USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Pittsburgh > Standard history of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania > Part 98
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(y) Post, July, 1855.
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required to take the pledge against Know-nothingism. William Wilkins was nominated for State senator, in spite of his diplomatic protests against receiving such honor, couched in adroit terms to invite, and even solicit, such nomination.
The Republican county convention assembled in the Courthouse on August 29, 1855. Rev. Charles Avery, the philanthropist and Abolitionist, was elected chairman. Dr. Carothers, John Wilcox and Adam Reineman were appointed vice-presidents, and Edward Campbell, J. W. F. White and R. H. Davis secre- taries. Rev. Mr. Avery, George Darsie and Dr. E. D. Gazzam were separately nominated for the State Senate. Both Avery and Gazzam declined the honor, whereupon Mr. Darsie was nominated by acclamation. But at this juncture Mr. Errett read a letter from Mr. Darsie, positively declining the nomina- tion, whereupon Mr. Gazzam was given that honor. Resolutions opposing all extension of slavery, similar to those adopted at the Columbus convention, in Ohio, were adopted. It was noticed by the newspapers at the time that this convention was characterized by the solid and substantial men attending it as delegates. In a call of but two weeks, fifty-three districts of the county, out of a total of fifty-nine, were represented. A large crowd of spectators assem -. bled to witness the action of this convention.
The Republican State convention, which had been called to meet in Pitts- burg, assembled in City Hall, September 5, 1855. It was called to order by George Darsie, and Judge James Winslow, of Jefferson County, was made temporary chairman and Charles F. Reed temporary secretary. A committee was appointed to select permanent officers, and while they were acting, John A. Bingham, of Ohio, delivered a memorable speech, two hours in length. Judge William Jessup, of Susquehanna County, was announced as permanent chair- man of the convention, and, upon taking the chair, delivered a speech which elicited great applause. Upon motion, a committee of nine was appointed to draft resolutions. Letters of regret were read from David Wilmot, Ben- jamin F. Butler, John P. Hale, Salmon P. Chase, Samuel Galloway and James
A. Briggs. Joshua R. Giddings was loudly called upon for an address, but declined, stating that he had prepared a speech to be delivered that evening. Mr. Bingham, of Ohio; Samuel McFarland, of Washington County; Dr. E. D. Gazzam, John W. Howe, Hon. L. D. Campbell, of Ohio, and others, delivered brilliant speeches. Mr. Bingham's speech, particularly, was one of great strength, reviewing as it did the entire history of slavery on the American continent. But the speech which received the greatest approval was the one delivered by Mr. Giddings in the evening. It was replete with wit, epigrams, pathos, logic and abrupt and brilliant rhetorical colorings, and elicited from the great audience the most unbounded applause. It was particularly noteworthy in its exposition of the miseries entailed by the institution of slavery. It was declared at the time by the newspapers favoring the new organization that this convention was the most important ever held in Allegheny County. The Commercial Journal, at this time, still supported the American party, but admitted that the Republican organization was gaining ground with extraordinary rapid- ity. Mrs. Swisshelm had for a time leaned toward the Know-nothing party, but when she ascertained that the Republican organization was founded upon the solitary principle of opposition to slavery, she became a Republican. Dur- ing the progress of the convention Passmore Williamson, secretary of the Aboli- tion Society of Philadelphia, who had been imprisoned for contempt of court in concealing and refusing to deliver, upon the order of the court, runaway. slaves, whom, it was alleged, he had assisted to escape, entered the convention hall and was received with thunderous applause. In this convention he was nomi- nated for canal commissioner; no doubt because of his having been persecuted, as it was alleged, in the eastern part of the State.
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In October, 1855, the following was the vote for canal commissioner, which exhibit shows the relative strength of the parties here at that time: Arnold Plumer, Democrat, 6,779; Thomas Nicholson, Know-nothing and Fusion, 5,786; Passmore Williamson, Republican, 2,357; Mr. Cleaver, Native American, 239; Mr. Martin, Independent Know-nothing, 125. At this election the Democratic party carried all the county offices. The New York Tribune said that the result in Allegheny County was read with incredulous surprise when communicated by telegraph-1,000 majority for Douglasites in. a county known to be averse to them. Among the questions before the voters of the county at this time were the following: The Pope's action concerning the common school fund; an oath-bound political party, Know-nothingism; the attitude of the Ainerican party on the emigrant question; slavery; Kansas-Nebraska Bill; repeal of the Missouri Compromise; the influence of secret societies in politics; the disrup- tion of the Whig party; the disappearance of the Anti-Masonic party .; the sub- ject of religion in politics; the proscription of Catholics and foreigners, etc., etc.
