USA > Indiana > LaPorte County > History of La Porte County, Indiana, and its townships, towns and cities > Part 18
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Resolved, That the cry of the Federal party against 'office- holders,' can have no effect in this county or elsewhere. and illy becomes the self-styled Whig party of this State. For eight long years or more, the Federalists have been in power in this State, and during the whole of that period, they have most faithfully acted upon the principle, that to the 'victor belong the spoils.' They have clutched every office within their reach, and fattened upon the spoils thereof, to the removal and exclusion of Democrats who were honest, faithful and capable. No opportunity has been permitted to pass unimproved, to hurry from office the most capable men of the Republican party, to make room for Federal demagogues, and the cormorant cravings of incompetent brawling partisans. Still this same Federal party, is constantly crying out against the 'office holders.'
Resolved. That when the Federal party came into power in this State, there was an overflowing treasury, the credit of the State was unlimited, and unimpaired, taxes were light, and cheerfully paid : industry received an ample reward, and our young and rapidly growing State was advancing steadily, and prudently onward, to that high rank among her sister States, to which she was justly entitled. But in an evil hour, the siren song of Federalism won its way to the heart, and gained the support of many a true Repub- lican. The reign of Federalism commenced, and its progress for the last eight years, has been onward, until the last cent is drained from the treasury. The State has become bankrupt, and her credit wholly destroyed; a wild aud reckless spirit of legislation has involved us in a debt of millions, increased our taxes until they are exorbitantly high. and plunged the State in debt to carry out a system of improvements, that will cripple the energies. cat up the wealth, and destroy the prosperity of the State for the next half century.
Resolved. That the people are too intelligent, not to perceive the danger into which Federal misrule has led them. Now is emphati-
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cally the time for the people to arise in their might, and hurl from office those who have basely deceived them-sacrificed their dearest interests, and sold their right inheritance for a miserable mess of pottage, and put in their place, men of long experience and tried integrity, men who are imbued with Democratic principles, wise in counsel, energetic, yet prudent in action, and who will stay the tor- rent that threatens to overwhelm us in irretrievable ruin.
Resolved, That as the friends of free government, we feel it to be our duty to oppose the election, to any important office, of every person whose notions of government and public policy are not founded in the fundamental principles of Democracy, and that in the future, in the exercise of the rights of freemen, we will be more par- ticular in selecting the sentiments of all individals for office, as to the cardinal doctrines of Republicanism.
Resolved, That in Tilghman A. Howard, as a candidate for Gov- ernor of this State, we have an honest man, a prudent statesman, an inflexible and consistent Democrat, and one who is well qualified to stand at the helm of our State affairs, at a time so peculiarly dif- ficult, and trying as the present.
If we wish to redeem our State from the depths of degradation to which she is already sunk, let us make one bold and determined effort, and rallying around the standard, whereon is subscribed 'Howard and Reform,' march boldly on to victory in the approach- ing contest.
Resolved, That we approve of the convention to be held at Delphi in this district, on the 18th day of April inst., for the purpose of putting in nomination a suitable person to fill the vacancy soon to occur in the seventh congressional district, by the resignation of the Hon. T. A. Howard, our present representative.
Resolved, That although we are willing to abide by the nomina- tion that will be made at the congressional convention, to be holden at Delphi on the 18th inst., and to cheerfully cast our votes for the same, yet we are decidedly in favor of the nomination of the Hon. E. A. Hannegan, and earnestly recommend him to the support of said convention, believing him to be eminently qualified to discharge the high duties of the office of congressman.
Resolved, That it is the imperious duty of every Democrat to see that there is a perfect and thorough organization in every township in the county. We well know, that it is by constant and untiring vigilance only, that we are enabled to guard our liberties, and pro- tect our civil rights; why then slumber at our posts, and remain inactive, when both are violently assailed by Federalism, and danger
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threatens us on every side? Democrats! awake to a sense of duty, organize in every township, and take a bold stand for reform and constitutional liberty at the coming election.
Resolved, That we consider the notion that 'solvency of a bank does not depend upon the amount of specie in its vaults' and that · the banks suspend to relieve the sufferings of community,' as great discoveries in political economy, well worthy the consideration of the wise and good. and that the inventors are justly entitled to the honor of knighthood.
