Historical and biographical annals of Berks County, Pennsylvania, embracing a concise history of the county and a genealogical and biographical record of representative families, Volume I, Part 21

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846; J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1018

USA > Pennsylvania > Berks County > Historical and biographical annals of Berks County, Pennsylvania, embracing a concise history of the county and a genealogical and biographical record of representative families, Volume I > Part 21

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VOTE FOR GOVERNOR .- Since 1788. the people of the county manifested a most remarkable adherence to the Democratic party and the principles which it advocated, chief among them the principle of local self-government. In 1802, the Democratic vote was eight times that of the Federal. Afterward this proportion was at no time surpassed, not even equaled. The vote was regularly for the Demo- cratic candidate, excepting two occasions, in 1817 and 1820, when the people of the county manifested their respect for Joseph Hiester, though on the op- posing ticket. These occasions were when Hiester was a candidate on the Federal ticket for Governor. He had distinguished himself in political affairs through a period of forty years.

though the State was against him by a majority of 7,005. And in 1820 he had nine of the eleven counties, with a majority of 8,194, and in the State a majority of 1,605. In this connection, the vote of Hiester for Congress, as against Daniel Clymer, in 1798, can be mentioned in order to show Hiester's popularity. The vote was more than four to one in his favor. All the districts in the county except one gave him large majorities, and this exception was the "Forest" district, influenced by the Clymer family, resident in Caernarvon township.

In 1784, there were two parties in the province, called Republicans and Constitutionalists. Most of the electors of this county were of the latter party. In a certain sense, the latter took the place of the "Tories," and were called "Republicans." They Even through the excitement incident to the Civil were the dominant party in the county then and war, 1861-65, the county continued Democratic by

GOVERNMENT AND OFFICIALS

large majorities. The city of Reading was other- was decidedly for the New Constitution by a vote wise, though theretofore also generally Democratic; of five to one. for, at the election previous to 1860, it was almost

three to one Democratic, but in 1860, 1863, and question was submitted twice to a vote of the elec- 1866 it was Republican. Since then, it has been Democratic, excepting at the election of 1894, when the Republicans received a plurality of 1,123. tors; first in 1854, and again in 1873. On both occasions, the county was decidedly in favor of li- cense; first, by a vote of four to one; and next, three to one.

VOTE FOR PRESIDENT .- In 1828, the vote for Jackson in Berks was five to one against Adams. Then it was that the county distinguished itself in voting for Jackson. It would seem that the people here, as the people elsewhere, had felt keenly the outrage perpetrated upon them by the House of Representatives, in not respecting the will of the majority by the selection of a candidate for Pres- ident whose electors had received the greatest num- ber of votes. The idea of self-government was again uppermost in their minds, and this idea they felt it their duty to express by ballot in a most un- equivocal manner. The vote of Reading was in the same proportion. And at Jackson's re-election in 1832, the result of the vote, both in the county and city, was for him in the proportion of about four to one. The vote in the county for President from 1828 to 1904 was always Democratic by a large majority.

The city of Reading was also Democratic by a considerable majority till 1860; then a decided change took place through the great upheaval in political affairs. Lincoln was given a majority of more than 500 over Breckenridge, and of more than 300 over all, Douglas and Bell included. This Republican feeling in the city prevailed till the re-election of Grant, when, remarkable to say, a majority of 1,207 was given for him. In the elec- tion of Mckinley, there was a plurality of 1,717 for him in 1896, and of 1,111 in 1900; in the elec- tion of Roosevelt, there was a plurality of 3,369 for him in 1904; and in the election of Taft, of 866 for him in 1908.

VOTE FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS .- On a rooster crowing lustily over his fallen body ; Jeff the question of amending the State Constitution, the Davis was represented as sitting up in a sour apple election returns are interesting. In 1825, the coun- tree, and different prominent Democrats were ty was against the Convention by a vote of five to drawn in various laughable positions; and numer- one; and in 1835, also against it, of over two to

ous short witticisms appeared frequently. Alto- one. But in 1838, on the question of ratifying the gether, the exhibition awakened a thrilling interest work of the Convention, the county voted for the Amendments. The chief provision gave electors the right to elect county officials, excepting the judges, cratic State Conventions were held at Reading at and this the county electors appreciated very much.

which candidates for Governor were nominated: The State adopted them, but by a very small major- the first on June 4, 1851, when William Bigler was ity compared with the total vote.

