History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 105

Author: Prowell, George R.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1372

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In this contest, the Quakers of the upper end voted with the Scotch-Irish, but Laub, the German candidate, was elected by nine- teen votes. There were many amusing stories told of this campaign. William

I. Now it came to pass in those days when George was President, even George the Great, was President over the nation, and John, even John surnamed the steady, who had done justice and judgment among the people, had fulfilled his time, that there was a great stir among the people, whom they should choose to reign in his stead.

2. Then the Williamites, who inhabited the western country, and the people gathered themselves together. and communed one with another, and said: We will make William to rule over us. for he is a proper young man, and will do justice and judgment even as John has done, whose work is fulfilled.

3. And when these sayings went abroad among the people, there were certain men rose up and withstood the Williamites and said, God do so to us, and more also, if William shall rule over us at this time in the stead of John.

4. Then the governors, the judges, the captains of the fifties, and the rulers of the people gathered them- selves together.

5. And so it was that they communed together, even the Schlegelites, the Rudisellites, the Shermanites, the Gosslerites, the Millerites, the Campbellites, the tribe of Eli, and John the Lawyer.

6. Now all entered into a covenant and said, of a truth we will make Conrad our ruler, for he is an up- right man, and will do what is right in the eyes of the people.

7. And after these things it came to pass on the thirteenth day of the tenth month, about the eleventh hour, in the fourteenth year after the people had come out of the house of bondage, that the people strove with one another, even the Williamites on one side and the Conradites on the other.

8. And there was a great slaughter, for the battle continued until the going down of the sun.

9. For the Conradites came forth by hundreds and by thousands, by their tribes, as sands by the seashore for multitude.

IO. And so it was, that the army of the Williamites was discomfitted.

II. Now the land will have rest for three years.

The "Schlegelites" and the "Rudisellites" were the friends of Colonel Henry Schlegel and Associate Judge Jacob Rudisell, of Han- over ; the "Shermanites" the friends of Con- the vote was counted it was found that the rad Sherman, who lived five miles south of Germans had won. Conrad Laub received Hanover. in Manheim Township; the 2130 votes and Captain William McClellan 2III.

"Gosslerites" the friends of Philip Gossler, who then lived in Hellam Township; the "Millerites," the friends of General Henry Miller of York; the "Campbellites" the Scotch-Irish from Monaghan and Carroll Townships, represented by Colonel Thomas Campbell; the "Tribe of Eli" were the

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Quakers of the upper end, and were led by Major Eli Lewis, who founded the town of Lewisberry ; "John the Lawyer" was John Lukens, a young member of the York Bar, admitted that year.

In 1784, the year after the Hartley in treaty of peace with England Politics. had been signed, while making a tour of southern Pennsylva- nia in the interest of the fall elections, Colonel Thomas Hartley wrote the follow- ing letter, touching upon Lancaster and York politics :

"A good many people of this county are now assembled here. They promise fair, though we may be disappointed. If Lan- caster and York should carry proper men at the next election, we may do well. Ex- ertions are not wanting at York, and we are not idle at Lancaster. It is a pity that the people at large are so very unequal to their situation. In Republics every man ought to think. Time may put us right, but we are at present in the infancy of thought."

Jefferson.

The political friends of Thomas Letter to Jefferson in Newberry Town- ship held a meeting immediately after his inauguration in 1801 and prepared an address which they sent to the President. The language of this ad- dress shows that there were disturbing fea- tures in American politics at that time as well as in later periods. The following let- ter was written to Jefferson a short time after his inauguration :

To Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States. Called on by the United States to perform the most important of her tasks, we flatter ourselves that assurances of the attachment and support of any de- scription of your fellow-citizens, will be acceptable; and being highly gratified with the sentiments you have an- nounced as the governing principles of your administra- tion, we conceive it our duty, and we feel it our pleasure, to tender you our sincere attachment and steady sup- port. May that spirit of benevolent toleration which so conspicuously distinguished you amidst the conflict- ing elements of party, spread like oil on the troubled ocean, until all is soothed into order and peace.

Signed by order of the said meeting.

HENRY KREIGER, JAMES TODD. JOSEPH GLANCY, ELI LEWIS, ROBERT HAMERSLY, jun.

His Reply. Washington, May 8, 1801.

