History of the Indiana democracy, 1816-1916, Part 31

Author: Stoll, John B., 1843-1926
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Indianapolis : Indiana Democratic Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1104

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Persons living since that great political crisis cannot form a correct opinion of the condition of the public mind in that day, which is necessary to a full appreciation of the strength of patriotism that actuated the hosts of Indiana Democrats in seizing

In the year before the breaking out of the war there had been a most exciting political campaign and election. But for two or three years previous to that cam- paign there had been heated discussions in the press, on the rostrum and amongst the citizens of communities over the then lead- ing political question of the dissolution of the Union. Naturally the Democrats were put on the defensive for the reason that Southern Democrats, almost wholly, were the propagandists of this destructive proj- ect. Before any overt acts were essayed, the question was regarded purely political, and the Democrats of the North were dis- posed towards defending by palliating the declarations and purpose of their Southern political kinsmen-their position being in the main that the threat had a political aim intended to thwart the political pur- pose of the abolition sentiment of the North, the abolitionists being held the aggressors. In this period came the notable national discussion in Illinois be- tween Lincoln and Douglas, in which slav- ery was the prominent feature. This brought the subject to every community in the country, and it was the fire-brand that set the mind ablaze. So that, when the campaign of 1860 came, the people were at swords' points-crazed with the subject, and allowed their minds to run to excess of wild exclamation and abuse. Taunts and jeers were hurled and op- probrious epithets were applied, and soon personal assaults were indulged in when the war actually came. The Democratic party had split into several fragments in

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the campaign, leaving the Republicans to an easy victory in the national election, and as between this event and the action of the electoral college overt acts of dissolu- tion had become history, the seceding States were not represented, and the Democratic party was torn into shreds. Previous to this quick succession of polit- ical events there had been nothing to call out the latent patriotism of either Demo- crats or Republicans. But now, to use the words, later, of President Cleveland, a con- dition and not a theory confronted us. Partisanism was thrown aside and patriot- ism vivified in the heart; and though still upbraided, taunted, jeered by the Repub- licans in the mad flush of a political vic- tory, Democrats flocked to the standard with the first call to arms and remained active under it through the bloody years until "the war drums throbbed no longer." The patriotism that stirred men to action under these circumstances must have been deep and abiding, and that kept them in service throughout the war, and to those who thus proved the possession of unselfish love of country, a greater meed of praise is due than has often been accorded them. Let the writer hereof lay this humble tribute-wreath upon the brows of those Democrats, living and dead: In the face of most ungenerous abuse and contumely, with a patriotism untarnished by any base sentiment and under the highest motives that can animate loyalty, they "saw their duty and did it."

In distinctive contrast with the attitude towards Democrats of the great body of Republicans, President Lincoln held a clearer view and a juster judgment as to his duty to the country, and his purpose of reclamation of the severed Union. To solidify the North in the struggle and to show that unlike his party generally he felt sure of the patriotism of the Northern Democrats, correctly judging them by his own high purpose of preserving the unity of the States, he sought them out and con- ferred upon them high and responsible po-

sitions. And it is yet to be learned of an incident where they betrayed the trust. McClellan commanded the army ; he was a Democrat. Grant was selected from a score of men, and put in command of the great armies of the North ; he was a Demo- crat, changing his political views and be- coming a Republican not until the war closed, and in the initial days of the recon- struction period. The superb Hancock, who held back the South on that blood- stained ridge at Gettysburg; a Democrat he, and a gallant soldier and heart-whole patriot besides. Franz Sigel, Democrat, was made a general and given command of a force, that with the wiry German at its head, became an idol of both our German and American citizenship; Sigel was also prominent in civil life-elected Register of the city of New York in 1871, and was Pension Agent for the New York depart- ment, appointed by President Cleveland during his first term. The Irish, too, were represented in the fighting General James Shields of Illinois, a Democrat, a statesman as well as soldier, who also served the coun- try as a United States Senator, holding that office in succession from three differ- ent States-Illinois, Minnesota and Mis- souri. However, it was never necessary to "show him," whether in the Senate, as Governor of the Oregon Territory or as a soldier in the field. He knew. This list might be extended greatly, but these names are sufficient to show the unselfish loyalty of the Democracy, both native and foreign born, as well as the wisdom that character- ized the great President, Lincoln.