Resolved. That we heartily approve the nomination of our worthy and faithful late Senator. the Hon. Charles W. Cathcart, for re-elec- tion, and that we will use all reasonable endeavors to insure his success.
During the consideration of the resolutions, the convention was addressed by Messrs. Enos and Cathcart.
On motion of Mr. Stewart, the convention then proceeded to bal- lot for a candidate for Representative from this county to the State legislature. On the first ballot it appeared that Willard A. Place had a majority of all the votes given. So he was declared duly nominated for that office. The convention then unanimously chose William M. Patterson for Sheriff. Abram Fravel for School com- missioner, and Dewitt Strong for County commissioner.
On motion of W. F. Storey. the convention proceeded to the appointment of delegates to the congressional convention. The fol- lowing were appointed :
Wilber F. Storey, William W. Taylor, Joseph Lomax, Nathan W. Low, Lawson Hough, John M. Lemon, Thomas D. Lemon, Gilbert Hathaway, John Cissne and Ithream Taylor.
On motion of Mr. Stewart, all delegates who could not attend, were authorized to fill their vacancies, provided they should do it with good Democrats.
Messrs. Enos and Wells, addressed the convention.
On motion of Mr. Enos,
Resolved, That Federal principles are like Harrison victories, few and far between-and made to suit party customs: and that Harrison's battles, so gloriously won, according to the tactics of the Federal party, are like his principles, wholly unknown and un- heard of.
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On motion of Mr. Storey, the following Central committee for this county, was appointed.
Samuel Treat, Abner Bailey, Joseph Lomax, Daniel Frye and Lawson Hough.
On motion of Mr. Enos.
Resolved, That the thanks of this convention, be tendered to the presiding officers thereof, for the able and impartial manner in which they have discharged their respective duties.
On motion of Mr. Enos, it was resolved that the proceedings of this convention shall be signed by the officers, and published in the LaPorte Herald.
The convention adjourned.
JOHN I. CRANDALL, President.
JOSEPH LOMAX, Secretaries. SCHUYLER PULFORD,
C. K. AVERILL, SAMUEL TREAT, Vice Pre's."
The Herald contained the following comment on the proceedings . of the convention :
"LaPorte county Democratic convention. On last Monday we had the largest political convention that probably was ever held in the county. The Democrats have commenced operations in the right spirit. We have great hopes of overturning the oppres- sive bank aristocracy of this much abused county. The people are tired of the wretched management of our public affairs. If large conventions are indicative of the strength of parties, then the Dem- ocrats of LaPorte county have greit reason to rejoice. The names of the nominees may be found at the head of this column. We had a numerous, a spirited, a well-conducted, a real, genuine, first-rate, glorious convention. And what is still better, every thing passed off in the most harmonious feeling, that could have been wished. Without further comment, it is enough to say the convention was Democratic, in every sense of the word. The oppositionists cannot, in truth, speak thus of their last Saturday's convention."
On the 16th of April there was a meeting of the Whig young men of Centre township held at the court house, and to show the enthusiasm for "American liberty burning in their bosoms," the proceedings of the meeting are here given. The resolutions were probably drawn by Myron H. Orton.
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" The meeting of the Whig young men of Centre township, pursu- ant to public notice, was held at the Court House on the 16th day of April and notwithstanding the unfavorable state of the weather, the assembly was large and respectable.
On motion of Mr. M. W. Patton, M. H. Orton, was called to the chair, and M. A. Allen appointed secretary.
