A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume I, Part 37

Author: Orth, Samuel Peter, 1873-1922; Clarke, S.J., publishing company
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago-Cleveland : The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1262

USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume I > Part 37

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SHIP OF STATE

AREFORMA

GOV. SAMUEL J. TILDEN

GOV. THUS A.HENDRICKS

FOR PRESIDENT

FOR VICE PRESIDENT

GRAND NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC BANNER.

From collection of the author

POLITICAL POSTER. 1876

FOR PRESIDENT

FUR VICE PRESIDENT

HON HORADO SEYMOUR

GEY FRANK P.BLAIR

of NEW YORK

of MISSOURI

CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT

PEACE. UNION, AND

MYATIONAL DAMIDERATIO BANNER OF VICTORY, IBBB

From the author's collection POLITICAL POSTER, 186S

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HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

Jersey and Connecticut. Then came contradictions, and toward morning both parties through their national committees, confidently claimed a victory. The following day "the city was a seething, boiling cauldron of excitement." * This tense feeling lasted several days, interfering considerably with the business of the city.

It was not until March 2, 1877, that it was definitely known that Hayes was declared elected. The news reached here at noon and at once the streets were crowded. Three guns were cleared for action on the Square and one hundred and eighty-five shots were fired, one for each Hayes electoral vote. Flags appeared everywhere and every one was glad that the suspense was over. The city gave Hayes 2,292 majority.

In 1880 the republican nominations again aroused peculiar interest in Cleve- land, for John Sherman, the Ohio candidate, was well known here and his brother had been federal judge in this district. The Blaine men, however, had won the endorsement of the Cuyahoga delegation. The balloting at Chicago was fol- lowed by crowds gathered around the bulletin board and when unexpectedly Gar- field was named, an impromptu parade formed on Superior street, flags were raised over the courthouse and on the big pole in the Square, and on office buildings, a "powder fund" was collected and several cannon of Captain Smithnight's bat- tery fired salutes in the Square. While the tumult was going on, badges bearing the name "Garfield" appeared on the streets "in less than an hour," and business practically stopped for the rest of the day. Word was received that Garfield would reach Cleveland from Chicago on the morning of June 9. A meeting was called in the mayor's office and a committee appointed to meet him at Elyria. When the train arrived a carriage drawn by four white horses was placed at Garfield's dis- posal. He was escorted to the Kennard house by way of Superior street and the Square. At the hotel he was formally congratulated by Governor Foster and Mayor Herrick. The following morning he left for Hiram to attend commence- ment. A formal reception was given him on his return to Cleveland on the IIth. This was virtually a state affair, excursion trains bringing visitors from distant places. The city was lavishly decorated. In the evening the Public Square was illuminated with Chinese lanterns and there was a display of fireworks. The cam- paign was virtually conducted from this city. Every day brought its distinguished men on their way to Mentor.

Local interest was also aroused in the democratic campaign, for Henry B. Payne was a candidate for the presidential nomination in the Cincinnati conven- tion, receiving eighty-one votes on the first ballot. General Hancock, however, was named.

The largest rally of the campaign was on the evening of November 4th, when President Hayes reviewed the torchlight parade and spoke from the balcony of the Kennard house.

Cleveland again had a candidate for lieutenant governor in 1883, when Wil- liam G. Rose ran with Governor Foraker. George Hoadley, of Cincinnati, who spent his boyhood in Cleveland, was the successful rival. Hoadley carried the

* "Leader," November 9, 1876.

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HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

county but Rose ran several thousand ahead of his ticket. This democratic vic- tory made Henry B. Payne United States senator, the legislature electing him in January, 1884.

The Blaine-Cleveland contest of 1884 was unusually bitter. It was known as the "plug hat" campaign. There were many notable meetings, the principal one on September 26th, when both Blaine and Logan came to the city. It was an old fashioned political field day, with all the accompaniments. In the evening the Square was packed to hear Blaine, Logan and Hamlin. Foraker addressed an overflow meeting on Superior street and Blaine also spoke in the Tabernacle.

