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Those familiar with American political his- tory know that shortly after the inauguration of Mr. Pierce as President, in 1853, or during his administration, great changes oc- curred in the then existing political parties, insomuch that this period is regarded epochal in the history of parties in this country. To that period both the Whig and the Democratic parties had, as far as possible, ignored the living and pressing slavery question, but for many years previously agitated by a third party, calling itself the "Liberty"-or at times, the "Free Soil" party-but always, by its opponents of both parties, called the "Abolition" party, until the term abolition- innocent enough in itself at first-came to be used as a term of reproach vile enough often to have been resented even with vio- lence.
The introduction by Senator Douglas, of Illinois, of the bill for the organization of the Territories of Kansas and Nebraska, about the beginning of 1854, with provisions em- bodied equivalent to a repeal of the restric- tions against the existence of slavery, enacted in the measure . known as the Missouri Com- promise, was the prime cause of this up- heaval. No measure ever before Congress provoked such changes. Within the Demo- cratic party-just then flushed by a sweeping victory at the Presidential election of 1852- were many prominent men who, while willing loyally to abide by the legislation of 1850, known as the "Compromise of 1850," were at heart opposed to slavery and unwilling to yield any further concessions.
In this State were John Wentworth, of Chi- cago; B. C. Cook, of Ottawa; John M. Palmer, of Carlinville; Gustavus Koerner, of Belle- ville, and many more Democrats of this class. These leaders of that party were outspoken against the measure championed by Senator Douglas, and not only refused to support him
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
but made open war against him and his measure.
Those members of Congress who most earnestly opposed the bill introduced by Mr. Douglas, were denounced by him as abolition- ists, and the same term he applied to those of his fellow-citizens in Illinois who refused their support to the measure. The epithet carried with it very much of contumely, and had in consequence a terrifying effect upon the average Whig or Democrat, insomuch that many who were inclined to join the re- volt against the popular Senator, yielded their first convictions and ceased their opposition.
Not so with many who, finding political sympathy and companionship with the debris of the Whig party-just then badly disorgan. ized by defeat-severed their connection with the party of the Senator and united in the formation of a new party, only made possible by the ruction begotten by the Senator's · course, which party so formed, the child of the Senator's epithet, within eight years from the events above recorded, became the lad armed with a sling, which overthrew the political Goliath of that day. Nothing short of the political revolution which was the out- growth of the introduction of the Kansas- Nebraska bill, could have so completely over- thrown one so idolized by the people as was Illinois' popular Senator.
Until the happening of these events no vote had- ever been cast in Champaign County ad- verse to slavery, and, except for the latent convictions in the minds of a few against slavery, no element existed here which in any way invited the application of the ob- noxious epithet, "abolitionism"; but out of the elements available as early as 1854 was organized a party which triumphed in the election of a majority of the members of the General Assembly on the State ticket, and of the member of Congress.
Thus encouraged the Presidential contest was entered by the citizens of the county in 1856, with the general issues between the principal parties to the contest running along different lines from any ever before dividing them. Slavery had become the main issue, despite the efforts of the party in power to avoid it. Early in 1856 a meeting was called
looking to the organization of the opposi- tion. (1)
The name under which they were to carry on the contest was not settled. The only principle which united them, or which invited joint political action, was opposition to the free spread of slave territory. This call was signed by men who had previously acted with both the old parties and by such anti-slavery men as were invited to join the movement. The call brought together men of all political affiliations and was the initial movement in this county, which resulted in the organiza- tion of the Republican party of 1856, which aggregation, four years later, placed Mr. Lin- coln in the Presidential chair.
