USA > Ohio > Ross County > Chillicothe > Ohio centennial anniversary celebration at Chillicothe, May 20-21, 1903 : under the auspices of the Ohio State Archaelogical and Historical Society : complete proceedings > Part 22
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REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN LOWE, U. S. NAVY, (RETIRED). - Born in England, December II, 1838. Appointed Third Assist- ant Engineer from Ohio, August 14, 1861. Served on Huron, South Atlantic Squadron, and Shawmut, North Atlantic Squad-
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ron, to 1866. Retired with rank of Rear-Admiral August 8, 1900. X * *
REAR-ADMIRAL GEORGE E. IDE, U. S. NAVY, (RETIRED) .- Born in Zanesville, Ohio, December 6, 1845. Appointed Mid- shipman, from Ohio, September 27, 1861; Naval Academy to 1865; Ticonderoga, European Station, to 1866. Retired with rank of Rear-Admiral September 27, 190I.
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LATE COMMANDER CHARLES L. FRANKLIN, U. S. NAVY. - Born in Chillicothe, Ohio, August 19, 1839. Appointed Mid- shipman from Ohio, October 23, 1854. Served on board Hetzel, and commanded Ellis to July 16, 1862. James Adger from Jan- uary 7, 1863, to December 26, 1863. Iosco from January 28, 1864, to July 25, 1865; Vanderbilt from September 14, 1865, to February 1, 1867. Was in the engagements at Roanoke Island, Elizabeth City, commanded Ellis at engagement at Fort Macon ; was at engagement with Fort Fisher, first and second attacks ;: earth works on Carolina Coast. Died August 18, 1874.
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LATE COMMANDER JOSEPH D. MARVIN, U. S. NAVY. - Born in Ohio, October 2, 1839. Appointed from Ohio, September 25, 1856. Served on board the Niagara to October 5, 1861; Naval Academy to May 6, 1864; Dacotah from May 6, 1864, to August 12, 1864; Mohican to April 22, 1865; Susquehanna to October, 1865; Brooklyn to September 5, 1867. Was in both attacks on Fort Fisher. Died April 10, 1877.
REAR-ADMIRAL HENRY C. TAYLOR, U. S. NAVY. - Born in. District of Columbia, March 4, 1845. Appointed Midshipman from Ohio, September 28, 1860. Promoted to Ensign, May 28, 1863; attached to Shenandoah, North Atlantic Blockading Squad- ron, 1863-4; commanded Indiana January 4, 1896, to September 5, 1899 ; in engagement at San Juan, P. R., May 12, 1898, and in battle of Santiago de Cuba, July 3, 1898, and was advanced five numbers in rank for eminent and conspicuous service in that bat- tle ; is now a Rear-Admiral, and Chief of the Bureau of Naviga -. tion, Navy Department.
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LATE REAR-ADMIRAL JAMES F. SCHENCK, U. S. NAVY, (RE- TIRED). - Born in Ohio June II, 1807. Appointed Midshipman July 1, 1825. During the war with Mexico Lieutenant Schenck was chief military aid to Commodore Stockton. Landed and took possession of Santa Barbara and San Pedro, in California ; serving in the same capacity marched on and was at the first cap -. ture of Los Angeles. As second Lieutenant of the Frigate Con- gress, was at the bombardment and capture of Guaymas and the taking of Mazatlin. Commanded Saginaw, East Indian Squad- ron, from August 5, 1857, to February 20, 1862. On June 30, 1861, Saginaw was fired upon by fort at Quin Hone, Cochin, China, and returned fire, and silenced fort. Promoted to Com- modore from January 2, 1863, under Act of April 21, 1864. Commanded Powhatan and third division of Porter's Squadron in two attacks on Fort Fisher. Commissioned Rear-Admiral on retired list from September 21, 1868. Died at Dayton, Ohio, December 21, 1882.