In 1850, on the question of making the judges of the Supreme and County courts elective, the county was for it by a large majority; and the State was lew was nominated.

for it by a vote of two to one.

VOTE FOR PROHIBITION AND LICENSE .- The liquor

ELECTION OF 1876 :- The Democrats in Berks county were certain of victory in 1876. They were taught to expect it, and when the night of the elec- tion arrived they looked for it. But the news was doubtful. They had counted upon a "Solid South," and also certain Northern States. Their leader had calculated with great shrewdness, but neither he nor any of his followers had thought the loss of three Southern States within the range of possi- bility. And this result actually occurred. Late on election day, the chairman of the Republican National Committee announced that Hayes had 185 electoral votes, and would be the next Presi- dent. This came to be exactly so. But during the four intervening months, great excitement prevailed and fears of a political revolution were entertained. At Reading, excited crowds of people assembled for many nights in suc- cession to hear the returns which were reflected upon screens-the Times screen having been set up against the Jameson building on the Sixth street side, above the portico, so as to show the figures down Penn Square, and the Eagle screen in front of the Eagle building. Some of the cartoons were striking and afforded much merriment in reliev- ing the monotony of election returns. The ele- phant figured conspicuously in them. At one time he came out with a rooster in his trunk lashing it around wildly in the air; then with a rooster tied to his tail, running away with it; now jump- ing for joy at a favorable report, then lying on his back as if dead from a Democratic victory, with

STATE CONVENTIONS AT READING .- Three Demo- nominated by acclamation; the second on Feb. 29, 1860, when Henry D. Foster was nominated; and the third on May 30, 1872, when Charles R. Bucka- in the people.

A Democratic State Convention assembled at Reading in the Academy of Music on Aug. 31, 1897, which was reported to have been the most turbu- lent in the history of conventions in the State of Pennsylvania. The purpose was to nominate candi-

In 1871, the question of a Convention was again submitted to the voters. The county was against it by a remarkable vote of two to one, but the State was for it by a vote of almost five to one. How- ever, on the ratification of the report of the Con- dates for auditor-general and State treasurer. Hon. vention at a special election in 1873, the county

Daniel Ermentrout of Reading was elected tem-

HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

porary chairman and he filled the position under adverse and exciting circumstances.

MASS-MEETINGS .- Numerous mass-meetings have been held at Reading by the respective political parties. The earliest meeting of which any extend- ed notice was given, was held by the Democratic party Sept. 4, 1852, for the purpose of ratifying the nomination of Franklin Pierce as the Demo- cratic candidate for President. Philadelphia sent a delegation of fifteen hundred men, accompanied by three fine bands of music; and large delegations were in attendance from Dauphin, Lebanon, Lan- caster, Chester, Bucks, Montgomery, Lehigh, Schuylkill and other counties, whilst from the hills and valleys of Berks county hundreds of the in- domitable Democracy came to swell the assembled multitude. Conspicuous among those from the county were the North Heidelberg delegation in large hay-wagons and vehicles of every description ; the Boyertown Pierce Club in carriages with flags, banners and wreaths of flowers; and the Kutz- town Pierce Club in carriages, with flags and music. It was the largest meeting ever held at Reading till that time, and it included the largest number of great political leaders which the citizens had ever seen together here. A platform was erected at the upper end of the Western Market-House and around it the crowd assembled and heard the speech- es of such distinguished men as Hon. James Bu- chanan, Hon. Stephen A. Douglas, Gov. Enoch Lowe (Maryland), Gov. William Bigler (Pennsyl- vania), Hon. Barnabas Bates (New York), Hon. Charles J. Faulkner (Virginia), Hon. B. F. Ballett (Massachusetts), Chief Justice LeGrand (Mary- Hon. John H. Savage (Tennessee). Addresses were made from noon till midnight. Mr. Buchanan was chairman of the meeting during the afternoon, and, in the course of his opening remarks, he com- plimented Berks county for "her undeviating patri- otism and entire devotion to Democratic princi- ples."