And many Indiana Democratic soldiers -generals, colonels, and men in the ranks -with hearts that beat in unison with the grand strains of "My Country, "Tis of Thee," marched and slept and suffered and fought in the miasmatic swamps, and under the festoons of the gray Spanish moss; on the turbid waters of the Missis- sippi; in the trenches at Vicksburg; in Mobile bay; at Stone's River; at Resaca; on the storm-swept sands of Hatteras;

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HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916

with Sherman on the march to the sea; even challenging the guns above the clouds on Missionary Ridge; at the bloody angle and on the ridge at Gettysburg; in the swamps of the Chickahominy; working, watching and waiting in the trenches at Petersburg and Richmond; on the fields all over the South, as well as on the ensan- guined plains in front of Washington. And everywhere they wrote a record of brave and faithful service, the great thought that animated their souls being to reclaim and preserve the Union. On every field they paid the price of devotion to a lofty patriotism by the ineffable sacrifice. Why not then be placed on their brows in mem- ory a wreath bearing the legend-and no greater praise can be bestowed on man- "They saw their duty and did it." And the men that stood beside them, yet es- caped the cruel shaft, and who devoted their lives since to the upbuilding and re- habilitation of the country that was left torn and blood-stained-with broken bones and saddened mothers, bereft of sons or husbands-are no less entitled to like honor and praise from those who en- joy the fruits of their well-directed labors in the dark days of America.

HENDRICKS' ATTITUDE ON THE WAR.

WHAT HE HIMSELF SAID ABOUT IT NINE- TEEN YEARS AFTER IT WAS OVER.

A good deal was said during and after the civil war in regard to the "equivocal attitude" assumed and maintained by Thomas A. Hendricks with reference to the methods of bringing about the sup- pression of the rebellion. Mr. Hendricks was reluctant to talk about his record, pre- ferring that it speak for itself rather than that he devote his time to defending it. However, at the close of the exciting Cleveland and Hendricks campaign of 1884 occasion presented itself for depart- ing from his established custom. Repre- sentatives of the Democratic Veteran As-

sociation of Indiana, headed by Capt. Wm. R. Myers of Anderson, called at the hos- pitable home of Mr. Hendricks December 4, 1884, to pay their respects to the twice- elected vice-president who had eight years previously been chosen by a popular ma- jority of a quarter of a million votes but who, with Tilden, was denied occupancy of the office to which he had been assigned by the people. In eloquent words Captain Myers paid tribute to the high character and the sterling worth of Governor Hen- dricks, in reply to which the latter re- sponded in this direct manner and in these incisive terms :

"Captain Myers, I am very much grati- fied that you have been made the medium by your comrades to express to me the sentiments of your own speech, and of the address of the Association. You would distrust my sincerity were I to say I am not gratified at the honor you have done me. The congratulations from you and your comrades are especially gratifying when I consider the fact that you and I shared in the contest of last summer, which I regard as the greatest of all polit- ical contests in this country with which 1 have been acquainted, and that we have come out of that sharing alike in its re- sponsibilities and its glory. You have re- ferred to one characteristic of the contest which I hope never to see repeated in our country. The personal attacks and slan- der that have been indulged in were un- worthy of American politics. I have never referred to any of these, so far as they personally concern myself, during the campaign, and will only do so now very briefly. During the first month of the war I found it necessary to correct one of these misrepresentations, and at that time used the following language:

Since the war commenced I have uniformly said that the authority of the Government of the United States is not questioned in Indiana, and I regard it as the duty of the citizens of Indiana to respect and maintain that authority, and to give the Government an earnest support in the prose- cution of the war, until in the province of God it may be brought to an honorable conclusion and the blessings of peace restored to our country, post- poning until that time all controversy in relation to the causes and responsibilities of the war. No man will feel a deeper solicitude for the Indiana soldiers as long as the conflict remains to which they are called, than myself.

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HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916

"The sentiments then expressed guided my conduct throughout the war. One of the political leaders of the times charged that I failed in my duty in having opposed the law for the drafts. To opposition to the draft I must plead guilty. I favored an army of volunteers, encouraged by suit- able bounties; and during the first month of my service in the Senate I said that I desired to express the opinion that Con- gress should encourage volunteering, rather than rely on what many deemed an unpopular measure of the Government, namely, a draft. I did not regard the draft as a reliable support for the army. Prior to that time 125,000 had been drafted, 6,000 entered service under the draft, 10,000 substitutes were furnished, and 20,000 were induced to volunteer by the bounties that these commutations en- abled the department to pay. The draft of 125,000 resulted in 36,600 soldiers in the field. I believed then, as I have be- lieved ever since, that volunteers, encour- aged by suitable bounties, relieving them from anxiety about providing for their homes, gave the best assurance of support to the army. The same politician to whom I have referred, speaking of myself, said: 'He did not vote in favor of any measure that looked to carrying on the war.' I will refer to but two acts of mine in the Serate in answer to that statement. On the 23d of April, 1864, I offered an amend- ment to the Appropriation Bill, to increase

