Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 19

Author: Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and others
Publication date: 1905
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1149

USA > Ohio > Butler County > Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio > Part 19

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or one mile, or half a mile from the battle is ridic- ulous. I was within half a mile from the field of battle, or a quarter of a mile, or one hundred yards, or fifty yards, from my men-though that would have been my place. I was not in fault for being too far away from my soldiers, but I was wrong in a contrary sense-I was too near them. [Cheers.] I was where Washington never would have been-where he never was. I was in a wrong place, for I was, fool-like, from the begin- ning to the termination of the action, in the front of my men; [cheering] and those who have said I was not, have told a willful lie.

Another misstatement has been made, that James Johnson received the British prisoners and handed them over to me; and that they were hunt- ing for me several hours about the field of battle before I could be found. There was no necessity for any thing of this kind, as any person will know that understands military matters; and the brother of Colonel Johnson never delivered a pris- oner to me.

It is also said that Colonel Johnson suggested to me the plan of charging the British with his mounted infantry; for what consequence would it be, who suggested the plan of attack, because I adopted it and I was alone responsible if the plan had not succeeded. Suppose for instance, if I had lost the day, and been asked by Mr. Madison subsequently, "How came you, sir, to think of charging the British infantry in the way you have done?" I reply, "Sir, Colonel Johnson recom- mended the operation to me." See the situation which I should have been placed in. "Colonel Johnson recommended it; what has he to do with it? We look to you and expected from your long experience, when serving under the great Wayne, to have shown yourself a military man; if we had thought Colonel Johnson the most talented man, we should have given him the command, and not you."

Fellow citizens, I entreat you to shield me from my base calumniators. I received a letter from the only son of General Wayne the other day, whom I look upon as a brother. He said he had been unwell for some time and had not been able to take part in politics. He says, "I was sur- prised when a distinguished editor of the opposi- tion called upon me, whom I asked how he could bring his mind to traduce me so much as he did daily in his paper." He said, "Oh, sir, never mind that; it is only for a while. After the election is over, we will do the General justice."

RIVAL MEETINGS-A DEMOCRATIC POSTER.

On October 5, 1840, large mass meet- ings were held by both political parties in Hamilton. Hand bills announcing these meetings were circulated far and wide. We reproduce one of the Democratic half-sheet bills, as follows :

FEDERAL WHIGGERY .- Be it known to all men, that the leaders of the party now opposed to Mar- tin Van Buren and Democracy-1772, they were Tories; 1773, Nova Scotia Cow Boys; 1787, Con- vention Monarchists; 1793, Black Cockade Feder- alists; 1808, Anti-Jefferson Impressment men; 1811, British Bank men; 1812, Peacemen; 1813, Bluelight Federalists; 1814, Hartford Convention- ists; 1816, Washington Benevolent Society men; 1818, No-Party men; 1820, Federal Republicans; 1826, National Republicans; 1828, Anti-masons; 1834, Anti-masonic Whigs; 1836, Conservatives; 1838, Abolitionists; 1839, Whigs; 1840, Log Cabin and Hard Cider men.

This is the ring, streaked and specked party against which Democracy is now contending; and this is the rotten, broken-down faction that nomi- nated Harrison for the Presidency. These are the fellows, too, who now claim to be Democrats.

Almost every house in Hamilton and Rossville was decorated, as a signal that they were open for the free accommodation of strangers. Early in the morning numer- ous long processions were seen coming in by every road and avenue, until the streets, commons and alleys presented one solid mass of human beings. Forty thousand people were in Hamilton on this occasion.

The Democrats occupied Front street and all that part of the town lying to the west. The Whigs were assigned Second street by mutual agreement, and all the ter- ritory to the east.

The Democrats formed on Front street, occupying its entire length. The procession was an immense one. composed of persons

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on horseback, in carriages, wagons and floats, moving down that street and passing up Water on the bank of the river. Many strange and grotesque scenes were witnessed in the procession. On one wagon there were numerous coonskins tacked to the boards, one bearing the inscription :

"THE EMBODIMENT!"

"Oh! is it not a pity such a virtuous ( ?) coon as I Should be turned upon the cold world to pine away and die?"