Later in the season the new party, by its convention, placed in the field a full ticket for the county officers to be chosen that year,
(1) In the Urbana Union of May 8, 1856, there appeared a call for meeting, which read as follows:
"Political Meeting .- The citizens of Cham- paign county, without regard to past political differences or divisions, who are opposed to the repeal of the Missouri Compromise; to the policy of the present administration; to the extension of slavery over territory now free; in favor of the admission of free Kansas, and of restoring the Government to the
principles of Washington and Jefferson, are re- quested to meet in convention at the court house in Urbana, on Thursday, the 18th day of May, to deliberate on the great political meas- ures that now agitate the public mind, and to appoint a delegate to the state anti-Nebraska convention. The undersigned would join in the call, hoping that all who can will be present. (Signed) A. Campbell, W. W. Beasley, J. W. Sim, James Dean, Winston Somers, H. M. Russell, S. S. Cunningham, David O. Quick, James Core, James D. Jaquith, Chalmers M. Sherfy, W. C. Cassell. James W. Somers, W. H. Tal- butt, Henry Robinson, J. O. Cunningham, John M. Dunlap, J. Ingersol, A. M. Ayers, Sol. Bern- stein, Henry Fitzgerald, A. O. Howell, E. Hark- ness, James Curtiss, W. C. Beck, J. H. Thomas, William H. Somers, J. C. Sheldon, Arthur Brad- shaw, F. B. Sale, James Yeazle, William Park, F. M. Owens."
The same paper of two weeks later pre- serves to us a history of the meeting thus called. Under the heading of "Anti-Nebraska Meeting," is found what was done. The meet- ing was called to order by J. D. Jaquith, who stated its objects. Rev. Arthur Bradshaw, the pioneer preacher, was chosen as chairman and J. O. Cunningham, secretary. Resolutions were reported and adopted to the effect that, (1) the meeting was opposed to any interference with slavery in the States where it now exists and opposed any extension of the "peculiar institu- tion;" (2) expressed the belief that Congress had the constitutional power to prohibit the introduction of slavery into the Territories and that it should exercise that power; (3) that Kan- sas ought to be admitted in the Union at once with its free constitution: (4) that William H. Bissell was the choice for governor; (5) that we invite all to co-operate with us who are opposed to the extension of slavery, and who love the free institutions of our country, with- out regard to birthplace or religion or party.
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
which ticket was opposed by one put forward by a coalition of the Democratic and Ameri- can voters, made up from both classes. The contest between the friends of Mr. Buchanan and Colonel Fremont, with Mr. Fillmore, as the third candidate, was, in the interest involved and the effort put forth, unlike anything ever .seen before in the county. The most noted orators of all parties, such as Lincoln, Love- joy, Swett, Richardson, Osgood, Buckner S. Morris and many others from a distance, were here and addressed mass meetings held in the grove, and the local speakers ·canvassed the county from school house to school house, until the political gospel of that day had been preached to every creature. Now as never · before there were many young men who were looking forward to professional careers, and this contest gave them their first opportunity to exercise their gifts before the people, and the opportunity was not neglected.
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In many neighborhoods and in every village fla g-poles bearing
political banners were erected-the contention between the parties being as to the height of their respective poles. So at the mass meetings of the parties animals, roasted whole the day before, were served with plenty of bread, to the throngs which the promise of speaking and a "bar- becue" would call together. (1)
A feature of this, and of many subsequent
(1) Referring to the meeting at Urbana held on September 18, 1856, "The Union" of a week later has the following:
"Early in the morning the people from every direction commenced flowing into town' with banners, badges and mottoes, and the loudest 'shrieks for Freedom.' Some came with proces- sions, with delegations from their neighbor- hoods, and some came singly, while others came in wagons, carriages, on horseback, on mules and on foot-none forgetting that they were assembling as a free people for the pur- pose of 'securing the blessings of liberty to themselves and to their posterity.'
"After raising the 'Flag of our Union' to the top of a pole 150 feet high, which had been previously raised, and giving three hearty cheers for Fremont, the throng moved, not to the court house (as it was claimed was done by the other party a few days before), but to Webber's Grove. The procession was headed by the Urbana band and Reynolds' band of Dan- ville, both of which, during the day, acquitted themselves with credit in discoursing music for the occasion."
The same issue said this of the barbecue served unon that occasion:
"The dinner, although consisting of large quantities of provisions, over two whole beeves, several muttons, thirty dozens of chickens, tur- keys. pigs, etc., with huge quantities of bread, besides piles of cakes and pies contributed by the ladies of the county, was insufficient to supply the wants of the vast throng."-Urbana Union, September 25, 1856.