The vote was very close. The election crowds were on the streets until mor- ning and the outcome was in doubt five days. During this time there was march- ing and counter-marching, cheering and counter-cheering, by rival clubs of the rival parties as the news seemed to favor the one or the other. On Friday night the democrats could restrain themselves no longer. They held a jollification in the Square, a hearty celebration, the first of the party since 1856. But it was a little previous, for it was not definitely known until Saturday, November 15th, that Grover Cleveland was elected. Blaine's majority in the county was 8,825:

In 1888, when Harrison was named to oppose Cleveland there was an at- tempt to return to Tippecanoe songs and miniature log huts; the revival of "grandfather's hat" was more successful. The old Tippecanoe club was revived. In a room in the old Case block six men decided on the resurrection. Silk hats and uniforms were adopted and on March 3Ist a banquet in the Forest City house, with Mckinley as guest of honor, formally launched the reorganization which remains one of the leading political clubs of the city. On the Saturday evening preceding the election, an industrial parade was held, the first one in the city. Both parties paraded the same day. Harrison carried the county by 2,050.

In 1889 the democrats of the county named Virgil P. Kline as their choice for the gubernatorial nomination. The state convention, however, chose "Jim" Campbell, and he was elected by about 80,000 majority over Foraker. It was a hard fought campaign, both candidates spoke here as did McKinley, who was now a national leader.

McKinley's nomination for governor in 1891 was well received here. Jo- seph Cannon made his first appearance in Cleveland during this campaign.

The second Harrison-Cleveland contest was devoid of interest. The demo- cratic ticket carried the county by 2,796 majority.

In 1895 Cleveland presented James Hoyt as a candidate for the republican nomination for governor. He led on the first ballot, but the state machine nom- inated Asa Bushnell on the seventh ballot. Governor Hill of New York spoke for the democrats at a meeting in Music hall during this campaign.

The spectacular struggle between Mckinley and Bryan in 1896 was of pe- culiar interest to Cleveland, not only because of McKinley's friendships in our city, but because M. A. Hanna lived here. Bryan came to Cleveland on August 3Ist. There was a tremendous crush of people to see the daring orator. He spoke from the balcony of the Hollenden in the afternoon and in the Central

SUPPLEMENT TO THE OLD SOLDIER'S ADVOCATE. CLEVELAND, O. W PLEASE STICK THIS UP. A

MY BRAVE PRINTER BOY

BULLY BOY

GOOD TOOLS MADE AT ONE HEAT

LIBERAL REPUBLICANS

CIVAL SERVIT

PATRONAGE

COL DIHICKORY -DEMOCRACY

VOORHEES

SENATOR FANKIJKH

. They shall bent then swords into plowshares, and thew spears into pruning-hooks, nation shall not lift up sword against nation, nerthet shutt they learn war any more."-INAIAn ii, 4.

Naturalisi, observe, a lien Max smaller fean that on him. prey. And These have amaliet riill to biin 'am. And an proceed ad infinitum

"A departure from the jealousies, strifes and hates, into an atmosphere of peace, fraternity and good will."-URKELLY's LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE

CARTOON IN THE GRANT-GREELY CAMPAIGN

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HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

armory in the evening. Both sides offered their best talent to a public that seemed as eager for speeches as did their grandfathers in the days of Corwin and Clay. It was in this campaign that Cleveland contracted the habit of Public Square oratory. There were some innovations, the carload of Union generals touring the land and visiting this city October 19th, recalled the "bloody shirt" arguments ; Bourke Cochran enlisting his inimitable oratory for the republicans typified the attitude of the gold democrats; the industrial parades drafting shop men and office men and arousing their interest in the economic issues; and the pilgrimages to Canton. Friday night before election a score of important meet- ings were held in as many different parts of the city. When it was known late on election night that Mckinley had won, the Tippecanoe club immediately chartered a train and journeyed to Canton to be the first delegation to bring con- gratulations to the new president elect.

In 1897 interest was centered on the state campaign, for M. A. Hanna was a candidate for United States senator. Bryan came to Cleveland to oppose the general manager of his victor. The republicans won the legislature but by so narrow a margin that an alliance between the democrats and a few "insurgents" almost compassed the defeat of the republican Warwick. The intrigue caused the bitterest of feeling and left a blighting effect upon the republican party in this city.

In 1899 an interesting state campaign was waged. Sam Jones, Toledo's "Golden Rule mayor" ran on an independent ticket for governor. The figures for Cuya- hoga county are instructive : Nash, republican, 21,321 ; McLean, democrat, 7,410; Jones, independent, 36,255.

The second Mckinley campaign was devoid of special interest. The cam- paign tent, known to local campaigns, was now first used in a presidential canvass on the corner of Broadway and Ledyard street. Bryan and Theodore Roosevelt were the leading attractions. Roosevelt spoke here for the first time October 17th. He left a very favorable impression. The result in the city was very close. McKinley's majority was only 280 ; in the county it was 3,014.

