McDonough County, Illinois - Chapter 31: Political, 1878

Chapter 31: Political

Politicallj, McDonougli county has always been classed among the close or doubtful counties, neither party having sufficient strength at any time to claim it with certainty. For the first ten years of its existence party lines were not drawn, the citizens of the county exercising the rights of the elective franchise as each thought best for his own interest, or the interest of the country. The anti-Clay party, in general elections, always carried the day, but in local elections the best men were generally selected, regardless of whether they favored the one party or the other. In the selection of County Commissioners locality had more to do than anything else; the county being divided into three districts each one desired to be represented.

1830 - 39. - We have no record of a party caucus or convention being held previous to 1840, unless it might be said that a meeting'held in Middletown in 1838, by the Democrats, in which an eftbrt was made to concentrate their votes on Jesse iTeece, one of their candidates for Sherifi", could be called one. At this election there were five candidates for the office of Sberift", three Democrats and two "Whigs, and at this meeting in Middletown it was hoped to eftect an arrangenient by which Mr. ^eece could get the combined party strength. The effi^rt failed. The Whigs generally concentrated on William II. Randolph, one of their candidates, and he also being personally popular was elected, the first Whig ever elected to office in the county.

1840. - Both the Democratic and Whig parties held regular conventions, and nominated straight tickets, the first regular party conventions ever held in the county. This was the year of the "hard cider campaign," one of the most exciting political campaigns in the history of this country. Mass meetings were held, iu which the old log cabin, representing the lowly origin of tlie Whig candidate for President, Gen. "William II. Harrison, was carried around, and hard cider flowed like water. The same general interest and excitement that prevailed elsewhere, were exhibited here. Large gatherings of both parties were held in various parts of the county, and party feeling ran high. The Whigs, on the fourth of July, held a mass meeting and barbecue in Macomb, and the Democrats denounced the act as a desecration of the day, and a blight settling afterwards upon the grove in which the meeting was held, was said by them to be a judgment of the Almighty against their proceedings. The Whigs charged the Democrats with being likewise guily of a desecration of the day, it it could be so called, in holding a public meeting in the vicinity of Spring Creek. In justice to the Democrats, we must say that they vehemently denied its being a political gathering, but only a meeting for the proper celebration of the nation's birthday. After a most exciting time, the Whigs carried the county by majorities ranging from twenty-five to forty-iive - Colonel W. W. Bailey, candidate for the Legislature, receiving the former majority, and General Harrison the latter. Among the incidents related of this campaign, was one of John Gibson, who lived near Middletown. He was a strong Democrat, but had formerly been a soldier under General Harrison, and had the utmost respect for the old warrior. Though he would not vote for his old general, be allowed no one to speak evil of him in his presence, and would get fighting mad if any one dared to do so, and shaking his fist iu the face of the of the offender, he would say : "Sonny, don't say that ; if you do, I will hit you."

1842. - The Whigs again carried the county, electing their whole ticket, by majorities ranging from sixteen to twenty-two, the exception of Coroner, Charles Chandler being beaten by Benjamin B. Head twenty-two votes.

18-13. - The tide now turned, and the Democracv carried the county by majorities ranging from eleven to one hundred and fortyfive, excepting on County Treasurer, Iverson L.'^^Twyman, Whig, being elected over Jesse M. Chapman, the Democratic candidate, one hundred and seventeen votes. The cause of the latter's defeat was attributed to his being a minister of the gospel, there being a prejudice in the minds of many against voting for one of his class for an office. At this election the interest all centered in the can- didates for Congress, Hou. Cyrus TN^alker, AVhig, and Hon. James P. Hoge, Democrat. Mr. Walker at this time was living in Macomb, and had a practice which extended over the whole northwestern part of the State and in Iowa. It was no doubt against his will that he accepted the nomination for Congress, he refusing the proffered honor time and again. As mentioned in another part of this work, the Mormons had settled in large numbers in the adjoining countv of Hancock, and now held the balance of power in this Congressional District. In order, therefore, to secure victory, it was necessary to secure the Mormon vote. Mr. Walker, having on one or two occasions served very successfully as counsel lor Joe Smith, the Mormon prophet, was considered by the Whigs the most available man they could present to catch this vote; that with him as a leader, they would, without doubt, secure the votes of the Mormons, and thus carrv the district.