Gentlemen :- Assurances of attachment and support from any description of my fellow-citizens are accepted with thankfulness and satisfaction. I will ask that at- tachment and support no longer than I endeavor to deserve by a faithful administration of their affairs in

the true spirit of the Constitution, and according to laws framed in consonance with that. The sentiments expressed on my undertaking the important charge con- fided to me, were expressed in the sincerity of my heart ; and after the security and freedom of our common country, no object lies so near my heart as to heal the wounded confidence of society, and see men and fellow citizens in affectionate union with one another. I join, therefore, with the inhabitants of Newberry Township, who have been pleased to address me through you, in earnest desire that a spirit of benevolence and mutual toleration may soothe the great family of mankind once more into order and peace; and I pray you to assure them of my sincere concern for their particular happi- ness, and my high consideration and respect.

THOMAS JEFFERSON.

Messrs. Kreiger, Todd, Glancy, Lewis and Hamersly.

After the election of Thomas Mc-

Political Kean as governor of Pennsylva-

Feast. nia, there was a public feast held . on the Common, near George Spangler's Lane. The dinner was cooked in kettles over an open fire and after it was prepared, hundreds of people sat around long tables and ate the vituals with great relish. A parade and military display fol- lowed the feast. Captain William Ross and Lieutenant John Grier with their com- pany of fifty men in blue uniforms, with red collars and belts, and Captain Lewis Wamp- ler and Lieutenant Hersh commanding a company uniformed in yellow, interested large crowds of people with a military pa- rade. This interesting event took place in October, 1800. McKean was a Jeffersonian Democrat. His opponent, James Ross, then a lawyer at Pittsburg, was born at Delta in York County. Ross was an ardent Feder- alist, but his party at this time had lost con- trol of Pennsylvania.

The election of William Findlay as A Big governor of Pennsylvania was Parade. celebrated at York in October, 1817, by a splendid parade and a banquet, or as it was called by a local chron- icler, "a magnificent feast in the field of Jacob Spangler, near the edge of the bor- ough." The line of parade was formed on West Market Street and moved through Centre Square to the banqueting grounds in the following order : Chief Marshal, George Jacobs; assistants, George Spangler and Jacob Laumaster; committee of ar- rangements; band of music; banner con- taining the portrait of the governor elect, painted by Lewis Miller, followed by many citizens of the town and county. The com- mittee of arrangements wore a vellow Wil-

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YORK COUNTY ALMSHOUSE

盛辣證

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POLITICAL

liam Findlay badge on the left lapel of their coats.

In 1821 when Governor Findlay was elected to represent Pennsylvania in the United States Senate, his political friends in York celebrated the event with a grand banquet at the tavern kept by Clement Stil- ried in many political parades in York linger. The occasion was enlivened by the singing of political songs by Jacob Busser and Lewis Miller, while John Barnitz played the violin.

County and elsewhere. In 1905 when in the possession of John S. Hiestand, a prom- inent citizen, residing a few miles east of York, this banner was presented to the His-

One of the liveliest contests in torical Society of York County.

Codorus Township has always been noted

Windsor

The York County took place in 1830. It was caused by a split in the for its faithful adherents to the Democratic

Farmer. Democratic party. Simon An- party. For many years there were only

stine, a prominent Windsor two or three Whig voters in the township. farmer, had been a Democratic leader from 1809 to 1830, when he desired the nomina- tion for the State legislature. His own party defeated his nomination in the county convention. It was then that Anstine de- termined to exert his power and influence. He said to his political adherents: "I have been turning the grindstone long enough for others and now since they have tried to turn me down, I will put on the war paint and see if I cannot grind my opponents. I All the other voters were Democrats. In recognition of its loyalty to the Jacksonian Democracy, the Democratic State Commit- tee in 1848, presented to Codorus Township a beautiful silk banner which cost about $100. On one side of this historic banner a fine portrait of Andrew Jackson was painted and on the other side words of commenda- tion to the voters of Codorus Township for their devotion to the principles of Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson. In 1903 will defeat part of the Democratic ticket." So he organized a meeting and nominated this banner was placed in the Historical So- ciety of York County for careful preserva- an independent ticket and had Michael tion. Although more than half a century Gardner and himself placed on it as candi- old. it is still in an excellent condition.