LATE REAR-ADMIRAL ROGER N. STEMBEL, U. S. NAVY, (RE- TIRED). - Born in Middletown, Md. Appointed Midshipman from Ohio, March 27, 1832. Promoted to Commander July I, 1861. On duty with Mississippi Fleet in 1862. In engagement at Lucas' Bend September 9, 1861 ; at Belmont November 7, 1861 ; Fort Henry February 6, 1862; bombardment at capture of Island No. 10, Mississippi River, March 16 to April 7, 1862; Fort Pil- low with Rebel rams May 10, 1862, in which engagement he was wounded. Retired January 2, 1873. Promoted to Rear-Admiral on the retired list June 5, 1874. Died at New York, November 20, 1900.
REAR-ADMIRAL AARON W. WEAVER, U. S. NAVY, (RETIRED). - Born in District of Columbia, July 1, 1832. Appointed Mid- shipman from Ohio, May 10, 1848; as a lieutenant he served on board Susquehanna, Blockading Squadron, 1861-2; bombardment and capture of Fort Hatteras and Fort Clark, North Carolina ; bombardment and capture of Forts Beauregard and Walker, Port Royal, S. C .; engagement at Sewall's Point, Va., May 18, 1862, and present at occupation of Norfolk, by United States Forces.
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As a Lieutenant-Commander, commanded Winona, Western Gulf Blockading Squadron, 1862-3 ; severe engagement with rebel bat- teries near Port Hudson, La., December 14, 1862; engagement with rebel forces at Placquemine, La .; engagement with rebels under Generals Green and Moulton, when they attacked Fort Butler, Donaldsonville, La., and were repulsed ; commanded Chip- perva at first attack on Fort Fisher ; favorably mentioned in Ad- miral Porter's dispatch, dated January 28, 1865, and recom- mended for promotion. Transferred to Mahopac, and was in command of that vessel in second attack on Fort Fisher ; was on the advanced picket when Charleston and fortifications were cap- tured ; participated in night bombardment of rebel works near Richmond, just previous to their evacuation. Retired as a Rear- Admiral September 26, 1893.
LATE REAR-ADMIRAL HENRY WALKER, U. S. NAVY, (RE- TIRED) .- Born Princess Anne Co., Va., December 24, 1809. Ap- pointed Midshipman from Ohio, February 1, 1826. Was pres- ent at the surrender of Vera Cruz, Tuspan, and Tobasco. Es- caped from the capture of the Pensacola Navy Yard by the Rebels and transported our garrison at Barrancas under Lieu- tenant Slemmer to Fort Pickens, and supplied them with pro- visions and indispensable assistance, and intercepted supplies to secure that important Fortress from capture by the Rebels. In co-operation with our garrison dismantled and spiked the guns of Forts Barrancas and MacRae ; rescued all our officers, sailors, marines and mechanics upon his own responsibility for which he was tried by court martial and justified in his conduct and compli- mented by the Press. As commander, he commanded the gun- boats Tyler and Lexington at the battle of Belmont, November 7, 1861. Commanded the Carondelet at the battle of Fort Henry, February 6, 1862 and battle of Fort Donaldson February 13 and 14, and at the surrender on the 16th. At the bombardment of Island No. 10, March 17, 1862. Captured one of the batteries op- posite Point Pleasant and spiked the guns, April 6, 1862. With the Carondelet and Pittsburg captured three batteries below New Madrid, Missouri, and covered Gen. Pope's army in landing and capturing the rebel fort at Island No. 10 without loss, April 7,
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1862, receiving therefor a letter of thanks from the Navy De- partment. In battle of Fort Pillow May II, 1862; in the line of battle when our fleet destroyed that of the enemy at the battle of Memphis, June 6, 1862. Promoted to Captain July 16, 1862. Engaged the ram Arkansas in the Yazoo River July 15, 1862. Commanded the lower division of the Mississippi Fleet at Helena and Vicksburg, 1862. While in command of the Lafayette passed the enemy's batteries with Admiral Porter at Vicksburg, April 16, 1863, and also at the battle of Grand Gulf, immediately after. Accompanied Porter's expedition up the Red River to Alexan- dria, Louisiana, May 1863. Dispersed the Rebel forces under Gen. Taylor from Simmsport, Atchaflaya, June 4, 1863. Pro- moted to Rear-Admiral on July 13, 1870. Placed on the retired list April 26, 1871. Died at Brooklyn, New York, March 8, 1896.
