History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan, Part 23

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Number of Pages: 1457

USA > Michigan > Washtenaw County > History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan > Part 23

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

self to be the Savior, possessing unlimited knowledge of past, present, and future, and therefore declined to prosecute the case. Morand was afterward taken before a jury, judged insane, and sent to Kalamazoo. The murdered man left a wife and a babe seven months old to mourn his sad and premature loss.

CHAPTER X.

POLITICAL.

Like all other intelligent communities in the United States, the people of Washtenaw county have participated with earnestness in the various political contests that have agitated the country at large, and have had also their own local political agitations. After the organization of the county in 1827, the first question of a political nature was that attending the abduction of William Morgan, a crime charged against the Masonic brotherhood, resulting in the formation of a powerful political party throughout almost every State in the Union, and known as the Anti-Masonic party. The Western Emigrant, established in Ann Arbor in the fall of 1829, after the publication of five numbers, passed into the hands of Samuel W. Dexter, who made it an organ of this new party, and for several years it was a strong advocate of the views of the Anti-Masons of the State, as well as of Washtenaw county. A correspondent of an Eastern paper under date December, 1829, in speaking of the political questions then agitating the people of the Territory, says: " The only parties dividing the people heretofore have been on account of names or rather partiality for the different prominent men whose names have been before the public for office. Some of their divisions, if I am not misinformed, have grown out of personal prejudice, originating, in all probability, from some petty misunderstanding among the great ones of the earth. These restless Republicans, as they boastingly style themselves, have got hold of a bone at present that will probably supersede the old feuds that have long existed. It seems that a few years ago a man by the name of William Morgan, of the State of New York, was carried off by men who were members of the Masonic insti- tution, and concealed in some secure place (for attempting to publish the secrets of the order), and has not been heard of since. For this a certain part of the community charge those who carried him off with having murdered him; and assert that it was by the sanction and in accordance with the rules and practices of Masons generally; that they will break down the whole Masonic institution; that they will support none for office, and turn those out now in office, who are Masons. They are called Anti-Masons. The Masons, on their part, assert that if Morgan was murdered, it was done by men more zealous than wise, and without the knowledge or agency of the Masonic fraternity; that they wish the perpetrators of the deed the punishment they deserve; that an institution embracing in its ranks the most talented, patriotic and virtuous men of which America can boast, ought to repel with scorn the imputation of guilt thus attached

244

HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

to them; and that it is a mere electioneering story, set afloat by men of desperate fortunes, who hope to avail themselves of the just and laudable indignation such insinuations are calculated to excite in the community, to slide into office."

In 1831 Samuel W. Dexter was nominated as the Anti-Masonic candidate for delegate to Congress, against Austin E. Wing. The canvass was conducted with considerable spirit on both sides, and even with some bitterness. Those who were disposed to be neutral with reference to the claims of the Masons and Anti-Masons were denominated Jack-Masons by the latter. Mr. Wing was elected, though Washtenaw county gave Mr. Dexter a majority of 177 out of a vote of 590. The Anti-Masonic candidates for the Legislative Council in this county were elected.

In 1835 the Anti- Masonic element had almost disappeared, and only as members of the Van Buren, or Democratic, party, or of the Whig party, did they attempt to put in practice their peculiar views. The Emigrant having been disposed of, and the Michigan Whig taken its place, left the Anti-Masons without any organ. Not- withstanding Michigan was still without the Union, as much interest was taken in political affairs as if they were entitled to all the rights and privileges of a State. On the first Tuesday of October an election was held for members of the Legislative Council. The Van Buren, or Democratic, party, had a full ticket in the field, while the opposition, under the name of Republicans, also had a ticket. This last was not brought out until a few days before the election, and was beaten by the Van Buren party. The number of votes cast was 1,146.

In the spring of 1836, in the election of town officers, the Demo- crats and Whigs were divided upon the subject of the State Con- stitution, the former contending for holding the election under that instrument, the Whigs opposing. Where there was a Democratic board in a town, and they decided to transact the business as required by the State Constitution, the Whigs absented themselves from the polls, thus letting the election go by default.