In 1903 both candidates for governor, Myron T. Herrick, republican, and Tom L. Johnson, democrat, were citizens of Cleveland, and Senator Hanna, candidate for reelection, was opposed by John H. Clarke, of Cleveland. Thus the two leading candidates of both parties were residents of this city, a coinci- dence that is unique in Ohio's political history. Herrick carried the city by 4,591 majority and the state by over 100,000. Senator Hanna was returned to the senate.

In 1904 Roosevelt swept the county with a record breaking majority of 33,365. The campaign was listless.

The presidential campaign of 1908 was devoid of special interest. William H. Taft, of Cincinnati, republican candidate, carried the city and the county.

It must remain for the future historian, who can look calmly through the long vista of years, to record the story of the exciting local campaigns of the last decades, especially of those important municipal struggles whose issues have had so important a bearing upon our community and whose significace has at- tracted the attention of the entire nation.

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HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

CHAPTER XXIX.

THE SLAVERY ISSUE IN CLEVELAND.

The early settlers from New England were not anti-slavery propagandists. The majority of them thought little about the question. Those that did, were of two opinions. Some wanted slavery abolished, others wanted the slaves sent back to Africa, believing that the state should compensate the owners and that many slaveholders would manumit their slaves if they were assured they would leave the country. Between these two opinions there was often heated controversy. The "colonizationists" as they were called, bitterly opposed the "abolitionists."

The first organization in the county, pertaining to the issue, was made in 1827, when the Cuyahoga County Colonization Society was formed as a branch of the National Colonization Society. The names of some of the most eminent men in the town appear on its official roll and this would indicate the favor that this plan met among the intelligent portion of the community. Samuel Cowles was presi- dent, Rev. Randolph Stow, Nehemiah Allen, Datus Kelley, Josiah Barber and Lewis R. Dille, vice presidents; A. W. Walworth, treasurer; James S. Clarke, secretary ; and Mordecai Bartley, delegate to the national society. The society did not last many years.

The abolitionists were gathering strength and in 1833 organized the Cleveland Anti-Slavery Society. Dr. David Long, president ; J. H. Harding, vice president ; S. L. Severance, secretary; and John A. Foote, treasurer. On September 10, 1835, those opposed to abolition held a largely attended public meeting at which the Hon. Josiah Barber presided. The speeches hotly denounced the abolition- ists.

On July 4, 1837, at a meeting in the Old Stone church the Cuyahoga County Anti-Slavery Society was formed. John A. Foote was chosen chairman of the meeting and J. M. Sterling, J. F. Hawks and S. L. Severance, a committee on constitution. They reported that "the object of this society shall be the entire abolition of slavery throughout the United States and the elevation of our colored brethren to their proper rank as men." Edward Wade was elected president; Samuel Freeman of Palmer, Asa Cody of Euclid, J. A. Foote of Cleveland, J. L. Tomlinson, of Rockport, Samuel Williamson of Willoughby, vice presidents ; L. L. Rice, corresponding secretary ; H. F. Brayton, recording secretary ; and S. L. Severance, treasurer.

An impulse was given this movement by the opening of "The record of black and mulatto persons, certificates of freedom, bonds, etc.," in the county clerk's office on September 26, 1839. This record was prescribed by a state law passed in 1804. "No black or mulatto person shall be permitted to settle or reside in this state unless he or she shall first procure a fair certificate from some court within the United States of his or her actual freedom and requiring every such person to have such certificate recorded in the clerk's office in the county in which he or she intended to reside." Any one employing such unregistered per- son was subject to a fine. Another state act of the same year proscribed as an offense the harboring or secreting of "any black or mulatto person" and levied a fine of one thousand dollars upon any one who had aided the removal or es-

From an old engraving Thomas Corwin

From an old engraving Benjamin E. Wade

From an old engraving

James A. Garfield As He Appeared When First Elected to Congress

From an old engraving

From an old engraving William 11. Seward

Salmon P. Chase GROUP OF CLEVELAND'S FAVORITE ORATORS IN THE EARLIER YEARS AND DURING THE SLAVERY CAMPAIGN

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HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

cape of any such person "the property of another." In 1807 the state required every "such person" to give a bond within twenty days before settling in the state, such bond to be signed by two or more freehold sureties and "conditioned for the good behavior of such negro or mulatto and to pay for the support of such person in case he or she be found within any township unable to support him or herself." In 1834 the first entry was made, in 1851 the last. The en- tries give the names and brief descriptions. While there was very little traffic north and south through the state, these statutes were in oblivion. But when the canal was opened and colored people began to pass through Cleveland, then the rigor of the law, particularly of the national fugitive slave law, aroused the slumbering animosities of the people.

