History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 33

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago [Ill.] : Inter-state Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1166

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COMPLIMENTARY.

In 1845 the State Railroad Commissioner and W. F. Storey, of the Patriot, were not particularly friendly. The latter, doubtless, was a close observer of men and events, a terrible enemy of him

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

who opposed the interests of Jackson county, or of its county-seat. and a regular slayer of its avowed opponents. Commissioner Comstock may have done something detrimental to the city inter- ests, and so he is honored with this flattering editorial notice : "Jackson is a favorite point with Commissioner Comstock, we think. Train after train of empty cars have recently passed us going to Marshall, and on Sunday seven returned empty to Albion. there being no more freight at Marshall. At Jackson 40,000 bushels of wheat await shipment, and a large portion of this has been in store since the break at Ypsilanti. O. C. Comstock, Jr., is no more fit for commissioner than the devil is for paradise. Them's the sentiments of the people of this county. He had bet- ter resign and let some boy be appointed." This comical refer- ence to a most popular and able commissioner was suggested by an idea, originating in the editorial mind, that he opposed the in- terests of the Jackson people.

A CONCLAVE STUDYING COUNTY INTERESTS.

A convention of the Democrats of Jackson county was held in the county court-house, Sept. 3, 1846. The meeting was organized by the appointment of Panl B. Ring, chairman, A. F. Bolton and Marcus Wakeman, vice-presidents, with Michael Shoemaker and B. C. Hatch, secretaries. The delegates from the townships pre- sented their credentials, and took their seats as members of the convention, in the following order:

Jackson :- Simon Peterson, Henry Tisdale, P. B. Ring, W. J. Moody, John Yarrow, A. Ford, David Markham, M. Wakeman, J. D. Davis, G. W. Logan, Charles Mooney, I. L. Tobey, Charles Boyce, S. W. Stowell, J. B. Pierce, C. L. Wing, Walter Fish.

Concord- J. Reynolds, J. Stevens, J. Van Warmer.

Liberty-R. C. Sanborn, F. Pierce, B. Harrington, L. Thompson

Hanover-H. S. Skinner, A. Brown, B. C. Hatch, F. A. Kennedy, J. Crittenden. Parma -- H. S. Hollister.

Sandstone -- John Rouse, P. Lane, C. H. Ronse, L. Bascomb.

Pnlaski-H. C. Hodge, Ira Wilbur, J. Thorn.

Spring Arbor-II. S. Holcomb, H. H. Hammond, H. Anson.

Napoleon-A. F. Bolton, N. B. Lemm, J. P. Elliot, C. Calver, R. C. Baker, J H. Wells, and J. Slayton.

Leoni-M. Shoemaker, S. Higby, H. C. Orendorf, I. C. Backus.

Grass Lake-W. L. Palmer, Robert Lawrence, H. H. Bingham, N. S. Palmer.

Delegate J. D. Davis' motion " that the county be divided into eight districts" was carried, and 18 members of the convention elected to represent the people of Jackson at the Congressional and Senatorial convention to be held subsequently. A series of motions presented by Ruel E. Baker was accepted. The first declared that Jackson county ought to have the nominee to Con- gress from the second district; another, that the nomination of David Johnson should be secured by all honorable means, and a third, that a committee should be appointed to wait upon David Johnson, and request him to address the convention.

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

In this manner the rights of the people were guarded, and the best interest of the State served. It is now 35 years since this gathering of representative men resolved upon a certain procedure. Their deliberations were carried out in a dignified manner, and so sure as these were matured, were they acted on with precision and dispatch which would do honor to the assemblies of the present.

LOCATION OF THE CAPITAL.

Notwithstanding the central position of Jackson city, and the hopes of its enterprising citizens that the wisdom of the State would point it out as the location of the capital.a bill was passed locating the offices and chambers of the State Legislature in the wilderness, at the imaginary village of Lansing, Ingham Co. The bill with some additions was to come into force Dec. 25, 1847. although it passed the Senate on March 12, the same year. The press of Jackson, in dealing with the subject, deals with it from a cool, rational and patriotic standpoint. The Patriot, in its editorial column, speaks as follows:

"Thus the long vexed question has been settled, and the capital of the State has been placed well nigh in the wilderness. Those, however, who suppose that the proposed location is in a frog pond or on a dreary waste, are vastly mistaken. A flying visit a week ago to .Seymour's place,' so called, and through a portion of the town of Lansing, enables us to correct any false impressions that may have obtained in reference to the character of the country. The part of the town through which we passed (and that includes . Seymour's place') is what is termed timbered or heavy openings. The surface is slightly undulating, the soil rich, and the face of the country delightful. The land is elevated and free from marsh; and for arable purposes can scarcely be excelled. Grand river runs to the town, and at this point it is no inconsider- able stream; the water is clear, the current rapid, and the banks high. At 'Seymour's place' a dam is erected across the river, and a saw-mill is in operation. The water-power seems to be extensive and valuable, and should that point be the place, a more desirable location for a village cannot well be desired. It is situated on the east bank of the river, and the country back is truly magnificent. On the whole, since Jackson could not secure the coveted honor, we are pleased with this location. It will cause that portion of the State to settle rapidly, its rich resources will be developed, and we shall see a thriving village grow up, where there is now but a single log house."

The course pursued by the people of Jackson in connection with the location of the capital was well calculated to bring them honor and even the capital, but the people represented in the Legislature looked at Ingham county without a prospect, and wisely argued that Jackson was following in paths that lead to prosperity. It was, therefore, their duty to build up another county, and from the moment the State Senate resolved on this course, the people of Jackson merged their ambition in patriotism, and approved.

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

UNDER THE OAKS.

The varied causes which led to the revolution in the minds of men, that called for new political ideas and ultimately made them practicable in 1854, have been inquired into and elucidated in the following pages. The fact that Jackson justly claims the honor of being foremost among the communities in opposition to the exten- sion of slavery, will also be apparent after a perusal of the first paragraphs of the chapter. The historical material has been ob- tained by a careful examination of the contemporary records in the public prints. The files for that year of the Detroit Tribune, ed- ited by Joseph Warren, who was so prominent in the movement, have not been found, but the Detroit Advertiser (Whig), the Free Democrat (Free Soil), the Free Press (Democrat) and the Jackson Citizen (Whig) are accessible and have been used in the compila- tion. The literary enterprise of the Detroit Post and Tribune has contributed more than anything else to the collating of all the facts in connection with that meeting of Northern patriots "under the oaks," at Jackson in 1854, A year or two ago the idea of col- lecting each item of information connected with the formation of the Republican party suggested itself to that journal, with the re- sult of placing before its readers over two pages of pure and simple history, dealing with one of the most important political changes that ever agitated a free people. This important contribution to history has been utilized here because it bears principally on the Jackson meeting, and, therefore, becomes identified with the county and the city of which this is a history.

THE OAK GROVE,

better known as "Under the Oaks," was situated on a farm ad- joining the village, called " Morgan's Forty," near the county race-course. Between 3,000 and 4,000 persons assembled around the rude platform on that beautiful July 6 to denounce the exten- sion of slavery and to expand, rather than contract, the cherished principles of the fathers of this republic.

AN INQUIRY.

The question had recently been started anew as to when and where the present Republican party was founded and named, and claims have been put forward for Massachusetts and Wisconsin, in which States preparations were made for the celebration of its 25th anniversary. The first Republican convention in Wisconsin was held at Madison July 13, 1854, the call being issued July 9, after a number of "anti-Nebraska" meetings had been held in different parts of the State. The call invited "all men opposed to the re- peal of the Missouri Compromise and the extension of the slave power" to take part. No names were signed to it and no name for any new party was indicated in it, but the convention which

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

met in response thereto adopted the following as one of its resolu- tions :

Resolved, That we accept the issue forced upon us by the slave power, and in de- fense of freedom will co-operate and be known as Republicans.

In Massachusetts some preparation was made for a celebration on July 19. On that date, in 1854, a convention was held in Wor- cester, an organization effected, and the name Republican adopted by the following resolution:

Resolved. That in co-operation with the friends of freedom in sister States, we hereby form the Republican party of Massachusetts.

But the movement in that State at that time could not secure the co-operation of the Whigs, and in the succeeding election made but little showing at the polls, most of the anti-slavery strength being given to the Know-Nothing party.

