History of Sangamon County, Illinois, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 43

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company
Number of Pages: 1084

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > History of Sangamon County, Illinois, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 43

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).

"It was often observed during this canvass, that, while Douglas was sometimes greeted with the londest cheers, when Lincoln closed the peo- ple seemed solemn and serious, and could be heard, all through the crowd, gravely and anx- iously discussing the topics on which he bad been speaking.

" Donglas, by means of a favorable appor- tionment, succeeded in securing a majority of the legislature, but a majority of the vote was with Lincoln. These debates made Douglas Senator, and Lincoln President. There was something magnetic, something almost heroic, in the gallantry with which Douglas threw him- self into this canvass, and dealt his blows right and left, against the Republican party on one side, and Buchanan's administration, which sought his defeat, on the other. The Federal patronage was used, by the unscrupulous Slidell, against Douglas-but in vain; a few were seduced, but the mass of the Democratic party, with honorable fidelity, stood by him. This can- vass of Douglas, and his personal and immediate triumph, in being returned to the Senate, over the combined opposition of the Republican party, led by Lincoln and Trumbull, and the administration, with all its patronage, is, I think, the most brilliant personal triumph in American politics. If we look into English struggles on the hustings for its parallel, we find something with which to compare it, in the late triumph of Mr Gladstone. If we seek its conn- terpart in military history, we must look into some of the earlier campaigns of Napoleon, or that in which Grant captured Vicksburg.

"Douglas secured the immediate object of the struggle, but the manly bearing, the vigorons logic, the honesty and sincerity, the great in- tellectual powers exhibited by Mr. Lincoln, pre-

pared the way, and two years later secured his nomination and election to the Presidency. It is a touching incident, illustrating the patriotism of both these statesmen, that, widely as they had differed, and keen as had been their rivalry, just as soon as the life of the Republic was men- aced by treason, they joined hands to shield and save the country they loved."

1859 .- A member of Congress and county officers were to be elected this year. While no such interest was manifested as in the year pre- vious, still it could not be said the campaign was a listless one. The trouble growing out of the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and the consequent re-opening of the slavery question, was still the theme upon the lips of everyone. The Southern States, becoming alarmed at the rapid growth of the Republican party, were already threatening secession in case of the suc- cess of that party in a National contest. The breach between Douglas and his followers and the Southern Democracy was widening daily, though many in each wing of the party hoped against hope that all differences would be settled prior to the great campaign of 1860. The American party was being slowly dissolved, and a new party was being formed, composed of many of its members, and known as the Union party. Like the American party, its greatest strength was in the South.

John A. McClernand was the Democratic nominee for Congress in this District, and John M. Palmer the Republican. Both were strong men. McClernand was the successful candidate. In this county his majority was 401 out of a total vote of 5,233. For county officers only Republicans and Douglas Democrats were nom- inated, the latter being successful in every in- stance.

1860 .- The political campaign of 1860 has never had its parallel in the history of this Gov- ernment. There seemed to be no cessation in the political excitement began in 1858, enlmin- ating in the election of Stephen A. Douglas to the United States Senate, and which placed Abraham Lincoln in the front rank as a political speaker and debater, worthy the attention of the greatest statesmen in the land. Defeated for

the Senate, Mr. Lincoln's name was prominently mentioned in connection with the Presidency. In 1859 the newspapers of the Eastern States, especially in New England, favorably spoke of him as a candidate for either the first or second place on the ticket. Prior to this, several Western journals had placed his name at the head of their columns, and "Honest Old Abe "

267

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

was praised and said to be the only man that would surely lead the party to victory. Early in January the Republican Club, of Springfield, was changed into a "Lincoln Club," and re- solved to use every honorable means to secure his nomination for the Presidency. The State Journal, under date of January 18, 1860, says of Mr. Lincoln's candidacy:

" As a matter of National policy, we believe that the next President of the United States should come from the Western States, and no State is more deserving of the honor of sending forth the Republican champion for that high office than that one which has been the great political battle-ground of the country for the last four years. * * Abraham Lincoln has arrived at that period of life when man's mental and physical faculties are in their prime. God gave him a mind of unusual strength, and time and labor and study have made him one of the great men of the land. The purity of his patriotism, his incorruptible integrity, and his ability to sustain himself and the country in any position in which he is placed, no one who knows him can for a moment doubt. The peo- ple of Illinois are justified in their determina- tion to place the name of their distinguished citizen before the country for the highest honors in the Nation's gift. They do it because they know him; because they have confidence in him as a man for the times; because with him in the Presidential chair the rights of the people of all the States will be secured, respected and main- tained; because he interprets the constitution as did our fathers, who made it and illustrated it in their acts; because he is a conservative National Republican. The Great West will give a telling vote at the next Presidential elec- tion, and the candidacy of Abraham Lincoln will secure that vote for the Republicans beyond controversy. With him as our standard bearer, we are sure of all the Northwestern States, ex- cept Missouri, and the Republicans of other States could not cast their votes for a worthier, or abler, or more available man. The enthusi- asm which his name excites all over the country, since his powerful and most eloquent vindica- tion of the great Republican cause in this State, shows that he has become the Nation's man and a tower of strength to the party whose leader he is now regarded. The Republicans of Illinois will sustain and support with their full strength the Presidential nominee of the Chicago Con- vention, whoever he may be; but they respect- fully, yet earnestly, call upon the Republicans of the Union to weigh the claims, estimate the

qualifications and availability, and consider the fitness and propriety of giving the nomination to Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois."

As the time drew near for the meeting of the Republican National Convention at Chicago, Mr. Lincoln's popularity increased. The friends of every Presidential candidate desired he should have the second place on the ticket with their favorite, and he was acknowledged second choice of all for the first place. The State Republican Convention, held at Decatur in May, passed the following resolution:

"Resolved, That Abraham Lincoln is the choice of the Republican party of Illinois for the Presi- dency, and the delegates from this State are in- structed to use all honorable means to secure his nomination by the Chicago Convention, and to vote for him as a nnit."

An incident occurred at this convention worthy of mention. Mr. Lincoln was invited to take a seat upon the platform. He had hardly done so, amid the wildest enthusiasm, when Mr. Oglesby, of Decatur, announced to the delegates that an old Democrat of Macon county, who had grown gray in the service of that party, desired to make a contribution to the convention, and the offer being accepted, forthwith two old-time fence rails, decorated with flags and streamers, were borne through the crowd into the convention, bearing the inscription :

ABRAHAM LINCOLN, The Rail Candidate FOR PRESIDENT IN 1860.

Two rails from a lot of three thousand made in 1830 by Thomas Hanks and Abra- ham Lincoln-whose father was the first pioneer of Macon county.

The effect was electrical. One spontaneous burst of applause went up from all parts of the "wigwam," which grew more and more deafen- ing as it was prolonged, and which did not wholly subside for some minutes. Of course "Old Abe" was called ont, and made an explana- tion of the matter. He stated that some thirty years previous, he stopped with his mother's family for one season in what is now Macon county; that he built a cabin, split rails and cul- tivated a small farm down there. These rails, he was informed, were taken from the fence around that farm, but whether they were or not, he had mauled many and better ones since he had grown to manhood. The cheers were re- newed when he had finished his remarks, and

268

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

doubtless many persons present constrasted the present position of the noble, self-taught, self- made statesman and patriot, whose name was mentioned in connection with the highest office in the gift of the people, with that of the hum- ble rail-splitter of thirty years previous.

In the Chicago Convention it was plain to see who was the favorite of the lookers-on. Every mention of Lincoln's name was received with cheer after cheer. Three ballots were taken, Mr. Lincoln receiving a majority of the whole votes, and was made the unanimous choice of the convention amidst the most intense enthusi- asm. Hannibal Hamlin, of Maine, was selected as the candidate for Vice President.

As may well be supposed the result of the nomination was hailed with delight by the nom- inee's old friends and neighbors. They crowded around him, shook him warmly by the hand, and congratulated him on his success. Cannons were fired, speeches made, and a general time of rejoicing was indulged in.