During this campaign, the Democrats also held land), Hon. John A. Wilcox ( Mississippi), and a large mass-meeting. One of its prominent fea-

RITNER YOUNG MEN'S CONVENTION .- The young men of Pennsylvania, who were favorable to the election of Joseph Ritner for Governor held a con- vention at Reading on June 4-5, 1838. Seventeen hundred delegates assembled from all parts of the CLYMER MASS-MEETINGS IN 1866 .- Hon. Heister Clymer, a citizen of Reading, received the nomina- tion for Governor on the Democratic ticket in 1866. He had been State senator from 1861 to 1866, dur- ing which time he had acquired considerable popu- larity throughout the State. Gen. John W. Geary was the Republican candidate. Both parties were under thorough organization and they labored ear- nestly for success. Many mass-meetings were held in different parts of the State, and at all of them much enthusiasm was manifested. State. Their meeting was held in the Trinity Luth- eran Church, and it was distinguished for earnest enthusiasm. Appropriate addresses were made and resolutions passed. The meeting was the largest of a representative character ever held at Reading until that time. It was conducted with ability and occasioned much excitement. But it did not in- crease the strength of the Anti-Mason party in this section of the State. It was the first and only political convention ever assembled in a church building at Reading. Permission was granted by the church vestry because there was no large hall in the borough then, and the Trinity Church was the only place in which so large a body of men cal excitement prevailed from the beginning until could assemble with convenience.

WHIG MASS-MEETING OF 1844 .- The Presidential campaign of 1844 was particularly exciting. Henry Clay was the Whig candidate for President, and James K. Polk the Democratic candidate. The former enjoyed a very high degree of popularity throughout the county, and his friends conducted a very active campaign in his behalf. The Whigs of Pennsylvania exhibited much enthusiasm for him during the canvass, for he was a great favorite in every section of the State, especially where man- 11factures were carried on. Reading was then a growing centre for industries of various kinds, and the Whigs here idolized him for his earnest labors in the cause of protection to home industries. They held a mass-meeting at Reading, on Sept. 27, 1844. Over five thousand persons were in attendance, delegations having come from different sections of the surrounding country. The day was especially noted for a large procession in which the various trades and employments were represented. Minia- ture shops and factories were hauled about the town and successfully operated.

The living raccoon again figured conspicuously in the procession, as it had in the previous cam- paign. The singing of campaign songs added in- terest to this occasion, just as it had been practised four years before, when there was one universal shout for "Old Tippecanoe and Tyler too." Not- withstanding this great effort of the Whigs, they could not weaken the devotion of the Democrats in the county or lessen their majority. The poke- berry was brought into great prominence by the Democrats.

tures was a large boat, rigged as a "Ship of State," manned by a number of boys dressed as sailors, and drawn on wheels in the procession by many young men. The majority for Polk in the borough was 369, and in the county 4,674. This result in- dicated the thorough organization of the Democrats. Dallas, their candidate for Vice-President, visited Reading during the campaign and delivered an address at the "Mineral Spring," dwelling particu- larly upon and favoring the tariff. Gen. Sam Houston from Texas was also present.

In Berks county the leaders of the party were particularly active. Numerous public meetings were held and many speeches delivered. General politi- the close of the campaign; which increased as the

GOVERNMENT AND OFFICIALS

and the other on Oct. 3d; and upon each occasion a multitude of people assembled. At the former there were delegations from four-fifths of the coun- ties in the State. Hon. Richard Vaux acted as chairman of the meeting, and addresses were made by Mr. Clymer, Hon. Montgomery Blair, Hon. George H. Pendleton, and other distinguished poli- tical leaders. High party feeling was produced under the great excitement, so high, indeed, that it almost resulted in riots with certain Republicans who were equally earnest and demonstrative for their leader, General Geary. There was a grand procession, with Gen. Tobias Barto as chief mar- shal, estimated to contain five thousand persons in a line two miles long. Many wagons, teams, bands, and banners of all kinds accompanied the numerous delegations, and the enthusiasm was unbounded.

Notwithstanding all this exertion and expense by the Democrats, the city of Reading was not car- ried for Clymer. It had been Republican through the war, and this political sentiment still prevailed by a small majority which Clymer could not over- come, even with the aid of local prejudice and en- thusiastic demonstrations. The vote in Reading for him was 2,689 and for Geary 2,704-a majority of 15 against him; and in the county for him 13,288 and for Geary 7,121-a majority of 6,167 for him.