Banners in the procession bore the fol- lowing: "Silent Candidate for the Presi- dency," "Boasted Friends of Order (?)," "Hard Cider Intemperance Their Political Badge," "Principle Thrown to the Wind, and the People are Attempted to be De- ceived by a Cider Barrel, a Rattle Box, or a Tin Whistle," "Are Endeavoring to Gain Proselytes by Stupefying with Intoxicating Drams the Object of Their Criminal Ef- forts."

The Whig procession moved down Sec- ond street and passed up Third street. Im- plements of mechanical trades were well represented. Here was a blacksmith shop mounted on wheels, the smith and helper engaged in making horseshoes. On another wagon was a weaver with his loom and quill fillers making cloth. Log cabins and ca- noes were frequently seen in the procession. On one wagon was a buckeye tree erect with a raccoon on its branches and a live deer standing at its roots.

The processions marched and counter- marched along the streets until II o'clock. when all adjourned for dinner.

the Whigs not forgetting a bountiful supply of hard cider. All the pork houses around the basin were cleared and thrown open, in which tables were set and abundantly sup- plied by the Whigs. The Democratic party had their collation in the sycamore grove, where at least ten thousand people were fed. After dinner they were addressed by United States Senator Tappan, John Brough and Th. L. Hamar, and in the evening at the market house at the foot of High street.

The Whigs had stands erected in a scrub oak grove on the north side of the old basin. immediately east of the present location of Seventh street, from which Tom Corwin, candidate for governor; Henry Clay. General Metcalf and Robert Wycliffe, of Kentucky, addressed the multitudes. In the evening there was speaking by Robert C. Schenck and Samuel F. Cary. At night the town was illuminated and stands erected from which the orators spoke.

At the presidential election in November, 1840, Martin Van Buren's majority in But- ler county was one thousand and ninety.

GEN. WINFIELD SCOTT AT HAMILTON 1852.

On October 7, 1852, General Winfield Scott, the "Hero of Mexico," and then the Whig candidate for President, honored Hamilton with his presence for three hours. He was given a tremendous ovation and re- ception and the occasion was one of the most memorable in the history of the city.

On arriving at the Hamilton depot, an acre of ground was literally black with hu- man heads, closely packed together, and when General Scott stepped out upon the platform he was greeted with a mighty cheer. He was placed in a carriage, the

Farmers throughout the country had liberally contributed meats, poultry and pro- visions for the whole mass and to spare, procession formed, and to the sound of

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music, the roar of artillery, and a continual shouting, the immense concourse moved on. After parading the procession halted at the public square. Here the scene was past description; the whole green was a literal swarm.

When General Scott stepped forward, and after silence was restored, John M. Millikin introduced him.

GENERAL SCOTT'S SPEECH.

My Fellow Citizens of Butler County-my fel- low citizens of Hamilton, and I hope, of Rossville: The well-worded address which I have just re- ceived in your name and behalf, and the applause bestowed upon your orator, convince me, if noth- ing else has, that I have not lived in vain. It is impossible-it would be the grossest affection in me-to say that my life has been spent in vain; for were I to die this night, I might say, if it were my last declaration, that my country has been more than just to me. Republics are not un- grateful. [Cheers.] Yes, my country has been more than just; she has been partial and but too grateful. For any services I have attempted, let alone executed, how sweet has been my reward! [Applause.]

Your animating presence and cheers are a suf- ficient reward for all. I know I am standing in the valley of the Great Miami-in the town of Hamilton. I have to remember the people of Butler county; for with them (friends, I can not withhold its mention) originated the first men- tion of my unworthy name for the chief magis- tracy of the country. I shall not be betrayed into politics, from these lips you shall hear no party accent, but I can not forget the great honor in- tended. To that office, I may or may not be called, but my sense of obligation for that early kindness, for the terms in which you have ad- dressed me today, will remain with me while life endures. My friends, I have but little more to say to this great assemblage. I have passed through severe service today, and heart and mind are wearied. Do you know how exhausting is a great exercise of the affections? the affections con- stantly drawn out by overwhelming kindness, and but faint powers of expression in return.

Thank God for the strength I have to thank you for these manifestations of unmerited regard.