By November, 1855, it was recognized that the Republican party was fairly well organized in all the free States. On December 14, 1855, it was stated by the newspapers that there was a general understanding that an informal mass convention would be held in Pittsburg on Washington's Birthday, 1856, for the purpose of cementing a national organization from the fragments of the Republi- can party, which had been organized spontaneously during the previous few months in all portions of the country north of Mason and Dixon's Line. It was stated that no formal call would be issued, but that the mass conven- tion would be held by general consent, and that already Republican organiza- tions, not only in Pennsylvania but in other States, had signified their acquies- cence in the proposed meeting, and were making arrangements to send large delegations thereto. It was announced that the object of the meeting was to unite the fragments of the Republican party upon a national basis in opposition to slavery.
In December, 1855, at the Democratic county convention, James A. Gibson served as chairman, and resolutions were adopted denouncing the course taken by the Know-nothing organization. It was a contest in this convention between the regular Democrats and the Know-nothings, and the latter were worsted in the encounter. The principal speakers were Colonel Samuel W. Black and M. J. Stewart. Colonel McCandless was endorsed for United States senator.
Perhaps the most notable event in the history of Allegheny County, cer- tainly so from a political standpoint, was the organization of the Republican party here, pursuant to call, on February 22, 1856. The call was as follows:
To the Republicans of the United States :- In accordance with what appears to be the general desire of the Republican party, and at the suggestion of a large portion of the Republican press, the undersigned chairmen of the State Republican Committees of Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsyl- vania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin hereby invite the Republicans of the Union to meet in informal convention at Pittsburg on the 22d of February, 1856, for the purpose of perfecting the national organization and providing for a national delegate convention of the Republican party at some subsequent day, to nominate candidates for the Presidency and Vice-Presidency, to be sup- ported at the election in November.
David Wilmot, of Pennsylvania. Lawrence Brainard, of Vermont. William A. White, of Wisconsin. A. P. Stone, of Ohio. J. Z. Goodrich, of Massachusetts.
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Great preparations were made for this important event. E. H. Irish, Thomas Steele, Russell Errett, B. Singerly and Jared M. Bush were appointed a com- mittee of arrangements; and Thomas M. Howe, William Robinson, Jr., George Darsie, D. N. White, John P. Penney, David Reed, E. D. Gazzam, James Marshall, T. H. Elliot, James McAuley, Neville B. Craig, John McCaskey, William Coleman, G. R. Riddle, Robert McKnight, George W. Jackson and Joshua King, committee of reception. Delegates from other States began to arrive as early as February 20th, although the first day of the convention had been fixed for the 22d. On the evening of the 21st an impromptu meeting of the delegates then present was held at the Monongahela House for an inter- change of views on the questions likely to come before the convention. Among those present were Preston King, Horace Greeley, E. D. Morgan and Simon Draper, of New York; E. R. Hoar and A. M. Stone, of Massachusetts; Francis P. Blair, of Maryland; Owen Lovejoy, Abraham Lincoln, P. H. Bryant and J. C. Vaughan, of Illinois; and Joshua R. Giddings, of Ohio. At 9:30 on the morning of the 22d the Pennsylvania delegation held a meeting, over which George Darsie presided, for the purpose of formulating a plan to be followed by Pennsylvania during the convention. At II o'clock on the 22d Lawrence Brainard, of Vermont, called the convention to order and read the call. Upon taking his seat he spoke as follows: "My first duty is to thank the convention for the honor conferred upon me, and my next to say that this meeting is simply to organize the Republican party and to put forth the principles, which are, as I understand them, the same as those by which our independence was achieved, on which our Constitution is established, and if wc do our part with justice, wisdom and moderation the country and the Union will be perpetu- ated. I have no more to say-that embraces my creed." John A. King was chosen temporary chairman, and upon assuming that responsibility said, among other things, that this was "a preliminary meeting, simply for organization, in order to make a convention which shall put forth the principles of the Repub- lican party." Upon the conclusion of his address, Rev. Owen Lovejoy deliv- ered a prayer of great earnestness and eloquence, among other things beseech- ing the Almighty to remove the present administration from power, and thwart its unholy designs upon the liberties of the free. A