campaigns, not now observed, was in the pro- cessions of people, friends of the particular candidate, in wagons, carriages and on horse- back, stretching out to great lengths. Such processions would be organized upon the San- gamon or in the Salt Fork neighborhood, and, when increased by sympathizers along the routes, a splendid cavalcade or procession, greatly to the encouragement of party leaders, was formed. 1
Often as a part of these processions would be seen wagons or floats exhibiting, in pan- tomime, some characteristic of the leading candidates, so indicative of the early and humble calling of their favorites as to appeal to the sympathy or prejudice of the voter, and thus affect his action at the ballot-box. About the time that Phil. Sheridan was making his famous ride up the Shenadoah Valley, in 1864, the friends of the' re-election of Mr. Lincoln and his running mate, Andrew Johnson, held one of these grand rallies in Urbana. A delegation from the neighborhood of Homer drove into town from the east and exhibited on two wagons pantomimes in- dicating, in one case, the early calling of Lin- coln, and in the other that of Johnson. The head wagon was loaded with a rail-cut, at which a stalwart party man was working with axe, maul and wedges for the purpose of con- verting the timber into rails; while upon a wagon closely following was a tailor, sitting cross-legged intently sewing at a garment. Both these were intended to turn the atten- tion of the observer to the alleged humble occupations of the candidates in their youth.
Another feature, often introduced into these processions, was an immense wagon or float loaded with a number of young women or girls, corresponding in numbers to the num- ber of States and Territories of the Republic, all dressed in white, one for each State and each Territory. Was any State or Territory a subject of political controversy-as Rhode Island in 1844, and Kansas in 1856-the girl labeled with the name of that State would often be dressed in black. (1)
(1) At a mass meeting held upon the ground immediately east of Urbana Avenue, then in a grove of natural timber, on the 18th of Sep- tember, 1856, during the Fremont campaign, Abraham Lincoln was one of the speakers and reviewed the procession. In the procession was a flat loaded with girls, prettily dressed, one for each State, and in passing this feature of the exhibition, Mr. Lincoln remarked that it
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BURNHAM ATHENAEUM, CHAMPAIGN
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
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Political rancor ran to an extreme, and the county realized a new experience due to the introduction of new issues and, in a great measure, to the presence of new men. Flags, and banners and streamers, with startling mottoes, ornamented every house and were suspended across the streets of the town.
A subsequent chapter in this history tells of the coming of the second newspaper to the county-"Our Constitution"-during this can- vass, the political complexion of which was Democratic, in which it was opposed by "The Union," the first paper established in the county and then four years old. The files of these publications, for this and succeeding years, show much of the animus of those taking part in the political life of that period and will, perhaps, prove a surprise to the political managers of this day.
Tlie canvass of 1856 resulted in the partial success of both county tickets, Mr. Penrose Stedham, a former Sheriff, being chosen to that office and Mr. William H. Somers being chosen to the office of Circuit Clerk-neither having more than twenty majority over his competitor. Mr. Buchanan was chosen to the Presidency over Colonel Fremont and Mr. Fill- more, and the political complexion of the county was changed, the new Republican party receiving a handsome plurality, which advantage it maintains with increased ma- jorities to the present time-nearly fifty years. (1)
reminded him of " a large basket full of roses." Some of the grandmothers of to-day residing in the two cities, who represented States in that crowd of girls, will remember the occasion and the remark.
(1) The following figures show the Presiden- tial vote of Champaign County at each election since the organization of the County:
1836 .- VanBuren, 86; Harrison, 61.
1840 .- Harrison, 154; VanBuren, 141.
1844 .- Clay, 178; Polk, 191.
1848 .- Taylor, 213; Cass, 187.
1852 .- Scott, 347: Pierce, 259.
1856 .- Fremont, 722; Buchanan, 556; Fillmore, 236.
1860 .- Lincoln, 1,720; Douglas, 1,251; Bell, 99; Breckenridge, 12.
1864 .- Lincoln, 2,116; Mcclellan, 1,133.
1868 .- Grant, 3,250; Seymour, 2,125.
1872 .- Grant, 3,773; Greeley, 1,946.
1876 .- Hays, 4,530; Tilden, 3,193; Cooper, 604. 1880 .- Garfield, 4,720; Hancock, 3,472; Weaver, 566.
1884 .- Blaine, 4,554; Cleveland, 3,802; Butler, 232; St. John, 166.
Cleveland, 4,103; 1888 .- Harrison, 5,104;
Streator, 161; Fisk. 353.
1892 .- Harrison, 5,290; Cleveland, 4,502; Bid- well, 544; Weaver, 80.
1896 .- McKinley, 6,780; Bryan, 4,583; Levering, 249.