At 6 o'clock on the evening of

dates for the legislature. They were both elected and Simon Anstine received the con- A Whig September 17, 1840. there was an Banner. interesting Whig meeting held in front of the Washington House gratulations of many friends for his victory. During the campaign he had the ends of his tickets dipped in red beet juice to be sure on the north side of East Market Street, his friends would vote right. Lewis Miller, near Duke. On this occasion the Whig the local artist, said, "That is why he 'beet' ladies presented to the Tippecanoe Club of his opponent." Shortly after the election, Anstine drove into York with a two horse load of cabbage heads and as he passed into

York, a handsome satin banner, about four feet long and three feet wide. This beau- tiful banner was painted by E. B. Pyle, a Centre Square the spectators shouted, local artist who resided on West King "Hurrah! for the Windsor farmer! He's Street. On one side was neatly painted in all right." Then he agreed to present one gilt letters. "Presented by the Whig Ladies head of cabbage to every "cabbage head" . of York to the Tippecanoe Club." Thomas opponent that would come to his wagon. E. Cochran, of the York Bar, made the Two of the spectators who were amused at this incident were "Fritz" Horn and "White Bear," quaint local characters.

In early days the Court House at York was the voting place for a large portion of York County. In 1811 Simon Anstine rode into York at the head of two hundred men, all of whom voted for Simon Snyder for on the ground. The liberality of the ladies, governor of Pennsylvania.

In 1836 the Democrats of Democratic Banners. Spring Garden Township pur- chased a large satin banner during the campaign which elected Martin Van Buren president of the United States. This banner had been car-

presentation speech in the presence of a large assemblage of people. The banner was received in an enthusiastic speech by William.R. Morris, member of the club. In speaking of this banner, the York Repub- lican says, "The occasion was graced by the presence of beauty and many people were

as well as their enthusiasm in the cause of

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Harrison, is worthy of imitation. They for him, but he died one month after his in- ought to be entitled to vote, then all things auguration. would go on right."

The campaign of 1844, when Henry Clay

This banner was presented to the Histor- was a candidate for the presidency, was also conducted with remarkable vigor and en- thusiasm. At this time Clay, except Web- ster, who was his supporter, was recognized as the ablest orator America had produced.

ical Society of York County in 1903 by Frank Dehuff, of York, and a second banner also presented to the same club was placed in the Historical Society of York in 1902, by Henry C. Ginter, whose father carried He advocated a protective tariff and during the banner for twenty years in many parades in York and elsewhere.

the campaign of 1844, the Whig parades were characterized by a display of manu- facturing industries. In no other campaign in this country was so interesting a part taken by women as during the candidacy of Henry Clay, who as an orator and states- Henry Harrison, the hero of Tippecanoe, man, was the idol of the American people.

The presidential campaign of 1840 was probably the most memorable in the annals of American politics. The standard bearer of the Whig party was General William where he won a brilliant victory over the English and the Indians during the War of 1812. Harrison had been the candidate of the Whig party against Martin Van Buren in 1836, when the latter was elected Presi- dent.

During several parades in York and other parts of the county, young ladies dressed in white, one to represent each state, rode in wagons, singing the lively songs of that re- markable era in our political history. It happened, however, that James K. Polk, of Tennessee, the Democratic candidate, was

During Van Buren's administration, the first great financial panic in American his- elected through the ingenuity of Thurlow Weed, who was then the political leader in

tory occurred. The business and manufac- turing interests of the country were all in a the state of New York.

depressed condition. It was claimed by the At the end of the Harrison campaign the Whigs celebrated their victory on the Public Common at York, by a big feast at which several oxen were roasted and a vast as- semblage of people were given a free din- ner. Preparations for a similar banquet were made after the campaign of 1844, which for several weeks hung in the bal- ance, not knowing whether Polk or Clay had been elected. When the vote had been counted and it was found that Clay was de- feated it is said that many of his Whig sup- Whigs that the panic was the result of the action of Andrew Jackson in vetoing a bill passed by Congress to re-charter the United States Bank. The panic reached its height in 1839, when Van Buren's administration was coming to a close. The result of this condition of affairs was attributed by the Whigs to the financial policy of the Demo- cratic party. The Whig party grew strong not only in the northern states, but in Vir- ginia, Tennessee, Kentucky and other southern states. A Democratic orator, porters wept because this great man could not become President of the United States.