Joe Smith, the prophet, and George Smith, a leading bishop in the church, formerlv an elder in the Presbvterian Church at Macomb, and well known to Mr. Walker, both wrote, urging him to become a candidate and pledging him the Mormon vote. Thus solicited, Mr. W. became a candidate and entered into the canvass with his whole soul, traveling through the district and speaking night and day as opportunity offered. In the meantime the Democrats were not idle, and were not disposed to give up the Mormon vote without a struggle. Some time before the canvass commeuced, Joe Smith was arrested on a requisition from the Governor of Missouri and delivered to the agent from that State. The writ was returned satisfied. Before getting the prisoner out of the State, however, he was released on a writ of habeas corpus issued by some Mormon justice in Xauvoo, allowable through some peculiar construction of the charter of that city.

After losing their man, the Missouri officers immediately applied to Gov. Ford, of this State, to renew the writ and send a force of militia to execute it. Mr. Walker went to Springfield to resist the application, and the governor for certain reasons refused to give his opinion in the case.* The Democratic managers had in this fact a weapon they used in an effectual manner to terrify the Mormons with - the idea that if tbev voted for the Whis; candidate the militia would be brought against them. Backinstos, a leading Democrat in Hancock county, went to Springfield, and

Governor Ford beiug absent, a leading Democrat in that city, in his name, gave a promise that if the Mormons voted the Democratic ticket, the militia should not be used against them. Thev now resolved to drop "Walker and take up Hoge.T

On Saturday before the election, Hiram Smith, brother of Joe, in a public address delivered in Xauvoo, told the Mormons that the Lord had revealed to him that if thev voted asraiust Hose, a greater curse would befall them than befell them in Missouri; therefore, "when the Lord speaks, let men obey." AVord was sent Mr. talker a few days before this that the Mormons would probably forsake him, and he at once went to Xauvoo and sought out Joe Smith for an explanation. He was present when Hiram delivered his address, and was very indignant over the matter. Joe Smith, likewise, appeared to be very angry with Hiram, and told Mr. ^Valker he would vet make it all risrht with him, and that he himself the next day (Sunday) would speak to the people in his favor. Agreeable to his promise, he spoke for about an hour, eulosrizing Mr. Walker verv highlv, declarins: that he was no politician, but an honest man ; denounced those who should consult the Lord as to how they should vote, and declared that if anv should do it, he sliould be cut off from salvation : said he should vote for his friend Mr. TTalker. But in his hour's speech one thinof was noticed : that uotwithstandinsr the strons: terms in which he denounced those who should consult the Lord as to how they should vote, he said : "Brother Hiram is the elder brother;" "Brother Hiram never has deceived this people :"' "Brother Hiram loves this people ;"" "When the Lord commands, the people must obey." The next day Joe did vote for Mr. Walker, but the balance of the Mormons voted for Mr. Hoge, and elected him, as the Lord had commanded.* In this county, and in other counties in the district. AValker was denounced bv some of the Whigs for trvins: to set the Mormon vote, and it is said he lost as manv of their votes on this account as would have elected him. A good story is related at Mr. "Walker's expense in reference to this matter. On returning home from Xauvoo, the day after the election, he was met just west of the square, on Jackson street, Macomb, by some of his friends, who were anxious to learn the result of the election. "Well. Mr. "Walker," said one, "how is it going?'' "I am beat," said he. "AVhy, how is that:' "O, the Lord spoke to

Hiram Smith, and the Mormons all voted the Democratic ticket." John Long, a Scotch Democrat, overhearing the latter's remark, spoke up : "Look here, Mr. Walker, don't you know that whenever the Lord sj^eaks He always speaks Democratic ?" Isot deigning a reply, Mr. Walker gave his horse a cut and rode off.

1844. - At the August election the "Whigs carried the county by a small majority, except on Congressman and State Senator, while in November James K. Polk, Democratic candidate for President, received a majority of five votes over Henry Clay, Whig. In the JSTovember election about two hundred less votes were polled than in August, showing but little interest, caused, doubtless, by a general apprehension that the State would be Democratic anyhow.

