votes of receiving the nominatlon. By consequent changes he had a decided majority, and his nomination was made unanimous.

During the days when the Convention was In session, Mr. Lincoln remained at his home or in his office, In occasional consuitatlon with his friends, discussing the situation and re- ceiving occasional intelligence from Chicago. Of an interview which took place In the office of the iate James C. Conkling, one of Lincoln's closest friends, who had just returned from Chicago on the morning of May 18th-the day the final vote was taken-Mr. Clinton L. Conk- ling (the son of James C.), in a contribution to the Illinois State Historical Society, says :

"There was an old settee by the front win- dow on which were several buggy cushions. Mr. Lincoln stretched himself upon this settee, his

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

head on a cushion and his fect over the end of the settee. For a iong time they taiked about the convention. Mr. Lincoln wanted to know what had been done and what Mr. Conk- iing had seen and learned and what he believed would be the result of the convention. Mr. Conkling replied that Mr. Lincoln would be nominated that day; that, after the conversa- tions he had had and the information he had gathered in regard to Mr. Seward's candidacy, he was satisfied that Mr. Seward could not be nominated, for he not only had enemies in other States than his own, but had enemies at home; that if Mr. Seward was not nominated on the first baiiot, the Pennsylvania delegation and other delegations would immediately go to Mr. Lincoln and he would be nominated.

"Mr. Lincoln replied that he hardly thought this could be possibie and that, in case Mr. Se- ward was not nominated on the first baliot, it was his judgment that Mr. Chase of Ohio or Mr. Bates of Missouri would be the nominee. They both considered that Mr. Cameron of Penn- sylvania stood no chance of nomination. Mr. Conkling in response said that he did not think it was possible to nominate any other one ex- cept Mr. Lincoln under the existing conditions, because the pro-slavery part of the Republican party then in the convention would not vote for Mr. Chase, who was considered an aboli- tionist, and the abolition part of the party wouid not vote for Mr. Bates, because he was from a siave State, and that the only solution of the matter was the nomination of Mr. Lincoin.

"After discussing the situation at some length, Mr. Lincoln arose and said, 'Well, Conkling, I beiieve I will go back to my office and practice law.' He then left the office.

"In a very few moments after Mr. Lincoln ieft I learned of his nomination (just how I do not uow remember), and rushed after him. I met him on the west side of the Square before anyone else had told him and to my cry, 'Mr. Lincoin, you're nominated,' he said, 'Weil, Clin- ton, then we've got it,' and took my outstretched hand in both of his. Then the excited crowds surged around him and I dropped out of sight."

LINCOLN NOTIFIED OF HIS NOMINATION .- Of the formal announcement which came to Lincoln the next day, Miss Tarbeii, in her "Life of Abraham Lincoln," says :

"Thirty-six hours after Lincoin received the news of his nomination, an evening train from

Chicago brought to Springfield a company of dis- tinguished-looking strangers. As they stepped from their coach cannou were fired, rockets set off, bands played, and enthusiastic checring went up from a crowd of waiting peopie. A long aud noisy procession accompanied them to their hotel and iater to a modest two-storicd house in an unfashionable part of the town. The gentie- men whom the citizens of Springfield received with such demonstration formed the committee, sent by the Republican National Convention to notify Abraham Lincoln that he had beeu nomi- nated as its candidate for the President of the United States.

"The delegation had in its number some of the most distinguished workers of the Repub- lican party of that day: Mr. George Ashmun, Samuel Bowles, and Governor Boutwell of . Massachusetts, William M. Evarts of New York. Judge Kelley of Pennsylvania, David K. Cartter of Ohio, Francis P. Blair of Missouri, the Hon. Gideon Welles of Connecticut, Amos Tuck of New Hampshire, Cari Schurz of Wisconsin. Only a few of these gentlemen had ever seen Mr. Lincoin and to many of them his nomina- tion had been a bitter disappointment.