the pay of the soldiers and non-commis- sioned officers reasonably in proportion to the then depreciated condition of the cur- rency. I thought that proposition was an encouragement to the army and to en- listments, and I may say that Colonel Lane, then my colleague in the Senate, voted with me on that subject. On the same day I voted for the great Appro- priation Bill for the army, for the year from June 30, 1864 to June 30, 1865- I believe the largest Appropriation Bill ever passed by this Government-voting $530,000,000; and under that appropria- tion the army was carried to the close of the war; under it many of the battles were fought, and under it Sherman marched to the sea, and the surrender was made to Grant."

Vice-President-elect Hendricks closed by expressing his gratification at meeting the Democratic Soldiers and Sailors' Vet- eran Association of Indiana on this oc- casion and in his own home, and tendered them his thanks, not only for the honor they had done him, but for the support they had given him in the great contest then just closed.

(For obvious reasons it is deemed fitting to give this instructive information in this part of the History instead of farther back in its regular or chronological order.)

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[CHAPTER XXXI.]

WHEN THAT CRUEL WAR WAS OVER

POLITICAL ANIMOSITY SUBSIDED SOMEWHAT, BUT PREJ- UDICE WAS STILL IN EVIDENCE

HE Democratic State Conven- T tion of 1866 partook somewhat of the character of a reunion and a love feast. It was held at Indianapolis, March 15. The night before a largely at- tended meeting was held at the old State House, packed to capacity. This meeting was presided over by An- drew Humphreys, of Greene county. Speeches of a more or less inspiring and inspiriting character were made by Jason B. Brown of Seymour, Colonel Isaiah B. McDonald of Columbia City, Judge Robert Lowry of Goshen, Cyrus S. McNutt of Martinsville, Colonel J. W. Blake of Indi- anapolis, and Judge D. T. Laird of Spencer.

The convention proper was called to or- der by State Chairman Joseph J. Bing- ham. Colonel Cyrus L. Dunham, of New Albany, was chosen temporary and after- ward permanent chairman. In his cus- tomary forceful style the presiding officer addressed the assembly on the issues of the day, presenting strong points in sup- port of the policies advocated by the De- mocracy and giving due credit to Presi- dent Andrew Johnson in seeking to re- establish harmonious relations between North and South.

So deeply interested was the convention in listening to the words of truth and wis- dom as they fell from the lips of Colonel Dunham that at the close of his masterly effort insistent demand was made for more oratory. Naturally the delegates turned their faces to where the "Tall Syca- more of the Wabash" was seated. Loud calls for Voorhees brought that master of oratory to his feet. At considerable length

and to the infinite delight of the assem- bled multitude that champion of popular rights pitilessly exposed the tyrannical program of the Jacobins then in the sad- dle and appealed eloquently to the sense of justice that has ever been assumed to serve as a guidance to a fair-minded and justice-loving people. Great outbursts of applause punctuated the able and eloquent address of Mr. Voorhees.

STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE.

1. George E. Greene, Knox county.

2. Levi Sparks, Clark.

3. B. F. Jones, Bartholomew.

4. William S. Hall, Rush.

5. W. P. Applegate, Fayette.

6. W. H. Talbott, Aquilla Jones, R. H. Hall, Valentine Butsch, William S. Jennings.

7. Thomas Dowling, Vigo.

8. L. B. Stockton, Tippecanoe.

9. Thomas D. Lemon, Laporte.

10. Thomas Davenport, Kosciusko.

11. James Sweetzer, Grant.

THE TICKET NOMINATED.

Secretary of State-General Mahlon D. Manson, Montgomery.

Auditor-Christian G. Badger, Clark.

Treasurer-James B. Ryan, Marion.

Attorney-General-John R. Coffroth, Huntington.

Superintendent of Public Instruction-R. M. Chapman, Knox.

DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM DECLARA- TIONS.

"Resolved, That among the powers re- served to the States, that of withdrawal at will from the Union cannot be found, and consequently, such doctrine can be asserted only as a revolutionary measure, and not peaceably as a right; and the late action of the Southern people, in resorting to such means as a mode of redress of grievances, was illegal, and had no sus- taining principle but that of physical force, and that, having proved insufficient, those principles became remitted to their

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HISTORY INDIANA DEMOCRACY-1816-1916

constitutional obligations or rights, of which obedience and protection are chief.

