USA > Pennsylvania > Bradford County > History of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections > Part 30
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Jackson was now the idol of the Democracy, while Clay was equally honored by the Whigs. These were two strong types of Americans- the dashing and brilliant Clay, the unequalled orator, the man of personal magnetism, challanged on his highway the strong, unyielding, brave and chivalrous Jackson ; so unlike that they may well be said to have been splendidly matched. These were the successors in the great political tournament of Hamilton and Jefferson, and equally as well equipped to leave the impress of their lives upon their day and age. Clay was superb-Jackson was iron ; both were patriots, the one as invincible as the other was captivating. It was natural that such leaders should reorganize political parties ; reform the ranks and create the new era in American politics, when voters became wrang- ling and often fierce politicians, and all realized that they had leaders
294
HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY.
who possessed pre-eminently the courage of their convictions. Clay would " rather be right than be President," while Jackson, " by the eternal " with the people at his back, struck dead incipient American aristocracy, and of each was it true that their party was their personal following. Nothing of the kind was known to the country before their day, nor has any parallel come since.
With the election for President in 1852, when Pierce (D.) was elected over Scott (W.) the Whig party was finally overthrown and ceased longer to be a factor in American politics. The mantel of Jack- son had fallen on the shoulders of Stephen A. Douglas, and the "Little Giant " was forging his way to the front rank of living statesmen. The "Free Soil" question was precipitated upon the country by the Kansas- Nebraska question, that followed so closely upon the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and in 1853 was organized in a county in Illinois, the Republican party. This may not, although it is so claimed in the locality, to have been the first organization ever effected of that party, but it was the one that was pregnant with the remarkable future that then and there dawned upon the nation. The two leading anti-Doug- las men in Illinois and who were a part of this first Republican organ- . ization were Abraham Lincoln and Lyman Trumbull-the latter had been a Democrat, who had ample reasons to believe he had never been justly treated by the leaders of his party, a New England man, an able lawyer and scholar, but said to be a cold, intellectual tower ; while Mr. Lincoln was a Kentuckian and had been a Whig, and when a youth had migrated to Illinois with his parents, who pos- sessed but a meager share of this world's wealth. These men were very unlike, as much so personally and mentally 'as they had been politically and socially. Much the only thing in common between them, now, for the first time brought together in a political strug- gle, was the opposition to Douglas, and they joined hands to over- throw him, and wrest from him the control of the office of Senator from Illinois. The terms of this agreement were readily adjusted. Lincoln was to rally the old Whigs and bring them bodily into the Republican camp, and both supposed that this of course would be the big end of the new party. Trumbull was to rally the anti-Douglas Democrats, all those who opposed the repeal of the Missouri Compro- mise or who had caught the general "Free Soil" cry that then began to be heard all over the North. Gen. Shields was the junior Senator from Illinois and the first struggle was to capture the Legislature and it was agreed, in case that was done, that Mr. Lincoln should be made Senator, and then in 1858, when Mr. Douglas' term would expire, Mr. Trumbull would stand against him for the office. On this basis the State and national election in Illinois, 1856, opened and one of the most remarkable campaigns was fought out. The Republicans carried the Legislature and Mr. Lincoln expected that his fight for Senator was over. When the Legislature met, Mr. Trumbull had gone carefully over the members returned and to his surprise he found that a majority of those elected as Republicans were those who had formerly been Democrats, and he therefore quietly stepped in and took the office of Senator and left Mr. Lincoln to warm his toes in the ante-room and
297
HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY.