The object of the meeting having been stated by the chair, on motion of M. A. Allen, a committee of six was appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of this meeting, and the following gentlemen were appointed said committee: Messrs. Jesse Wasson. Jeremiah Early, Jason Holloway, John W. Reid, M. W. Patton, and H. Rodifer. who after retiring a few moments, reported the following preamble and resolutions :
Whereas, We, the Whig Young men of Centre township, do most candidly lament the present depressed state of the times, rendered doubly lamentable by the suddenness of the transition from a state of prosperity, unparalleled in the history of nations, to the verge of bankruptcy : a state of prosperity presenting a spectacle of wonder and astonishment to the old world, of an infant colony shaking off the shackles of tyranny, assuming in the short space of sixty-four years a standing among the first nations of the old world, vieing with them in the cultivation of the arts and sciences, in the promo- tion of manufactures. and the extension of commerce: far surpassing them in mineral and agricultural resources. and in being blessed with a government better adapted (when properly administered). to secure the happiness of the people than any other that has ever existed: from being seated upon the pinnacle of national prosperity. at once the pride and envy of the world. we have been hurled head- long down the treacherous cliffs of experiments, and are now grovel- ling in the valley of ruin and despondency. We have become objects of contempt and derision to foreigners, and the slaves and vassals of those whose legitimate sphere is the service of the people; and, whereas, in this great revolution, which has taken place in our national condition, we recognize the fruit of the present imbe- cile and corrupt administration ; and whereas. we deprecate the election of Martin Van Buren to the Presidency of the United States, as the finishing stroke of a political scheme that will sap the citadel of liberty: and whereas in the Prætorian band of office holders which infest our land, the sworn vassal of the lord of the manor, we recognize a system of bribery and corruption calculated
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to destroy the purity of the elective franchise, and to render the votes of freemen a merchantable commodity ; and, whereas, actua- ted by sentiments of gratitude to the immortal achievers of our independence, and to the illustrious framers of our constitution, we consider ourselves bound by the mutual ties of honor and consan- guinity to transmit, unimpaired, this glorious inheritance to poster- ity; and whereas we consider the course of the present administra- tion opposed to the spirit and tenor of the constitution, and pregnant with consequences disastrous to our prosperity, ruinous and destructive to our interest, and subversive of civil liberty; And whereas, being heartily tired of experiments and experimenters, we most heartily desire to return to the old and tried method of admin- istering the government upon the principles laid down in the consti- tution, and upon which the administration of Washington and Jefferson were modeled: Therefore,
Resolved, That the young men of the United States are to be the future props of the American Republic, and upon their intelligence and patriotism will depend the security of the ark of our political liberty and the dearest interests of the civilized globe, and that in order to give our minds and our feelings a thorough training pre- paratory to one of the first political battles we shall be called upon to fight next August and November, we will visit and participate in the object of the thousands who will meet on the battle field of Tip- pecanoe, on the 29 of May next, and that even now in comtemplat- ing the scene that will be there exhibited, our minds expand, and our bosoms dilate with emotions of pride and patriotism, and we congratulate ourselves upon the fact, that there is virtue enough among the people to purge the Republic of swindlers, robbers, spoilsmen and all corruption.
Resolved, That in the opinion of this meeting, the present is a period in the history of our country in which every young man who feels the least spark of American liberty burning in his bosom, ought to come manfully forward to the support of the people's log cabin candidate for the Presidency.
Resolved, That we place implicit confidence in the Hero of Tip- pecanoe for a speedy deliverance from the present embarrassments of our country, and a just compensation for the produce of the farmer, and the labor of the mechanic.
Resolved, That we, the young men of LaPorte county, in our humble sphere, will use all honorable means within our power, to elevate to the Presidency the Cincinnatus of America, trusting that he will not, in the evening of his days, obscure the splendor of his
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former actions: and that by his known honesty, integrity and patriot- riotism, he will elevate us to our former prosperity and enhance our glory among the nations of the earth.
Resolved, that we heartily approve of the plan of holding a con- vention on the Tippecanoe battle ground on the 29th of May next, and also recommend a general turn out of the Young Men of this county on said occasion.
Resolved, That on the 29th of May next, the Tippecanoe Club of LaPorte will proceed to the battle field of Tippecanoe; that we will take our bread, bacon, hard cider and our tents, and all the paraphernalia of the camp along with us, together with a large ban- ner upon which shall be inscribed, Retrenchment and Reform, Log Cabin, Hard Cider, and No Quarter.
Resolved, That the Tippecanoe Club will meet again on the 26th day of April, at the Court House, and that a general attendance of the young men of this county is requested.
Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be published in the LaPorte county Whig.
M. H. ORTON, President, M. A. ALLEN, Secretary."
In April, a charter election was held at Michigan City, which resulted in a Whig victory; and the Gazette of the 15th, gave an account of the rejoicings on the occasion, which were of the most enthusiastic character, the Democrats having carried the previous election. The following quotation from that paper is given as illus- trative of the demonstrative proceedings :
"THE BALL IN MOTION.
Yesterday was a proud day for the friends of Harrison and Reform in this city. At an early hour, before the opening of the polls, the Brig Constitution passed through our streets appropriately decorated with banners and mottoes, and manned by a hardy set of brave Whig tars, under the command of Mr. James P. Pendill. From the foremast streamed the broad banner of ' W. H. Harrison.' and from the mainmast streamed a flag bearing the motto 'Harrison and Tyler.' At the stern of the Brig was a flag bearing the words, 'United we stand, divided we fall.' . Go the straight ticket.' The stars and stripes waved proudly over all, and as the Brig passed through our streets, the citizens sent up long and loud huzzas, whilst the brass band enlivened the scene by the various tunes which
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they played on board the Brig in the true Whig spirit. In the rear of the boat followed a host of true Harrison voters; and when the poll was opened, proceeded to the place and deposited their votes in order, which made our opponents look rather streaked. As the Brig passed along we noticed a brave son of the ocean heaving the lead, and singing out the soundings; and as the Brig approached the poll, we could hear him singing out 'Land Ho.' To the tempest-tossed mariner this is always a welcome shout, and to the friends of the constitution it was doubly so. For years a proud and haughty dynasty has lorded it over the rights and interests of the people, and we have never been cheered by the sight of a safe anchorage until the gallant Harrison was selected as Pilot with the prospect of promotion to Commander of the next voyage. Since then from all quarters we have the cheering news, ' Land Ho.' Let us push forward to victory and success.
The entire Whig ticket was elected by handsome majorties. The following is the ticket :
Mayor, John Francis; Recorder, William H. Goodhue; Alder- men, Chauncey B. Blair, James McAdoo, George R. Selkirk Daniel E. Garnsey, Reynolds Couden; Treasurer, Fisher Ames; Assessors, Horace Burr, Wyllis Peck, Henry C. Carter; Collector, Joshua S. McDowell ; Constable, Joshua S. McDowell.
Let us 'keep the ball in motion.'"
It will be observed that while the Democratic convention pre- sented fully its platform of principles, the Whig party did not. The reason of this is probably found in the fact that a meeting of the Whigs had been called in the preceding December, at which the views and principles on which they entered the campaign of 1840 were fully set forth. The proceedings of that meeting were published in the Whig, and they are here given in full, that the precise position of each party may be seen, as in this county they contended for supremacy in that most famous of all our political contests.
"WHIG MEETING.
Pursuant to a call of the Whig Central Committee, a meeting was held at the Court House in LaPorte on Saturday the 28th
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instant. The meeting was called to order by the appointment of Mr. John C. Reid, as President, J. M. Barclay and J. Bigelow as Vice Presidents, and J. M. Stuart, Secretary.
The object of this meeting having been stated by Mr. John B. Niles, it was, on motion,
Resolved, That a committee of seven be appointed to report res- olutions expressive of the objects of this meeting; whereupon the Chair appointed J. H. Bradley, J. M. Stuart, O. A. Barker, Gar- land Rose, A. P. Andrew, Jr., D. Closser and Charles W. Henry, said committee; who, after having retired a few moments, reported the following preamble and resolutions, which were unanimously adopted :
The Whig citizens of the county of LaPorte, now assembled in county meeting, in pursuance of a call of our Central committee, deem it proper again to express ourselves in relation to the matters which prompt our political action; and about which, as freemen of the Republic, we are soon to be called on to act. We have seen, with regret, the course pursued by our rulers for several of the past years, a course demonstrating, as it developes itself, its own fatal effects upon the prosperity of our common country. The wide felt depression of all the energies of business, the prostration of trade, the utter worthlessness of the products of agriculture, and the conse- quent ruin now depending above the head of almost every business man, heretofore by us so often warned of and foretold, as sure results of the late conduct of our general administration, are now unfortu- nately too obvious, to even the most uninquiring mind, to need any remark from us.