While the Republicans of Illinois were so active in behalf of their favorite, "Honest Old Abe," the friends of the "Little Giant" were not idle. Every effort was being put forth to secure his nomination at Charleston for the office of President of the United States. The Demo- cratic State Convention of this State instructed its delegates to vote unanimously and make every honorable effort to secure his nomination. The Charleston Convention was an unfortunate one. Meeting in the city of Charleston, South Carolina, April 23, the convention remained in session ten days, at the expiration of which time no nomination was made, many of the delegates from the Southern States withdrawing. The rule of the National Democratic Convention required a two-thirds vote of the entire body for any candidate to secure his nomination. So many delegates withdrawing, after taking fifty- seven ballots, it was found impossible for any candidate to secure that number. An adjourn- ment was then had to Baltimore, June 19.

At this latter place the convention assembled pursuant to adjournment, but even here no agree- ment could be reached between the factions. After a six days' meeting Stephen A. Douglas was nominated for President and Benjamin Fitzpatrick, of Alabama, for Vice President. The nomination of Douglas was received with very great enthusiasm. Mr. Fitzpatrick declin- ing, Herschel V. Johnson, of Georgia, was sub- stituted. Mr. Johnson accepted the nomination.

A portion of the Convention seceded, and holding another Convention June 23, nominated

John C. Breckenridge, of Kentucky, for Presi- dent, and Joseph Lane, of Oregon, for Vice President.

A "Union" convention met at which John Bell, of Tennessee, was nominated for President, and Edward Everett, of Massachusetts, for Vice- President.

With four Presidential candidates in the field, the exciting questions growing out of the insti- tution of slavery, the threats of disunion by a portion of the South, in the event of the election of Lincoln, tended to make the campaign one of great interest. " Wide-Awake " clubs, and or- ganizations of " Hickory Boys," on the part of the Republicans and Douglas Democrats, re- spectively, tended to increase the excitement. Large and enthusiastic meetings were held by each party in all the leading towns and cities, and even in many of the smaller villages. The names of the "Rail-Splitter " and the "Little Giant" evoked the greatest enthusiasm. The excitement was scarcely equaled in 1840.

As already intimated, Sangamon county had special claims upon the two leading candidates for the Presidency, and thus felt highly honored. Hardly a day passed but meetings were held by one or the other party, and frequently by both. The vote in the county was the largest ever cast, and was very close. Douglas' majority was 42 over Lincoln; Yates, for Governor, had 8 ma- jority over Allen, a number of Bell, or Union men casting their votes for him. For county officers, the Republicans were generally success- ful, receiving the votes of the Union men.

The result of the general election was the ele- vation of Lincoln to the Chief Magistracy of the Nation. The Republicans were jubilant, especially in old Sangamon, the home of Lin- coln. A grand jubilee meeting was held in Springfield in a style never before equaled. The reporter of the State Journal became entranced, as will be seen by the following description of the illumination, from his pen:

"Never did the city of Pekin, in all the glory and 'feast of lanterns,' as it is quaintly called by the Chinese, present such a striking and gorgeous display as did the city of Springfield last night. Standing at the head of a person was forcibly reminded of the metaphor of a sea of fire rising and falling, variegated as the rainbow, anon a huge wave of blood red fire, now a ripple of faint blue and yellow, and then again the steady swell of strong, white light. The many colors gave a fantastic and unreal hue to the surround- ing and enthusiastic crowd. The splendor and effect of the grandly brilliant scene is beyond the reach of the pen. The State House, rising in all the effulgence of its illuminated splendor, seemed like some vision evoked from fairy-land by the wand of the enchanter.

269

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

Never before has Springfield been deeked in such mag- nificent hues. Not only did the streets present a most dazzling effect, but the whole Heavens seemed ablaze with the continual discharge of rockets, Roman candles, and the slow combustion of Bengal lights. The streets were as bright and light as under the full rays of the noon-day sun. The illumination of last night will never be forgotten in the annals of Spring- field, and will in future time be referred to as one of the most brilliant events in its history."

1861 .- The war for the Union was now in full progress, and little interest was manifested in ordinary political matters; only questions grow- ing out of the secession of the Southern States was worthy of attention. No State officers were to be elected, and the contest for county officers was not of a nature to draw out a full vote. The opposition to the Democracy took the name of "Union." Only 4,353 votes were polled, against 7,361 in 1860. The Democrats elected William D. Power, County Judge, and William W. Warren, Surveyor. The Union men elected Noah W. Matheny, County Clerk, and Presco Wright, Treasurer.