wait until 1858, and then make the fight against Douglas. Mr. Trum- bull was shrewd enough to realize that to defeat Douglas in his re- election was altogether another matter from that of defeating Gen. Shields. It was a bird in the hand with Trumbull, while it was a two- years' wait and a very uncertain "bird in the bush" in the end with Mr. Lincoln. It is a part of the common history of the country that Douglas and Lincoln canvassed the State, holding joint discussions, from the North Line to Cairo, and Mr. Douglas defeated Mr. Lincoln, and this in the end made Mr. Lincoln President, in 1860. One of the notable things in this celebrated contest for Senator was the fact that the candidates went before the people, and to all practical purposes the choice for Senator was known as soon as the vote was counted; and this was the first time in the history of the country that this innovation had occurred. This yet unwritten episode in American politics perhaps has had more to do in shaping the history of the Union the past thirty- four years-the greatest era concerning our country-than probably any other circumstance that has ever occurred. Even after the war, and Mr. Lincoln was dead, Trumbull in the Senate voted against Johnson's impeachment, and since that time has been actively identi- fied with the Democratic party. These and preceding facts and inci- dents are given as explanatory to the reader, and will lend interest to the following compilation of the Bradford county voting in the early days of the county, that are taken as compiled by Rev. David Craft, and also as taken from the official records :
1814 : For Governor (Lycoming and Bradford counties combined), Simon Snyder (D), 724 votes ; Isaac Wayne, 11; George Latimer, 13 ; total, 748-Democratic majority, 700. 1817 : William Findlay, 929 ; Joseph Hiester, 353 ; total, 1,282-Democratic majority, 576. 1820 : William Findlay, 915 ; Joseph Hiester, 788; total,1, 703-Democratic majority, 127. 1823: J. Andrew Shulze, 977 ; Andrew Gregg, 80-+; total, 1,781 - Democratic majority, 173. In 1826, Shulze received 1,753 votes; in 1829. 1832 and 1835, for Governor, Wolfo received respectively 1,219, 1.685 and 1,504 votes. In 1838, the vote for Gover- nor was, Porter, 2,420, and Joseph Ritner, 2,219.
For President, 1824; Jackson, 1640, Adams, 31, Crawford, 16; Dem- ocratic majority, 1593. 1828, Jackson, 1553, Adams, 910; Democratic majority, 643. 1832, Jackson, 1598, Wirt, 1221; Democratic majority, 377. 1836, Harrison, 1521, Van Buren, 1463 ; Whig majority, 58. 1840, Van Buren, 2844, Harrison, 2631 ; Liberty party, 26; Democratic plu- rality, 213 1844, Polk, 3495, Clay, 3164, 'Liberty, 63-total, 6722; Democratic plurality. 331. 1848, Taylor, 3272, Cass. 1889, Van Buren, 1780-total, 6941; Whig over Democrat. 1383 ; Whig over Free Soil, 1493 ; Cass and Van Buren over Taylor, 397. 1852, Pierce, 3930, Scott, 3526, Liberty, 281-total, 7737; Democratic plurality, 404. 1856, Fre- mont, 6969, Buchanan, 2314, Fillmore, 71, Liberty, 7-total, 9361; Republican majority over all, 4571. 1860, Lincoln, 7091, Douglas, 2176, scattering. 31-total, 9228 ; Republican majority, 4884. 1864, Lincoln, 7530, McClellan, 3195- total, 10,725; Republican majority, 4335. 1868, Grant, 7768. Seymour, 3538-total, 11,306 ; Republican majority, 4230. 1872, Grant, 7452, Greeley, 3563, Temperance, 16-total, 11,031; Repub-
16
298
HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY.
lican majority, 3873. 1876, Hayes, 8008, Tilden, 4989, Cooper, 59, scattering, 62-total, 13,118; Republican majority, 2898. 1880, Gar- field, 8152, Hancock, 4950, Weaver, 496. For Congress, C. C. Jadwin (R.), 7974, Robert H.Packer (D.), 4924, Joshua Burrows (N.), 625. 1882, For Governor, Beaver (R.), 5191, Pattison (D.), 4217, Stewart (I.), 1262. The latter was Independent-Republican. For Congress, E. Overton, Jr. (R.), 3273, G. A. Post (D.), 3961, C. C. Jadwin (Ind.), 3595. 1884, Blaine, 8405, Cleveland, 4216, Butler, 304, St. John, 521. For Congress, Burwell (R.), 8232, Post (D.), 4474, Dobson, 602, Decker, 107. 1888, Harrison, 8762, Cleveland, 4552, Fisk, 536, Scattered, 58.
