USA > Illinois > Mercer County > Past and present of Mercer County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 17
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The conclusion of the war early in 1865 ended in a large measure the excitement over political questions in this county. In January Mercer was made a part of the Seventh Congressional District. Pre- vious to October few, if any, speeches or meetings of a political character were held. All was quiet and the few candidates them- selves, though enthusiastic in their own support, did not receive much encouragement from the people who were thinking more of the restoration of peace and the success of their industries than they were of the welfare of political aspirants.
The Republican Convention of September 18, 1865, made sev- eral important changes in political procedure. Previous to this date the custom was to appoint a committee to recommend candi- dates, but now the convention nominated them without such circum- locution. John R. Bassett was nominated for county judge; Isaac McManus, county clerk; William B. Frew, surveyor; Isaac N. Dunlap, treasurer; and S. B. Atwater, school superintendent. On motion the central committee was instructed to make arrangements for nominating candidates by primary elections in the future.
The election was spiritless and the number of votes polled only a little over half of those cast at the November ( 1864) election. There were no contests except for county clerk and county treasurer. The vote for clerk was: McManus (R.), 732; Amberson (Ind.), 761. The vote for treasurer was: Dunlap (R.), 957; Ungles (Ind.), 526. Bassett, Frew and Atwater were elected judge, surveyor and school superintendent respectively. The Union ticket had no regular opposition.
Early in 1866 the reconstruction questions engrossed the atten- tion of the voters of this county. Several amendments to the Con- stitution were proposed and at once differences began to arise con- cerning their effect upon existing conditions. On July 28th all of the townships held primary meetings and selected delegates to the county convention to be held July 30. Perhaps the most important questions were the Freedmen's Bureau Bill and Civil Rights Bill,
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both of which had been vetoed by President Johnson against the judgment of the republican party.
The Republican County Convention met at the courthouse on July 30, 1866, and was called to order by .H. S. Senter of the Central Committee and the usual committees were appointed. R. S. Cramer, C. S. Richey, Dr. J. V. Frazier, J. R. Bassett and B. C. Taliaferro served as committee on resolutions. While this committee was preparing its resolutions, the convention was addressed by I. N. Bassett, L. W. Thompson and B. F. Brock. The resolutions strongly opposed the course of President Johnson and warmly approved the course of Congress and of the congressmen and senators from Illi- nois. The delegates to the state conventions were J. M. Mannon, H. S. Scott, James M. Wilson, D. W. Sedwick, Samuel Wharton, James Y. Merritt, and those to the Congressional Convention were J. V. Frazier, W. E. Griffin, B. F. Brown, C. S. Richey, A. G. Lucas, H. M. Robb, John Roberts, J. P. McClanahan and L. V. Willits. The following were the new County Central Committee: H. S. Senter, C. S. Richey, S. H. Riddell, J. M. Mannon and C. S. Caldwell.
In August, Gen. A. C. Harding was renominated to Congress from this, the Fourth District, and Gen. John A. Logan was nomi- nated at the State Convention for Congress at large.
It was in 1866 that the first exciting political events occurred here since the war. John S. Thompson, who had for years been identified prominently with the republican party, accepted the nomi- nation of the opposition and did so upon the following grounds :
"The republican party by its radical leaders is firmly and unalterably committed to three propositions: (1) Negro suffrage; (2) opposition to the admission of loyal representatives from the southern states in the Congress of the Union; (3) to an insatiable spirit of hatred and vengeance toward all men, North and South, East and West, who do not yield obedience to their will and vote their ticket. To the first proposition I am opposed; to the second I cannot subscribe and to the third there is hardly need of a response." The Record, edited by Horace Bigelow, said in reply, "All three of these propositions are absolutely, unequivocally and maliciously false. Nay, more; the judge when he penned them knew that he was telling a deliberate lie. The republican party, as such, are unalterably committed to nothing of the kind. To say so is an insult to the intelligence of this community." The Record endeavored to refute the statements of the judge, but succeed only in part.
At the Republican County Convention for the nomination of county officers in September, 1866, Col. W. I. Nevius was elected
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chairman and A. G. Lucas, secretary. All was quiet and harmonious. Delegates to the representative convention were instructed to vote for Capt. D. W. Sedwick. Thomas Simpson was nominated for sheriff and Samuel Paxton for coroner. The delegates to the repre- sentative convention were B. F. Brown, J. B. Langley, D. P. McClan- ahan, H. B. Frazier, Robert Candor, J. E. Harroun, Theodore Glancey, H. W. Thornton, A. R. Sutton, A. G. Lucas, A. Prouty and D. W. Noble. Horace Bigelow and Lewis Leslie were district committeemen.