1862 .- The election this year was a more im- portant one, and almost a full vote was polled. State and county officers were to be elected. Alexander Starne was the Democratic candidate for State Treasurer, against William Butler, Union; John T. Stuart, one of the most popular men in Sangamon county, announced himself an independant candidate for Congress having for an opponent, Leonard Swett. Full county tickets were nominated by both parties. During this year the Union army met with many reverses, and a somewhat gloomy feeling pervaded the minds of the people. When the election came off each party stood by its candidates, for the campaign had aroused party feeling intensely. The Demcrats succeeded in carrying the county, by majorities ranging from 816 to 1,262.

1863 .- This was an "off year," in politics, and only county officers were to be elected. The Union ticket was successful throughout, elect- ing the candidates on it by majorities ranging from 242 to 302.

1864 .- The campaign this year was one of much earnestness and feeling. Abraham Lin- coln was the Republican or Union candidate for re-election to the Presidency, and associated with him as a candidate for Vice-President, was Andrew Johnson, the distinguished Unionist of Tennessee. George B. McClellan and George H. Pendleton were the Democratic candidates for President and Vice-President. James C. Robinson was the Democratic and R. J. Oglesby the Republitan candidates for Governor. John

T. Stuart was nominated for re-election to Con- gress, and placed in opposition was. Shelby M. Cullom. Both tickets were exceptionably strong and the full vote of the State and county was polled. In Sangamon county there was an increase over 1860. The question during the campaign was substantially whether President Lincoln should be sustained in his course in the prosecution of the war. The Democrats carried the county by a majority of 380 for Mcclellan.

1865 .- When the regular fall election was held, the war was over, and many of the brave Union soldiers had returned, but there being only county officers to elect, the vote was light, being 5388 against 7519 in 1864. The Union ticket was successful over the Democratic by majorities ranging from 254 to 462.

1866 .- The issues which now divided parties arose from the work of reconstruction of the States lately in rebellion. The election was an important one, and party spirit once more ran high. George W. Smith was the Republican candidate for State Treasurer, and Jesse J. Phillips the Democratic. Shelby M. Cullom was re-nominated for Congress, and was opposed by E. S. Fowler, Democrat. The Democrats carried the county, electing every officer save Sheriff, Samuel Shoup, Republican, being elected. The opposition to the Democratic party resumed the name of Republican this year.

1867 .- Another light vote this year, only county officers being voted for, and no special political discussions being held. The Republi- can candidate for Treasurer was elected by 21 majority, and their candidate for Surveyor by a majority of 18.

1868 .- This year brought with it another Presidential campaign. The Republican Na- tional Convention met in Chicago and placed in nomination Ulysses S. Grant, the victorious Union-General, associating with him Schuyler Colfax, of Indiana. The Democratic National Convention nominated Horatio Seymour and Francis P. Blair, Jr., for President and Vice- President. John R. Eden was the Democratic and John M. Palmer the Republican candidate for Governor. Benjamin S. Edwards was the Democratic candidate for Congress. He had for an opponent Shelby M. Cullom, who was re- nominated by the Republicans. For county officers, Charles H. Lanphier was the Democratic nominee for Circuit Clerk, and opposed by J. V. Mahoney, Republican. D. Brown, Democrat, and John McConnell, Republican, were the nomi- nees for the office of Sheriff. The campaign was

31 --

270

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

one of great activity. Each party was well or- ganized, and both had hopes of victory. In this county great interest was manifested. The Democrats were here successful, electing every candidate on their county ticket.

1869 .- Light vote at the fall election for county officers. The Democrats were successful in electing their entire ticket, with the exception of County Clerk-Noah W. Matheny, who had so long held the office, being elected by 206 ma- jority.

1870 .- A State Treasurer and State Superin- tendent of Public Schools were to be elected. In addition to the nominations made by Demo- crats and Republicans, the Temperance men, or Prohibitionists, nominated a State and county ticket, but their strength was limited, the high- est vote being polled by Mr. Owen, candidate for Sheriff, he receiving 51 votes. About a two- thirds vote was polled.

