USA > New Hampshire > A synoptic history of the Granite state > Part 6
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general history of the War, we cannot in a brief history follow her soldiers and officers into all battles in which they fought, and . in which many of them were killed. Nor are we able to speak of their individual heroic deeds, their sufferings, wounds, dis- eases, and imprisonments. All these have been told in a thou- sand books. Their names and deeds are indelibly written on the pages of National and State records. Since every person then living would now be 74 years of age or more, there can be among us now only a few who even remember anything at all of that War, and only a handful who participated in it. The observation we make is, that that entire generation of New Hampshire people, just preceeding us-soldier or non-soldier, suffered physical and mental torture during all those five long and bloody years. From this we begin to realize the cost of that War was, and now is, immeasurable. No adequate estimate of it would be possible in a thousand books. So let us merely call to mind a few names of battles as follows: Bull Run, Shiloh, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Malvern Hill, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, The Wilderness, Fort Henry, Fort Donaldson, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, battles in the Shenandoah Valley, the March through Georgia, Fort Fisher, Five Forks, Appomatox Court House, Lee's surren- der at Richmond. In naval warfare we read of the Monitor defeating the Merrimac, of a Farragut victory at New Orleans, of how the Kearsarge sank the Alabama, of Farragut at Mobile Bay, and of the blockades and the final surrender.
Following Governor Goodwin, as the War went on, came Governor Nathaniel S. Berry of Bristol. He was a Democrat, but popular with Lincoln's friends. He defeated George Stark (R) of Nashua by a vote of 35,467 to 31,452. Both parties in the State declared for the Union, and against secession. The rest of the State ticket went Republican with Lincoln.
In 1862 Governor Berry was re-elected over Stark while the War was raging.
Gilmore, Governor. In 1863 Joseph A. Gilmore of Con- cord was elected by the Legislature as there was no choice by
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the people, although the Democratic candidate Ira A. East- man, led in votes cast. The War was still raging.
Governor Gilmore was re-elected in 1864 over E. W. Harring- ton (D).
CHAPTER XIX
REPUBLICANS TURNED AGAINST LINCOLN DURING THE WAR. NATIONAL UNION PARTY. NEW HAMPSHIRE'S AMOS TUCK.
W HILE the War was still raging, in the summer and autumn of 1864, the question of renominating Presi- dent Lincoln and re-electing him or not, was flaming up as furiously as the War itself. Of this situation McMaster's School history of the United States paints this picture:
"On the one hand was the Democratic Party, denouncing Mr. Lincoln, insisting that the War was a failure, and demanding peace at any price. On the other hand was a large faction of the Republican Party finding fault with Mr. Lincoln because he was not severe enough, because he had done things they thought the Constitution did not permit him to do, and because he had fixed the conditions on which people in the so-called se- ceding States might send representatives and Senators to Con- gress. Between these two was a Party made up of Republicans and of War Democrats, who insisted that the Union must be preserved at all costs. These men held a Convention, and, dropping the name 'Republican' for the time being, took the name of 'National Union Party,' and nominated Mr. Lincoln. For Vice-President they selected Andrew Johnson, a Union man and War Democrat from Tennessee."
We quote McMaster as above to correct the propaganda that Lincoln was the soul and body of the Republican Party during the War.
To quote McMaster further:
"Radical Republicans held a Convention and nominated John C. Fremont for President and General John Cochrane for Vice- President. They demanded one term for a President, the con- fiscation of land of rebels, the reconstruction of rebellious States
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by Congress, not by the President, vigorous War measures, and the destruction of slavery forever." They rightfully kept the name "Republican." They were the regular and duly chosen Republicans and they controlled that Republican Convention. Mr. Lincoln was voted down. Later he was nominated by, and accepted the nomination of, the "National Union Party," with a Democrat, Andrew Johnson, as his running-mate, as stated above. The regular Convention of Democrats nominated Gen- eral George B. McClellan and George H. Pendleton. They de- manded that the War cease at once and, after that, they proposed to hold a Convention of the States to decide the question of Union. The Presidential campaign started out with this line-up.