In October, 1866, Gen. A. C. Harding and J. B. Hawley stumped the county speaking among other places at Aledo, Keithsburg, New Boston, Sunbeam, Evans' Corners, Hickory Grove and Preemption. Daniel W. Sedwick was duly nominated for representative. On October 6th, Lyman Trumbull addressed a large audience at Aledo on the issues of the day. The day was beautiful and large delega- tions came from all parts of the county with banners flying and bands playing. Senator Trumbull's speech was one of great power and compass and revealed in detail the differences between Congress and President Johnson. He was followed by General Harding in a short speech full of local references and arguments. In the even- ing Doctor Fisk and Colonel McManus spoke at the courthouse. The Aledo Republican Club had charge of the ceremonies. The presence at Aledo of Governor Oglesby during the campaign of 1866 was made the occasion of a general rally of the old soldiers under the management of Aledo Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic. The committee on arrangements were Lewis L. Troy, J. H. Connell, I. N. Dunlap, J. M. Warwick, F. C. Cunning- ham and Washington Waugh. Large delegations from all town- ships arrived early and the streets were paraded by a long line of wagons and pedestrians led by 200 members of the Grand Army and the band. Greene Township sent a wagon drawn by six horses and containing thirty-six young ladies representing the states. Governor Oglesby reviewed the parade and was greeted with cheers and the waving of small flags. His speech delivered on the east side of the courthouse block was listened to by nearly ten thousand people it was estimated. He reviewed with intense severity the acts of President Johnson and was frequently applauded.
At these important meetings other republican speakers were I. N. Bassett, J. E. Harroun, Rev. J. S. Poage, J. R. Bassett, J. M. Wilson and S. W. McCoy.
Early in November, 1866, the democrats held a big mass meeting in Aledo, the speakers being Judge John S. Thompson of this county
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and Gen. A. C. Dodge, of Iowa. Both delivered strong and able speeches in support of the democratic doctrines of that day.
The result of the election of November, 1866, was as follows : For Congress at large, Logan (R.) over Dickey (D.), 729; for Congress Fourth District, Harding (R.) over Thompson (D.), 689; for representative, Sedwick (R.) over Hanna (D.), 759; for sheriff, Simpson, no opposition, 2,190 votes; for coroner, Paxton (R.), no opposition. Total vote 3,317. Three townships went democratic, namely: Perryton, Abington and Keithsburg. The vote for con- gressman was as follows: Harding (R.), 1,992, Thompson (D.), 1,303. There was much rejoicing in this county that the election generally showed that President Johnson's policy was condemned and that the radicals should hold power and rule the country.
At a special election for county sheriff in February, 1867. the candidates were E. E. Harris, C. J. Simpson, John C. Welliver and Charles M. Barry. The latter received the nomination. At the convention of the Tenth Judicial District held at Monmouth in May, 1867, for the purpose of nominating a candidate for circuit judge, order was called by I. N. Bassett and W. S. Gale was chosen chairman and Horace Bigelow, secretary. On the second formal ballot Thomas G. Frost received the nomination. The other candi- dates voted for were A. A. Smith, W. C. Rice and P. H. Sanford.
The Republican County Convention met at Aledo, September II, 1867. Joseph McCoy was elected chairman and J. H. Connell, secretary. The usual committees were appointed. I. N. Dunlap was nominated county treasurer by acclamation. William B. Frew was nominated for surveyor. H. S. Senter, I. McManus, B. F. Morey, E. B. David and C. S. Richey were elected central com- mitteemen.
The result of the election in November, 1867, was as follows: For treasurer-Dunlap (R.), 980, Ungles (D.), 721 ; for surveyor- Frew (R.), 1,149, Lee (Ind.), 528. Only about one-third of the vote was polled. The democrats had no regular ticket but ran their candidates as independents.
The Republican County Convention met April 13, 1868, at Aledo and named the following delegates to the State Convention: S. H. Riddell, Col. I. McManus, Joshua Bruner, H. N. Chandler, and I. R. Kidd; and the following delegates to the Congressional Convention : B. F. Brown, J. M. Mannon, E. W. Livingston, I. N. Bassett, J. N. Markee, J. V. Frazier, W. O. Dungan, W. D. Craig, J. B. Longley, W. M. Hays and W. M. Pinkerton. The delegates to the State Convention were instructed to vote for John M. Palmer for governor.