1871 .- A Member of Congress from the State at large was to be elected this year, but this fact was not sufficient to draw out a full vote, the number polled being even less than the year pre- vions. S. S. Hayes was the Democratic and J. L. Beveridge the Republican candidate for the office. The total vote for Member of Congress was 5,833, of which Mr. Hayes received 3,053 and Mr. Beveridge 2,780. The Democratic can- didates for county officers were elected, their candidate for Sheriff receiving 55 majority and Surveyor 442 majority.

1872 .- The movement known as the Liberal- Republican had a large influence, politically, this year, having virtually dictated the Demo- cratic nomination for the Presidency, and the platform of principles on which the campaign against the Republican party was dictated. The Liberal-Republicans were those connected with the Republican party who were opposed to any extreme measures in the reconstruction of the Southern States, and who believed the time had come when past issues should be forgotten, and new issues formed; that the hand of reconcilia- tion should be offered the South, and a united country, working together to build up the waste places of the South. Many of the most able men of the Republican party, including Horace Greeley, Charles Sumner, Lyman Trumbull, John M. Palmer, and others, united in this movement. In this county, the year previous, a paper had been commenced by Geo. R. Weber & Son, called The Political Crisis, which advo- cated the views of this wing of the party. In May, a National convention was held by the Liberal-Republicans, in Cincinnati, which nom-

inated Horace Greeley for President, and B. Gratz Brown for Vice-President. The follow- ing is a synopsis of the resolutions adopted:

1. Equality of all inen before the law; equal and exact justice to all, without regard to race, color or previous condition.

2. Opposition to the re-opening of all ques- tions settled by the XIIIth, XIVth and XVth amendments to the Constitution.

3. Demand for the immediate and absolute removal of all disabilities imposed on account of the rebellion.

4. Local self-government; supremacy of the civil over the military; and demand for the lar- gest individual liberty consistent with public order.

5. Denunciation of the existing system of civil service.

6. Demand for a system of Federal taxation which should not unnecessarily interfere with the industries of the people; reference of the tariff to the Congressional Districts.

7. Demand for civil service reform, and for the election of President for a single term only. 8. Maintenance of public credit and denun- ciation of repudiation.

9. A speedy return to specie payment.

10. Thanks to the citizen-soldiers and sailors of the Republic.

11. Opposition to further grants to railroads. 12. Cultivation of friendship with all nations; regarding alike dishonorable, either to demand what is not right, or submit to what is wrong.

The Democracy in convention ratified the nominations of Greeley and Brown, and adopted the platform of the Liberals. The Republicans re-nominated President Grant, and associated with him on the ticket Henry Wilson, of Massa- chusetts, for Vice-President. The disaffection among the Democrats in consequence of the nomination of Horace Greeley, a life-long politi- cal enemy, was so great that a third ticket was nominated, at the head of which was Charles O'Connor, the distinguished lawyer of New York. This third ticket had very little strength in this county or State, the disaffection among the Democrats leading principally to the refusal to attend the polls or to vote at the election. The vote was not so large as at the Presidential election in 1868, notwithstanding the county had increased in population. Gustavus Koener, a Liberal Republican, was nominated and sup- ported by the Democracy, while R. J. Oglesby was the Republican nominee for Governor. James C. Robinson and M. H. Chamberlain were the Democratic and Republican candi-

271

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

dates respectively for Congress. The Demo- crats, or Liberals, were successful in this county by fair majorities.

1873 .- This year county officers alone were to be elected. A new party had been born, known as the Independent Anti-Monopoly party, and, therefore, three tickets were placed in the field for the suffrages of the voters. Notwithstand- ing this fact, the vote was light, being only about two-thirds of the full vote. James H. Matheny, a very popular Democratic candidate, was nominated by the Democrats and elected County Judge by 1,312 majority. Noah W. Matheny, first elected in 1843 (having held the office by appointment since 1839), and re-elected every four years thereafter, was again re-nom- inated by the Republicans, and, for the first time, was defeated, his opponent receiving 151 majority. The Anti-Monopoly ticket polled a small vote, Mary J. Howard, for County Super- intendent of Public Schools, receiving 303 votes, the highest on the ticket.

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 Sangamon County, Illinois, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 43

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company Number of Pages: 1084

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company
Number of Pages: 1084