The Republican Convention made a historic mistake in re- jecting Lincoln. The public reaction was so great that in a short time, in a few days, Fremont and Cochrane declined to run and Lincoln and Johnson were put on the Republican ticket. The people drove the "bosses" out.
New Hampshire delegates were divided as to Lincoln. Dele- gate Amos Tuck stood strong for Lincoln, first and last, and made his name great in New Hampshire.
CHAPTER XX
LINCOLN RE-ELECTED AND ASSASSINATED. JOHNSON,
PRESIDENT. CIVIL WAR HEROES. GILMORE AND SMYTH, GOVERNORS.
A T THE election New Hampshire gave Lincoln and Johnson 36,000 votes as against 33,034 for McClellan and Pen- dleton-a close run, evidencing great opposition to Lin- coln even in New Hampshire.
On March 4th, 1865, Lincoln was inaugurated President for his second term. But ON APRIL 8th, 1865 (a month and four days later) General Lee Surrendered at Appomatox Court House, and on April 14th, or Six Days After Lee's Sur- render, President Lincoln was Assassinated.
Andrew Johnson, Vice-President, immediately succeeded to the Presidency. Though a Democrat, he had loyally supported Lincoln, running on the ticket with him. He was put on the Lincoln ticket with Lincoln's approval. But bitterness and hate were so rampant, and the country so engulfed in turmoil, grief and revenge that reason was dethroned for a time.
Killed and Wounded. There can be no wonder at the hatred. Our State alone had 5,000 men killed and another 5,000 who soon died of wounds or war-contracted disease. It had sent 35,000 men into the conflict-18 regiments of infantry, one of cavalry, one of heavy artillery, three companies of sharp- shooters, the Dartmouth cavalry, the New Hampshire battery, and 3,000 in the Navy.
Some of Our Heroes : Here are some of the men contributed by our State to the Civil War:
General John G. Foster of Whitefield; General Fitz-John Porter of Portsmouth; General Christopher C. Andrews of Hills- boro. Then there were: John D. Webster of Hampton, Chief of Staff under Grant, and Col. Edward E. Cross, Lancaster, of
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the "fighting 5th," which lost 458 killed, all equally heroic. Continuing the list we mention: General John B. Sanborn and Major Edgar A. Kimball of Pembroke who were killed; Col. Byron Mccutcheon of Pembroke; Colonel Franklin E. Flint of Walpole, and Major General Benjamin F. Kelly.
At this point, we find a United States Senator, Major Henry W. Blair of Manchester, Colonel Everett F. Dutton of Clare- mont, Colonel Fontaine F. Bradhead of Newfields, killed at Bull Run, and Colonel Reuben D. Mussey of Hanover.
Then we find a Governor, Colonel Walter Harriman of Warner, prisoner ; and a historian, Rear Admiral George E. Belknap of Newport, Major Henry L. Patten of Kingston who was killed at Deep Bottom, Colonel Joshua H. Gove of Weare.
Commander Tunis A. M. Craven of Portsmouth, sank with his ship at Mobile Bay; Colonel Charles E. Blunt, Portsmouth; Colonel Richard M. Batchelder, Meredith; Commander George H. Wadleigh, Dover; Rear Admiral John G. Walker, Hillsboro; Colonel George W. Gile, Bethlehem; Colonel George W. Stevens of Laconia, all figured prominently.
Here is the father of Mrs. Lars Anderson, Commodore George H. Perkins, Hopkinton; Colonel Thomas J. Whipple, Laconia, who served 40 years in the Navy; Surgeon-in-chief George F. French, Dover; Commodore Enoch F. Parrott, Portsmouth; Colonel Joseph H. Potter, Concord.
Then comes the name of Dr. Alpheus B. Crosby, Gilmanton, Medical Director, later Professor of Surgery at Dartmouth; General Gilman Marston, Exeter, who became a United States Senator.
Commodore James E. Thornton, Merrimac, Executive officer of the Kearsarge; Commodore Charles W. Pickering, Ports- mouth, of the Kearsarge and Housatonic; Surgeon-General John M. Brown, Hinsdale, of the Kearsarge; Colonel Aaron F. Stevens, Derry; Colonel Robert Wilson, Concord; Colonel Alex- ander Gardiner.