POLITICAL FESTIVALS

HIESTER FESTIVAL OF 1820 .- In 1817, the Hon. Joseph Hiester, of Reading, was nominated as the Federal candidate for Governor against the Hon. William Findlay as the Democratic candidate; but he was defeated by a majority of 7,005. In 1820, the same candidates were again on the respective tickets, and Hiester was elected by a small majority, 1,605. The success of this election contest, by which the most distinguished citizen of Berks county was chosen to be the chief executive officer of Penn- sylvania, was an event which could not be permitted to pass away in the annals of local affairs without signalizing it by an impressive public demonstration. He was then concluding his ninth term in Congress, and resigned his seat soon after the election. His fellow-citizens had therefore come to regard him with more than ordinary feelings of respect and honor. And what means could they have selected more adapted to display their satisfaction and joy than a feast at which they could eat, drink and be merry? Accordingly, in honor of this event, pursu- ant to public invitation, a grand festival took place on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 1820, on the "Common" near the "arched spring," east of the borough. Peo- ple assembled from every part of the county and many distinguished politicians came from Philadel- phia and counties adjoining Berks to participate in the feast. Over four thousand persons united in the demonstration. A procession was first formed by the Committee of Arrangements on Penn Square,

day of election approached. Two Democratic mass- about 11 o'clock in the morning, which marched meetings were held at Reading, one on July 18th, up Penn street to the "Common," arriving there about noon. An area comprising several acres was surrounded by a barrier, with a large platform on the eastern side, upon which the articles for the feast were placed. Two fat bullocks on spits, and a bear and a hog on gridirons, were roasted en- tire. The four skins had been stuffed and mounted on cars. The area was occupied by the Committee of Arrangements, High's Dragoons, Getz's Guards, and a band of music from Philadelphia; and it in- cluded thousands of spectators, whose orderly de- portment was highly commendable.

The butchers commenced to carve the roasted animals about 2 o'clock. The first slice of each animal was taken to the residence of Hiester on Penn Square (adjoining the Farmers' Bank on the west) by two butchers, who were escorted by a detachment of the Guards; and the carving then continued until all were satisfied. After the feasting was concluded, a meeting was organized and twenty toasts, expressive of patriotic and complimentary sentiments, were read, all of which were received with, loud applause. Then a unanimous desire was expressed "to see the Revolutionary Veteran," and he was accordingly escorted to the meetings from his residence by a special committee, his presence awakening "indescribable effusions of joy." At 4 o'clock, the procession was reformed and, with the "Governor-elect" supported by two stalwart citi -. zens, it paraded through the principal streets of the borough, halting opposite his residence, where they were dismissed in perfect harmony.

In the evening, the celebration was continued by a "torch-light procession." A transparent temple was carried by four men through the principal streets, preceded and followed by a train of citi- zens who held lighted candles in their hands. The sides of this temple were illustrated; the front pre- sented a likeness of Washington, the rear the arms of the United States, and the right and left sides well-executed likenesses of Hiester.

A similar festival, to celebrate the same event, was held at Orwigsburg, in Schuylkill county, on Nov. 10, 1820. The morning of that day was ush- ered in by the firing of cannon and the ringing of bells. A meeting was first organized in the Court- House; then the people formed into line and pro- ceeded under the leadership of three marshals, as- sisted by a band of music, to "Mount Monroe." As they marched, bells rang and cannon boomed. A fine ox and deer were roasted, and a large num- ber of persons, seated at tables especially arranged, participated in a great feast. At a meeting, after- ward formed, thirteen toasts were offered and drunk.

On the same day, a festival was also held at Kutztown. Twenty-five toasts were offered and drunk at a large meeting.

HARRISON FESTIVAL OF 1840 .- The Presidential campaign of 1840 was conducted with great enthu- siasm, and it developed much political excitement

HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

throughout the country. Grand processions were witnessed in every community. The voters of Read- ing and the surrounding districts in the county caught the feeling, especially on the side of the Whigs. One of the processions was distinguished for its log cabin and living raccoons. The election resulted in a victory for the Whigs, an event which elicited from them particular demonstrations of joy. It was their first victory, and they felt great pride in it. What could they do upon such an occasion but demonstrate their feelings as their party, under the name of "Federals," had done twenty years be- fore? The leaders therefore decided to signalize their triumph by a "grand ox-roast," on the "Com- mon," on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 1840, and they issued a public notice that "an ox will be roasted whole and plenty of hard cider will be provided." The day was accordingly celebrated under the direction of an organized meeting, with men prominent in respect to business, politics and military as its offi- cers. Thirteen toasts were announced, and appro- priate responses were made. Many persons parti- cipated in the feast.