In the fall of 1836 the questions dividing the people were in reference to the admission of the State into the Union,-whether the people of the State should submit to the terms proposed by Congress with reference to admission, or whether they should be rejected with scorn. The parties were arrayed under the names of "State's Rights" and "Submissionists." The canvass was spirited, and almost one-sided, the "State's Right" ticket carrying the county by an overwhelming majority.

At the spring elections in 1837 the parties were divided as Van Buren and Republican, the latter being victorious in three- fourths of the towns in the county. This division continued in the fall, the respective parties nominating full tickets. A State Convention of Republicans was held at Ann Arbor, August 2, nominating Charles C. Trowbridge for Governor, and other officers. At the August election for Member of Congress, the Republicans carried

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

the county by 159 majority out of a total vote of 2,419. In order to rouse the Republicans of Ypsilanti, the Republicans of Ann Arbor challenged them to a gift of a public dinner if they should poll a larger Republican vote than Ann Arbor. Pet names, such as "Tory," "Federal" and others were freely bandied by enthusi- asts. As illustrating the humor of the canvass, the Republicans circulated freely a paper called The Spy in Michigan, which pro- fessed to spy out the iniquities of the Democratic party. The Democrats, one night, proceeded to hang the Spy from one of the windows of the court-house, which created considerable merriment. The Republicans, to turn the tables on their Democratic brethren, published a burlesque article entitled "The Trial and Execution of the Spy," in which the leading Democrats of the county were made to testify in the case to their own discomfiture. The Repub- licans carried the county by 27 majority, out of a total vote of 4,105, larger than any vote previously polled in the county.

In 1838 the name Republican had generally been dropped and that of Whig assumed by the opposition to the Democratic party. The county was carried by the Whigs by a majority of 368. Michigan was now a State and entitled to all the rights attached to members of a common Union; therefore in the election of a Member of Congress much interest was felt in the political result.

The campaign of 1839 was merely a preliminary skirmish for the one the following year. The parties were the Democratic and Whigs, or Democratic Whigs, as some of the latter chose to be called. Conventions were called by the latter party under both names. William Woodbridge was the Whig candidate for Gover- nor, and Elon Farnsworth the Democratic. Mr. Woodbridge's majority in the county was 516.

No political campaign since the formation of the Government has equaled that of 1840. The depression of the times which followed Jackson's administration, coming upon the country in that of Van Buren's, in 1837 and onward, prepared the people for the wild excitement and enthusiasm of this campaign. A change, by many, was deemed essential to the financial welfare of the people. The Whigs determined to make a desperate effort to obtain control of the Government, and the times were favorable for the accom- plishment of their ends. The friends of the Administration were not to be outdone, and therefore followed a year of wild campaign- ing, the most furious excitement sweeping all over the country, and taking shape in processions, barbacues and other demonstra- tions which were calculated to captivate the people. Washtenaw county was no exception to the general rule, and hence there was a fierce contest for the political mastery. The campaign began early in the year, and grew in interest until the election in November. Harrison's majority in the county was 484.

Shortly after the election of Harrison, the question of slavery began to be agitated, resulting in the formation of a Free Soil party. The first ticket placed in the field by this party was in the spring

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

of 1841. It polled 47 votes in the town of Ann Arbor. In Novem- ber the Democrats, Whigs and Free Soil men each had tickets in the field, John S. Barry being the Democratic candidate, Philo C. Fuller the Whig, and Jabez S. Fitch the Free Soil. Mr. Barry carried the county by 355 majority. This was the first year in which the county went Democratic.

In 1842, the same division of parties existed. The Democracy again put forth a strong effort and succeeded in carrying the county over the Whigs by majorities ranging from 263 to 381 on their county ticket. The Free Soil party polled 311 votes.

In 1843, John S. Barry was the Democratic candidate for Gover- nor, Zina Pitcher, Whig, and James G. Birney, Free Soil. After a strong canvass the Democrats succeeded in again carrying the county by a majority of 159.

In 1844, the Democratic, Whig and Free Soil parties were again arrayed against each other, under James K. Polk, Henry Clay and James G. Birney, respectively. The canvass, though in no sense to be compared with that of 1840, was yet somewhat spirited. Nu- merous speeches were made in behalf of the candidacy of each. Washtenaw county gave James K. Polk a majority of 201.