The last presidential election, 1888, shows that there had been an irregular growth in the Republican majorities in the county since the election of 1856. And that at the last it reached within a few votes of its highest figure, given Lincoln in 1860. But by reference to the State election of 1882, when Pattison, Democrat, was elected gover- nor, there was a split in the Republican ranks, which is represented by the votes for Stewart, Independent-Republican candidate for governor, and in this congressional district there was a split likewise in the Republican congressional vote, when the Democrat, Post, carried the county by a small plurality. The vote given above in 1882 does not show a Republican loss of voters, simply that they were divided.
The election of November 4, 1890, was a State and county one, where a governor, lieutenant-governor, secretary of internal affairs, congressman, and county officers were voted for. This was one of those peculiar movements in politics that are sometimes difficult to account for. At the beginning of the campaign the regular Republi- can convention was held, and a full county ticket nominated. A spirit of dissent arose in the ranks of the party, and finally another conven- tion was called, composed of those who were dissatisfied with the action of the regular convention. By a singular coincidence this meeting convened in Towanda the same time as the Democratic convention, and after some negotiation the two bodies appointed con- ference committees, and a fusion or joint ticket was nominated, each taking about one-half of the nominees as near as they could be divided, and then opened out one of the most animated political contests ever witnessed in the county ; speeches were held by day and by night, and livery rigs were kept unusually busy carrying young and old cam- paigners into every nook and corner of the county to talk to the dear people-on local matters, however. The State ticket was but little mentioned, and national issues were entirely forgotten, and the writer of these lines, who was an impartial looker-on, was impressed greatly with the fact that, considering the intensity of the struggle, there was but little personal mud-slinging at the respective candidates on either side. While it was not a presidential year, yet the whole county was never more thoroughly aroused, exactly what it was all about, it was a little difficult for an outsider to understand. "Down with the old ring !" seemed to be one side's watchword, and "down with the kickers " was answered back. A general election for Con- gressmen occurred at the same time in all the States, and outside of Pennsylvania it was the question of tariff-the Mckinley Bill (a tariff
299
HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY.
bill then just passed), or similar national questions, over which parties were so earnestly wrangling. In the Southern, and many of the Western States, the farmers had just organized, and in some of them, as Kansas for instance, they swept all before them. But in Pennsyl- vania there was no Farmers' ticket in the field-a straight Democratic State ticket was up. All over the State, but more especially in Bradford county, the opposition to the dominant party ignored national issues and the result of the poll was nearly bewildering. Pattison, Democrat, was elected Governor by nearly 20,000 majority, and the Republican candidates for the other State offices were elected by nearly the same majority. In Bradford county there were only 145 less votes cast in 1890, than had been given at the last preceding pres- idential election, 1888, the vote being 13,315 and 13,170 respectively. As an evidence that it is sometimes the unexpected that happens, it is told that one of the men clected to one of the best offices in the county thought so little of being a candidate-such a modest " not an office- seeker," although a Democrat, that when he was named " simply to fill up the ticket," was what they told him, in the Democratic conven- tion, he declined to run ; three or four others were then put in nomina- tion, but each one refused; finally the first one was pursuaded to let his name stand, and reluctantly, to accommodate his friends, he con- sented, and was nominated and elected by 2,000 majority.
November 4, 1890, was, therefore, an eventful day, politically, in Bradford county. Another incident of this election is worthy of note: John A. Fox, Democrat, was not nominated by any convention, and he became a candidate on the heels of the campaign for commissioner, and received 5,809 votes, and failed of an election only by a narrow majority. Thus the official vote is so full of interesting reading that it is here given, and for the purpose of easily comparing, the vote for President in 1888 is given in the first two columns :
300
HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY.
Presid'nt|Govern'r 1888
Lieut. Gov.
Scc'y Internal Affairs.
Congress
Judge.
Benjamin Harrison, R ...
Grover Cleveland, D .. .. ..
George W. Delamater, R.
Robert E. Pattison, D ... .
Louis A. Watres, R ......
Chauncey F. Black, D ...
Thomas J. Stewart, R ....
Wm. H. Barclay, D ......
Myron B. Wright, R ... ..
Clarence W. Canfield, D.