Early in this canvass Leonard Swett, then of Bloomington, was announced as a candi- date for Congress from the Third District, and was supported by the united delegations from all the southern counties before the conven- tion, which met at Ottawa on July 2, 1856. All of the northern counties, with much larger delegations, came up solid for Owen Lovejoy, of Bureau County, who had at sev- eral elections before then been the nominee of the Anti-Slavery party for the same posi- tion, and as such had made speeches in such of the southern counties as would tolerate the open speeches of an Abolitionist, but had never received a vote in this county. The Ot- tawa convention made short work of the nom- ination and the conservative element, repre- sented by Mr. Swett's candidacy, were over- · whelmed by greater numbers and Mr. Love- joy was nominated. This nomination was very distasteful to the most of the southern delegates, from a fear that the ultra record of Mr. Lovejoy would work strongly against the ticket in their counties. Some bolted and joined in the nomination of a more conserva- tive candidate.
A week after Mr. Lovejoy's nomination he made a tour of the southern counties of his district and, upon short announcements, made many speeches. At first he was coolly re- ceived, and many men friendly to the move- ment which had nominated Colonel Fremont avoided him. All feared that the coming here of a live "Abolitionist," as the candidate of the Republican party, would work a complete stampede of the few cautious voters who had shown themselves friendly to the new party. The opposite result followed. Lovejoy, with his eminent ability as a popular orator-and none excelled him-could handle the popular sovereignty doctrine of Douglas and its per- nicious application in Kansas most adroitly and efficiently for the winning of the votes of people disaffected with the course of our Senator. He alluded to the subject of slavery in the abstract only incidentally, but always with burning words of denunciation. The people forgot that he was an Abolitionist and found their opinions well reflected by him. The effect upon the southern counties was
1900 .- Mckinley, 6,660; Bryan, 5,015; Wooley, 377.
1904 .- Roosevelt, 6,954; Parker, 3,754; Swal- low, 545.
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HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
magical; the conservative opponent was with- drawn, and Lovejoy received, in Champaign County, a larger vote than the head of the ticket.
Lovejoy proved a radical but a most popular, able and courageous Representative. He never afterward lacked for friends, and nominations came to him by unanimous votes, and his elections by increased majorities to the time of his death. He arose from the position of a despised and execrated Aboli- tionist to be the most popular Congressman Illinois ever had.
As will be inferred, the election of 1858, when the celebrated contest between Lincoln and Douglas occurred, was in this county-as it was in other counties-of the most exciting character. Early in the season the parties both declared their candidates for United States Senator, and the business commenced in earnest.
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W. N. Coler, doubtless then the most popu- lar man in the county, was nominated by the friends of Mr. Douglas for the Lower House of the General Assembly. The movement was well planned and staggered for the time the, friends of Mr. Lincoln in this county. Nothing but the sternest sense of duty to principle could have moved the neighbors and imme- diate friends to do a hostile act against their good friend's candidacy; but the contest was not between Coler and Stickel, his opponent, but between Senator Douglas and his willing- ness to have "slavery voted down or voted up" in the Territories, as he expressed it, and Lincoln's inflexible opposition to the spread of slavery to the Territories. The issue was met and the popular favorite lost his county and his election.
The same contest was renewed in 1860 and again fought over in this county, when Colonel Coler, as the representative of Douglas, then a Presidential candidate, was put in nomina- tion for the Upper House of the General Assembly, with Richard J. Oglesby represent- ing Lincoln, a Presidential candidate, as his opponent. Personal claims were again put aside in favor of the demands of principle, as Coler's friends saw it, and he again fell with his chieftain.
The Lincoln-Douglas contest of 1858, which has come to fill so large a place in national history on account of its influence upon national politics and the Civil War, moved
the people of Champaign County of that day as they had never been moved before upon any question. Senator Douglas, although per- sonally unknown to most of the people here, was the political idol of his party throughout the State, in which admiration his partisans here-then being nearly equal in numbers to their opponents-heartily joined. An appoint- ment was made for him at the Fair Ground for the 23d day of September, 1858, some weeks before that date. His appointment was for the last day of the Annual Fair for that year, and not only called out the usual num- ber of exhibitors and sight-seers, but large numbers of men of both political parties were drawn to see and hear the popular Senator.
