USA > Illinois > Mercer County > Past and present of Mercer County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 15
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The nomination of John C. Fremont and William L. Dayton for president and vice president by the Republican National Convention suited the republicans of Mercer County. Likewise the democrats here were pleased with the democratic nominees, Buchanan and Breckenridge. On July 29th, the democracy called a mass meeting to ratify the proceedings of the Cincinnati Convention. They met at the office of Taliaferro & Gore. Addresses were made by several of the leading democrats. A little later a mass convention of the demo- crats at Apollo Hall, New Boston, was held for the purpose of form- ing a democratic club. J. B. Matlock was made president of the meeting and F. Eubeck, secretary. G. W. Rodeker stated the object of the meeting. The club was duly organized with thirty members. The chairman stated that the democrats must defeat the new party by all means. The war cry of the republicans at this time was "Free speech, free territory and Fremont." The republicans held their county convention at Keithsburg in September, 1856. It was harmonious and enthusiastic. John W. Dihel was nominated for sheriff and H. S. Senter for circuit clerk. In the afternoon of the same day Hon. William Kellogg, congressman, addressed the assembled crowd. A little later Colonel Bissell, John Knox, James Miller, Governor Grimes, of Iowa, and Owen Lovejoy spoke for the republicans at Galesburg and many citizens of Mercer County went over to hear them. In 1856 Abraham Lincoln was one of the republican electors of Illinois. At the Galesburg meeting the dele- gation from Mercer County carried a banner bearing the words, "Mercer County good for 1,200 votes for Fremont and Dayton."
At the November election, 1856, the democrats elected their sheriff and the republicans their circuit clerk. The total number of votes polled was 2,058. The republican electors received 1, 141 votes; the democratic electors, 769; and the Fillmore electors, 140. For Congress, Kellogg (R.) received 1,185 and Davidson (D.),
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
796. For governor, Bissell (R.), 1,146; Richardson (D.), 775; Morris (Am.), 122. The republican majority on the county ticket was generally about the same. For state senator Henderson (R.) defeated Dickson (D.). For representative, Little (R.) defeated Marshall (D.). For circuit clerk, Senter (R.) defeated Shedd (D.). For sheriff, Lloyd (D.) defeated Dihel (R.). For the convention, 703 votes; against the convention, 650 votes.
At the Republican County Convention held at Aledo September 19, 1857, there were nominated candidates for county judge. clerk of the Circuit Court, county commissioner and school commissioner. At this time E. Stafford was chairman of the Republican County Committee. Forty-eight delegates were present. Isaac N. Bassett was renominated for county treasurer; John W. Miles for county judge; John Ramsey, county clerk; C. S. Richey, surveyor; J. E. Harroun, school commissioner. This convention, it was charged, was a frame-up and was opposed by a portion of the convention. E. Stafford was instrumental in organizing a separate faction which put out the people's ticket. This year the issues were very important. The Kansas-Nebraska trouble was before the country, popular sovereignty was discussed by everybody. Buchanan's message was the means of partly dividing the democratic party; Stephen A. Douglas taking a separate and independent course. The principles of the Dred Scott Decision were incorporated into the Lecompton Constitution, which encountered great opposition. Buchanan sided with the South in the extreme pro-slavery views. As a matter of fact, the Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed with the expectation that Kansas would vote for slavery and thus become a slave state. The rush of anti-slavery partisans into Kansas prevented that design. It was said of Buchanan that he was a northern man with southern principles. Douglas opposed him on the stump and began to pull away from the ultra views of the South. The result of the election in November, 1857, was as follows :
Judge
Treasurer
Clerk
School Commissioner Surveyor
Townships
Miles
Mattin k 39
Bassett 38
Gilmore 17
Ramsey 49
Alger 8
45
12
55
North Pope
17
24
25
19
31
14
20
25
44
Richland Grove
26
17
31
19
42
6
42
6
49
Suez
18
30
24
28
25
13
23
22
45
Greene
17
34
28
29
44
12
6
51
52
Preemption
19
7
21
6
22
5
22
5
Ohio Grove
51
21
54
23
63
13
54
21
69
Mercer
124
28
131
28
147
14
126
29
161
Perryton
10
19
10
20
28
1
11
18
29
Abington
12
40
13
40
21
31
12
41
53
Millersburg
18
51
37
32
47
21
28
41
69
Duncan
7
8
S
13
4
S
8
16
Keithsburg
10
196
44
170
60
138
25
186
210
New Boston
111
45
107
53
132
23
108
41
156
Eliza
No returns
. .
. .
. .