"As the committee filed into Mr. Lincoln's simple house there was a sore misgiving in more than one heart, and as Mr. Ashmun, their chair- man, presented to him the letter notifying him of his nomination they eyed their candidate with critical keenness. . Mr. Ashmun finished his speech and Mr. Lincoln lifting his head be- gan to reply. The men who watched him thrified with surprisc at the change which passed over him. His drooping form became erect and firm. The eyes beamcd with fire and inteili- gence. Strong, dignified and self-possessed, he seemed transformed by the simple act of self- . expression.

"His remarks werc brief, merely a word of thanks for the honor done him, a hint that he felt the responsibility of his position, a promise to respond formally in writing and the expres- sion of a desire to take each one of the com- mittee by hand, but his voice was calm and clear, his bearing frank and surc. His auditors saw in a flash that here was a man who was master of himself. For the first time they uuder- stood that he whom they had supposed to be iittie more than a loquacious and clever State politicfan, had force, insight, conscience, that their misgivings were vain. 'Winy, sir, they

Mrs Margaret Prickett

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

told me he was a rough diamoud,' said Gov- ernor Boutwell to one of Lincolu's towusmeu, 'Nothing could have been iu better taste than that speech.' Aud a delegate who had voted against Llucolu iu the conventiou, turniug to Carl Schurz, said, 'Sir, we might have done a more daring thing, but we certainly could not have done a better thlug,' and it was with that feeling that the delegatiou, two hours later, left Mr. Lincoln's home, and it was that report they carried to their constituents.

"But one more formality uow remained to complete the ceremony of Abraham Lincoln's nomiuation to the presidency,-his letter of ac- ceptance. This was soou writteu. The caudi- dates of the opposing parties all sent out letters of acceptance in 1860 which were almost polit- ical platforms iu themselves. Lincoln decided to make his merely an acceptauce with an ex- pressiou of his intention to stand by the party's declaration of principles. He held himself rigidly to this decision, his first address to the Republican party being scarcely one hundred and fifty words in length. Though so short, it was prepared with paiustaking attention. He even carried it when it was finished to a Spring- field friend, Dr. Newton Batemau, the State Superintendent of Education, for correction.

" 'Mr. Schoolmaster,' he said, 'here is my let- ter of acceptance, I am not very strong ou gram- mar aud I wish you to see if it is all right. I wouldn't like to have'any mistakes in it.'

"The doctor took the MS. and, after reading it, said: 'There is ouly one chauge I should suggest, Mr. Lincoln; you have written, 'It shall be my care to not violate or disregard lt in any part,' you should have written 'not to violate." Never split an iufinitive, is the rule.'

"Mr. Lincoln took the manuscript, regarding it a moment with a puzzled alr, 'So you think I had better put those two little fellows end to end, do you?' lie said as he made the change." (Miss Tarbell's "Life of Lincoln," pp. 359-361.)

MR. LINCOLN'S LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE .- The following Is the letter, addressed to President Ashmun, by which Mr. Lincoln, a few days later, formally anuounced his acceptauce of the uomination :

"Springfield, Ill., May 23, 1860. "Hon. George Ashmun,

President of the Republican National Conten- tion:

"Sir: I accept the nominatiou tendered me by

the Convention over which you presided, and of which I am formally apprized in the letter of yourself and others, acting as a committee of the Convention, for that purpose.

"The declaration of principles, and which ac- companies your letter, meets my approval ; and it shall be my care not to violate, or disregard it, in auy part.

"Imploriug the assistance of Diviue Provi- dence, and with due regard to tlre views and feelings of all who were representatives in the Couventiou; to the rights of all the States aud Territories, and the people of the nation ; to the inviolability of the Constitution, and the perpetual Cuion, harmouy and prosperity of all, I am uow happy to cooperate for the practical success of the principles declared by the Con- vention.

"Your obliged friend aud fellow citizeu, "A. LINCOLN."

A WIDE AWAKE RALLY AT SPRINGFIELD .- There were Immediately extensive organizations of the "Wide Awake" supporters of Lincoln through- out the Northern States. Of a mass meeting held at Springfield in August, Miss Tarbell gives the following account :

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 1, Part 33

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913 Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 864

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 864