Judge Douglas came upon the grounds the afternoon before with a company of local friends and met the people socially for some hours, drawing to himself much attention from all classes. (1)
(1) The Fair Ground here alluded to occupied ground now lying upon both sides of Lincoln Avenue, near a mile north of Springfield Ave- nue, and part of it is now occupied by the cold- storage plant of Smith Brothers. Access was then had to it by an old road which ran north- west from the north end of Race Street. its exact location being shown by the deep gully seen in Crystal Lake Park, which was worn by the travel along that line: Lincoln Avenue was not then a highway, but its line was occu- pied by cultivated fields.
A correspondent of the "Chicago Democrat," who was upon the ground, wrote to that paper this description of Judge Douglas' first visit: "His proclivity for hobnobbing with the popu- lace was most decided. One instance illustra- tive of his success is in place. Happening to be in a little coterie of Republicans, his conduct- ors, without giving him the wink, introduced him to all. Approaching one excellent Republi- can who, from no fault of his, carries a very red face, he commenced talking politics in a very free and easy style, as if talking to a near friend. Our Republican heard him for a moment, and seeing his mistake, stopped him short, and, placing a finger on each of his ver- million cheeks, said: 'You see, Judge, I carry the sign of your party, but I am an awful Black Republican.' The remark raised a loud shout from the bystanders, which was increased ma- terially by the evident letting down experienced by the Judge."
The same correspondent further wrote as follows of his style of oratory, for which al- lowance must be made on account of the evi- dent partisan bias:
"One thing is remarked, by all, of Douglas' speaking. H'e discards the little words, con- nectives and articles in the language, as if they were of no account, and only honors the vowels in the accented syllables with a distinct utterance. Consonants and obscure vowels are alike unknown to him. This exceeding bad fault in his elocution renders his speaking irksome and entirely destitute of eloquence. It is hoped that a good portion of his future unofficial leis- ure may be devoted to the study of Mandeville, or some other standard author, for the improve- ment of his delivery. As an orator, he is no more to be compared to Lovejoy, Farnsworth, Arnold, Palmer or Herndon, than the merest
793
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
On the afternoon of the speaking there came the usual procession, near the head of which was a wagon with platform made of hickory poles, loaded with cheering Demo- crats, among whom was the Senator himself, taking part with his young admirers upon the most familiar and easy terms. His speech was listened to by a very large crowd of people, both political friends and opponents, all anxious to hear one of the great champions who were then engaged in the renowned joint debate then eliciting the attention of the State, but now, after nearly fifty years of study of the speeches and the political issues treated of, of a world wide celebrity. At the time Douglas and Lincoln had already met in joint debate at Ottawa, Freeport, Jonesboro and Charleston-the latter debate having taken place only five days before, on the 18th. The public mind was greatly stirred by these debates and by the universal interest felt in the outcome of the senatorial contest between the two champions. No person stood neutral.
tyro at debating. I venture the assertion that twenty men can be found in every county in Illinois, who, before an impartial audience, would receive the palm over him, for declama- tory skill."
The following from the "Urbana Constitu- tion" of September 25, 1858, will express the views held by the editor of the meeting ad- dressed by Senator Douglas:
"The announcement that Senator Douglas would speak here last Thursday, the closing day of the County Fair, called together by far the largest crowd ever assembled in the county of Champaign. A delegation of ladies and gentle- men on horseback, and a string of wheeled ve- hicles loaded down with citizens, the whole dele- gation being near a mile in length, escorted the Senator from West Urbana to. the Fair Grounds, arriving there at about two o'clock. His arrival at the grounds was greeted by the masses there with deafening shouts and ap- plause.
"After he was escorted to the stand, a very neat and appropriate reception speech was de- livered by A. E. Harmon, Esq., of West Ur- bana, introducing him to the audience. He spoke about an hour and a half in a calm and dignified review of the great issues before the people, and was listened to with the profound- est attention by the thousands who were for- tunate enough to obtain positions where they could hear. The extent of the crowd may be judged by the fact that the Senator's voice, heavy and sonorous as it is, was insufficient to reach many hundreds on the outer edge of the crowd. The demonstrations of applause with which he was greeted by old line Whigs and Americans, as well as by the Democratic masses assembled there, show that his speech is pro- ducing a good effect in favor of Democratic principles. The Urbana Saxehorn and Military Band added much to the occasion by their spir- ited music.
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