In conclusion General Scott spoke a few words to the ladies. He complimented his fair country- women present, who had come out in numbers to see an ancient fellow; but he assured them he was not but three months older than sixty-six, and pretty young at that. He further said, O, that I had the power, the gift, that Providence had given me the means to bestow his blessings upon my fellow countrymen! May choicest blessings fall upon the fair faces, the fair forms before me, and the manly hearts around me. My fellow coun- trymen, in thanking you for your kind greeting and cordial welcome I tender you my best wishes, and, I am sorry to add, my farewell.

After a reception at the residence of L. D. Campbell, and dining with Joseph Hough at the Hamilton House, General Scott was driven to the depot. An eye-witness says : "General Scott was decidedly the finest old man I ever saw. He was six feet four inches high, and weighed over two hundred and fifty pounds. Even in the citizen's dress he wore, he looked the hero, and his eyes flashed with the fire of Lundy's Lane. He could be compared to nothing but an old eagle."

MILLARD FILMORE.

Ex-President Millard Filmore, with his former postmaster general, passed through Hamilton on March 8, 1854, on their way north. Mr. Filmore made a short speech to the citizens assembled at the C., H. & D. depot, then located on the corner of Lud- low and Fourth streets, and many of them enjoyed the privilege of shaking him by the hand.

CAMPAIGN OF 1856.

Hon. Anson Burlingame, of Massachu- setts. spoke in Hamilton, July 31. 1856, in behalf of the "Great American Pathfinder." John C. Fremont, the Republican candidate

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for President. Mr. Burlingame and Hon. L. D. Campbell were pronounced friends. Both were members of congress when Pres- ton E. Brooks, a Southern bully, murder- ously assaulted Charles Sumner in the United States Senate chamber. One of the fruits of this assault was Brooks' challenge to Burlingame for a duel. Mr. Campbell took charge of the affair at the solicitation of Burlingame, whom he carried safely through without a stain upon his honor. A levee was held at the hotel in the morning in honor of Mr. Burlingame, and a reception in the evening at the residence of Mr. Camp- bell.

JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE.

September 2. 1856, is the date of an "un- paralleled assemblage of the Democracy at Hamilton," with "50.000 Democrats in council"-so reads a local paper of that date, John C. Breckinridge, the candidate for. and subsequently vice-president of the United States, and later a Confederate gen- eral. was the speaker.

The yeomanry of Butler, Preble and Montgomery counties came as requested- afoot. on horseback and in wagons. Upon the arrival of Mr. Breckinridge, a proces- sion was formed and "an unprejudiced by- stander counted one hundred and fifty wagons before half had passed."

The speaking took place in the afternoon at the east end of the court house. As Mr. Breckinridge "appeared on the platform our political opponents could not suppress their admiration of the noble bearing of Ken- tucky's chivalrous and idolized son." The great issues before the country were dis- cussed intelligently, logically and in a com- prehensive manner by the speaker. The

oratorical ability of Mr. Breckinridge was great. He carried all before him. His clos- ing prophetic sentence is significant. It con- trasts strangely with his later life-when he became a general in the Confederate army. The sentence was: "This great state (Ken- tucky) will never lead a crusade against the South, but, in the language of one of our banners, she will' say-The Union For- ever !"

During his stay in Hamilton, Mr. Breck- inridge was quartered at the Hamilton House.

SPEECH OF MR. BRECKINRIDGE.

Mr. President, Ladies and Fellow Citizens of Ohio: I confess to you that I am equally aston- ished and gratified at what I witness here in Ohio today, and I wish that my exhausted strength and broken frame would allow me to express more fully the emotions which swell my breast. I find upon your banners principles which I cordially adhere to, and if these are the patriotic sentiments which animate this assembly, you may write your chart of political principles, and I will sign it.

I have been welcomed cordially by you today -I have been treated like a brother-I have been cheered and encouraged on all sides. I feel that we are all citizens of a common country, and joint heirs of the same glorious inheritance. [Cheers.] My friends, I do not rise to make a speech in the ordinary acceptation of that term. I am physically unable to do so, and being on my way to accept an invitation in a sister state, I must re- serve some of my exhausted strength.