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In case he refused to run they were instructel to vote for Anson S. Miller. The congressional delegates were instructed to vote for J. B. Hawley.
In 1868 the republicans of this county from the start favored the nomination of General Grant for the presidency. As early as May a Grant Club was organized at Aledo, at New Boston and at several of the townships throughout the county. At Aledo I. N. Bassett was made president of the club; L. S. Troy and E. E. Harris, vice presidents ; James H. Cornell, secretary; Hugh R. Morrison, treas- urer, and J. C. Cummins, marshal. This club met regularly every Saturday night at the courthouse. The nomination of Grant and Colfax met the approval of the republicans here. The democrats were well pleased with the nomination of Seymour and Blair for president and vice president respectively. They likewise formed clubs in all parts of the county and commenced a stirring campaign for success. There was considerable feeling at this time throughout the county that the ultra views of the republicans were too severe for the restoration of friendly relations with the southern people. The attitude of leading republicans was to force the South to observe and adopt the reconstructive measures proposed by the ultra republicans. All democrats and many republicans believed that a conciliatory policy would be far better than to send troops to the South to enforce objectionable reconstructive measures. Accordingly the republican party in a measure was slowly disintegrating and falling away from the severe measures advocated by the extremists. In the end this feeling led to an open rupture in republican ranks and to the forma- tion of the liberal republican party, which was composed of democrats and such republicans as favored a policy not so stringent and exacting toward the South.
The Republican County Convention assembled at Aledo, August 17, 1868. Col. H. W. Thornton was elected chairman and T. Glan- cey, secretary. Col. I. McManus and I. N. Bassett addressed the convention while the committee on credentials was at work. William A. Lorimer was nominated for circuit clerk. Mr. Dungan was nominated for sheriff on the first ballot. Rezin W. Kile was nominated for coroner by acclamation. The new Central Committee were C. S. Richey, B. F. Morey, I. McManus, Horace Bigelow and J. M. Mannon. Delegates to the Senatorial, Judicial and Repre- sentative conventions were chosen.
John R. Eden, democratic candidate for governor, addressed a large audience on the issues of the day at Keithsburg, August 18,
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1868. Cannon and music ushered in the event. D. P. Phelps, demo- cratic elector, was the first speaker.
At the Representative Convention, held at Keithsburg this year, David M. Findley was nominated by acclamation. W. O. Dungan was the republican nominee for sheriff. At the Senatorial Conven- tion in Monmouth in 1868, Col. I. McManus, of Keithsburg, received the nomination for state senator. Gen. John M. Palmer was republi- can candidate for governor and spoke here September 16th. His address continued for two hours and was listened to by 5,000 people. General Singleton, democrat, spoke at several places in this county to large audiences. He was an able and eloquent speaker and was listened to with rapt attention. He spoke at Aledo and a few days later Rev. J. S. Poage answered him in a speech of unusual power and eloquence. Mr. Poage was quite a brilliant speaker and was popular throughout the county. C. C. Matlock, of Keithsburg, was another democratic nominee for representative. At the Democratic Con- vention in October, Doctor Stanway, of New Boston, was nominated for circuit clerk, and Thomas Cummings, of Keithsburg, was nom- inated for sheriff. The campaign of 1868 was unusually active, vindictive and brilliant. The people were interested and usually assembled in large numbers to hear the able speakers of this county and those who came in from abroad.
At the November election (1868) the county went republican by a large majority. For president, Grant (R.), received 2,078; Sey- mour (D.), 1,388; for governor, Palmer (R.), 2,073; Eden (D.), 1,394; for congressman, this district, Hawley (R.), 2,067; Singleton (D.), 1,393 ; for state senator, McManus (R.), 2,015; Hungate (D.), 1,399; for representative, Findley (R.), 2,063; Matlock (D.), 1,397; for circuit clerk, Lorimer (R.), 1,988; Stanway (D.), 1,474; for sheriff, Dungan (R.), 1,993; Cummins (D.), 1,454; for coroner, Kile (R.), 2,004; Gilmore (D.), 1,445. The vote was the largest ever polled in the county, although fully two hundred had moved to Missouri.