Totals
476
539
571
492
724
303
530
506
1,035
Harroun
Clendenin
Richey
North Henderson
36
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
At the election of county supervisors in April, 1858, the result was: North Henderson, Notley Scott; Rivoli, Daniel Jones; Rich- land Grove, Thomas Merryman; Suez, J. G. Torbet; Greene, B. C. Perkins; Preemption, John Whitsitt; Ohio, William M. Hays; Mercer, John W. Miles; Perryton, J. C. Gilmore; Millersburg, J. T. McGinnis; Duncan, S. R. Chase; Keithsburg, Washington Wolf; New Boston, William Drury; Eliza, James M. Mannon; Abington, Frederick Frick.
Early in 1858 Abraham Lincoln was mentioned prominently in connection with the United States senatorship from Illinois. It was felt that Trumbull and Lincoln would make a strong combination for the republicans in the United States Senate. At the Republican Convention in June, 1858, W. M. Hays, I. N. Bassett, J. K. Herbert, H. S. Scott and W. J. Humphrey were nominated delegates to the State Republican Convention. This year the principles at issue were squeezed out until slavery was seen to be at the bottom of all political contests.
The Republican County Convention of July 5, 1858, was pre- sided over by B. C. Perkins, with Leonard Swearingen as secretary. J. H. Reed, J. K. Herbert and James Haverfield served as committee on resolutions. The latter affirmed allegiance to republican prin- ciples ; favored economy in public affairs ; declared that the adminis- tration of James Buchanan was weak, imbecile, sectional, proscriptive and alarming and that the doctrines of the administration concerning Kansas and the Dred Scott case were in direct conflict with the views of the fathers of the Republic; opposed the extension of slavery into any new states or territories ; condemned the acts of the administration in forcing the people of Kansas to submit to the program of pro-slavery partisans; approved the course of the repub- lican members of Congress in their efforts to prevent the extension of slavery; approved the course of Stephen A. Douglas in opposing the Lecompton Constitution, but condemned his course in breaking down the Missouri Compromise and in approving the Dred Scott Decision; favored Abraham Lincoln for United States senator to succeed Mr. Douglas; advocated the reelection of William Kellogg to Congress and recommended that all republicans of the county subscribe to The Aledo Weekly Record.
At the Republican State Convention in June, 1858, a banner was borne down the hall bearing the words, "Cook County for Abra- ham Lincoln." It was received with deafening cheers. Immediately a motion to amend the motto by inserting "Illinois" in place of "Cook County" was carried unanimously and with tremendous cheers.
.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
This convention declared Abraham Lincoln to be the first and only choice of the republicans of Illinois for the United States Senate to succeed Stephen A. Douglas. The speech of Mr. Douglas in Chi- cago, in July, 1858, was published in full by the local newspaper. Mr. Lincoln's speech at Chicago in reply was also published. In that speech Lincoln's famous statement appeared: "I protest now and forever against that counterfeit logic which presumes that because I do not want a negro woman for a slave I do necessarily want her for a wife." This county was keenly alive to the historic debate of Lincoln and Douglas in 1858. The characteristics of the two men were noted and had their due effects. Douglas' art, adroitness, power of evasion, subterfuge in statement, concealment of purpose by sweeping generalities, annoyed the republicans but were frankly and ably answered by Mr. Lincoln, whose penetration, fairness of statement, broad humanity, analysis and logic, pierced the sophistry of Mr. Douglas and laid bare the political skeleton grinning under- neath. In answer to Mr. Douglas he completely revealed the pur- poses of the slave power and the objects of Senator Douglas' course. On October 7th they spoke at Galesburg and a large delegation from this county was present. Nearly twenty-five thousand people listened to this memorable address. Mr. Douglas spoke for one hour and was followed by Mr. Lincoln for an hour and a half, and the closing was by Mr. Douglas with a half hour. The delegation from this county could not unite outside of the city and march in as had been planned, owing to severe storms the day before.
The campaign of 1858 was opened by the republicans in Mercer County with a rally at Aledo. The leading speaker was William Kellogg. It was estimated that over one thousand voters were pres- ent. He spoke nearly two hours and was listened to with rapt attention. The Republican County Convention of September, 1858, was presided over by B. C. Perkins; S. D. Trego and S. Sheldon served as secretaries. The convention was addressed by D. Willits, G. Simms and H. J. Humphrey. James M. Mannon was nominated for sheriff and Edward Atchinson for coroner. The new central committee were J. H. Reed, H. Hoagland, L. W. Thompson, H. H. Roberts and G. Simms. The following delegates to the district convention were chosen: Eliza, J. M. Mannon; Perryton, J. Candor; Greene, B. C. Perkins; Keithsburg, H. S. Scott; Suez, C. S. Richey; Millersburg, E. Gilmore; New Boston, J. Graham; Duncan, A. R. Sutton; North Henderson, B. P. Brown; Ohio, W. M. Hays; Mercer, J. H. Reed; Rivoli, R. R. Cox.