In 1846, Edwin Lawrence was the Whig candidate for Congress, Robert McClelland, the Democratic, and Charles H. Stewart, the Free Soil. Edwin Lawrence carried the county by a majority of 196.

At the election held November 2, 1847, Epaphroditus Ransom, the Whig candidate for Governor, carried the county by 43 majority.

The year 1848 brought with it a lively campaign. It was the year when General Taylor was the candidate of the Whig party for President, and General Lewis Cass candidate of the Democrats. Martin Van Buren was the candidate of the Free Soil party. Party lines were closely drawn and each side strived for victory. Lewis Cass succeeded in getting a majority of 52 votes in this county .

The year 1851 Robert McClelland was the Democratic candidate for Governor and Townsend E. Gidley, the Whig. Mr. McClelland received a majority of 119 votes in Washtenaw county.

The year 1852 was fraught with much deeper interest politi- cally than that of '51. Franklin Pierce was the Democratic candi- date for President, Winfield Scott of the Whigs, and John P. Hale, the Free Soil. The battle to the Whigs, almost from the first, was believed to be lost. The new Free Soil party was drawing heavily from their ranks, and the party was divided upon other questions. This county gave a Democratic majority of 329 out of a total vote of 5,482. Pierce was elected by an overwhelming majority, and the Whig party ceased to exist.

New questions now arose growing out of the American, or Know- Nothing excitement, and the agitation which attended the passage of the Nebraska bill, and the repeal of the Missouri Compromise. Those who were opposed to the further extension of slavery con- ceived that now was their time to act. The year 1854 is memorable

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

in the annals of the country as the year in which the Republican party was born. The members of the old Free Soil, or Abolition party, as it was more generally known, quietly took their places in and became a part of the new party. Kinsley S. Bingham received the nomination of the new party for Governor, and John S. Barry the nomination of the Democrats. Full State and county tickets were nominated by both parties, and the fight for victory was fiercely contested. The new party was successful in this county, its candidate for Governor receiving a majority of 691.

In the year 1856 the national contest was waged between the Democratic, the Republican and the American parties. James Buchanan was the candidate of the Democracy, John C. Fremont of the Republicans, and Millard Fillmore of the Americans. The Republicans were victorious. The vote was the largest that had ever been cast in this county, the total number being 6,515; and the Republican candidates for State and county officers were all successful by majorities ranging from 546 to 875. The majority for Fremont was 736.

Political excitement became warm again in 1858. Moses Wisner was the Republican nominee for Governor, and Charles E. Stuart the Democratic. Wisner received a majority of 320.

The country was now becoming deeply moved over questions which stirred the popular heart as none had ever done before. The storm had been gathering ever since the repeal of the Missouri Compromise. The struggles in Kansas had deeply intensified the feelings of the people of the North, and John Brown's attempt at Harper's Ferry had been skillfully managed so as to arouse and heat the people of the South. That the Territories of the United States should be forever consecrated to freedom was the solemn determi- nation of a large majority of the people of the North, and that the boundaries of the institution of slavery should not be further enlarged. The South, seeking its perpetuation by means of en- larged political power, determined that it should not be restricted, but should have enlarged privileges. The questions thus dividing parties was chiefly sectional, and pointed directly to war. In this state of the public mind, the Republican party met in National Convention and nominated Abraham Lincoln for President, and Hannibal Hamlin for Vice-President. The Democratic party met at Charleston, South Carolina, and the "fire-eating" element of the South, to better secure their object, the dissolution of the Union, broke up the Convention. The party afterward met in the city of Baltimore, and there the same turbulent element divided the Con- vention, and the result was the nomination of two Democratic tickets, Stephen A. Douglas and Herschel V. Johnson for Presi- dent and Vice-President on the one side, and John C. Breckinridge and Joseph Lane on the other. The campaign was a most exciting one, and only equaled by the Harrison campaign of 1840. The majority for Lincoln in Washtenaw county was 656.

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

The campaign of 1862 was an important one. The Union arms had met with reverses, and a somewhat gloomy feeling pervaded the minds of the people. When the election came each party stood firmly by its candidates, for the campaign had aroused party feel- ings intensely. The Democracy were successful.

