Perry County, Ohio - Chapter 12: Political Matters, 1883

At the time the county of Perry was organized, James Monroe was serving his first term as President. and not long after was re-elected, practically without opposition. He was, as president, probably the most universally popular of any man that ever held the oflice, and during his term of service, the old federal party, which had been vigorous and influential in the earlier days of the Republic, ceased to exist as an organization, and its light went out. Many of the talented sons of old Federalists, had united with the Democratic or Republican party of that day (it was called by both of these names) and when the Presidential campaign of 1824:came on, all the candidates, Clay, Jackson, Adams and Crawford, were of this party, held the same political faith, and the struggle which ensued, though memorable in the history of the couygtry, was a war of factions, and not between two great political parties, advocating different doctrines upon great public questions. Jackson was very popular in this county, and when Adams was elected by the House of Representatives, though Jackson had the highest electoral vote, his (Jackson's) popularity and strength increased, and he carried the county in 1828 and 1832, by good round majorities, and the modern Democratic party, modern as compared with the parties previous to 1820, became strong and dominant in Perry county.

It should be remembered, however, that the Whig party. by which name the opposition to Jackson eventually became known, was strong and powerful in the country, and there was from the beginning to the dissolution of that organization, a strong and vigilant minority of that party in this county. Clayton, Madison and Hlarrison were Whig townships, and sometimes Reading and Monroe, by small majorities, Thorn, Jackson, Pike and Saltlick were the heavy Democratic townships, and the others gave small Democratic majorities. "This was the status of political parties in the county from 1828 to 1853, a period of twenty-five years, and includes the time in which the Whig: party lived, moved and hada being. The Democratic majority through all these years was from six to eight hundred. "4

The year 1854 was one of political changes tn Perry county. 'The old Whig party was expiring, the Democratic party was, in a measure, disintegrating, the new Republican party was forming, and all this was complicated by the so-called Know Nothing movement. The result was, the Democratic and Republican vote was pretty evenly balanced in the county. In the succeeding year, 1855, Salmon P. Chase, the Republican nominee for Governor, reccived a majority of three hundred over his antogonist, lon. Wm. Medill, who was Governor and a candidate for re-election. In 1856, James Buchanan, the Democratic candidate -for President, had a majority of about four hundred over John C. Fremont, the Republican candidate, while about four hundred votes were cast for Millard Fillmore, the so-called American candidate. In 1857, Henry B. Payne, the Democratic nominee for Governor, received a majority of about three hundred over Salmon P. Chase, the Republican nominee. From 1859 to 1863, the Democrats continued to carry the county by majorities ranging from two to seven hundred. In 1863, when there was a strong soldier vote in the army, John Brough, the Republican nominee for Governor, received a majority of one hundred over Clement LL. Vallandigham, the Democratic nominee. In 1864 the Republicans carried the county by a small majority at the October election, but in November, George B. McClellan, the Democratic candida e for President, received a majority of twenty-five over Abraham Lincoln, the Republican candidate. In 1865, the Democrats had a majority of about one hundred on the head of the ticket. The Democratic majority was gradually increased, and from 1869 to 1881, the Democrats carried the county on general issués by majorities varying from two hundred to eight hundred. Of late years, the Greenback or National party has cast a considerable vote, sometimes aggregating five or six hundred. The Prohibitionist party has also kept up a small vote, probably never exceeding one hundred in the county.