I need not say to you, fellow citizens, that I belong to the Democratic party-that I cherish it as being most in accordance with the prin- ciples of our political system. You know what these principles are, and I feel that this demonstration is due to the great cause which I represent. It has been a subject of inquiry why it is that the Democratic party has survived shock after shock, and yet maintains an unbroken front to every foe. It is a fact that organization after organization have died, and the old Democratic party has remained a witness and a monument of their faith. [Cheers.] Why is this? I find that the Democratic party holds a few

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plain and simple principles which enable it to hold together in every time of storm and disaster. It tests every question by the Constitution. It holds to no blind fanaticism. It refuses to use the Constitution in the cause of aggression upon a particular people, and in the cause of a heedless fanaticism. It admits and observes all the stip- ulations as they are written in the common bond of our Union, and must live as long as the Con- stitution itself shall last. These were the feelings which animated the breasts of our fathers.

Coming down to a later day, the same philoso- phy taught the Democratic party to oppose the national bank and go against the tariff, and at a still later day to array itself against the American or Know-Nothing party. I have no words of vin- dictiveness or hate to use towards any man or any party, but I speak the honest sentiments of my heart. I mean no rudeness to any member of that organization. The Democratic party is obliged to oppose the Know-Nothing party. It claims that every citizen of our country stands upon an equal- ity in the eye of the law. It was obliged to op- pose that feature which interposed between a man's conscience and his God. The Democratic party turned to the Constitution and found these princi- ples in it, and they held that upon this new and virgin theater all the people of the old world might come and take a part. I know that thou- sands of good men went into that party for the preservation of the Union and the good of our common country. But the delirium is over-the fever is past, and the patient is sane again. [Cheers.] All I have to say is that the rise, prog- ress, and decline of this party should be forever after a warning to all men to beware how they in- terpose between the human conscience and its God.

The Democratic party was also equally obliged to array itself against the so-called Repub- lican party in the United States. They charge us with being the pro-slavery party, and say that the object of that party is to extend slavery over the territories of the United States. Fellow citizens, it is not so. I have no connection with any party which proposes to extend slavery over the terri- tories or anywhere else. But I do belong to an organization which says our Constitution was made to secure certain rights to all our citizens, and among those the rights of all our people to form their own institutions and their own laws, subject only to the Constitution of the United States. I know your opinions in Ohio. I know you are satisfied with your institutions and the

state of society here, and has Kentucky any ob- jection to your society? Not at all. She will not interfere. Would it not be a breach of harmony and concord for her to do so? But the difference is, she does not want the common government of all the states to legislate for any particular state or territory.

Now, fellow citizens, if you design that each community shall manage its affairs in its own way-if you are willing that the states shall move along without collision and without disorder, then I beseech you to stand by the Constitution, and put this question in charge of those alone whom it concerns. If gentlemen want to agitate the subject, let them become citizens there, and help to fix the institutions there in accordance with their own views of propriety. The collision of arms has followed the collision of opinion there, and the object of this party is to spread this collision throughout the country. My state never uttered a political threat but once in her life, and that was in the time of John Adams, and she then hurled his administration from power and inaugurated the principles of Jefferson. Kentucky is a unit without destruction of party, in the belief that this sectional organization is an insult to her and her Southern sisters, and it can only be fol- lowed by disaster and disgrace. I do not believe, my friends, that that disaster is to come upon us. The sober second thought has come again. I see the evidence of a people aroused to action, and in defense of the constitution, which protects all alike. This great state will never lead a crusade against the South, but, in the language of one of your banners, she will say-"The Union Forever!" [Tremendous and long-continued applause.]

INITIAL REPUBLICAN RALLY.

The first meeting held by the Republican party in Butler county was on Friday, Sep- tember 26, 1856. A local paper in its ac- count of the meeting. said: "The meeting was conceded to have been the largest by all odds held in Ohio this campaign. Those who were in town early in the morning thought the chances unfavorable for a large meeting. The sky was overcast, and but few people had arrived to remain over night. But at eight o'clock things assumed a dif-

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ferent aspect. The advanced guard had be- gun to come in, as the patter of rain-drops precede the mighty storm. Procession after procession came filing in from different quar- ters, filling the air with shouts. The thun- ders of artillery, the braying of the trumpets, the shouting of the marshals, the spirit- stirring drum and the ear-pierceing fife --- these were but a mere accompaniment. The real concert of the day was furnished by the people themselves, who with one un- ending shout rent the vault of heaven. Soon our streets, in all parts of the town, were filled by one continuous procession. It was everywhere. It pervaded every street- was neither head nor tail to it. There was unity, however, in one thing-the shouts were universal. So it continued until the hour for dinner warned dispersion: the pro- cessions gradually become smaller and all proceeded to comfort the inner man. The ladies were provided for at the private houses, while the ruder sex partook of a plenteous repast.