In the Presidential campaign of 1864, the war measures of the administration became the issues before the people, and the con- test was one of much earnestness and depth of feeling. Abraham Lincoln was the Republican candidate for re-election to the Presi- dency, and associated with him on the ticket was Andrew Johnson, the distinguished Unionist of Tennessee. Gen. George B. McClel- lan and George H. Pendleton were the Democratic candidates for President and Vice-President. The result of the election was the second inauguration of Lincoln. McClellan obtained a majority of 204 in this county.

The election of 1864 practically settled the results of the war. The Confederacy collapsed in April, 1865. Lincoln having been assassinated, the reins of the Government came into the hands of Andrew Johnson. During his administration the great work of the Government was the " reconstruction " of the Southern States. The election in 1866 was fought upon this issue, the Democrats defending the President in his plan of reconstruction, the Repub- licans opposing. Henry II. Crapo was the Republican candidate for Governor, and Alpheus S. Williams the Democratic. The Republicans were successful in this county.

The year 1868 brought with it another Presidential campaign. The Republican National Convention met in Chicago, and nomi- nated Ulysses S. Grant, the general of the army, for President, and Schuyler Colfax for Vice-President. The Democratic National Convention nominated Governor Horatio Seymour and Francis P. Blair, Jr., for President and Vice-President. The campaign was one of great activity. Each party was well organized, and both had great hopes of success. The issues between the parties were still such as arose from the work of reconstruction, especially as it affected the condition of the colored race so lately manumitted, together with the proposed taxation of the bonds of the United States, and their cancellation with legal tender notes instead of gold. Discussions on these questions took a wide range, and involved the attitude assumed by each toward the Rebellion, during its progress. The result of the election in this county was to give Seymour a majority of 33, while Isaac M. Crane, the Democratic candidate for Congress, had 137 over Austin Blair, Republican.

The next general election was in 1870, with Charles C. Comstock as the Democratic candidate for Governor, and Henry P. Baldwin the Republican. The Democrats were again victorious in the county, by an average majority of 200.

During Grant's first administration new issues were formed, and a new movement sprung up known as the Liberal Republican, which had large influence politically, and virtually dictated the

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

Democratic nomination for the Presidency, in 1872, and the plat- form of principles on which the campaign against the Republican party was conducted. The Republicans nominated Grant for re-election, and the Liberal Republicans, Horace Greeley. The Democratic convention endorsed the nomination of Mr. Greeley, and accepted the platform on which he was nominated. It is but just to say that neither the ticket nor the platform furnished the Democracy by the Liberal Republicans was at all such a ticket or platform as that party would have chosen for itself, if it had pursued an independent course. The disaffection was so great that a third ticket was nominated, at the head of which was Charles O'Conor, the distinguished lawyer of New York. Many Democrats absented themselves from the polls, the consequence being that Grant was re-elected by an overwhelming majority. The Republicans were victorious in this county as well as in the Nation.

In 1874, the Democrats in the State and nation rallied and put forth an extraordinary effort, and succeeded in electing a majority of the national House of Representatives. The same zealous spirit that animated the party throughout the country was felt in this county. On their local ticket they carried the county by majorities ranging from 299 to 1,141.

During the four years of this administration, financial depres- sion and business difficulties presented to the country the issue, largely, upon which the parties went before the country for its suffrage. Through these discussions and other influences arose a new party which was variously known as the " Anti-Monoply," "Independent " and " Greenback." In National Convention it adopted the name of the National Greenback Labor party. In the contest of 1876 it did not figure very largely, only in a few States where it held the balance of power. The conflict was therefore between the two old parties, the Republican and Democratic. The Republicans nominated Rutherford B. Hayes, the Democrats, Sam- uel J. Tilden, and the Greenbackers, Peter Cooper. This was one of the closest elections ever held in the country, the result depend- ing upon a single electoral vote. Each of the two great parties were determined to secure the prize. Disputes arose over the count of the electoral vote, but matters were finally adjusted by the appoint- ment of an Electoral Commission consisting of 15 men, to whom this matter was referred. Their decision was in favor of Mr. Hayes by a vote of eight to seven. In this county the election was warmly contested and resulted in the choice by the people of the entire Democratic ticket.