TILDEN FESTIVAL OF 1876 .- The Presidential campaign of 1876 was full of enthusiasm from the beginning to the end. Samuel J. Tilden, of New York, was the Democratic candidate, and Ruther- ford B. Hayes, of Ohio, the Republican. The Dem- ocrats throughout the county were very hopeful of success with so distinguished a candidate as Mr. Tilden, and they therefore carried on the political contest with all the energy that they could com- mand. The leaders of the party in the county were particularly active. Toward the close of the cam- paign they made arrangements for a "buffalo roast" in order to enable their party the more thorough- ly to demonstrate their feelings in a public manner, and they selected a day for that purpose. The pre- vious festivals in 1820 and 1840 were held after the election, but this was to be held before the elec- tion. The announcement was made, giving the pub- lic to know "that the Democratic citizens of Berks and adjoining counties will have a-

GRAND ROAST OF TWO BUFFALOES, lately captured on the western plains, and a JUBILEE PARADE in honor of their candidates for President and Vice- President, and the gallant freemen of the West, at the Fair Grounds, City of Read- ing, on Thursday, October 26, 1876, and also an OLD-FASHIONED DEMOCRATIC PROCESSION,

in which soldiers and sailors, farmers and me- chanics and all good citizens, with their wives and daughters, are respectfully invited to participate

Besides the usual demonstrations in a procession of this character, there was an "elephant in boots," veritably walking in the parade, hired from Fore- paugh (the showman) for the occasion. The sym- bol of the Reading Times, in signalizing a political victory on the morning after an election, for many years, was the "elephant in boots" at the head of its columns ; but the Democrats desired to show by .1 living cartoon that they had taken its elephant cap- tive, and were going to carry it along in their tri- umphant march. This conception created much amusement throughout the entire route. It was the centre of attraction. On the way, the elephant kicked off one of his Democratic boots, just as if he were walking in doubtful company and on a doubtful platform, and desirous of freeing himself. The procession was nearly an hour in passing a point, and ended in the "Fair-Ground," where the feast on roasted buffalo was enjoyed by many hun- dreds of persons. Speeches were made by promi- nent men from different parts of the country. The most distinguished guest upon this unusual occasion was Gen. George B. McClellan, whose presence elic- ited great applause wherever he went.

CLEVELAND FESTIVALS .- The election of Grover Cleveland, the Democratic candidate for President in the election of November, 1884, was the occasion of great rejoicing. In the county the plurality of Cleveland over Blaine was 6,897, and in Reading, 499. The victory was of such an extraordinary nat- ure that the Democrats could not refrain from pub- lic demonstrations of various kinds.

In Reading, a grand "Salt-River Parade" took place on Nov. 12th, in which there were fifteen hun- dred men in line, with numerous teams and eighty men on horseback, as well as many humorous trans- parencies and a prostrate stuffed elephant on one of the floats.

At Bernville, and also at Rehrersburg, there were ox-roasts on Nov. 15th, which elicited a great deal of public excitement.

At Kutztown, on Nov. 21st, there was one of the grandest political demonstrations ever witnessed by the inhabitants. An ox, weigh- ing twelve hundred pounds, was roasted, and after a grand parade, in which three hundred men on horseback from all the surrounding districts par- ticipated, including a large delegation from the "Americus Club" of Reading, there was a grand feast and much hilarity. A "Liberty Pole," 160 feet high, was erected to signalize the victory.

The next day after the election, there was a con- siderable fall of snow, and the epigrammatic expres- sion-"And the next day it snowed"-caused much merriment among the participants in this demon- stration, as well as in the demonstrations elsewhere.

The day arrived and the programme was carried OFFICES BY SPECIAL LEGISLATION out very successfully. In the morning many dele- gations came to Reading from all parts of the The general political history of Berks county is similar to that of the whole State in respect to its county, and by 11 o'clock the "Jubilee Parade" was formed, when it was marched over a long route. general government. Legislation created territorial

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Historical and biographical annals of Berks County, Pennsylvania, embracing a concise history of the county and a genealogical and biographical record of representative families, Volume I, Part 21

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846; J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1018

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846; J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago : J. H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1018