Colonel Carrol D. Wright; Colonel John W. Kingman, Dur- ham; Colonel (Rev) James Pike; Colonel Henry O. Kent, Lan-
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caster ; Colonel Charles H. Bell, Exeter, who was later Governor ; Brigadier General Joseph M. Clough, New London; Colonel Charles H. Long, Claremont; Captain George A. Gerrish, light battery.
Then, Captain Sanford S. Burr, of the Dartmouth cavalry ; Captain Amos B. Jones, sharpshooter.
Governor Gilmore was re-elected in 1864 over E. W. Har- rington (D).
Governor Frederick Smyth (R) (Smith) was elected over Harrington (D) of Manchester, and was also re-elected, serv- ing in 1865 and 1866. Debts and reconstruction were the prob- lems of that period and Smyth solved them creditably. He was advised by his Attorney and Secretary, Charles H. Bartlett.
CHAPTER XXI
PRESIDENT JOHNSON IMPEACHED BUT ACQUITTED. CHASE AND GRIMES. GREELEY AND WILSON. GRANT, PRESIDENT. JEWELL IN CABINET. HARRIMAN, STEARNS, STRAW, WESTON AND CHENEY, GOVERNORS.
A T THIS time (1867) the country became aroused to fever passion over the impeachment trial of President John- son because of alleged "high crimes and misdemeanors." There was no evidence of "high crimes or misdemeanors." John- son had undiplomatically but excusably upbraided Congress in public speeches, and declined to be as severe on the South as some of their northern enemies desired.
The trial by the Senate was presided over by Salmon P. Chase then Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. The verdict was "Acquittal," by one vote, and that vote was cast by Senator James W. Grimes then of Iowa (N. H. born) who, a very sick man, was brought into the Senate chamber on a bed to cast that vote. He felt, he said, that partisan impeachment of a President would be a most dangerous precedent to set in this country. It has never been attempted since, and hence his vote became historic.
Harriman, Governor. In 1866 General Walter Harriman (R) was elected Governor over John G. Sinclair (D) of Bethle- hem, and re-elected in 1868. Sinclair was a master of debate. He was the father of Charles A. Sinclair, son-in-law of Frank Jones.
Governor Harriman's Administration created a Department of Public Instruction with Amos Hadley as State Superintendent of Schools.
Grant President, Stearns, Governor. In 1868 General Ulysses S. Grant (R) Great Civil War General and Schuyler Colfax were elected President and Vice-President over Horatio
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Seymour (D) and Francis P. Blair by an electoral vote of 214 to 80.
Marshall Jewell (New Hampshire born) was made Postmaster General. Grant carried New Hampshire. In 1869 and 1870 Onslow Stearns of Concord was elected and re-elected Governor over John Bedel of Bath.
Democrats Carried New Hampshire. In 1871 the Demo- cratic Party elected its Candidate for Governor, James A. Wes- ton of Manchester, but by the Legislature. He had a plurality of the votes. The Republican Party was split on the "prohi- bition issue."
Greeley and Wilson. The New Hampshire-born Horace Greeley who left Amherst when of age, had acquired fame as the founder of the New York Tribune. In 1872 he became the Democratic Candidate for President against the re-election of Grant. He was defeated but he polled 2,842,505 votes to 3,579,- 693 for his successful opponent.
It is interesting to record, however, the successful Candidate for Vice-President on the Grant ticket was Senator Henry Wil- son, born at Farmington, New Hampshire. He was then a United States Senator from Massachusetts, succeeding Edward Everett.
Governors Straw and Weston. In 1872 Ezekiel A. Straw (R) of Manchester, the pioneer Amoskeag manufacturer, de- feated Governor James A. Weston, and repeated in 1873. But in 1874 Weston won over General Luther McCutchins, a grand old country gentleman of New London.
Cheney, Governor. In 1875 Person C. Cheney (R) of Manchester was elected Governor over Henry R. Roberts (D) by a close vote.
Cheney was re-elected in 1876 over Daniel Marcy (D) of Portsmouth by a close vote.
CHAPTER XXII
WERE HAYES AND WHEELER ELECTED? CHANDLER IN
SPOTLIGHT. PRESCOTT AND HEAD, GOVERNORS.