Though the Democrats had a majority in the county, the Whig leaders who were shrewd and popular men, succeeded in being elected to many of the local county offices, until county conventions wefe invented, or rather imported from the East. This was about 1835. From this time forward, the Whigs were out maneuvered and overpowered, and with few exceptions, were obliged to take back seats, and the convention ticket was put through. Thomas J. Maginnis was the first to make a successful break. Ile had received the Democratic nomination and been elected to the office of Prosecuting Attorney in 1841, and was before the convention for re-nomination in 1843. J. Manly Palmer, a shrewd Yankee from the Hast, was also before the Convention, and the contest was a warm one. Palmer received the nomination by a majority of one or two votes only. This created atremendous row. Maginnis and his friends complained of the improper filling of vacancies trom Monroe and Saltlick townships, whereby Palmer men were seated in place of Maginnis men. After the convention was over, Palmer and Maginnis both made speeches outside to large and excited crowds. Maginnis proclaimed that he was still a candidate, and would go before the people for endorsement. Thus began one of the most furious political contests ever waged in Perry county. The county was canvassed over and over again by both contestants, who were good speakers, and Palmer was noted as a political wire-puller. Maginnis, in opposition to the party paper and central committee, made a canvass that surprised his friends and almost astounded his enemies. He was a splendid political orator for the times, and would speak for three hours at a stretch. Palmer also did his best, but from the first appeared to be depressed and apprehensive of failure. Election day came, and Maginnis was successful by a majority of two or three hundred. The Whigs had a candidate, Ilenry Lovell, who received several hundred votes, but the majority of the Whigs voted for Maginnis. It was indeed a memorable local canvass. This was only an episode, however, and for years the convention ticket was elected. Once, Wm. Spencer, a Whig, was elected over L. M. Closs for Prosecuting Attorney.

The county seat question finally came in to disturb the political elements, and convention candidates of dominant parties were not always elected. The Republicans elected their entire county ticket in 1855, and again in 1863 ; and these were the only years in which they did so. In several other vears, and as late as 1881, they succeeded in electing a part of their ticket. The Republicans elected Representatives in 1855 and in 1863, when they also had a majority on the general ticket ; and they elected the Representative in 1879, and re-clected him in 1881, when the county was heavily Democratic on the general ticket. No candidate of a Whig convention was ever elected to that office after the days of party conventions.

There were speeches by candidates for Congress and others, of course, previously ; but political campaigns on a large scale came in with the memorable one of 1840, when General Harrison was the Whig nominee for President in opposition to Martin Van Buren. 'The Whigs held a large meeting at Somerset, then the county seat, and the old hero of 'Tippecanoe was present and made a speech. Other distinguished speakers were also there. There was a free dinner, and the meeting was very large. The dinner was spread, and the speeches -made, in a grove a little south of town, near the place now occupied by the Sheridan family residence. Some of the Democrats evidently feared the influence of the presence of the old hero, and induced an old German soldier of the war of 1812, who probably did not comprehend what he was doing, to go before a magistrate and make oath that he pulled General Harrison out of a hollow log at the battle of Tippecanoe. This is a specimen of the electioneering done in those times. The Harrison campaign made some inroads upon the Democratic party in Perry County, and some of those who voted for General Harrison never returned to their old party, though most of them did.

The Democrats got up a mass mecting al Somerset during this campaign, which was addressed by Allen G. Thurman and John Brough, two very able and popular speakers, but the Court-house held all who came. 'The Democratic speeches were probably superior to those made at the great Whig demonstration, but the Democrats were manifestly pulling against a strong current, which made campaigning hard work. It is impossible, in words, to give a correct idea of the extraordinary campaign of 1840. It began before harvest and waged unremittingly until the ballots were in the box and the polls closed.

The Presidential campaign of 1844 was also a memorable one in Perry county. The Whigs held their principal meeung of that year at Rehoboth, then a thriving village, and the chief Whig town of the county. There was a free dinner, with a roasted ox, etc., 1 Thrall's woods, 2 little south of town. But for the inclemency of the weather the demonstration would have reached or surpassed the one at Somerset four years previous. The incessant rain, however, dampened the ardor of the most enthusiastic. Tt poured down nearly all day, ceasing for only a few minutes ata time. Thomas Corwin, Henry Stanbery, and Philadelpb Van Trump, were the orators of the day. In consequence of the rain the meeting was held in the large tobacco warehouse belonging to John Ijams, but it would not hold half the people. Large delegations were present from Somerset, Uniontown, and other places, a twenty-four horse team being one of the attractions. The meeting inside the warehouse was orderly enough, but outside all was uproar. The Whig rowdies had possession of the grog shops during the greater part of the day, but toward evening the Democrat roughs outnumbered their antagonists and took possession. One man became raving wild by intoxication, and attempted to kick and knock to pieces the siding of an old house in which he was placed for safe keeping, and had finally to be tied down with a rope. The extreme inclemency of the day, no doubt, was the cause of much of the drinking and consequent riotous conduct. Had the weather been favorable the political demonstration would have been a grand one.