committee of one from each State was appointed to recommend permanent officers of the con- vention. Some members failed to arrive until the evening of the 22d. Hon. R. P. Spalding, of Ohio, was invited to address the convention, but declined, stating that he had come to hear, not to speak. Horace Greeley was then loudly called for. "The white coat and broad, bald forehead of the Tribune editor were seen moving toward the speaker's stand, and as he mounted it he was greeted by a perfect whirlwind of applause" (z). Mr. Greeley counseled caution, moderation and wisdom, but said, "I am not myself a very cautious man." He advised that the American party should be treated with great courtesy, and should only be asked if it was all right on the slavery question. He further said that, inasmuch as some men had come a thousand miles to attend this convention, it was the part of wisdom to be in no haste, but to deliberate calmly over every action. He said: "Let us deliberate without haste. The future welfare of this Union depends on the action of this body." Preston King, of New York, was then called out, but excused himself. Joshua R. Gid- dings was called for, but spoke briefly, and ended by introducing Owen Lovejoy, of Illinois, who delivered a characteristic speech of great energy and eloquence, declaring that it was no time for moderation; that it was a time for war to the knife and knife to the hilt, and that he was prepared to take a company of troops
(z) Gazette, February 23, 1856.
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to Kansas, and if that was denied him, was ready to go as a private. W. H. Gibson, of Ohio, and Mr. Carling, of Illinois, also delivered strong speeches. To enter this convention its was not necessary to be a delegate, because the assemblage was really informal, and was merely a national mass meeting to cement the opposition to slavery and organize the new Republican party. As a stroke of conciliation to the South, Frances P. Blair, of Maryland, was chosen permanent chairman of the convention. His nomination "was received with such applause and enthusiasm as we have never before seen in a deliberative body." Mr. Blair was essentially a Southern man, and upon taking the chair said that the South was mistaken as to the designs of the North; that they believed the latter intended to work for the total annihilation of slavery, but that he was aware that the North entertained no such principles, and that their object was to combat the doctrines of nullification. He stated that if this fact was generally known in the South an entirely different sentiment toward the North would be entertained. Mr. Blair presented an elaborate letter from the Baltimore Republican Association, addressed to the convention, reciting the Southern Republicans' view of the situation. The speech of Mr. Blair and the paper from the Baltimore Association did not fire the audience with the enthusiasm expected. As a matter of fact, both were out of place in this convention, which had really met to organize in opposition to the expansion of slavery. But the speech and the paper were both brushed aside, and the con- vention proceeded toward the consummation of its great mission.
Among those present were George W. Julien, of Indiana; Abijah Mann, of New York; Oliver P. Morton, of Indiana; John Allison, of Pennsylvania, and John A. Foote, of Ohio. At the afternoon session, Charles Remelin, of Ohio, delivered a short speech on the issues pending before the convention, as did also Zach Chandler, of Michigan, and John A. Foote, of Ohio. Passmore Williamson was brought before the convention and introduced "as the victim of Judge Kane." He was received "with such a storm of enthusiasm as we have never before witnessed." He delivered a short speech, and was followed by R. P. Spalding, of Ohio; George Bliss, of Massachusetts; General Burrows, of New York, and others. At the evening session, it was announced that eight Southern States and sixteen Northern States, in all twenty-four, and four Terri- tories were represented in the convention. Speeches were delivered by A. Oakey Hall, Preston King, J. C. Vaughan, of Illinois, Josiah Brewer, C. G. Hawthorne, George W. Julien, David Ripley, and Joshua R. Giddings, the latter who had spoken previously coming out for a short speech in response to repeated calls. The proceedings of the first day's convention were a revela- tion to the citizens of Pittsburg. "We have never heard more earnest, eloquent and thrilling speeches than were delivered yesterday in the Republican con- vention" (a). "The whole scene presented by the convention was calculated to make a profound impression and to cheer the hearts of the lovers of freedom. The vast assembly of thoughtful, earnest men, the torrent of eloquence pouring forth in one incessant stream from almost every part of the Union from aged veterans and youthful soldiers of liberty, and the stern resolve manifested in every tone, word and act of the convention, rendered it one of the most impressive and cheering exhibitions we have ever witnessed" (b).