T HE Presidential election of 1876 sky-rocketed a New Hampshire young man into the lime-light. It was William E. Chandler, later a United States Senator. Seeing that the national election hinged possibly on one electoral vote in each of four States, Chandler hastened to Florida. He claimed it for Hayes and volunteered to act as counsel for Hayes' electors before the canvassing board of the State. Through his efforts, as Republicans claim, fraud against Hayes was prevented, and one majority for him was maintained, so said Republicans. Demo- crats, however, aver that Chandler "stole the election." At any rate, Chandler for a time became the most famous man in America. The fact is there were close election contests in four States, and an "Electoral Commission," composed of five Sena- tors, five House members, and five Supreme Court members, finally decided the entire issue "on law and evidence." At least they took oath to do so, and Chandler was active through it all as an Attorney, if not otherwise.
The result was decided finally to be as follows: for Hayes and Wheeler 185, for Tilden and Hendricks 184. The popular vote was 4,299,893 for Tilden and Hendricks, and 4,048,248 for Hayes and Wheeler-a plurality of 251,645 for the defeated Democrats. It left a bitter taste in the mouth of history. In such a case the popular plurality should have controlled.
Prescott, Governor. In 1877 Benjamin F. Prescott of Epping was elected Governor over Daniel Marcy of Portsmouth. The President of the Senate was David H. Buffum, and the Speaker was Augustus A. Woolson. The Councillors were: Edward D. Burnham, Charles A. Foss, Moulton H. Marston, Albert S. Cott, and Jeremiah Blodgett.
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Natt Head, Governor. In 1879 Natt Head was elected Governor over Albert Mckean. The President of the Senate was Jacob H. Gallinger, and the Speaker, Harry H. Huse. The Councillors were: Evans W. Farr, John M. Parker, Joshua B. Smith, Edward Spalding, Francis A. Cushman. The term of office for Governor was changed to two years.
CHAPTER XXIII
GARFIELD, PRESIDENT; BELL, GOVERNOR; HALE, GOV- ERNOR; ARTHUR, PRESIDENT. GARFIELD ASSASSI- NATED. ARTHUR, PRESIDENT. CHANDLER IN THE CABINET.
J AMES A. Garfield (R) was elected President of the United States in 1880, over Winfield S. Hancock by an electoral vote of 214 to 155. New Hampshire gave Gar- field 44,856 votes to 40,797 for Hancock.
Garfield appointed William E. Chandler, Solicitor General of the United States, but the Senate refused to confirm him-prob- ably on account of the Hayes vs. Tilden election contest.
Bell, Governor. In 1880 Charles H. Bell was elected Gov- ernor over Frank Jones, the Portsmouth brewer. John Kimball of Concord was President of the Senate and Chester B. Jordan, Speaker. The Councillors were: Hiram A. Tuttle, Joseph Bur- rows, Warren Brown, Nathan Parker and James Burnap.
Taking the oath on March 4th, 1881, President Garfield was assassinated at the Washington railroad station on the following July 2nd by an insane crank. He died September, 19th, follow- ing. The country was stunned by the tragedy. Chester A. Arthur, Vice-President succeeded him. William E. Chandler was appointed Secretary of the Navy in Arthur's cabinet.
Samuel W. Hale, Governor. In 1882, two wealthy and active men fought a sensational battle for the Republican nom- ination for the Governorship. They were Samuel W. Hale of Keene and Moody Currier of Manchester. Hale won. At the election Hale defeated Martin V. B. Edgerly, Ex-Mayor. Charles H. Bartlett of Manchester was chosen President of the Senate and Samuel C. Eastman of Concord, Speaker. The Council- lors were: Thomas G. Jameson, Lyman D. Stevens, John W. Wheeler, George H. Stowell and Arthur L. Meserve.
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CHAPTER XXIV
CLEVELAND AND HENDRICKS, BENJAMIN F. BUTLER, CANDIDATE. MOODY CURRIER, GOVERNOR. INSUR- ANCE REFORM.