On the 13th of July, 1854, a mass convention was held in Ver- mont of persons "in favor of resisting, by all constitutional means, the usurpations of the propagandists of slavery." Among the res- olutions adopted was one which closed with these words: " We pro- pose and respectfully recommend to the friends of freedom in other States to co-operate and be known as Republicans." A State ticket was nominated, but the State committees of the various parties be- ing empowered "to fill vacancies," a Fusion ticket was afterward placed in the field, voted for and elected under the name of Fusion.

On the 13th of July, also, a convention was held in Columbus, Ohio, of those in favor of "breaking the chains now forging to bind the nation to the car of American slavery." The canvass which was then inaugurated swept the State for the party which, during that canvass, was generally known as Republican.

On the same day a similar convention was held in Indiana, at which speeches were mady by Henry S. Lane, Henry L. Ellsworth and Schuyler Colfax, and the campaign resulted similarly to that in Ohio.

JACKSON ITS PROGENITOR.

But earlier than all these conventions was the Michigan mass convention held in the grove of oaks at Jackson on July 6, 1854. In reference to the claim of priority raised in behalf of other States, the late Henry Wilson says truly in his "Rise and Fall of the Slave Power in America:"

"But whatever suggestions may have been made, or whatever action may have been taken elsewhere, to Michigan belongs the honor of being the first State to form and christen the Republican party. More than three months before the passage of the Kansas- Nebraska bill the Free Soil convention had adopted a mixed ticket, made of the Free Soilers and Whigs, in order that there might be a combination of the anti-slavery elements of the State. Immedi-

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

ately on the passage of the Nebraska bill, Joseph Warren, editor of the Detroit Tribune, entered upon a course of measures that re- sulted in bringing the Whig and Free Soil parties together, not by a mere coalition of the two, but by a fusion of the elements of which the two were composed. In his own language, he 'took ground in favor of disbanding the Whig and Free-Soil parties and of the organization of a new party, composed of all the opponents of slavery extension.' Among the first steps taken toward the ac- complishment of this vitally important object was the withdrawal of the Free-Soil ticket. This having been effected, a call for a mass convention was issued, signed by more than 10,000 names. The convention met on the 6th day of July, and was largely at- tended.

" A platform drawn by the Hon. Jacob M. Howard, afterward United States senator from Michigan, was adopted, not only oppos- ing the extention of slavery, but declaring in favor of its abolition in the District of Columbia. The report also proposed ' Re- publican' as the name of the new party, which was adopted by the convention. Kinsley S. Bingham was nominated by the conven- tion as the 'Republican' candidate for governor, and was trium- phantly elected, and Michigan, thus early to enter the ranks of the Republican party, has remained steadfast to its then publicly- avowed principles of faith."

THE FREE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION AT JACKSON.

In 1852 there were three State tickets in the field in Michigan. The Whigs gave Zachariah Chandler, for governor, 34,660 votes; the Democrats gave Robert MeCelland 42, 798, and the Free Soil- ers, or Free Democrats, or Free-Soil Democrats, as they were variously called in contemporaneous records, gave Isaac P. Chris- tiancy 5,850 votes.

During the exciting contest in Congress in the winter of 1853-'4, the possibility of uniting all classes of those opposed to the Kan- sas-Nebraska bill and the policy which it indicated, was frequently discussed, but steps to this end were not taken until late in the spring.

The Free Democracy, as they styled themselves in the call for their State convention, were the first in the field for the campaign of 1854. Their call was issued Jan. 12, and was for a State con- vention to be held at Jackson, Feb. 22. It was signed by U. Tracy Howe, Hovey K. Clarke, Silas M. Holmes, S. A. Baker, S. B. Thayer, Samnel P. Mead, Samuel Zug, J. W. Childs and Erastus Hussey as the State Central Committee.

Before the issue of that call a county convention at Ionia had been held, and resolutions of denunciation and warning adopted. The Eaton county convention, held Jan. 20, denounced both of the old parties and the fugitive slave law. Addresses were made by the Rev. W. B. Williams, of Charlotte, and Mrs. O. C. Buck, of Eaton Rapids.