The Republican County Convention of September, 1869, nom- inated Joshua Bruner for county judge; F. W. Livingston for county superintendent; J. W. Dilley for county clerk; I. N. Dunlap for county treasurer; W. B. Frew for county surveyor, and named J. S. Poage as a delegate from this county to revise the Constitution. In order to defeat the republicans the democrats and the disgruntled republicans united to put out a fusion ticket in part. The result of the election in November, 1869, was the success generally of the republican ticket. The fusionists nominated J. C. Pepper as delegate
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to the Constitutional Convention and exhausted every resource in their power to effect his election. They desired certain changes or certain articles in the new Constitution and were willing to grant almost any concession to effect the desired result. But they failed, the vote being Poage 882, Pepper 522. At the Republican County Delegate Convention in 1870 Walter Pryne served as chairman and T. Glancey and H. Bigelow as secretaries. The usual delegates to the State, Congressional and Senatorial conventions were chosen. Congressional delegates were instructed to vote for J. B. Hawley and the senatorial delegates to vote for H. S. Senter. The convention also instructed the state delegates to vote for John A. Logan for any office he desired, and to vote for J. S. Strain, of Warren County, for penitentiary commissioner. The new Central Committee were George P. Graham, Walter Pryne, T. Glancey, S. D. Paxton and J. B. Longley. At the Republican County Convention in October, 1870, Dr. J. P. Boyd served as chairman and H. Bigelow as secretary. The candidates for representative were E. Gilmore, S. F. Fleherty and J. M. Mannon. It required eighteen ballots to effect a nomina- tion. On the last ballot Gilmore received 41 and Fleherty 42. The following were candidates for sheriff-Cummins, Reddell, Noble and Guthrie. It required ten ballots to settle this contest, the last being Noble 33, Guthrie 50. The candidate for representative was instructed to vote for John A. Logan for United States senator. R. W. Kile was nominated for coroner by acclamation. The contest this year was largely local, was lively and sharp, but there was little ill will. Among the speakers were John B. Hawley, John A. Logan and Governor Oglesby. General Logan was at Aledo in September and during the afternoon the rain fell in torrents, yet over one thousand persons were present to hear him. In 1870 the democracy nominated Thomas S. Cabeen for state senator. The republican speakers attacked Mr. Cabeen for his peace policy during the war and declared that he was now not entitled to recognition by the county. H. S. Senter became the republican candidate for state senator this year. John Geiger was nominated by the democracy for representative.
The election of November, 1870, resulted as follows: For Con- gress, this district, Hawley (R.), 1,284; Cable (D.), 973; for state senator, Senter (R.), 1,305; Cabeen (D.), 952; for representative, Fleherty (R.), 1,259; Geiger (D.), 997; for sheriff, Guthrie (R.), 1,253; Cool (D.), 1,007; for coroner, Kile (R.), no opposition, 2,211.
In 1871 at the Republican Convention it required thirty-five ballots to nominate a county treasurer. Van A. Noble was finally
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named. W. B. Frew was nominated for surveyor for this conven- tion. H. N. Chandler was chairman and Col. J. M. Mannon, secretary.
The election of November, 1871, resulted as follows: For Con- gress, Beveridge (R.), 878; Hayes (D.), 527; for county treasurer, Noble (R.), 825; Ungles (D.), 559; for surveyor, Frew (R.), 733; Mclaughlin (D.), 661.
At the Republican Convention of May, 1872, Dr. J. V. Frazier was elected chairman and H. Bigelow, secretary. The resolutions adopted declared faith in the republican party and pledged fidelity to its platform and principles. W. A. Lorimer, B. D. Ellett, C. H. Eaton, H. Bigelow and C. A. Ballard were nominated for delegates to the state convention. At the republican county convention in July, 1872, held in Aledo, B. D. Ellett served as chairman and H. Bigelow as secretary. Delegates were named to the congressional and senatorial conventions. Congressional delegates were in- structed to vote for Rev. J. S. Poage for Congress. Delegates to the senatorial and representative conventions were instructed to vote for George P. Graham. W. A. Lorimer was nominated for circuit clerk, B. F. Brock for prosecuting attorney, N. H. Guthrie for sheriff and R. W. Kile for coroner. This convention was addressed at length by I. N. Bassett on the issues then stirring this community. B. D. Ellett, Walter Pryne, William Byrus, L. B. Morey and D. W. Sedwick were the county republican central committee. The republicans of this county were pleased and ratified the nomination of Grant and Wilson for president and vice president respectively. At this time there was a decided split in the ranks of the republicans. The liberal wing of that party was now fully organized and many prominent republicans, believing it the wisest course to pursue under the circumstances, joined the new movement and fought for its suc- cess. The liberal republican convention met at Aledo in June and was called to order by I. N. Bassett. H. S. Scott was made chairman and T. Glancey, secretary. They passed resolutions accepting the Cincinnati platform adopted by the liberal republican party which had nominated Greeley and Brown for president and vice president. This convention favored uniting with all persons who endorsed the Cincinnati platform and favored a tariff for revenue only. John M. Palmer was favored for governor. H. H. Roberts, T. Glancey, I. N. Bassett, S. V. Prentiss and W. T. Dilley were appointed delegates to the state convention. C. S. Richey, H. S. Scott and W. P. Myers were placed on the county central com- Vol. 1-12
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mittee. The leading speakers and workers at this convention were Messrs. Glancey, Bassett and Scott.