James H. Codding, R ....
Benjamin M. Peck, F ....
Alba borough.
22
17
20
24
21
23
22
22 136
22 146
22
24
20
Albany township.
217
92
155
135
.154
136
154
69
34
69
36
56
49
Asylum ....
138|
143
123
158
125
156
125
156
131
144
108
175
Athens borough-1st ward
151
74
157
99
159
98
159
98
116
144
164
99
2d ward
278
189
132
118
135
113
135
113
108
143
148
102
Athens town'p-1st dist.
85
86
82
80
82
80
82 16
62
13
65
20
58
3d
194
140
212
137
216
135
217
134
209
140
221
128
66
4th
140
137
122
129
122
129
122
129
122
132
184
113
Barclay
85
118
13
21
20
21
20
79
136
85
136
84
115
108
West ..
118
48
86
80
85
80
85
80
93
81
72
101
Canton borough.
219
66
218
79
221
76
221
76
222
77
212
100
Canton town'p-1st district 2d
92
20
94
39
102
34
102
34
114
19
113 140
116
Franklin.
104
61
72
79
71
80
71
80
59 232
81
166
148
Herrick.
136
51
126
72
126
72
126
72
129
82
93
129
LeRaysville
89
11
73
37
76
35
76
35
78 121
134
95
158
LeRoy ..
191
39
139
52
139
52
139
52
146
65 37
69 87
44
Monroe township ..
265
116
232
152
234
150
234
150
209
177
162
223
New Albany borough
52
14
46
23
45
24
45
24
46
23
29
40
Orwell township
225
29
197
66
197
63
197
62
226
50
107
177
Overton.
49
82
33
98
35
96
35
96
66
66
19 117
Pike-1st district.
127
19
99
36
99
35
99
35
94
42
57
81
2d district.
150
24
130
33
130
33
131
33
134
34
89
87
Ridgebury.
163
122
131
151
134
150
136
148
147
141
122
163
Rome borough.
42
9
43
15
44
15
45
14
42
20
22
45
Rome township.
176
45
163
65
162
66
162
66
157
80
89
141
Smithfield.
263
90
220
124
228
122
228
123
219
151
147
243
Springfield.
218
7
185
151
190
146
191
145
225
119
174
168
South Creek.
133
71
117
85
119
83
119
83
123
82
99
108
Sylvania borough
52
13
32
27
37
22
39
20
38
23
34
28
Sheshequin township
266
85
222
112
225
111
225
111
217
121
174
167
Standing Stone.
52
131
53
130
54
129
54
129
58
128
72
108
South Waverly.
87
91
62
101
63
100
63
100
62
100
99
69
Terry .. .
156
121
107
191
108
190
108
190
119
186
93
210
Towanda boro-1st ward ..
162
127
144
141
147
138
149
136
144
137
174
109
2d ward ..
235
131
175
179
178
176
189
165
198
161
229
133
3d ward.
174
75
166
117
169!
115
169
115!
178 110
190
102
66
5th
63
63
66 71
60
66
60
66
60 91
63 84
62 77
87
73
Burlington borough.
21
20
21
22
21
22
Burlington township
174
43
140
156
98
159
98
160
97
178
85
130
120
Columbia
166
86
124
129
126
124
128
122
143
111
43
117
Granville
255
50
216
89
216
89
220
87
34
47
66
Litchfield
156
112
111
137
112
137
112
137
103
28
98
30
100
29
100
29
96
106
88
67
2d
16
64
16
62
16
62
71
91
71
133
100
174
170
99
3d ward
131
137
134
133
134
80
54
165
106
199
Armenia.
84
21
69
34
69
34
91
81
142
218
56
22
143
Monroeton borough
99
70
56
28
ELECTION DISTRICTS.
301
HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY.
Presidn't Governor 1888
Lieut. Gov.
Sec'y Internal Affairs.
Congress
Judge.
Benjamin Harrison, R ....
Grover Cleveland, D .. ...
Geo. W. Delamater, R ....
Robert E. Pattison, D ....
Louis A. Watres, R ......
Chauncey F. Black, D ... . .