C LEVELAND AND HENDRICKS (D) defeated Blaine and Logan (R) in 1884, by 2 19 to 182 electoral votes, and about 60,000 popular plurality in the nation. James G. Blaine, one of the world's great orators, spoke in New Hamp- shire in that campaign. Cleveland complained of too great a surplus in the Federal treasury. What an issue in view of the present !
B. F. Butler Defeated for President. Our State had a "native-son" entry in the Presidential race of 1884 in the person of that doughty old General, Benjamin F. Butler, born at Deer- field. "Old Ben" would "never down." He was the nominee of the "Greenbacks," a third Party.
Moody Currier, Governor. In 1884, Moody Currier of Manchester was nominated by the Republicans and won over John M. Hill (D) by a close vote. At this time Henry M. Put- ney came into the public eye not only as a Currier booster, but as a trenchant wielder of an editorial pen in the Manchester Mirror. He continued to be a political power in the State for many years. Chester Pike of Cornish was President of the Senate and Edgar Aldrich (later Judge), Speaker. The Council- lors were: Charles W. Tapley, Benjamin A. Kimball (later rail- road authority), Mortimer L. Morrison, Peter Upton and John W. Jewell. Currier was a successful banker. He founded the Currier Gallery of Art.
A New Hampshire Insurance Reform. In 1885, a fire insurance law was enacted by the New Hampshire Legisla- ture, called the "Valued Policy" Law. It compelled insurance companies to pay the full amount insured in case of a total loss.
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All the big "outside" insurance companies went on a strike, and refused to write fire policies in New Hampshire. At this serious juncture, Frank Jones, A. F. Howard, J. V. Hansson, Calvin Page, and others organized the Granite State Fire Insurance Company, and Carpenter, Hunt, Sargent and others of Man- chester, leaders in the New Hampshire Fire Insurance Company, came to the rescue of the policy holders. The "outside" com- panies lost out in the end, while these State companies prospered. It was considered to be unfair for a company to insure property for a definite amount and collect premiums on that amount, but avoid paying the amount in case of a total loss. The law was an outstanding business reform in the State.
CHAPTER XXV
SAWYER GOVERNOR; A VETO FOR BRIBERY; GOODELL, GOVERNOR; TUTTLE, GOVERNOR; HARRISON, PRESI- DENT; SMITH, GOVERNOR; CLEVELAND, PRESIDENT ; BUSIEL, GOVERNOR. THE "TALL PINE."
I N 1886, Charles H. Sawyer of Dover (R) was elected Gover- nor over Thomas Cogswell. The popular vote was so close that the decision was made by the Legislature. Chester Pike of Cornish was President of the Senate, and Edgar Aldrich of Colebrook, Speaker. The Councillors were: N. H. Clark, John C. Linehan, Charles Williams, John B. Smith, A. S. Batchellor.
His Administration was marked by a surprise veto of the Rail- road Act, the Hazen Bill, on the ground of alleged bribery in its passage, which was never judicially proven. It was the re- sult of an over-heated legislative battle between the two warring railroad interests at that time-the Concord and the Boston and Maine.
Goodell, Governor. In 1888, David H. Goodell (R) of Antrim, a manufacturer and a crusading prohibitionist, was elected Governor. He attempted to enforce the prohibitory laws of the State. Frank D. Currier was President of the Senate, and Alvin Burleigh of Plymouth, Speaker. The Council- lors were: Charles H. Horton, E. C. Shirley, W. S. Pillsbury, F. C. Churchill and S. R. Merrill.
The Presidential election of 1888 had no unusual New Hamp- shire appeal. Benjamin Harrison and Levi P. Morton defeated Grover Cleveland and Allen G. Thurman by an electoral vote of 233 to 168, although the Cleveland and Thurman ticket topped Harrison and Morton by about 100,000 popular votes in the country.
Tuttle, Governor. In 1890, Hiram A. Tuttle (R) of Pitts-
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field, a merchant, was elected Governor over Charles H. Amsden (D) of Concord by the Legislature, there having been no choice by the voters. John McLane was President of the Senate and Frank G. Clark, Speaker. The Councillors were: James Far- rington, Henry B. Quinby, George A. Ramsdell, John M. Whipple, Edwin C. Lewis.
Two Democrats, Rev. Luther F. Mckinney of Manchester and Warren F. Daniels of Franklin were elected to Congress- an innovation at that time.