The Mercer County delegates to the Republican Congressional Convention in August, 1858, were J. W. Miles, J. H. Reed, J. S.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
Poage, H. Hoagland and L. Hollisten. Hon. William Kellogg, of Fulton, was renominated by acclamation.
In August, 1858, many republicans went to Galva to hear Owen Lovejoy deliver one of his brilliant, eloquent and fiery political speeches. There were many prominent democrats at Keithsburg and New Boston, while Aledo was strongly tinctured with republic- anism, as was Millersburg. This opposition gave spirit and life to the campaign. Many prominent speakers from abroad addressed assemblages in this county during the campaign. The leading local speakers also took the stump and explained the purposes of the new party and the objects of the democracy. The result of the election in November, 1858, was as follows: Congressman: Kellogg (R.), 1.419; Davidson (D.), 898; representative: Judge Gilmore (R.), 1,434, Gould (D.), 890; sheriff : Mannon (R.), 1,206, Lloyd, (D.), 1,173 ; coroner : Atchinson (R.), 1,360, Hale (D.), 1,008.
The Republican County Convention met in the room of the Mercer Collegiate Institute, Aledo, September 13, 1859. Under the new apportionment Mercer Township had ten delegates, Keiths- burg nine, New Boston twelve, Ohio Grove seven, Millersburg six and the other townships smaller numbers. B. F. Thompson was nominated for county treasurer; Henry Lee, county surveyor ; Rev. J. S. Poage, school commissioner against the old and efficient com- missioner, J. E. Harroun, who had done so much for education in this county.
On October 18, 1859, the Weekly Record came out with the name of Abraham Lincoln for republican candidate for president in 1860. Mr. Reed said this action was not the result of sudden impulse, but of careful and mature deliberation. This was done in spite of the fact that Mr. Reed considered William H. Seward superior in statesmanship to any man in the United States. He came out for Mr. Lincoln because he believed him the peer in patriotism and purity of private character of any man in the world and because he had so ably conducted himself in the contest with Senator Douglas.
The result of the election in 1859 was as follows: Treasurer : Thompson (R.), 762, Shedd (People's), 1,055 ; school commissioner : Poage (R.). 1,739, scattering, 8; surveyor : Lee (R.), 1,761. Thus the people's ticket carried Mr. Shedd to victory. Five votes were cast for Mr. Brown, the colored cook at the Barton House, for the office of school commissioner. This was just after John Brown had been convicted at Harper's Ferry, Virginia. Local quarrels, private malice, spite against the Johnson family and personal defamation were the causes that led to the defeat of Mr. Thompson for county
160
PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
treasurer. It was a secret combination which encompassed his defeat-a combination of republicans professing to be his friends, yet uniting with the democrats to accomplish his downfall.
The republicans called a mass meeting to be held at Aledo, February 22, 1860, and in making the call J. H. Reed, chairman of the County Central Committee made the following statement: In calling this meeting the movers are not insensible of the claims of consideration of other candidates and would support them most cheerfully, we have no doubt, should a sound policy dictate the nomination of any one of them. * * So far as Illinois is con- cerned we are sure that the popular voice is for Mr. Lincoln in preference to all others. He has been tried and has not been found wanting in any of the elements required to fit a man for the place. His capacity is beyond question ; his integrity is above suspicion ; his conservatism is all that any republican could desire, and we believe that no man can roll up such a majority in this state as Abraham Lincoln. He made a splendid run in 1858 and we are sure that his popularity has been accumulating every day since. Let there be a full turn-out of the friends of Lincoln.
The 22d of February was rainy and the mud was deep, but there was a fair turn-out. The meeting was called to order by J. H. Reed, chairman of the Central Committee. J. W. Miles was elected president of the meeting and J. H. Reed, secretary. A committee of three for each township was appointed with instructions to organize and report action to a second meeting that was called for March 21st. Messrs. Brisbin, Reed and Wolf were appointed to prepare the program of the next meeting.
In 1860 Mercer County was entitled to six delegates in the Republican State Convention. In the summer Mr. Lincoln's famous speech at Cooper's Institute, New York, was published by the local newspapers. It was a masterly effort which kindled great enthusiasm among republicans throughout the country. The Record of Aledo published all of Mr. Lincoln's great speeches in full and praised them unstintedly.