A Grant and Wilson Club was organized at Aledo in July and started out with 125 members. James M. Wilson was president, J. S. Boice, secretary, and M. L. Marsh, treasurer. The republicans of Millersburg also formed a Grant and Wilson Club, of which Robert H. Day was president. Another was formed at New Boston, with Gideon Ives, president. Still another was organized at Keiths- burg, with G. W. Whitney for president. William D. Henderson was republican state elector from the Tenth District this year.
The democrats and liberal republicans, after some maneuvering, finally united and held a convention and nominated a ticket composed of both parties. The democrats named the circuit clerk and the prosecuting attorney and the liberal republicans sheriff and coroner. The candidates of the democrats were Benijah Lloyd for circuit clerk and F. Martin for prosecuting attorney. The vote in this county in 1872 was as follows : For president, Grant, 1,984; Greeley, 1,046; for governor, Oglesby (R.), 1,980; Koerner (D.), 1,173; for state senator, Sanford (R.), 1,991 ; Curtis (D.), 1,174; for representatives, Graham (R.), 3,0821/2; J. S. Chambers (R.), 2,881 1/2 ; Streeter (D.), 3,2971/2 ; Hensley (D.), 1961/2; for state senator, Brock (R.), 1,918; Martin (D.), 1,241; for circuit clerk, Lorimer (R.), about 1,644; Lloyd (D.), 1,279; for sheriff, Guthrie (R.), 2,147; for coroner, Cline (R.), 1,996; for the stock law, 1,210; against the stock law, 1,713. The last measure was a law to keep stock from running at large.
At the judicial election in 1873 Craig (R.) received 1,487 and Lawrence (D.), 484. In 1873 the democrats and liberal republicans united. They apparently held separate conventions, but agreed upon the fusion ticket and entered the field to win. At this time the fusion movement was called the people's party. The county convention of this organization was signed by every member of the county board except one. The labor movement was taken up by the democrats who made the most of the circumstances. Many republicans joined this movement because the Grangers, or Patrons of Husbandry, favored the fusion ticket. The old liberal republican party was thus merged into the new organization largely under the control of the Patrons of Husbandry.
At the republican county convention in September, 1873, J. P. Boyd served as chairman and H. Bigelow as secretary. The commit- tee on resolutions were Dr. J. V. Frazier, D. W. Sedwick, W. A. Wilson, A. B. Smith and J. Mckinney, Jr. The platform pledged
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fidelity to the republican platform and principles. J. R. Bassett was nominated for county judge; J. W. Dilley, county clerk; M. M. Jones, treasurer, and Miss Amanda Frazier, county superintendent. The county republican central committee were H. Bigelow, B. D. Ellett, Walter Pryne, D. W. Sedwick and William Byrus.
Late in August, 1873, the people's convention, composed of democrats, greenbackers and fusionists generally, met at Byers' Hall and elected W. E. Griffin chairman and L. D. Holmes secretary. The committee on platform were N. P. Smith, J. P. Wycoff, A. Brun- ington, J. E. Harroun and J. W. Sedwell. The preamble to the plat- form recited that a portion of the people deemed it advisable to dissolve connection with the old parties and set up a new political organization based upon the following principles: (1) All corpora- tions to be controlled by law; (2) greater economy in public office; (3) the producing classes to be better represented in official position ; (4) that honesty, ability and competency should be the test of fitness for office; (5) a tariff for revenue with a few exceptions; (6) repre- sentatives of the people should obey the wishes of the people or resign; (7) favored the election of president and United States sena- tors by direct vote of the people; (8) opposed to further land grants to railroads or other corporations, the same to be given to actual settlers; (9) that the next Congress should repeal at once the back pay or salary grab steal as it was called; (10) advised the repeal of the railroad law which advocated the pro rata principle. This con- vention nominated the following officers: Thomas Likely, county judge; C. F. Durston, county clerk; W. N. Graham, treasurer; W. B. Frew, surveyor.
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