Tuttle's Administration was marked by a conflict between himself as Governor and his Council. It was over the controver- sies between the two hostile railroads.
The State Library was built in 1891. The State Dental Board was established in the same year.
Cleveland and Stevenson Win. In the national election of 1892 Grover Cleveland came back after a four year's lay-off. Adlai E. Stevenson was his running mate. Harrison and Reid (R) were defeated. The electoral vote was 277, Democrats, 145, Republicans. The Democrats had a popular plurality of about 400,000. Cleveland still fought a "surplus and a high tariff."
An Active Administration. In 1892 John B. Smith (R) of Hillsboro was elected Governor over Rev. Luther F. Mckinney (D). John McLane (later Governor) was President of the Senate and Robert N. Chamberlain (later Judge) Speaker. The Councillors were: True L. Norris, John C. Ray, E. O. Blunt, F. N. Parsons and H. B. Moulton.
The two Congressmen (changed from Democrat to Repub- lican) were Henry W. Blair and Henry M. Baker, in place of Mckinney and Daniels.
Statues of Daniel Webster and John Stark were erected in the State House yard and dedicated.
Forestry and Labor Commissions were created.
The State assumed control of all insane patients, taking them from the counties and towns.
The Agricultural College was removed to Durham from Han-
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over. Dr. Charles S. Murkland became the first President of the College at Durham.
Busiel, Governor. In 1894 Charles A. Busiel of Laconia was elected Governor over Henry O. Kent (D) of Lancaster. Frank W. Rollins was President of the Senate, Stephen S. Jewett, Speaker. Councillors were: J. D. Young, E. H. Gilman, F. C. Faulkner, T. P. Cheney, M. H. Bowker. Governor Busiel had been a prominent Democrat up to 1888.
The "Tall Pine." It was in 1894 that Cyrus A. Sulloway began his twenty-two years career in Congress. Senator Chan- dler was re-elected at this time. Sulloway, known for his extreme stature, later became nationally known as a zealous friend of the old Civil War soldiers, sailors and widows. He was a giant in size, a spectacular orator, dynamic, humorous, poor of pocket and generous of heart, much beloved.
CHAPTER XXVI
WILLIAM MCKINLEY ELECTED PRESIDENT.
RAMSDELL GOVERNOR. THE BRYAN SPLIT.
I N 1896 came that thunderous campaign in which William J. Bryan captured the Democratic nomination for President by his "crown of thorns and cross of gold" speech. It blew out of the political waters all Democratic reactionaries, creating a "split" in the Democratic Party, and throwing its mighty money interests into the Republican Party. It created Mark Hanna as a "President maker." Huge sums of money were spent.
William McKinley (R) was elected over Bryan by an elec- toral vote of 271 to 176. Garret A. Hobart, son of a Columbia, N. H. farmer, was elected Vice-President over Arthur Sewell of Maine. The gold Democrats (not desiring to go Republican) nominated Palmer and Buckner, but they poled only 133,542 votes in the entire country. At this time Frank Jones, the brewer, Irving W. Drew, a great lawyer, Henry W. Keyes (later Governor) Alvah W. Sulloway, a wealthy manufacturer, and other "gold" Democrats were received into the Republican Party, and remained there. Messrs. Carpenter, Chandler, Wood- bury, Frink, and other wealthy Democrats backed the Palmer and Buckner ticket. Bryan was radical then. Would he seem so now?
In 1896 George A. Ramsdell (R) of Nashua was elected Governor over Henry O. Kent (D). Chester B. Jordan of Lancaster became President of the Senate, and James F. Briggs of Manchester, Speaker. Councillors: Joseph O. Hobbs of North Hampton, Allen W. Clapp of Manchester, George W. Cummings of Francestown, Walter S. Davis of Hopkinton and Charles F. Piper of Wolfboro. Frank G. Clarke of Peterboro (R) was elected Congressman in the Second District.
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Swain, Weatherwax, Aldrich, Clement, Derwin, Rafter, Keefe, Bergeron, Simonds, Johnson, Connors, Peters, Malonson, Seruton, Sullivan, Stoddard.
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