On March 6, 1860, the Mercer Township Republican Club reor- ganized and elected the following officers: Harrison Scott, president; Dr. J. A. Maury, Elisha Miles and Ralph Grow, vice presi- dents; Casper Schenck, secretary; S. W. McCoy, treasurer; Col. W. D. Henderson, Capt. James Henderson and J. H. Reed, executive committee ; C. M. Kay, Thomas J. Willits, W. A. Wilson and W. W. McCandlass, vigilance committee. The club passed resolutions endorsing Abraham Lincoln as its first choice for the presidency. J. K. Herbert addressed the club at length on the issues of the day.
161
PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
Republican and democratic clubs were organized throughout the county in 1860. All realized that questions of vital importance to the country were pending and all were determined to secure the success of their own tickets, in which they had confidence and faith, if it could possibly be done. Keithsburg organized a republican club in March, with Washington Wolf, president; and Cyrus Cabeen, secretary.
The republicans of the county met in mass convention at Aledo on March 21, 1860, pursuant to adjournment and were called to order by J. W. Miles, of Rivoli. The committee on resolutions were J. H. Reed, Samuel Carnahan, R. S. Cramer, Dudley Willits, Wash- ington Wolf, Theodore Glancey, C. S. Caldwell, J. Cox. W. C. Gray, B. C. Perkins and A. R. Sutton. A vigilance committee for every township was appointed. Col. W. D. Henderson, J. H. Reed, Ephraim Gilmore, Dr. E. P. Wood, S. H. Redman and Dr. J. P. McClannahan were chosen delegates to the congressional and state conventions. A long series of resolutions was adopted. It main- tained that slavery was only a local institution; insisted that all new territory should be free; admitted that slavery should not be inter- fered with in the states where it already existed; favored the home- stead bill; declared that the action of the democratic party was hostile to the Constitution and the Union; asserted that the present administration was servile to the slave power; announced Abraham Lincoln as its candidate for the presidency; and recommended to the State Convention that the name of Col. W. D. Henderson be placed on the state ticket. B. C. Perkins offered as a substitute for the Lincoln resolution one containing the name of William H. Seward, but when put to a vote it was lost. Mr. Seward had many friends in the county and was regarded as a statesman of the highest rank. But the convention as a whole favored Mr. Lincoln.
The Republican Club of Richland Grove Township was organ- ized on April 28, 1860. E. S. Roberts called the meeting to order and Thomas Merryman was made chairman and W. M. Scott. sec- retary. John M. Waugh, E. S. Roberts and W. H. Griffin were appointed a committee to draft a constitution for the permanent organization of the club. The permanent officers were Thomas Merryman, president; J. M. Waugh and E. S. Roberts, vice presi- dents ; E. Beardsley, treasurer ; and Walter M. Scott, secretary. On motion of C. C. Phillips a vigilance committee of two in each school district was appointed. Resolutions presented by Walter M. Scott were adopted unanimously; they denounced the attempt of Senator Douglas to pass a sedition law designed to suppress free speech and favored the nomination of Abraham Lincoln for the presidency.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
At the Republican State Convention in May Richard Yates was nominated for governor. Abraham Lincoln, who was present, though not a delegate, was asked to take a seat with the convention and did so. While he was present a great demonstration was made in favor of his nomination. During the proceedings a banner was borne down the hall, with the words: "Abe Lincoln, the rail Candi- date of the people in 1860." With the banner were borne two rails from a lot of 3,000, which were split by Abraham Lincoln and John Hanks in 1830, ten miles west of Decatur. This convulsed the con- vention with cheers, whereupon Mr. Lincoln came forward and said he was not certain that he made the identical rails, but was entirely sure that he made a great many quite as good. He was named by the convention as the candidate of Illinois for the presidency. When Lincoln and Hamlin were nominated at the Memorable Chicago Convention in May, the republicans of this county expressed their delight in numerous rallies and ratification meetings in every town- ship.
The split of the Democratic Convention in April, 1860, at Charleston, thus dividing the democracy by Mason and Dixon's line, was seen by the republicans to be their great opportunity. They accordingly entered the campaign with redoubled efforts to win success.