while endeavoring to cast derision upon the candidacy of General Harrison, said he was A Harrison log cabin was built on the south side of West Market Street, near Newberry, on a lot ad- joining a hotel kept by Joseph The first meeting was held in the cabin on the evening of September 14. 1840. On this occasion Thaddeus Stevens, then the leader of the Gettysburg bar, and al- ready prominent and influential in the poli- tics of Pennsylvania, delivered an eloquent speech. Thomas E. Cochran and Captain Joseph Garretson, devoted supporters of the Harrison ticket, also made addresses. "Af- ter the speeches were delivered," says a born in a log cabin and drank hard cider. Log This thought was heralded all over the Cabin. country and became known to history as the "log cabin and hard cider campaign." . Wiest. Cabins were built in every large town and city in the Union, and during the political parades the Whigs were given hard cider to drink. Campaign books were printed and widely circulated. They contained many songs and words of praise for the Whig candidates. It is claimed by some histori- ans that Harrison was sung into the presi- dency by his political adherents, some of the southern states casting their electoral vote local journal, "Tippecanoe songs were sung

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POLITICAL

in full chorus." Two years later Thaddeus sion of Congress, was held at the Court Stevens removed from Gettysburg to Lan- House on Tuesday evening, January 7, 1851. caster. "All citizens opposed to the movements of the fanatics in the North, the South or elsewhere who are distracting the country and seeking to divide our glorious Union, are respectfully requested to attend. The meeting will be addressed by several speak- ers.

Samuel Forscht was an exceed- How ingly interesting figure in Demo- Sammy cratic politics for more than half a Won. century. He firmly believed that he controlled a large influence in his party. Months before the county con- ventions were held, he would talk with his friends about "setting up" a ticket. nearly always used the Pennsylvania Ger- man dialect, but he could speak English. Having done so much for his party, in 1850 he determined to be a candidate for sheriff of York County. In his newspaper an- nouncements, he said, " My many friends have urged me to announce myself for this office." Then he made a canvass of the county and when the convention was held claimed that he had secured sixty-two dele- gates, and would be nominated on the first ballot. After the ballot had been cast in the convention and its result thrown out the window of the court house to the group of persons below, it was discovered that Mr. Forscht had received only two votes. In a fit of anger he exclaimed, " There are sixty liars in that convention, and I will be nom- inated yet."

When three years had passed by O. Stuck, " Sammy " was again a candidate. He George Albright, Joseph Welsh, Joseph Sample, traveled all over York county to "set up " C. Raymond, C. Michael, delegates and ask them to give him a com- A. Johnston, J. J. Cochran, Samuel Ziegler, S. Hay, plimentary vote. When the convention as- John Evans, John Smith, sembled in the Court House, to the surprise Jno. Vogelsong, Joseph Smyser. Daniel Hartman, of the delegates themselves and the entire Benjamin Thomas, H. Kraber, E. C. Parkhurst, convention, Samuel Forscht received the Jacob Hay, Joseph Garretson, nomination through his sagacity as a poli- Eli Lewis, Henry F. Thomas, tician. He had outwitted his opponents John S. Leib, John Shelly, Jacob S. Kirk, Jr., Alexander Small. and was elected sheriff in the following James Adams, October. It was a profitable term and he In 1860, the supporters of Abra- made sufficient money to retire from busi- Wide- ham Lincoln for the presidency ness the remainder of his life. "Sammy " Awakes. organized themselves into clubs Forscht, as he was always known, lived to in all the northern states. They became known to the political history of that period as the Wide-Awakes. Numer- a good old age, honored and respected by both Democrats and Republicans. He was a constant visitor at the Court House dur- ous clubs were organized in York County ing his whole life and by his quaint sayings, amused everybody who knew him.

Before Borough of York, without dis- the War. tinction of party, and in favor of the Constitution and the Missouri Compromise measures of the previous ses-

This announcement was signed by the fol-

He lowing gentlemen :

Henry Welsh, William M'Ilvain,

John Hough, David Small,

David G. Barnitz, Adam Klinefelter,

W. H. Kurtz,

Jacob Drexler,

Peter M'Intyre, David Bender,

A. J. Glossbrenner,

John Gardner,

A. F. Eichelberger,

O. D. Klinefelter,

J. G. Campbell,

M. Schall,

J. W. Hetrick,

M. Doudel,

John A. Wilson,

Samuel Small,

Michael Gallagher,

Philip Frank,

Henry Doll,

George Hay,

J. S. Stahle,

G. E. Hersh,

Jacob Glessner,

G. Ziegle,

John Smith,

John R. Donnell,

W. Ilgenfritz,

John Gallagher,

Matthew Tyler,

John F. Spangler,

W. S. Picking,

Alexander Demuth,

V. K. Keesey,

E. A. Barnitz,

W. H. Welsh,

George Upp, Jr.,

Peter Ahl,

J. Stair,

D. S. Wagner,

Lewis Rosemiller,

Peter Ahl, Jr.,

George A. Barnitz,

Thomas Jameson,

E. G. Smyser,

David F. Williams,'