"Resolved, That the principles avowed by President Johnson in his annual mes- sage, looking to the early practical resto- ration of all the States to their rights in the Union, meets with our hearty ap- proval; and the action of the majority in Congress, dictated as it may be by re- venge, fanaticism, or thirst for political power, and being exerted to thrust such States out of the Union, we solemnly con- demn; therefore, we cordially endorse the veto of the Freedmen's Bureau Bill, and declare that in our judgment the courage displayed, the doctrines avowed, and the high sense of rights manifested in that message, and subsequent speeches, prom- ise well for the future administration of the President, and we hereby pledge him the carnest and disinterested support of the Indiana Democracy in all his conflicts with that fanatical congressional ma- jority in his laudable efforts to prevent them from changing or destroying our cherished form of government.

"Resolved, That, in our opinion, the sole power of the Senate and House of Repre- sentatives over the admission of members to their respective chambers, is confined to the 'election, return, and qualification of its members respectively ;' that this con- vention further declares its conviction that Congress, in rejecting from repre- sentation eleven States acknowledged to be in the Union, by having their votes counted in favor of the Constitutional amendment abolishing slavery, the Senate and House have usurped powers not dele- gated to them by the Constitution, and are acting in violation thereof. We further believe that all members from the Southern States who have been lately elected, and possess the constitutional qualifications, should be immediately ad- mitted and upon the refusal of Congress to admit the members of such States to their seats, it is the prerogative and duty of the President of the United States to defend and uphold the integrity of every State now in the Union, and 'to take care that the laws are faithfully executed.'

"Resolved, That the soldiers who left the comforts of a home to sustain the flag of our country, are entitled to, and should receive, the heartfelt thanks of a grateful people. And those who early rushed to the standard should, by the action of Con-

gress, be equally remunerated, by an equalization of bounties, or otherwise, with their brethren who, at a later day, were called upon to fill that highest duty of a citizen.

"Resolved, That the vote of the House of Representatives conferring the right of suffrage on negroes, against the almost unanimous vote of the people of the Dis- trict of Columbia, shows a recklessness which none but fanatics would defend, and none but tyrants practice; and we hereby denounce that vote as a precursor of universal negro suffrage, and to other outrages upon the rights and liberties of the people of the various States.

"Resolved, That we are opposed to the repeal of the 13th article of the Consti- tution of Indiana prohibiting negroes and mulattoes from settling in this State, and now, more than ever, deprecate the en- trance of that class of persons within its borders; and we most emphatically con- demn and disapprove the action of the Republican majority in the late General Assembly of Indiana in passing through the House a joint resolution providing for the abrogation of that article in the Con- stitution.

"Resolved, That Senator Hendricks, and Representatives Niblack, Kerr and Voor- hees, by their untiring devotion to con- stitutional liberty, have shown themselves true patriots; and the expulsion of Mr. Voorhees from the House we denounce a high-handed outrage of a profligate, un- scrupulous party."

It will be observed that President John- son's course met with approval in both the Democratic and Republican State plat- forms. There was, however, this differ- ence: As Democrats "warmed up" to Johnson, the Republicans became more and more chilly, so that toward the close of the 1866 campaign not much regard for the Republican platform endorsement of President Johnson lingered in the minds of those who conducted the campaign. As a matter of fact, radical Republican sen- timent was by that time strongly tinctured with open hostility to the Johnson ad- ministration.

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REPUBLICAN STATE TICKET FOR 1866.

Secretary of State-Colonel Nelson Trusler, Fay- ette county.

Auditor of State-Thomas B. McCarty, Wabash county.

Treasurer of State-General Nathan Kimball, Martin county.

Attorney-General-Delana E. Williamson, Put- nam county.

Superintendent of Public Instruction-George W. Hoss, Marion county.

The net result of the 1866 election was the triumph of the Republican State ticket, the election of a Republican Legis- lature, and the success of eight of the eleven Republican candidates for Con- gress. A Republican Legislature for 1867 foreshadowed the election of Oliver P. Morton to the United States Senate to suc- ceed Henry S. Lane.

OFFICIAL ELECTION RETURNS IN 1866.

SECRETARY OF STATE.

Nelson Trusler, Republican. . 169,601 14,202

Mahlon D. Manson, Democrat. . . 155,399

AUDITOR.

Thomas B. McCarty, Republican. . 169,572 14,171 Christian G. Badger, Democrat .. . 125,401

TREASURER.