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REAR-ADMIRAL JOSEPH N. MILLER, U. S. NAVY, (RETIRED) . - Born in Ohio, November 22, 1836. Appointed Midshipman from Ohio, April 8, 1850. Served on board Passaic, South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, 1862-3 ; Monadnock, North Atlan- tic Blockading Squadron, 1864-5; present at the two attacks on Fort Fisher, December, 1864, and January 1865, while holding rank of Lieutenant-Commander. Retired with rank of Rear-Ad- miral November 22, 1898.
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LATE CAPTAIN BYRON WILSON, U. S. NAVY, (RETIRED). - Born in Ohio, December 17, 1837. Appointed Midshipman from Ohio, January 31, 1853 ; served on board Richmond, West Gulf Squadron, 1861 ; commanded Mound City and a division of Mis- sissippi Squadron, 1863-5 ; passage of Vicksburg batteries, April 16, 1863; attack on Grand Gulf, April, 1863; Deer Creek, 1863; Red River expedition 1864. Promoted to Lieutenant-Com- mander, November 5, 1863. Retired as a Captain February 24, 1893, and died September 6, 1893.
LATE REAR-ADMIRAL DANIEL AMMEN, U. S. NAVY, (RE- TIRED). - Born in Ohio, May 15, 1820. Appointed Midshipman July 7, 1836. On board Roanoke, as executive officer, on North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, while holding the rank of Lieu-
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tenant ; commanded Seneca, South Atlantic Blockading Squad- ron; at battle of Port Royal, November 7, 1861. Commanded forces entering by way of Whale Branch in attack on Port Royal Ferry, January 1, 1862 ; engaged in operations against Fernan- dina through St. Andrew's Sound and in St. John's River.
Promoted to Commander, July 16, 1862; commanded Pa- tapsco, South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, against Fort Mc- Allister, March, 1863, and in the attack on Fort Sumter, April 7, 1863; commanded Mohican, North Atlantic Blockading Squadron ; in bombardment of Fort Fisher, December 1864, and again in January, 1865. Promoted to Rear-Admiral, December II, 1877, retired June 4, 1878, and died July 11, 1898. * *
CAPTAIN LEAVITT C. LOGAN, U. S. NAVY. - Born in Me- dina, Ohio, January 30, 1846. Appointed Midshipman from Ohio, February 28, 1863.
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CAPTAIN ROBERT E. IMPEY, U. S. NAVY, (RETIRED). - Born at Newark, Ohio, March 17, 1845. Appointed Midshipman Sep- tember 21, 1861, from Ohio. Retired as a Captain, September 21, 1901. %
LATE COMMANDER RODERICK S. McCOOK, U. S. NAVY, (FIGHTING McCOOKS) .- Born in Ohio, March 10, 1839. Ap- pointed Midshipman from Ohio, September 21, 1854; on San Ja- cinto, 1859-61, west coast of Africa ; returned from that station in slaver Storm King, captured off the Congo River with seven hun- dred and nineteen slaves on board; Minnesota, North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, 1861 ; prize-master rebel privateer Savan- nah and ship Argo; captured Forts Clarke and Hatteras ; execu- tive officer of Stars and Stripes. Commissioned a Lieutenant, August 31, 1861 ; battle of Roanoke Island; commanded naval howitzer battery on shore at battle of Newbern, N. C .; com- manded Stars and Stripes in North Carolina Sounds, and on blockade of Wilmington, N. C .; executive officer of Canonicus, in operations up James River, attacks on Howlett's battery, both attacks on Fort Fisher, and surrender of Charleston, S. C. Pro- moted to Commander September 25, 1873, and died February 13, 1886.
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LATE COMMANDER EDWARD P. WOOD, U. S. NAVY. - Born at Mansfield, Ohio, August 16, 1848. Appointed a Midshipman, October 1, 1863. Commanded Petrel in battle of Manila Bay, May 1, 1898. Died December 11, 1899.