Cleveland, being a port on the lake, was frequented by runaway slaves on their way to Canada, and closely watched by their hunters. At first there was very little public notice taken of the arrest and return of the runaways. But increasingly, acts of brutality accompanied the rendition. Moreover, kidnappers thrived. In 1841, for instance, three slaves supposed to have escaped from New Orleans were caught in Buffalo, kidnapped by some men who claimed them, brought to Cleveland and lodged in jail by authority of the federal law. When John 'A. Foote and Edmund Wade, prominent local abolitionists, made applica- tion to see them, they were refused, but Thomas Bolton, not an abolitionist, was granted an interview. He determined that the kidnappers had no claim to them and in the teeth of popular disapproval he defended them in court, attacking the inhuman and vicious conduct of these professional kidnappers who made Cleve- land a rendezvous.

While Cleveland was a resort of the slave snatcher, it was also a principal station of the "Underground Railway," that philanthropic, illegal, secret and swift mode of transporting fugitives from Kentucky and Virginia to Canada.

With the witnessing of such events grew the radical abolition movement. Its members held public meetings, and circulated papers and pamphlets. In August, 1845, Miss Abbey Kelly, a noted abolitionist orator, held a three days' meeting in the Wesleyan chapel, proclaiming the "disorganization of the churches and the dissolution of the Union," words that read "very like treason" to us, as they did to the contemporary editor.1 In 1845, five clergymen united in a published statement, asking all the clergy to preach from the same text on the following Sunday, Psalm 41 :1, "Blessed is the man that considereth the poor" and take for their theme "The present condition of the colored population of our state." The uniting of so many different denominational clergymen was considered unique and the papers commented upon it.

With the approach of 1850, that conspicuous landmark in our national history, the slavery question assumed definite political form. The moral issue was meta- morphosing into a political issue. At first the abolitionists were merely agitators. usually unheeded, often despised. As outward circumstances turned the thoughts of the people toward slavery, there naturally developed a political antislavery party. In 1842 the abolitionists named L. King for governor of Ohio, and he polled 183 votes in Cuyahoga county. In 1844 King was again named and re- ceived 364 votes in this county. In 1846 S. Louis, the abolitionist candidate. re-

1 "Herald," Vol. 27, No. 10.

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HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

ceived 673 votes in Cuyahoga county. This may be taken as the voting strength of the radicals. They joined the freesoil or liberty party at its formation and in 1848 the county gave Van Buren, freesoil candidate, 2,563 votes.

Among the first fruits of national importance of this increasing antipathy to slavery was the election of robust Joshua R. Giddings to congress on a freesoil ticket, in 1850. He was opposed by Irad Kelly of Cleveland. In the city Kelly re- ceived 282 votes, Giddings 418.

On July 13, 1849, the day of the sixty-second anniversary of the adoption of the ordinance of 1787, a notable meeting, far reaching in its influence, was held in a large tent on the Public Square. It was called as a national mass meeting of the new freesoil democrats; it was the promulgation of a new political allegiance. The meeting was announced at II a. m. by the Cleveland artillery cannon that had spoken on so many important occasions, and was called the "baby waker." Judge Tappan was chosen president; Joel Tiffany, of Chicago, George Hadley, of Cincinnati, secretaries. Among the notable persons who addressed the meet- ing were Henry L. Ellsworth, of Indiana, Joshua R. Giddings, the Western Re- serve apostle of free speech, Austin Willey of Maine and "Prince" John Van Buren, the stately son of Martin Van Buren, who the previous year had been the presidential candidate. Freesoil or free democracy tickets were placed in the field annually until the organization of the republican party. In 1855 they gath- ered their strength largely from the whigs, whom they virtually divided in half, for John P. Hale, their presidential candidate, in 1852 received about as many votes as General Scott. In 1853 they cast twice as many votes as the whigs. In 1855 the first republican state campaign was waged, and the county's republican majority was nearly six hundred.