Thomas J. Stewart, R ....
Wm. H. Barclay, D .....
Myron B. Wright, R ... .
Clarence W. Canfield, D.
James H. Codding, R ....
Benjamin M. Peck, F. ...
Towanda township.
137
64
145
78
14G
77
146
77
147
75
154
70
North.
90
67
61
115
66
110
66
110
67
116
78
101
Troy borough. .
213
115
194
133
81
109
81
109
81
111
80
102
86
2d
134
33
96
54
97
54
97
54
100
61
99
66
Tuscarora.
236
66
198
199
66
199
66
200
76
112
165
Ulster.
159
98
159
118
159
118
159
118
146
128
131
151
Warren.
205
89
186
78
187
77
187
77
189
82
85
182
Wilmot
147
173
129
184
129
184
129
184
125
191
90
223
Windham
160
98
151
96
151
96
151
96
160
87
119
127
Wyalusing borough.
72
31
61
39
62
38
62
38
62
42
34
69
twp-1st dist.
89
58
81
79
83
77
83
77
72
91
65
97
2d dist.
111
38
90
53
92
50
92
48
92
63
46
115
Wysox-1st district.
113
84
95
81
95
82
95
82
96
81
81
101
-
2d
77
56
72
66
74
64
75
63
85
53
96
43
Wells.
112
119
72
136
73
135
73
135
73
132
81
126
Total.
8762 4553
7426 5744
7583 5649
7609 5626
7638 58501
6558 6990
Plurality
4209
1682
1934|
1983
. .
1788
432
197
121
199
121
206
117
205
117
Troy township-1st district
138
64
109
ELECTION DISTRICTS.
The other curious features of this vote is that the largest majority in the county is given the Republican candidate for Secretary of Internal Affairs, an office about which the average voter took the least interest. The next highest majority, that is after leaving the State ticket, was that given Hon. Joseph Powell, Democrat, for sheriff, and the smallest majority received by any one on the Fusion ticket was that of Gen. Henry J. Madill, Republican, the war veteran, indeed, with a military record as brilliant as that of any man in the Union army.
The aggregate vote for the other offices than those given" above was as follows :- For Sheriff, Levi Wells (R.), 5,821 ; Joseph Powell (D. on F. ticket), 7,678. For Prothonotary, Mial E. Lilley (R.), 6,570; Henry J. Madill (F.), 6,735. Register, John N. Califf (R.), 6,489; Charles M. Hall (F.) 6,890. Treasurer, Finley N. Hubbard (R.), 6,300; Charles T. Hull (F.), 7,108. Representative (three to elect), three Fusion candidates elected by majorities, Leonard Lewis, 360; A. B. Sumner, 608, and Loron W. Forrest, 1313. Commissioners, vote as follows :- Sheldon R. Lindley (R.), 6194 ; P. S. Squires (R.), 6327; Henry W. McCrany (F.), 6799, and John A. Fox (Ind.), 5,809.
302
HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY.
CHAPTER XVI. EMINENT PEOPLE.
DAVID WILMOT-CHIEF JUSTICE MERCUR-PAUL DUDLEY MORROW --- BURR RIDGEWAY-E. O'MEARA GOODRICH.