The Democrats held the principal meeting of the presidential campaign of 1844 at New Lexington, which was addressed by Hon. William Allen, David Tod, and Hon. Isaac Parish. Allen was United States Senator, Tod was the Democratic nominee for Governor, and Parish for Congress.

This meeting was held in Skinner's Grove, adjacent to town, on the south side. The day was fair, and there was a large assemblage. Allen and Tod made long and characteristic speeches. They rode in an open Carriage along the crowded streets, and Tod continually smiled and bowed to the people on either side. Allen sat bolt upright, and looked neither to the right nor to the left. The whole demonstration was a quiet one, compared with the Whig display at Rehoboth.

The Presidential campaigns cf 1848 and of 1852, were quiet affairs - in comparison with those of 18yo and 1844. In 1852, the Whigs let the county go almost by default. Hon. William Dennison, candidate for Whig State Elector, was announced to speak at Somerset, but he did not come, and the meeting was addressed by Hon. Wm. E. Finck and Charles Borland. The court house was not one-third full, and the meeting was very dull. The Democrats did a little better, both at Somerset and New Lexington. They raised a pole at the former place, and Hon. S. S. Cox made a speech. An eloquent Irish orator trom Baltimore, Md.. spoke at New Lexington, and also at Somerset. The canvass however was a tame one.

The Presidential Canvass of 1856 was a more lively one. especially on the part of the new Republican party. A large mass meeting was held at New Lexington, and also at Somerset. There was disappointment at both places, on account of speakers, but the people were present.

At the New Lexington meeting there was a band of young ladies dressed in white, one for each State. The one who represented Kansas was dressed in deep mourning, and carried a small white flag, with a deep black border; the others carried white flags with the name of the State which they represented inscribed thereon. Later in the campaign, there was a great Republican rally at Somerset. Large delegations attended it from New Lexington and other places. The delegation from New Lexington was headed by a' procession of ladies on horseback. The several delegations united at a point south of town,

The Democrats of the county also made a great effort, and with a better success: of the speakers, x-Governor Medill, Judge Whitman and others spoke at New Lexington, and Jater in the canvass, Allen G. Thurman, David Tod and I. J. Jewett all spoke from the same stand at the east end of the old court house, at Somerset. This was a strong array of speaking talent, but the meeting was uot an unusually large one. Thurman also spoke at night, and remained over the next day (Sunday) with his sister, the wife of Rev. Cornelius Remensnyder, then pastor of the Lutheran church, at Somerset.

The campaign of 1860 was conducted with considerable energy by both parties, and large meetings were held at New Lexington, Somerset and otber places. Hon. John Sherman and Ilon. Valentine B. Horton spoke at the New Lexington meeting. Judge D. K. Cartter, and Horton spoke at the Somerset meeting. The ''Wide Awakes," or "Sons of Abraham," as they were called in this county, were out in great force in both places.

Henry B. Payne and other speakers addressed a Democratic Mass Meeting at New Lexiigton,-and meetings were also held at Somerset, Thornville and elsewhere. The Republicans made the most noise and greatest display. The Breckenridge and Lane, and Bell and Everett forces were weak, and made no demonstration.

The campaign of 1864, was conducted with considerable vigor by both parties. but the people were tired out by the war, which was then raging with great fury, and the so-called mass meetings were not very largely attended, though many were held at New Lexington, Straitsville, Somerset and other places.

In the campaign of 1868, the county was thoroughly canvassed by both parties, and many small meetings held. The so-called mass meetings, held at the principal towns, were failures, as compared with those of more exciting years.

The Presidential campaign of 1872 was one of very considerable activity. Large meetings were held in the principal towns, and a very spirited canvass was made by both the leading parties. Bach party had at New Lexington a large company of uniformed and well trained men. with oil and lamps for night parade, and they paraded the streets on various occasions. Large meetings, processions and parades, were the order of the time. Day and night meetings were held in nearly every township in the county. ,

The canvass of 1876 was not so noisy as that of 1872, but both parties worked with their accustomed energy, and many speeches were made in various parts of the county. [It was nota campaign, however, for great central mass meetings. 2 .