In 1850 an anti-fugitive slave law meeting was called in Empire hall. "Mr. Rouse, on request, told an anecdote of an escaping slave in spirited style, which showed how we got off fugitives to Canada." * It was "Resolved that whenever any of the laws of the Republic clearly conflict with the laws of God, it is the duty of every 'good citizen' to render obedience to the latter rather than to the former" and that those who accept the position of commissioners or marshal under the fugitive slave law are "tyrants to humanity." Elisha Taylor and Reuben Hitchcock were the leaders of this meeting. September 10, 1850, at Empire hall, a large public meeting to denounce the fugitive slave act, was addressed by Dr. Aiken, of the Stone church and Judge Hitchcock.

These agitations combined with the increasing traffic on the "Underground" and the renewed rigor of the law after the act of 1850 aroused more and more the popular sentiment. The Kansas question was as fervent here as in New Eng- land. When it became apparent that the Missouri compromise was to be re- pealed, local opinion found vent in a meeting called by Samuel Williamson, J. S. Newbury, J. Hoyt, and two hundred others, on January 28, 1854. The meet- ing was held in National hall, on Bank street. George Mygatt was chairman. Speeches were earnest, and resolutions adopted demanding that Nebraska be admitted as a free state and "that in our opposition to the aggression of slavery made necessary by this new manifestation of its ever grasping disposition we

* "Herald," Vol. 33, p. 45.

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"OLD ABE." "Gentlemen, I am here for the purpose of seeing you and to give you an cp portunity of seeing me."

The "What Is It," or Republican Party of To-day.

From the original In Western Reserve Historical Society

PROBABLY THE FIRST CARTOON OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND THE NEW REPUBLICAN PARTY. PRINTED IN CLEVELAND.

From the Plain Dealer. October 3. 1860.

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HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

desire to occupy common ground on which all its opponents may stand and to erect a standard around which all may rally."

"That our object is to secure free states, to protect free territory and the rights of free men, to denationalize slavery and prevent its further encroach- ments. And in aid of such a cause we invoke the cooperation of all who have not 'bowed the knee to the dark spirit of slavery' or yielded their spirit to the tyranny of party."

The resolutions committee was continued with power to add to its members and to call a convention of the people of Ohio in Columbus of all those "people opposed to the introduction of slavery in Nebraska." Such a meeting was later held and a number of distinguished Clevelanders attended.

The abolitionists maintained the Fugitive Aid Society, at first little known, but as public opinion intensified, becoming bolder, until in 1858 to 1860 it ad- vertised its meetings in the newspapers and maintained a vigilance committee whose names were published. They held public meetings once a month.

In May, 1856, a Kansas Emigration Society was organized for raising funds. Charles Hickox was the president and W. H. Stanley the treasurer. The at- tack of Brooks upon Charles Sumner in the federal senate chamber caused great excitement here. An indignation meeting was held in the courthouse, and addresses were made by Judge Tilden, Franklin T. Backus, and other leading citizens. E. F. Gaylord, of the committee on resolutions, read a stirring re- solve. A "Republican Association" was formed, a declaration of principles adopted closing with these words, "We invite, therefore, as many as feel that further endurance of the aggressions of the slave power will cease to be a virtue; and that the time has finally come when we must and will resist the open attempt to pervert this free republic to an instrument for the extension and perpetuation of human bondage, to unite with us in our organization.

"Signed by the executive committee :

WM. SLADE, CHAS. HICKOX, BOLIVAR BUTTS, J. F. KEELER, HENRY BLAIR."

On the 18th of June, 1856, Fremont was nominated for president at the first national republican convention in Philadelphia. When the news reached here there was an impromptu celebration with artillery, flags and illumination. Two days later, a "Free State Kansas" convention was held in Cleveland, with dele- gates from many states in attendance, including Governor Reeder and Senator J. H. Lane of Kansas. On the evening of June 21st, the republicans formally ratified Fremont's nomination. The delegates to the free state convention par- ticipated and the air was vibrant with anti-slavery oratory. The newspapers of those days were filled with Kansas news, all eyes were upon the struggle, and Kansas agitators were here to incite public opinion.

August 25, 1857, a national emancipation convention was held in Melodeon hall. It discussed the question of freeing the slaves from every point of view, and recommended compensated emancipation. Some of the nation's most noted

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HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

anti-slavery men attended, among them Elisha Burritt, of Massachusetts, Gerrit Smith, of New York, and Mark Hopkins, who was president of the convention.

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A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume I, Part 37

Author: Orth, Samuel Peter, 1873-1922; Clarke, S.J., publishing company Publication date: 1910 Publisher: Chicago-Cleveland : The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1262

Author: Orth, Samuel Peter, 1873-1922; Clarke, S.J., publishing company
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago-Cleveland : The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1262