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

Anti-Nebraska meetings were also held of those who were not specifically committed to the Free Soil organization, among them one at Detroit. Feb. 18, in the eall for which appear the following well-known names: Oliver Newberry, Jacob M. Howard, Z. Chan- dler. Howard, Smith & Co., Geo. B. Pease, W. S. Wood, Wm. B. Wesson, Fred Morley. Baker & Conover, Jolin S. Jenness, Lyman Baldwin, Franeis Raymond, Silas M. Holmes. F. Buhl, J. Owen, J. A. Vandyke, Samuel Zug, R. W. King, Daniel Seotten, Wm. A. Butler & Co., Richmond & Baekus, Henry P. Baldwin, A. C. McGraw, D. Bethune Duffield, T. A. Parker, Edward Kanter, Seymour Finney, A. H. Dey, Geo. Kirby, T. K. Adams, Joseph Warren, Jacob S. Farrand, A. J. Brow, S. Folsom and Marcus Stevens. This meeting was largely attended, and was officered as follows: President-Major Jonathan Kearsley, Viee Presidents-Oliver Newberry, Shubael Conant, John Gibson, C. C. Trowbridge, B. Wight, H. P. Baldwin, Henry Chipman, James A. Van Dyke, Jolın Owen, Dunean Stewart and Peter Fisher. Secretaries-C. A. Trowbridge, D. Bethune Duffield, E. N. Wilcox. Speeches were made by Major Kearsley, James A. Van Dyke, Zachariah Chandler, Samuel Barstow and D. Be- thune Duffield.

The committee on resolutions consisted of Samuel Barstow, Jacob M. Howard, Joseph Warren, James M. Edmunds and H. H. Leroy, and a series of stirring resolutions were reported and adopted.

The idea of a union of all the anti-Nebraska men into one polit- ical party had not yet, however, been seriously entertained as a practical matter, and the Jackson convention was held as a con- vention of the Free Democratie party. It was called to order by Hovey K. Clarke as chairman of the State Central Committee, and organized with the appointment of D. C. Leach as temporary eliairman, and C. Gurney as secretary.

The committee on resolutions reported a series (prepared by Hovey K. Clarke, it is understood) which were taken up, amended, and adopted as follows:

The Free Democracy of Michigan assembled in convention on the anniversary of the birthday of Washington, deem it an appropriate occasion to express our veneration for the character of this illustrious man, and our appreciation of the wisdom and patriotism which laid the foundation of our national prosperity in the admirable instrument, the Constitution of the United States. We desire now and always to proclaim our attachment to that Uuion among the people of the United States, of which the constitution is the bond, and that its great purpose "to estab- lish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to themselves and their posterity," is, and ever shall be, ours. And, as a political party organized to promote this purpose, we believe it to be our duty, a duty which is especially and solemnly eujoined upon every man who has sworn to support the constitution, to support every measure calculated to advance this purpose, and to resist with the energy of inflexible principle every scheme which may defeat or retard it. We therefore

Resolve, 1. That we regard the institution of domestic slavery, which exists in some of the States of the Union, not only as a foe to the domestie tranquillity and the welfare of such States, but as subversive of the plainest principles of justice and the manifest destroyer of the blessings of liberty. As an institution, we are com-

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

pelled to denounce and abhor it. Yet we concede that in the States where it exists it is politically beyond our reach. But as we cannot deny our responsibility con- cerning it, so long as it finds protection under the laws of the federal Government, so we will never cease to war against it so long as the purpose of the constituiton shall remain unaccomplished to secure the blessings of liberty to all within its power.

2. That in following in the footsteps of the fathers of the republic, who regarded freedom the national, and slavery the sectional sentiment, wc best vindicate their claims to enlighten patriotism, and our own to be considered loyal supporters of the Government they established; and that opposition to any extension of slavery. a'd to any augmentation of its power, is clearly the duty of all who respect the doctrine or the practice of the wisest and ablest of the framers of the constitution.

3. That the attempt now pending in Congress to repeal the enactment by which the vast territory north of the Missouri compromise line was dedicated to freedom is an outrage upon justice, humanity and good faith ; one by which traitorous ambi- tion, confederated with violation of a solemn and time-honored compact, is seeking to inflict upon the nation a deep and indelible disgrace. We denonnce the scheme as infamous; and we call upon the people to hold its authors and abettors to the most rigid and righteous accountability.

4. That executive patronage has grown to be an evil of immense magnitude ; consolidating the power of the Government into the hands of the incumbent of the Presidential mansion to a degree subversive of all proper accountability to the people; and for which there is no adequate remedy short of a transfer of this power from the President to the people.