The first county Prohibition Convention convened at Ypsilanti on Thursday, Sept. 21, 1876. The meeting was called to order by Charles Wheeler, of Ypsilanti; D. R. Shier, of Chelsea, was chosen chairman, and A. B. Hawkins, of Ypsilanti, was made sec- retary. A county prohibition committee was then selected, con- sisting of the following: Watson Snyder, Charles Wheeler, Charles McCormick, E. H. Jackson, Mrs. Ann W. Bassett, of Ypsilanti;

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J. B. Russell, Augusta; Theodore Taylor, Ann Arbor; and W. K. Childs, of Pittsfield. A ballot was then taken for State Senator, and Representatives from the first, second and third district, result- ing as follows:

State Senator-Eugene Laible, of Ypsilanti.

Representatives, first district-W. K. Childs, of Pittsfield; second district-Theodore Taylor of Ann Arbor; third district -- E. Chub- buck, of Manchester. After the nomination had been confirmed, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted, after which the convention adjourned:

Resolved, That as members of the Prohibition Reform Party of the county of Washtenaw, in convention assembled, we do heartily and emphatically endorse the declaration of principles as adopted by the National Convention at Cleveland, Ohio, and the nomination of Green Clay Smith, of Kentucky, forthe Presidency, and Gideon T. Stewart, of Ohio, for the Vice-Presidency, of the United States, and hereby pledge to them our unfaltering support.

Resolved, That we have implicit confidence in the integrity and ability of the several candidates for State officers of the Prohibition Reform Party of Michigan, and cordially accept the declaration of principles adopted by the State Convention.

Resolved, That we accept with pleasure the nomination the Hon. Peter R. Adams, of Tecumseh, as our candidate for Member of Congress from this Congressional District, and will give him our support.

Resolved, That in presenting our nominees for legislative officers, we are actuated by the eternal and unerring principle that right is better than might, and that right principles, honestly and persistently adhered to, will ultimately prevail.

In the campaign of 1878 four parties contested for the prize, the Republican, Democratic, Greenback and Prohibition. Full State and county tickets were nominated by each, the election resulting in the choice of the Republican candidates by fair majorities. The Prohibitionists polled 244 votes for their candidate for Governor.

The Presidential campaign of 1880 was warmly contested through- out the Union, with the possible exception of the State of Michigan. James A. Garfield was the Republican nominee for the Presidency, W. S. Hancock, the Democratic, J. B. Weaver, the Greenback, and Neal Dow, the Prohibition. Washtenaw county cast its vote for Hancock. The local ticket was divided, the Democrats carrying the greater number of the offices.

Following is the official vote of every general election from 1827 to the present time:

ELECTION JULY 9, 1827.

Congress. Maj.

Austin E. Wing 109

John Biddle. 123

Gabriel Richard.

ELECTION NOV. 1, 1827.

Representatives.

Henry Rumsey ... 101

Abel Millington. . . 74

Benjamin J. Woodruff. 62 John Allen 40

ELECTION JULY 13, 1829.

Congress. Maj.

John Biddle

338

236

Gabriel Richards.

102

John R. Williams

Representative.

James Kingsley

320

217

Elias M. Skinner. 103 ELECTION JULY 11, 1831. Congress. 177

Sam'l W. Dexter, anti-mason 410 A. E. Wing, dem. or masonic 233 John R. Williams, adm. . 5

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HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

Representatives.

James Kingsley .

635

Elias M. Skinner.

225

George Renwick.

420

ELECTION JULY 8, 1833.

Congress.

William Woodbridge.

519

121

Lucius Lyon. ..

398

Austin E. Wing.

Representatives.

George Renwick

559

Abel Millington.

537

Henry Rumsey.

403

Munnis Kinney

369

ELECTION OCT. 5, 6, 1835.

Governor.

Stevens T. Mason

. .. . .

1074

Congress.

Isaac E. Crary.

1075

State Senator.

Henry Rumsey

1011

Silas Finch. .

949

William J. Moody

999

David Page.

773

Abel Millington.

771

Benjamin J. Mather

763

Representatives.

Rufus Matthews.

1021

George How.

1007

Richard E. Morse.

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History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan, Part 23

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago : Chas. C. Chapman & Co. Number of Pages: 1457

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Number of Pages: 1457