That of 1880 was a comparatively tame affair, compared with almost any of its predecessors. Both parties found it difficult to organize clubs, or keep up meetings, and, in some places, where clubs had been organized, they were abandoned, even before the October election. As a political campaign among the people, it was insipid and spiritless. The shouts for either Garfield or Hancock, were few and far between, though a tolerable full vote was polled.

There were some gubernatorial and congressional canvasses of such exteptional interest as to be worthy of record. The first gubernatorial campaign of the Republican party, in 1855, is one of them. Wm. Medill was Governor, and had been nominated by the Democrats for re-election. Salmon P. Chase was put in nomination by the newly organized and only half disciplined Republican party. Medill was a good, strong man, against whom nothing personal could be urged. Chase was a giant, but his strength was not generally known. [is nomination had been opposed in the State Convention by delegates from Perry county, and his candidacy was not over well received. He made a very thorough canvass of the State, but did not visit this (Perry) county. William H. Gibson, however, addressed two large meetings here, and, on both occasions, made powerful efforts in behalf of the new Republican party. Samuel Medary and Governor Medill came to the county and spake for the Democrats, but neither of them in oratory and eloquence, could cope with Gibson. The county wheeled into the Republican column and gave Chase three hundred majority. Two years later, in 1857, Mr. Chase personally visited the county and spoke to a large meeting at Somerset, and also at New Lexington, remaining over night at the latter place. H. B. Payne, the Democratic candidate, however, received a majority in the county of three hundred and thirty, making a change of over six hundred in two years.

The congressional campaign of 1862 was a most remarkable one, so far as relates to Perry county. Carey A. Trimble was the Republican, and William E. Finck the Democratic candidate. Trimble personally visited and spoke in every township in the county, and had good 'meetings almost everywhere. Atsome points they were very large. It was the county of Mr. Finck's residence, and he canvassed it well, but not so thoroughly as Mr. Trimble did. Trimble labored as long and as earnestly, as though he had a prospect of being elected, which he had not. The county gave an increased Democratic majority, but it would have been still further increased, had it not been for the earnest and persistent efforts of Mr. Trimble.

The gubernatorial canvass of 1863, in the midst of the war, wherein John Brough was the Republican candidate and Clement L. Vallandigham the Democratic candidate, is distinguished as being the most exciting one that ever occurred in the county. Before either party had made nominations, Mr. Vallandigham had been invited to speak at Somerset. He came and addressed what many regard as the largest political assemblage ever convened in the county. It was, indisputably, a great demonstration, and was one of the events that indicated the rising popularity of Vallandigham with his party, and his probable nomination for Governor. :

Previous to the assembling of the Republican State Convention, Governor Tod had received and accepted an invitation to attend a Fourth of July celebration at Somerset. Between the time of the acceptance of his invitation and the anniversary, the Republican State Convention had been held and John Brough substituted tor Tod at the head of the ticket. Governor Tod was a little chagrined, as well he might be, under the circumstances, for most of the Perry county dele-

IISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY. oY gates had voted for Brough; but true to his promise, Pod came on according to appointment. 7A committee of arrangements, with the design of meeting the Governor some distance from town with an escort, wrote to ascertain at what time he would arrive, and on whiclvroad he would come. [le promptly replied, snubbing the committee, and expressing his ability to get into town without so much trouble. Tle came to Thornville the evening of the 3d of July, remained there over night, and the result was that when he reached Somerset in a private conveyance, nobody knew who he was, and he had visited a barber shop, and was in town some considerable time before his presence was known.

The meeting was held in Parkinson's grove, and was a very large affair. Gov. Tod and.T. J. Maginnis spoke at length in the forenoon, then the meeting was dismissed to partake of the basket dinner. A most remarkable thing followed. The day had been extremely warm, the sky clear, and the sun had been shining brightly. 'The people bad scattered through the grove, and most of them had finished their dinner, when, with the sun shining through the tree tops, and no sign of a cloud anywhere, a few large drops of rain began to fall. The gentle falling of these drops continued for several minutes, and was enjoyed by all, for the heat had been oppressive. But after a little while the rain increased, and at last came harder and faster, until if seemed to pour down in torrents ; and in Jess than ten minutes there could not have been a dry stitch in the large assemblage. "Phe people were completely drenched. For half an hour the rain continued, and when the shower was over, the people, men, women and children, were a sight to behold. Many of the Jadies were dressed in white, and all looked as though they had just emerged from a bath at Saratoga or Cape May. The afternoon speeches were never heard. There was another remarkable thing connected with this meeting. While Maginnis was speaking, before noon, or just about noon, he announced that some one had just told him ''Grant had taken Vicksburg,'" and '* Meade had whipped Lee like the devil at Gettysburg." This news had come by the '* grape vine line," so often heard of during the war; for Somerset was not then a railroad town, and had no telegraph. .