"We went to the main stand at half past one o'clock. Thousands had already assembled-and soon a dense mass filled the space from the court house to the eastern gate. Manifestations of impatience began to be made, when Major Millikin, the grand marshal, raised his mighty voice to the high- est pitch and announced that Messrs, Sal- mon P. Chase and William H. Gibson would speak from the main stand. Dr. Foersch, in German, on the west side of the court house. and Messrs, Root and Campbell in front of the treasurer's office. Mr. Marsh, of Preble. also spoke at the same hour from the stand in front of Mr. Campbell's gar- den. Mr. Sheets. of Indiana, and others spoke during the afternoon, and everybody who chose had an opportunity to hear.

After a large portion of the crowd had gone home, we joined a little circle of a thousand or so who seemed to be having a good time in front of Mr. Campbell's house -the front of the premises having been faced with a continuous platform, furnished a most convenient forum. Mr. John Lowe, of Dayton, a highly gifted speaker, and Mr. Holloway, now representative in congress from the Wayne district in Indiana, and formerly a fellow apprentice with Mr. Campbell. both made stirring addresses. "The number present is variously com- puted. All disinterested persons present at both meetings concur in representing ours to be twice or thrice as large as the Breck- inridge demonstration. 'The Ohio State Journal places the number at forty thou- sand, which is probably not far wrong, though if there were fifty thousand here on the 2d, there must have been at least a hun- dred thousand present on the 26th.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S VISIT IN 1859.

Abraham Lincoln spoke for twenty min- utes from a platform at the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad depot. in Hamilton, on the afternoon of Saturday. September 17, 1859. Earlier in the day he had spoken at Day- ton and was on his way to Cincinnati to address an evening meeting. Congress- man John A. Gurley, of Cincinnati, was with Mr. Lincoln. He was a very short man, and as these gentlemen emerged from the car, a great laughter went up from the multitude present, at the contrast of the men. Mr. Lincoln taking in the situation at a glance, pointing to himself, said: "My friends. this is the long of it." and laying his hand on Mr. Gurley's head, "and this is the short of it." In a few minutes' time

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Mr. Lincoln tore the argument of Hon. Stephen A. Douglas on popular sovereign- ty to shreds and showed the fallacy of his position. He said in part :

This beautiful and far-famed Miami valley is the garden spot of the world. My friends, your sons may desire to locate in the West; you don't want them to settle in a territory like Kansas, with the curse of slavery hanging over it. They desire the blessings of freedom, so dearly pur- chased by our Revolutionary forefathers. I see that my friend Douglas is still in favor of popular sovereignty. This is a dangerous doctrine; the in- habitants of a state should apply for admission to the Union either as a free or slave state, hon- estly expressed at a fair election. Such were not the conditions in Kansas when she applied for ad- mission; border ruffians from Missouri controlled their election and certified the result in favor of slavery. The American people demanded fair play, and Kansas was admitted as a free state.

A Hamilton newspaper, politically op- posed to Mr. Lincoln, editorially comment- ed on his visit to Hamilton as follows :

"Considerable curiosity was manifested the other evening, to see the renowned Abe Lincoln. As the competitor of Douglas in one of the fiercest campaigns in political history. every one was anxious to get a peep at the man. Besides, sensation bills were posted at every corner and by-way. announcing the fact. The train came, and Lincoln with it. After waiting a few min- utes. some one shouted 'Lincoln,' and out came a tall, ungainly. lank. lean sucker. Mounting a temporary platform, he made a few commonplace remarks. the substance being that our valley is filling up, that our people must soon emigrate. and the proba- bility that we desire a territory not cursed by the 'peculiar institution :' then, politely thanking the crowd, was off. People were generally disappointed in the man, and in

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Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 19

Author: Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and others Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1149

Author: Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and others
Publication date: 1905
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1149