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LATE COMMANDER JOHN J. CORNWELL, U. S. NAVY .- Born in Ohio, July 6, 1833. Appointed Midshipman from Ohio, Feb- ruary I, 1847. St. Mary' from December 31, 1860, to April 5, 1862, Pacific Squadron; Canandaigua, South Atlantic Squadron to July, 1864 ; attack upon Fort Wagner, August 17, 1863; com- manding Choctow to August, 1865; Miantonomoh and died on board that vessel at Toulon, France, February 12, 1867.
LATE COMMODORE HOMER C. BLAKE, U. S. NAVY. - Born in New York, 1820. Appointed Midshipman from Ohio, March 2, 1840; served on board Sabine, Home Squadron, 1861-2, as a Lieutenant. Promoted to Lieutenant-Commander July 16, 1862; commanded Hatteras in engagement with rebel ship Alabama, January II, 1863, in which the Hatteras was sunk. Commanded Utah, North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, 1863-5; shelled three divisions of rebel army at Malvern Hill, 1864; assisted to repulse attack of rebels on right of the army of the James, October, 1864; engagement with the rebel batteries at Trent Reach, James River, 1865. Died January 21, 1880.
LATE REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN C. FEBIGER, U. S. NAVY .- Born in Pennsylvania. Appointed a Midshipman September 4, 1838, from Ohio. Attached to the Macedonian, West India Squadron, to October 29, 1840, when he was transferred to the Concord on Brazil Squadron. Wrecked on East coast of Africa, 1843; attached to Chippola, purchased by Government and used to recover and dispose of equipment of Concord, to May 4, 1844.
Warranted a Passed Midshipman May 30, 1844 ; attached to Potomac, Home Squadron, to December 10, 1845; Dale and Columbus, Pacific Squadron, to March 6, 1848; Dale and Ports- mouth, African Squadron from May 21, 1850, as Acting Master, to June 28, 1851; Coast Survey office and vessels Corwin and Argo, to June 24, 1857. Promoted to Lieutenant April 30, 1853 ;
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Germantown, East India Squadron, to April 14, 1860; Coast Sur- vey vessel Argo to May 22, 1861 ; Savannah to October 18, 1861 ; Command of Kanawha, West Gulf Blockading Squadron from December 16, 1861, to February 12, 1863, and participated in en- gagement of Mobile Bay April 3, 1862. Promoted to Com- mander August 27, 1862. Command of Osage to October 14, 1863; Command of Mattabesett, North Atlantic Blockading Squadron to May 27, 1865; in May 1864 engaged rebel ram Albemarle. To command of Stonewall at Havanna to March 14, 1866; command of Ashuelot and Shenandoa, Asiatic Squadron, to July 12, 1869. Promoted to Captain from May 6, 1868. Ord- nance duty, Navy Yard, Washington, to July 27, 1869; special duty to July 3, 1872 ; Command of Omaha from August 10, 1872, to December 23, 1873 ; promoted to Commodore August 9, 1874 ; examining and retiring boards to October 7, 1876; Commandant, Washington Navy Yard, to June 24, 1882. Promoted to Rear- Admiral February 4, 1882, and retired July 1, 1882. Died at Easton, Md., October 9, 1898.
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There were men from Ohio, from the lake and the river and from the interior parts of the Buckeye state on the vessels of Farragut and Porter and in every battle of the Civil War.
There were in the battles of the Civil War many Ohio naval officers, who did their duty faithfully and well, but whose ex- ploits in the fury of the war attracted only passing notice, just as there were such officers in the army of the United States, men whose bravery and success would in such a war as that which was fought with Spain have been heralded as remarkable exhi- bitions of patriotic bravery.
Before 1840 when the Naval Academy was organized on its present basis and cadets were appointed by Congress districts to the Academy, most of the officers of the American navy were from the seaboard states. The seafaring life did not then have the attraction to adventurous spirits in the interior that is has now and practically all of the naval officers of distinction prior to our civil war were from the states that fringe the Atlantic.
The official registers of the navy do not give that promin- ence to the men of the navy, the men behind the guns, who are.