In the latter part of August, of the same year, Judge Backus of Cleveland spoke to a large crowd in the court house yard at New Lexington. On the tenth of September, John Brough, John Sherman and T. J. Maginnis, addressed an immense mass meeting in ** Fowler's Grove,"' near New Lexington. The people came in long processions, with banners flying and drums beating. A large procession of ladies on horseback met and escorted most of the delegations into town. The meeting itself was highly enthusiastic. _The Democrats had also an overwhelming meeting in this grove 1 September, addressed by Hon. Daniel Voorhees and other distinguished speakers. The delegations made their preparations with great labor and 'not a little expense. A number of huge conveyances on wheels, constructed for the occasion, and other novelties were features of the great procession which moved through the principal streets of the town and out to the grove. A large number of ladies on horseback headed the procession. ; an old orchard on the site of John Fink's tavern of long ago. Wade came through in a private conveyance, and was in his best mood. It had rained in the morning, but the afternoon was unusually nice and pleasant. No reporters were present, but persons who were somewhat familiar with the old Senator, said that it was one of the greatest efforts of his life. Political friends and enemies alike stood for three hours and heard him through.

The visit to a little county like Perry, in a single political campaign, of Senator Wade, Senator Sherman, Gov. Tod, John Brough, C. L. Vallandigham, Dan. Voorhees and Col. McGroarty, to say nothing of other speakers more or less distinguished, is certainly very remarkable. Considered altogether, it will not be seriously questioned that the gubernatorial campaign of 1863 was the most noted one that the county of Perry ever knew, and has seldom if ever been surpassed by any in other counties of the State.

The gubernatorial canvass of 1867 was also one of great interest. The Republicans had taken an advanced position favoring negro suffrage, and they felt that they must work hard to maintain their ground. Ex-Governor Dennison and Gen. Moses B. Walker spoke in August at New Lexington, in the little park at the public square. Robert C. Schenck and William H. Gibson spoke later in the public square at Somerset. Schenck and Gibson were men very unlike, but. together made a strong team. Later still, and early in October, Gibson, and A. S. McClure of Wooster, spoke at New Lexington, in a little grove near the depot, to a very large crowd.

The Democrats had a large rally at the little public park, in New Lexington, where speeches were delivered by Allen G. Thurman, the Democratic candidate for Governor, Hon. H. J. Jewettand Hon.Wm. E. Finck. Numerous other meetings were held throughout the county. It was a spirited campaign on the part of the Democrats, and they succeeded in making a very considerable gain over the vote of the preceding year.

In the Congressional canvass of 1864, William E. Finck was the Democratic candidate, and Job. E. Stevenson, the Republican candidate. Finck resided in Perry, and Stevenson in Ross. Stevenson was one of the most eloquent speakers in the State, and spoke to large audiences in New Lexington, Straitsville, Somerset and various other places. Mr. Finck, also a trained and popular orator, did not, of course, neglect his own county. It it is not often that two better speakers are pitted against each other, in a Congressional race. The result of the election was a little curious. Stevenson received a small majority in Perry, his opponent's own county, and it was the only one that he carried..

Perry has had only four terms in Congress, since the organization of the county. Two, in the person of Gen. Thomas Ritchey, of Madison township, and two by Wm. E. Finck, of Reading. Ritchey was first elected in the old Perry, Morgan and Washington district, and afterwards in the district composed of Perry, Fairfield, Athens, Hocking, Vinton and Meigs. Finck.was twice elected jn the district composed of Perry, Fairfield, Pickaway, Ross, Hocking and Pike. The county has never had an elective State officer, nor a Court of Common Pleas Judge.