Experiments, which in their results, prove so deleterious to a whole community should never be tried. They cause always great confusion and much distress in the trial, and the gain from them, when successful, scarcely ever compensates for the loss sustained in producing that success. But a few years ago, within the memory of almost the youngest here, the path of the business man was even and unobstructed. The currency of the Union firm, stable, and built upon a foundation not easily shaken ; fluctuated only under the slight influence of our foreign trade. Our labor and the pro- ducts of the soil, then not only found a market, but their price,
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when realized was of certain and definite value. Now from the general derangement of money matters, not only have we no market, no price of certain availability, but even in the uncertain one, some- times presented, we are not sure that we shall receive any equiva- lent for what we sell. That which is money and valuable at one point of the Union, is valueless, or nearly so at another.
What has produced this state of affairs is now easily answered. Who has brought about the production is not more difficult to designate.
A restless, ruleless disposition not to be content with enough of good, to take prosperity in its common even disposition, to follow in any beaten track, plain and proven safe and of easy passage, and a bold adventurous determination in the executive of the Union, unguided by reason and unrestrained by law, are the causes to which all these evils owe their origin. When, by the overwhelming force of public opinion, President Jackson became the executive of the Union, that public opinion owed its origin to a deep seated belief that a reform was necessary in the expenditures of the country, and that proper economy had been lost sight of by former rulers. How far this great desideratum of those times has been achieved, now every one knows. Instead of retrenchment and reform, we have been compelled to witness a most profligate and unwarrantable waste of the public money, mad schemes of finance and obstinate persistence in them after failure has been evident, a loose adminis- tration of public affairs having for its object, more to reward parti- sans than to protect the public, and a consequent loss of millions to the country by entrusting it in the hands of men wholly irresponsi- ble, and in many cases, notoriously dishonest, are matters that have successively developed themselves for the last eight years, until it is feared that as a nation, we have suffered in our character for mor- ality and integrity, much more under the present dynasty, independently of any other loss or evil than under all former admin- istrations. We have seen the whole fabric of political principle upon which Andrew Jackson mounted into power, entirely swept away. The internal improvement of the Union, an object first in importance in all other countries is here, by his fiat an abandoned and forbidden thing. The protection of the industry, the produc-
I 5
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tion and manufactures of our own citizens has followed in its wake, and so far as the last measure is concerned, our people and their resources, are thrown prostrate before, and completely subservient to, the production of foreign and servile countries.
The destruction of the tariff allows England to compete with us in our own market, and with the labor of its slaves to undersell our citizens, while that same country will not permit us to land an article of our agricultural products (other than cotton which it can- not produce), upon its shores.
Measures like these marked the administration of Andrew Jackson, and their effects are written unfortunately, too legibly in the present condition of a groaning people.
Martin Van Buren, his chosen and appointed successor. came into office avowedly to follow in his predecessor's footsteps. How well he has done so, let the continued derangement of the currency, the daily appointments of purchased partisans, the hundreds of defaulters. the notorious insolvency of the treasury, and last and greatest. the utter disregard of the wants and interests of the people. in the leading measures of his administration. answer.
When we see an unhallowed distinction made in the payment of equally just debts. when the office-holding partisan demands the gold for himself, but pays to his laboring man what he calls rags. we are led to ask if it is Republicanism that prompts him ?
When by daily annunciations. dishonesty and crime are charged upon public agents and public men, and when investigation is feared. we see the administration by a traitorous and destructive usurpation of power, attempt, aye, almost succeed. to disfranchise, to trample upon. to strike from the Union a faithful patriotic state, whose very field is saturated and red with the blood of the revolution. whose every valley teems with the memory of victory and freedom; we are led to ask if it is in the hearts of freemen longer to let such things be. We answer. and we do hope and believe our whole country will join us in the answer, No. We think we see in the flag of the opposition, so triumphantly unfurled, bearing the honored names of fiarrison and Tyler. a unanimous and unequivocal answer, No.
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