Jacob Emmitt,

G. C. Stair,

E. D. Williams,

A meeting of the citizens of the parades mounted on horseback, carrying a

and throughout the state of Pennsylvania. They frequently appeared in political kerosene lamp made of tin, with a large wick. The lamp, filled with coal oil, a product which had recently been discovered in western Pennsylvania, was attached to a

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

long handle. The members of the club all sylvania, organized an association of wore capes made of white oil cloth, upon which was painted the words Wide-Awake. Democratic clubs in the United States. For a period of fifteen years he was president of the association, which ex- erted a strong influence in three of the presidential campaigns. The Young Men's Democratic Club of York formed a part of this organization. This club wore a uni- form, was well trained and attracted atten- tion in many political parades.

There were at least twenty clubs in York County during the eventful campaign of 1860 which elected Abraham Lincoln presi- dent of the United States. These clubs con- tinued to exist during the campaign of 1864 which re-elected Lincoln to the presidency. A cape worn by a member of one of these clubs was presented to the Historical So- ciety of York County in 1906 by . William H. Leader, of Hanover.

The Boys in Blue, the name of a political organization composed of

Boys in men who had served in the army,

of Pennsylvania, was opened at a public meeting held at Baumgardner's woods, southeast of York. Captain W. H. Lanius, which was addressed by Andrew G. Curtin, John W. Geary and others, in the presence of many visiting clubs of the Boys in Blue.

During the presidential

Republican campaign of 1888 when Headquarters. Benjamin Harrison of In- diana, and Levi P. Morton of New York, were the candidates for presi- of American History."

dent and vice-president of the United States, the political headquarters of the Republican party in York were in a log cabin erected at the southwest corner of King and Queen Streets. The building was erected at a cost of $700 on the land of Billmeyer & Small. H. C. Niles, John Dale and Charles W. Myers were the build- Parties. ing committee. The interior of the build- ing was decorated with flags and bunting and portraits of prominent Republicans. One attractive part of the interior decora- tions was a silk banner bearing the inscrip- tion, " Presented by the Whig Ladies of York to the Tippecanoe Club, 1840." Many enthusiastic meetings were held here dur- ing this eventful campaign. The building stood until 1901, and was used in several other campaigns.

In 1884, when Blaine and Logan

Plumed were the Republican candidates

Knights. for President and Vice President of the United States, the Plumed Knights, a Republican club, was organized and drilled by Grier Hersh. This club ap- peared in many parades at York, Harris- burg, Lancaster and other parts of the state. It continued to exist as a vigorous pline. The name Plumed Knights was given to this club in honor of Secretary James G. Blaine, who when put in nomina- tion for the office of President before the Republican national convention, in an elo- quent speech by Colonel Robert J. Inger- soll, was designated the "Plumed Knight

Blue. took an active part in politics, shortly after the Civil War. The state political campaign which elected Gen- eral John W. Geary to the office of governor political organization and took an active part in the campaigns of 1884, 1888, 1892 and 1896. Its members wore regulation uniforms, and during the campaigns men-

of York, was president of the meeting, tioned were under excellent drill and disci-

The beautiful silk banners carried by the Plumed Knights in all their parades, in 1904, were in the possession of Charles W. Myers, of York, who at the suggestion of Grier Hersh, presented them to the Histor- ical Society of York County.

From the close of the Revolution C. Schmidt, Charles A. Bayler, James A. Political in 1783 to 1800, the voters of York County were largely Fed- eralists. They represented the political policy and principles of the party brought into existence by such eminent men as Alexander Hamilton, John Jay and John Adams. It was the party with which Presi- dent Washington affiliated. During his second term, party lines were drawn. Thomas Jefferson, the great philosopher and statesman, and a member of Washing- ton's cabinet, advocated a complete demo- cratic form of government. Through his Democratic Clubs. Chauncey F. Black, soon after he retired from the office of lieutenant governor of Penn- influence and that of Madison, Monroe and Randolph, the Anti-Federalist or Demo- cratic Party, was organized in 1800.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 105

Author: Prowell, George R. Publication date: 1907 Publisher: J. H. Beers Number of Pages: 1372

Author: Prowell, George R.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1372