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not commissioned, that is given to the commissioned officers. For this reason the men, sons of Ohio, who distinguished themselves by personal bravery behind the guns and in subordinate positions in the naval battles of the Revolution and War of 1812, are unre- corded except in the dusty volumes of the navy department which are really inaccessible and in them there is no record of these brave unknown Ohioans that is so arranged that the men of Ohio can be picked therefrom.
Ohio contributed many men and officers from the steamboat fleets that plied the Ohio to the naval warfare on the Mississippi, men who fought in the gunboats on the rivers, whose persever- ing earnestness and unhesitating courage were so important in winning the victories that opened the "Father of the Waters" after they had been closed by the forts of the Confederates, strengthened as these defenses were by the Confederate gunboats. Many a son of Ohio, in the capacity of pilot, mate or enlisted man performed splendid services for his country during the Civil War, and retired to private life, after his services for his country, with no permanent remembrance of his patriotic sacrifices except those in the voluminous war records. It is a duty to remember that these records are only of officers appointed from Ohio. Now if we knew what men born in Ohio had been appointed from other states and distinguished themselves it would be highly interest- ing, perhaps, but such information has not been available.
There is a story on Admiral Skerrett. It appears, that Sker- rett married a Southern woman. At the beginning of the war she went South and sent in her husband's resignation. He was off on duty and when he heard of her action he recalled the un- authorized resignation. She threatened to leave him if he re- mained in the service. But he stuck to the flag. They separated for the war, the children going with her. Skerrett had a spien- did record as an officer and was one of Farragut's captains. Rear Admiral Roger N. Stembel was another distinguished offi- cer. So was Rear Admiral Reed Werden, who is sometimes mistaken for the Admiral Worden who commanded the Monitor. Rear Admiral Joseph S. Fyffee is remembered in the navy for his picturesque personality and more interesting stories are told among the officers of "Joe" Fyffee than of any other officer of
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the navy. Rear Admiral J. F. Schenck was from Dayton, and a brother of General Schenck. He distinguished himself in the opening of Japan and of China.
Commander Edward P. Wood, is one of the later officers of the navy. He was distinguished as the commander of the little Petrel which was one of Dewey's Squadron at Manila.
REAR ADMIRAL DANIEL AMMEN, who was, perhaps, best known because he was the inventor of the "Ammen" ram which was not a success, though congress appropriated money for the construction of a vessel of that type. Admiral Ammen thought that a vessel built solely for ramming purposes would be a success. He regarded the use of any other offensive machinery as unnec- essary, so the ram carried no battery. But Admiral Ammen was distinguished as an executive and served with distinct ability as the head of the bureau of navigation of the navy, which, in its duties, is similar to the adjutant general's department of the army. Admiral Ammen was, also, distinguished as an advocate of the Nicaraguan Canal. He was one of the original advocates of such a waterway and on one or two isthmian commissions. With Senator John T. Morgan he is regarded as entitled to the title of "Father of the Isthmian Canal." He urged the Nicaraguan route, but his work was important in helping pave the way for the final selection of the Panama route. Admiral Ammen was an intimate fried of General Grant.
The strenuous nature of the western river gunboat service, for the possession of the Mississippi and her southern tributaries, is revealed in many extracts from official reports of bloody and destructive combats in which the gallant hardihood on both sides, and the bitter earnestness of the struggle, are made manifest.
ADMIRAL PORTER'S REPORT OF THE FIGHT. MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON, FLAGSHIP "BENTON." BELOW GRAND GULF, April 29, 186 ..
SIR:
I had the honor of sending you a telegram announcing that we had fought the batteries at Grand Gulf for five hours and thirty-five minutes with partial success. I ordered the Louisville, Carondelet, Mound City and Pittsburg to lead the way, and attack the lower batteries, while the Tuscumbia, Benton and Lafayette attacked the upper ones -the Lafa-
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yette lying in an eddy and fighting stern down stream. The vessels be- low silenced the lower batteries and then drawing the enemy's fire,' fail- ing in this she withdrew. We, along with those on shore were under the impression that the enemy blew up a Torpedo just forward of the "Chil- licothe's" bow.