5. That we are in favor of cheap postage by land and sea ; of free grants of land out of the public domain in limited quantities to actual settlers; of harbor and river improvements, national in their character : and of grants by the Government in aid of the railroad to the Pacific, in such form as shall best avoid the wasteful splendor of Government jobs and secure the early completion of the road.

6. That upon questions of state policy we are in favor of the re-enactment of the law for the suppression of the traffic in intoxicating liquors, with such amendments as shall remove all constitutional doubts and secure the highest degree of efficiency to the law ; we are in favor of general laws under which capital may be associated and combined for the prosecution of works of public improvement and of various industrial pursuits ; we are in favor of free schools, and of such a disposition of the public money as shall promote the interests of the State rather than the interests of any individual or corporation; and especially are we opposed to the loaning of pub- lic money at one per cent. interest.

7. That the subjects likely to be presented to the action of the next Legislature are such as require the selection for the offices of senators and representatives of men of sound head, of business capacity and of unimpeachable integrity ; and we take the liberty of commending this subject to the seasonable and thoughtful consideration of the electors of this State, for we are assured that it is only by such selections for this important trust that wise legislation can be accomplished, and the recurrence of scenes which linger painfully in the memory of the people, can be effectually prevented.

At the evening session the committee on nominations reported the following ticket. which was accepted by the convention :

Governor-Kinsley S. Bingham. Lieutenant Governor-Nathan Pierce.

Secretary of State-Lovell Moore. State Treasurer-Silas M. Holmes. Auditor General -Philotus Hayden. Attorney General-Hovey K. Clarke.

Commissioner of Land Office-Seymour B. Treadwell. Superintendent of Public Instruction-Elijah H. Pilcher. Member of Board of Education --- Isaac P. Christiancy .

Additional resolutions were adopted recommending the Michi- gan Free Democrat to the confidence and support of the party, recommending thorough local organization, and advising the dis-

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

tribution of documents. The following State Central Committee was appointed : S. A. Baker, Samuel P. Mead, Samuel Zug, J. W. Childs, R. R. Beecher, W. W. Murphy, D. C. Leach.

Of the speeches made at the convention, we find but little con- temporaneous record. The nominee for Governor, Kinsley S. Bingham, was " vociferously called " and made a short speech, which was received with "rapturous applause." Mr. Henry Barnes and Mr. H. II. Emmons also spoke briefly.

THE FIRST REPUBLICAN CONVENTION.

The following call was published in the Tribune : To the People of Michigan :

" A great wrong has been perpetrated. The slave power of this country has triumphed. Liberty is trampled under foot. The Missouri compromise, a solemn compact entered into by our fathers, has been violated, and a vast territory dedicated to free- dom has been opened to slavery.

"This act, so unjust to the North, has been perpetrated under circumstances which deepens its perfidy. An administration placed in power by Northern votes has brought to bear all the resources of executive corruption in its support.

"Northern senators and representatives, in the face of the overwhelming public sentiment of the North, expressed in the pro- · ceedings of public meetings and solemn remonstrances, without a single petition in its favor on their table, and not daring to sub- mit this great question to the people, have yielded to the seductions of executive patronage, and, Judas-like, betrayed the cause of lib- erty; while the South, inspired by a dominant and grasping ambi- tion, has, without distinction of party, and with a unanimity almost entire, deliberately trampled under foot the solemn com- pact entered into in the midst of a crisis threatening to the peace of the Union, sanctioned by the greatest names of our history, the binding force of which has, for a period of more than 30 years, been recognized and declared by numerous acts of legis- lation. Such an outrage upon liberty, such a violation of plighted faith, cannot be submitted to. This great wrong must be righted, or there is no longer a North in the councils of the nation. The extension of slavery under the folds of the American flag, is a stigma upon liberty. The indefinite increase of slave represen- tation in Congress is destructive to that equality between freemen which is essential to the permanency of the Union.

" The safety of the Union, the rights of the North, the interests of free labor, the destiny of a vast territory and its untold millions for all coming time, and, finally, the high aspirations of humanity, for universal freedom,-all are involved in the issue forced upon the country by the slave power and its plastic Northern tools.

"In view, therefore, of the recent action of Congress upon this subject, and the evident designs of the slave power to attempt still further aggressions upon freedom, we invite all our fellow citi-

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History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 33

Author: Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago [Ill.] : Inter-state Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1166

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago [Ill.] : Inter-state Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1166