D AVID WILMOT .- No man has ever lived in Bradford county, nor indeed in northern Pennsylvania, who has achieved so wide a reputation as David Wilmot. He was born in Bethany, Wayne county, Pa., where he spent his boyhood days, and was educated there and at Aurora. At the age of eighteen he commenced the study of law at Wilkes-Barre, where he remained until the time of his admission to the bar, when he removed to Towanda. He soon became a conspicuous character, and early in his career gained a great influence over the people, with whom he was always honest. He had a fine voice, a good presence and an eloquent tongue. Indeed, he quite magnetized his hearers, and could use satire without giving serious offense. Mr. Wilmot was possessed of a remarkable analytical mind, but was not a great lawyer, save before a jury. He relied upon his latent resources at the moment to make up for his lack of thoroughness and aversion to study. However, he was a deep thinker, and with his quickness of comprehen- sion, eloquence and ability to read faces, carried juries, while others, more thoroughly versed in the law, made but little impression. His make-up soon developed him into a politician, and he took the Demo- cratic side.of the house opposed to Gen. McKean and his followers. It was not long before he became recognized as a leader, and, in 1844, was elected as a Free Trade Democrat to Congress, and was the only member from Pennsylvania who voted for the repeal of the "tariff of '42." In common with the Democratic party he favored the annexation of Texas. On the 4th of August, 1846, President Polk sent to the Senate a confidential message, asking an appropriation to negotiate a peace with Mexico. A bill was introduced into the House, appropriating $2,000,000 for the purpose specified. It had now become so apparent that the proposition was intended to strengthen the pro-slavery influence in the general government, that a consultation of a few members of Congress was held, and the matter thoroughly discussed. It was agreed that it was a move not in accordance with the Demo- cratic or Jeffersonian idea as argued in the Constitutional Convention, and shown by the ordinances of 1787. The measure must, therefore, be checked, and the following resolution was drawn up by Mr. Wilmot, and agreed to by the others, and he was selected to offer it as an amend- ment to the bill: "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall exist in any part of said Territory, except for crime, whereof the party shall first be duly convicted," which has since that time been known in our country's history as the " Wilmot Proviso." While it is true that
303
HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY.
this made Judge Wilmot immortal in the political estimation of the hour, now, that the actors are all dead, and sectional passions are stilled, let us hope forever, yet our children, in a respect due our great revolu- tionary fathers, should ever keep in mind that this "Proviso" is copied verbatim from Jefferson in Virginia's cession of the Northwest Terri- tory to the Union of States. The measure, though lost in Congress, created a great agitation throughout the country, and was the wedge which split the Democratic party upon the slavery question. Many of the Democrats in the district made a bold assault upon Mr. Wilmot for this, and tried to prevent his return to Congress. In 1846 he was re-elected on the tariff issue, over Judge White, a High-Tariff Demo- crat ; and again in 1848, mainly on the sentiment of his proviso. While he was elected as a Democrat, he was a "Free Soiler" and supported Mr. Van Buren for the presidency in 1848. In 1850, Mr. Wilmot again secured a renomination to Congress as a Free Soil Democrat, which resulted in a split of the Democratic party in the district on the slavery question. The pro-slavery Democrats having put a candidate in nomination, for the good of the party, upon Mr. Wilmot's suggestion, both candidates withdrew, and Galusha A. Grow was selected as a compromise and elected. In 1851 he was elected Presiding Judge of the district over William Elwell, the Independent candidate, and acted in the capacity for which he had been elected until 1857, when he resigned the office to enter the gubernatorial contest. His competitor, William F. Packer, the Democratic candi- date, was elected, but his defeat sounded the death-knell of the Demo- cratic party in this State, and made him more popular than ever before. The speeches which he made throughout the State awakened a deep interest in the principles of the Republican party, and finally made it victorious. However, he had not dreamed of an election, and at a serenade given him at his home, after his nomination, said : "I well understand I can not be elected, but the canvass will be the means of establishing a party of which the people will be proud and can rely upon." His statement was verified the next year by a Republican victory in the State.
Mr. Wilmot was one of the fathers of the Republican party, and in fact, the very measures which he had proposed in Congress, in 1846, had no small influence leading to its existence. In Bradford county, and, indeed, in the "Wilmot District" he made the Republican party. He was a delegate to the National Republican Convention, held in Philadelphia in 1856, and was chairman of the committee on resolutions, and drew up the famous resolution denouncing " slavery and polygamy as twin relics of barbarism." In the convention he was proposed as candidate on the ticket with Mr. Fremont for the Vice-presidency. He could have commanded a unanimous nomination, but was averse to it. In 1860, Mr. Wilmot was also a delegate to the National Repub- lican convention held in Chicago, and was its temporary chairman. He, with the Pennsylvania delegation, was instructed to vote for Gen. Cameron. After one ballot he saw that Seward would be nominated unless Cameron was dropped. Whereupon the Pennsylvania delega- tion, he at its head, asked leave to retire. After consultation Mr.
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