Nathan Kimball, Republican. 169,815 14,525

James B. Ryan, Democrat .. 155,290

ATTORNEY-GENERAL.

Delana E. Williamson, Republican. 169,732 14,357

John R. Coffroth, Democrat ...... .155,375

SUPERINTENDENT PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

George W. Hoss, Republican. .168,157 12,779 Robert M. Chapman, Democrat. . . . 155,378

CONGRESSIONAL MAJORITIES.

Majorities.

William E. Niblack, Democrat. 1,350

Michael C. Kerr, Democrat. 1,743

Gen. Morton C. Hunter, Republican 690 William S. Holman, Democrat. 869

George W. Julian, Republican. 6,228

John Coburn, Republican 2,574

Henry D. Washburn, Republican. 513

Godlove S. Orth, Republican. 205

Schuyler Colfax, Republican. 2,148

Major Wm. Williams, Republican. 1,272

Gen. John P. C. Shanks, Republican. 2,877

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[CHAPTER XXXII.] HENDRICKS AND EDGERTON

PLACED AT THE HEAD OF THE DEMOCRATIC STATE TICKET FOR 1868

T HE attendance at Democracy's State Convention, January 8, 1868, was unusually large and exceptionally enthusiastic. A temporary organization was ef- fected the night before, Con- gressman Wm. E. Niblack hav- ing been chosen to preside. Daniel W. Voorhees electrified the audience with an address that by a number of his elated hearers was pronounced the ablest and most eloquent the "Tall Sycamore of the Wabash" had ever delivered. He was in excellent trim, his delivery was thrilling, his argumentation masterly. Enthusiastic applause punctuated his speech from be- ginning to end. As he uttered his closing sentence he was honored with an ovation of which any great orator might well have felt proud. It was a great night for Dem- ocratic enthusiasm.

For permanent chairman the Committee on Organization named Joseph E. Mc- Donald, which selection was ratified with unanimity and enthusiasm. Mr. McDonald, on taking the chair, delivered a speech in the course of which he arraigned the Re- publican party for its disregard of con- stitutional limitations, its revolutionary program for subjugating the people of the South after having laid down their arms and returned to their allegiance to the Union. He gave hearty approval to the patriotic course of President Johnson.

STATE TICKET NOMINATED.

Governor-Thomas A. Hendricks, Indianapolis. Lieutenant-Governor-Alfred P. Edgerton, Fort Wayne.

Secretary of State-Reuben C. Kise, Lebanon. Auditor-Joseph V. Bemusdaffer, Laurel. Treasurer-James B. Ryan, Indianapolis.

Clerk Supreme Court-Noah S. LaRose, Logans- port.

Reporter Supreme Court-M. A. O. Packard, Plymouth.

Superintendent Public Instruction-John R. Phillips, Daviess county.

Attorney-General-Solomon Claypool, Green- castle.

STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE.

1. George E. Greene, Knox county.

2. Levi Sparks, Clark.

3. Thomas J. Reilly, Jennings.

4. C. B. Bentley, Franklin.

5. Dr. H. F. Barnes, Union.

6. Andrew Humphreys, Greene.

6. Dr. James McWorkman, Boone.

7. James Sweetzer, Grant.

8. John Enos Neff, Randolph.

9. James McConnell, Noble.

10. John P. Early, Laporte. Lafe Develin, Marion, Chairman.

DELEGATES TO NATIONAL CONVENTION.

At Large-Daniel W. Voorhees, Vigo; J. E. Mc- Donald, Marion; Graham N. Fitch, Cass; W. E. Niblack, Knox.

Contingent Delegates at Large-Francis T. Hord, Bartholomew; George C. Thatcher, Shelby; W. H. Beck, Fayette; Murray Briggs, Sullivan.

1. A. T. Whittlesey, Vanderburg county. W. S. Turner, Daviess.

2. James A. Cravens, Washington. David Huffstetter, Orange.

3. H. W. Harrington, Jefferson. W. T. Pate, Switzerland.

4. Lafe Develin, Wayne. John W. Carleton, Shelby.

5. W. H. Talbott, Marion. D. G. Vawter, Johnson.

6. Samuel H. Buskirk, Monroe. Chambers Y. Patterson, Vigo.

7. General M. D. Manson, Montgomery. Harris Reynolds, Fountain.

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History of the Indiana democracy, 1816-1916, Part 31

Author: Stoll, John B., 1843-1926 Publication date: 1917 Publisher: Indianapolis : Indiana Democratic Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1104

Author: Stoll, John B., 1843-1926
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Indianapolis : Indiana Democratic Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1104