The Republican County Convention met at the courthouse in Aledo, May 25, 1860, and was called to order by J. H. Reed. Wil- liam M. Green was elected president and J. H. Reed, secretary. The convention elected to the judicial and senatorial conventions the following delegates: Joshua Bruner, Robert Caldwell, B. C. Per- kins, Richard Brisbin, S. V. Prentiss, Daniel Jones and Henry Lee. The delegates to the representative convention were W. M. Hays, Thomas Merryman, W. M. Pinkerton, J. G. Gilmore, W. L. Green, R. Caldwell, J. W. Miles, A. Prouty, Elias Willits, R. Brisbin and B. C. Perkins. Resolutions favoring the party candidates were passed-Kellogg for Congress, Yates for governor and Lincoln for president. At the close of the convention a Lincoln and Hamlin flag pole was erected in front of the Barton House. It was 145 feet tall and surmounted by a streamer forty feet long bearing the names "Lincoln and Hamlin." The crowd had been enthusiastic, but now grew hilarious and hoisted Rev. J. S. Poage to the top of the Daguerrean car and demanded a speech which was forthcoming in off-hand and eloquent style. Judge Thompson, Col. W. D. Hender- son and E. Miles were treated likewise and responded nobly to the urgent demands of the spectators.
163
PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
The Democratic Central Committee in 1860 were: A. P. Taylor, T. C. Cabeen, B. F. Burnett, Joseph Hogan and Thomas S. Robb. They called their county convention for June 9, 1860.
The democrats of the county were alive to the importance of great exertions and prominent speakers from abroad and local orators were enlisted to take the stump in favor of the success of that party. At a big democratic rally at Redman schoolhouse, Abington Township, Charles Pepper, of Keithsburg, was the leading speaker. He was followed by Messrs. Burnett, Taliaferro, Heaton and McCane. The same speakers held meetings also at New Boston and at many schoolhouses throughout the county. At a republican mass meeting held in the grove near the Universalist Church, New Boston Township, William Kellogg addressed one of the largest political gatherings of the campaign, there being present large dele- gations from New Boston and Keithsburg, with bands and banners. He likewise spoke at Aledo, North Henderson, Viola and in Suez Township. At all the political gatherings this year the marching of the Wide Awakes and the Hickorys were prominent features. Henry Clay Dean, "the great unwashed" spoke at Keithsburg to an immense crowd of democrats late in August. He was one of the most brilliant, sarcastic and eloquent orators of this memorable campaign.
The greatest event of the campaign of 1860 in this county was the joint debate held at Aledo between Judge William Kellogg and Robert G. Ingersoll. It was estimated that five thousand people were on the ground at the time. The democrats secured the services of the Monmouth Cornet Band, one of the best in the state, whose instruments had cost about one thousand dollars. Not to be outdone the republicans also secured from Monmouth a band equally as good as the other and was composed entirely of republicans. The people of the county came in great delegations early in the day. Ohio Grove came first with fifty-four wagons and 277 persons and was the largest township group present. Next came the New Boston delega- tion escorted by their band and 150 Wide Awakes, fifty of whom were from Keithsburg and sixty from New Boston and forty from Aledo commanded by their respective officers who were assisted by Gen. E. A. Paine of Monmouth. This delegation was joined outside of town by the Ohio Grove forces and by another group from the eastern part of the county. The latter had one wagon which con- tained thirty-three young ladies dressed in white, each bearing a flag and representing the states of the Union, and one young lady dressed in black personating Kansas and carrying a black flag inscribed with the words, "They will not let me in." When this combined proces-
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
sion reached town it numbered 110 vehicles, mostly wagons, with many four-horse teams, all well filled and their parade through town was a fine sight and greatly enjoyed by all.
The speaking took place in the open air at a temporary stand near the Council House. Judge Kellogg spoke first for an hour and was then followed by Mr. Ingersoll for an hour and a half. Judge Kellogg closed with a half hour speech. All here had heard Judge Kellogg and were familiar with his style and power as a public speaker; but they had never before heard Mr. Ingersoll, who was a stranger to this part of the state. They knew that he must be an uncommon orator, or he would never have been pitted against Judge Kellogg. Of his address the Record said: "All seemed anxious to hear what this new champion for Douglasism had to say. Mr. Ingersoll is a fluent speaker and a man of considerable intellect, we infer, but he was no match for the herculean task he had undertaken - that of defending modern democracy. One by one his fallacies were dissected by Judge Kellogg and he fairly writhed under the merciless castigation he received. We had before frequently asked our republican friends abroad, who had enjoyed the privilege of hearing them, how Kellogg handled his competitor and received the invariable quiet reply, 'You will see.' Well, we did see, and our candid opinion is, if Bob Ingersoll had not more cheek than ordinary mortals he would never encounter Bill Kellogg again." Reading between the lines of this statement it must be inferred that Mr. Inger- soll must at least have held his own with Judge Kellogg. In the evening the Wide Awakes and the Hickory Jacksons paraded the streets, headed by the bands, amid the greatest enthusiasm of the partisans. The occasion closed with speeches from R. W. Smith, of Rock Island, and Rev. J. S. Poage, of Aledo. This was one of the most brilliant and successful gatherings ever held in Mercer County.
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