On Saturday morning, the 23d, W. P. Sherman, one of the vice-presidents, took the chair, and as no committee was yet ready to report, speaking and mis- cellaneous business were announced in order. Speeches were limited to ten minutes. A long and eloquent letter from Cassius M. Clay was read, in which he declared that cotton was no longer king. One of the most attractive and
(a) Gazette, February 23, 1856.
(b) Gazette, February 23, 1856.
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eloquent speeches of the morning was delivered by Dr. E. D. Gazzam. J. W. Stone, of Massachusetts, delivered an important speech, and was followed by Mr. Burrows, of New York, who referred in sarcastic terms to the policy of the American party in so persistently opposing the Pope of Rome, while the evil of slavery was gaining such ground and momentum in the United States. The committee on national organization presented a report favoring the appointment of a national executive committee and the formation of local organizations in every town, county and State. David Wilmot, of Pennsylvania, was appointed a member of the national executive committee, and the time and place of the national convention, to nominate a President and Vice-President, were fixed at Philadelphia, June 17, 1856.
During the progress of the convention, a dispatch was read from the American convention then in session at Philadelphia, stating that that body had dissolved, and that the party had decided to cast its lot with the new Re- publican party, owing to the importance of the slavery question.
Among the notable remarks made was one by Mr. Mann, of New York, which was regarded as so important as to demand repetition. He said that he felt the responsibility he assumed when he made the declaration in the face of the administration and the powers of the central government, that if the Govern- ment, by any authority it may assume, should shed onc drop of human blood in Kansas, that would be the end of human slavery, not only in this country, but in every other land. This remark was made by Mr. Mann at the time he pre- sented to the convention the address to the American people, which had been prepared by a special committee of which he was chairman. It required two hours for Mr. Dennison, of Ohio, to read the address. That important docu- ment demanded the repeal of all laws recognizing slavery in any territory hitherto consecrated to frecdom; opposed the admission of any more slave States to the Union; appointed a national Republican executive committee to call a national convention to nominate a President and Vice-President; urged upon Republicans the importance of thorough organization; favored sup- porting Kansas in her struggle to exclude slavery from her territory; and de- clared that the present national administration, which was wedded to slavery and faithless to freedom, should be defeated and overthrown. The address was adopted with ninc cheers, and the convention thereupon adjourned.
It is a notable fact in connection with the meetings of August 29 and Sep- tember 5, 1855, and February 22, 1856, that all other questions of party policy were temporarily abandoned in view of the overshadowing importance of the one relating to slavery. At the meeting of August 29, 1855, two of the reso- lutions were as follows: "That the slavery question, as now presented, being the predominant, all-absorbing issue of the day, involving the right of free labor, free speech and free government, it is our duty to forego all other issues, and present an unbroken front in defense of the vital interests at stake; that a platform thus common to all, and embracing no other issue, furnishes the only effectual rallying point for the people of the North, and affords the only possible opportunity for those who think together and act together." In none of the three meetings referred to was the subject of protection introduced, but it must not be supposed that such well established political principle was abandoned. The Republican party thus organized was considered the lineal descendant of the Whig party, built upon a stronger and purer basis, embracing all the old questions for which the Whigs had so valiantly fought; but such great issues were temporarily laid aside until the overshadowing one of hostility to slavery should be placed in its proper position of importance and safety. At least, this was true in Allegheny County. At the three meetings referred to, it was distinctly stated that all other party considerations would be laid aside for
Goodspeed Brothers Pusty e
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the time being, in order to blend all fragments opposed to slavery into one organization, the object of which was to take formal action concerning the para- mount question of slavery. Not a word was said in the address of the February convention to the American people concerning any other national issue than that of slavery.