The upper batteries were hotly engaged by the Benton and Tus- cumbia, both ships suffering severely in killed and wounded. The Pitts- burg came up just at the moment when a large shell, passed through the Benton's pilot house, wounding the Pilot Mr. Williams and disabling the wheel. The Pittsburg, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Hall, for a short time bore the brunt of the fire, and lost eight killed and wounded.
The Benton received forty-seven shots in her hull alone, not count- ing the damage done above her rail, but she was just as good for a fight when she got through as when she commenced. All the vessels did well though it was the most difficult portion of the River in which to manage an iron-clad - strong currents and strong eddies . turning them round and round, making them fair targets, and the "Benton's" heavy plates did not stand the heavy shot which in many instances bored her through. Such was the warfare along the great river of Central North America.
There is a mass of like testimony, that if collected, annotated and framed so as to serve the whole picture showing the true colors and preparation - would be a most acceptable addition to the public service of Ohio, as illustrious according to opportunity as that of the Ohioans in the army. However, the flashlights of Ohio history at the Chillicothe Centennial have caused so distinct an interest, and chased away to a considerable extent, a group of barely outlined shadows, that the obscurity will be patiently re- moved and the whole history of Ohio in the Navy illuminated with its related proportions. The History of Ohio in the Navy is one of honor and renown, of daring adventure and distin- guished achievement. Unfortunately, we have not found a clear record of the Naval heroes born in Ohio, who were appointed from or inlisted in other states.
THE GOVERNORS OF OHIO UNDER THE FIRST CONSTITUTION.
DAVID MEADE MASSIE.
Most of the writers who deal with the history of Ohio seem at a loss for words adequate to express their contempt for the first constitution of our state, and especially for its provisions concerning the office of governor.
So fair and learned a man as the late Rufus King says in his history of Ohio, that "It would be respectful to pass that instrument in silence, it provided a government which had no executive, a half-starved, short-lived judiciary and a lop-sided legislature.". One distinguished author declares that "When Ohio became a state it adopted a very foolish constitution"; another states that "It reduced the executive power almost to a nonen- tity."
DAVID' MEADE MASSIE. So many more similar statements can be found that it is a matter of wonder that the committee on program had the hardihood to assign as a subject at this celebration the Governors of Ohio under the First Constitution, for, according to the writers of history, the governors of Ohio should have been mere ciphers and it would be the limit of bad taste to even mention in public the constitution under which they acted during the first fifty years of our statehood.
But, my fellow citizens, there are a few who hold very dif- ferent views concerning the first constitution of Ohio and rejoice in an opportunity to do honor to the memory of the men who filled the office of governor of this great state for half a century. Every
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student of the early history of our commonwealth knows that the admission of Ohio into the Union under her first constitution was the result of a long and bitter contest between General Ar- thur St. Clair, governor of the Northwest Territory, and the early settlers of Chillicothe.
St. Clair was a Federalist, advocated a strong central power and a paternal government; had great faith in the few ; none at all in the many; the Chillicotheans were sturdy Anglo-Saxons who had sought their fortunes in a hostile wilderness; they had made their settlements relying .wholly on themselves for every- thing ; they were not a company organized and equipped in the East with capital and education behind them, with rules and religion provided for their use, but were mostly simple back- woodsmen with only their rifles and axes, brain and brawn, to sustain them; they were perfect democrats believing wholly in themselves and their right to rule themselves as seemed best to them. Many historians dismiss this controversy as a mere quar- rel between a governor and his people over sordid matters of little moment; but beneath the surface lay a great political question - should the people decide for themselves what was best for them, or should a governor? Should the government be popular or paternal? Aristocratic or democratic?
The Chillicotheans were successful. Congress first met their wishes as to the boundaries of the proposed state and afterwards, on April 30, 1802, authorized delegates to be elected for the pur- pose of determining, first, whether it was expedient to estab- lish a state government ; and if so decided by a majority of the delegates, they were empowered to proceed to adopt a constitu- tion and form a state government.
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