In February, 1856, the famous Dred Scott case came before the American people, and attracted great interest in Pittsburg. At a meeting of the Kansas Aid Society, held on February 18, 1856, George W. Jackson served as chairman, and Russell Errett, E. H. Irish, Thomas Steele, Thomas Elliot and George Coleman as committee on resolutions. The resolutions denounced the course of the National Executive toward the people of Kansas, and recommended the formation of a Kansas Aid Association to help them form their laws and insti- tutions. E. D. Gazzam, D. L. Eaton, R. C. Fleeson and F. Pierce delivered strong speeches in support of the resolutions. Thomas M. Marshall delivered the most brilliant speech of the meeting. He differed as to the methods which should be adopted in the Kansas emergency, and declared that the time for the bowie-knife and rifle had come; that the time for prayers had passed; that lovers of liberty should refuse to obey any law that recognized slavery; and that then was the time to see how many men were willing to shoulder their guns for the cause of freedom (c).
At the Republican national convention, held in Philadelphia, commencing June 17, 1856, N. B. Craig, E. D. Gazzam and Dr. James Carothers represented the twenty-first district as delegates, and S. A. Purviance, George Darsie and Robert McKnight represented the twenty-second district. It is not generally known that at this convention Abraham Lincoln came within a few votes of being nominated for Vice-President of the United States. Only one candidate, William L. Dayton, who secured the nomination, received more votes than he did.
The Republican party did not succeed in absorbing the American party. On July 15, 1856, a large mass meeting of the members of that party was held in Pittsburg, with William Woods in the chair. J. H. Sewell, R. P. McDowell, Solomon Sala, Dr. John T. Peters and John W. Riddle were appointed a com- mittee on resolutions. The action of the Northern delegates in seceding from the February convention in Philadelphia, rather than bend the knee to the slave power, was heartily endorsed. The party, it was declared, was pledged to Americanism; that while it opposed the encroachments of slavery, it would not interfere with that institution except to prevent its extension into free territory, and recommended the nomination of John C. Fremont for President. The warcry of the Americans was "Free Speech, Free Press, Free Territory and Fremont." At this meeting Lieutenant-Governor Ford, of Ohio, delivered an address, as did also General Wilson, of Massachusetts. The latter asserted that if the Republi- cans and Americans would combine they could elect the next President and Vice-President. Ex-Governor Johnston delivered a speech of great strength at this meeting. General John Williamson likewise spoke, and advocated very earnestly the unity of the Republican and American parties. This meeting was held on the Diamond, in Allegheny, at 8 o'clock in the evening. On the same day a Republican mass meeting was held in Pittsburg, on the open tract in the rear of the American House. General Robinson was chairman. General Wil- son, of Massachusetts, declared that a revolution in sentiment was sweeping through the country, and that the overthrow of slavery was impending. He reviewed, in all its phases, the struggle in Kansas, and denounced in fervid terms the repeal of the Missouri Compromise. Thomas D. Williams followed
(c) . Commercial Journal, February 19, 1856.
44
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him in a speech distinguished for its brilliancy and eloquence. Ex-Governor Ford, of Ohio, also addressed the large assemblage. Resolutions were adopted ratifying the platform and nominations of the National Republican convention. These two meetings took everybody by surprise, owing to the enthusiasm mani- fested and the eloquence and brilliancy of the oratory. For a week afterward . the newspapers could do little else than talk of the proceedings. It was stated that 8,000 people were present at the two meetings, and that nothing like it had been seen since the Harrison campaign of 1840.
On July 25, 1856, a Fremont club, of which William Robinson, Jr., was president, was formed in Pittsburg, and about the same time others were formed in Allegheny and many of the surrounding boroughs. It was a notable fact at this time that the extreme Abolitionists, led by such men as Wendell Phillips, Lloyd Garrison and Parker Pillsbury, opposed the Republican party because it left the slave in the Southern States to his fate, instead of working for his freedom. The Commercial Journal was the leading organ of the Ameri- can party, and advocated the nomination of ex-Governor Johnston for Vice- President of the United States. In August, 1856, Mr. Johnston declined the nomination on the American ticket for Vice-President of the United States. The nominees of the American party were Fillmore and Donelson.
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