1845. - A light vote was polled, politics not seeming to enter into the canvass at all. liobert Bean was elected County Commissioner, Charles Chanel ler School Commissioner, sind W. W. Clayton Coroner.

1846. - For State officers the Democrats carried the county by a small majority, while the Whigs elected the county officers by majorities ranging from thirty-three to ninety-live, showing personal popularity of their nominees. William H. Randolph was elected to the Legislature and David Lawson, Sheriff.

1847. - County officers equally divided. At a special elec- / tion in April the Democrats elected their candidates for members of the Constitutional Convention, sending James M. Campbell and John Huston. Isaac Grantham was elected County Clerk and Joel Pennington Commissioner, both Democrats.

1848. - The Whigs were again victorious, Zachary Taylor beating Lewis Cass 23 votes. In county officers the Democracy succeeded in electing two of their candidates, Satnuel Calvin being elected County Commissioner over Mankin Champion, and John P. Head, Coroner, without any regular opposition.

1849. - We lind the Democrats again in power, carrying the counties by majorities ranging from 23 to 92. John 0. C. Wilson, Whig candidate for School Commissioner, was elected Avithout opposition.

1851. - The Whigs carried the Treasurer and School Commissioner, while the Democrats elected their candidate for Surveyor without opposition.

1852. - As a national party, the Whigs made their last great effort for control of affairs in the nation, nominating General AYiniield Scott, a hero in the Mexican war. They made a strenuous effort to secure his election. In this county the excitement ran pretty high, and a full vote was cast at the election, the Whigs carrying it by majorities ranging from 1 to 87 - Scott having a majority of 2.

1854. - This was the last year the Whig party put forth candidates for ofHce. In this election they were again unsuccessful. As a national party, it was considered as good as dead, and therefore, even in this county, where the chance of success was as good as that of the opposition, they could awaken no enthusiasm. The Democrats carried the county by majorities ranging from 24 to 142, with the exception of the member of the legislature, L. II. Waters (AYhig), being elected over John E. Jackson by a majority of one vote. Mr. Waters ran not only as a Whig candidate, but as a Temperance candidate, doubtless receiving some few votes from Democrats who were favorable to the Maine liquor law, an effort being made to secure the passage in this State of a similar law. Mr. Jackson, believing fraud had been perpetrated on the part of the opposition, notified Mr. Waters that he should contest the election ; and the latter, teeling that the question could best be settled by appealing again to the people, sent in his resignation to the governor, who accepted it and issued an ©rder for a new election on Saturday, December 30. Both parties, metaphorically speaking, again stripped themselves for the contest, and the battle was warm, indeed, resulting in the election of Mr. Waters by a majority of nineteen votes.

1855. - The Democracy this year had things all their own way, no opposition being made. The "Know Nothing," or American party, which Avas then said to be secretly organizing, probably had not 3'et sufficient strength to manifest itself.

1856. - On the death of the Whig party, there sprang up two parties, neither of which could really claim to possess any of the vital principles that gave power to the old party. The Ameri- can party, believing the country in danger by the influx of foreigners and the alarming growth ot the Roman Catholic power, emblazoned on their banners, " Americans must rule America ;" "Put none but Americans on guard." Republicans plead for " Equal rights to all ; free press and free speech." The American party made very rapid growth in many of the States, particularly in the South, while the Republican party only secured a foothold in the IS'orth, its principles being deemed antagonistic to some of the peculiar institutions of the South. In 1856 we find both these parties in this county in very considerable numbers, each striving for power, and both battling against a common enemy, the Democratic party. A partial alliance was formed between them for the purpose of securing local offices. The American party, though outnumbering the Republican, was at a disadvantage, having no newspaper organ through which to express its views. In the Congressional District, of which McDonough county formed a part, in consequence of a vacancy existing, two candidates were nominated for the long and short term, and it was generally agreed between the two parties that if the Americans would vote for Jackson Grimshaw, the Republican candidate for the long term, the Republicans would vote for Dr. J. B. Kyle, the American candidate for the short term. As will be observed by reference to the official vote recorded elsewhere, the arrangement was pretty generrally carried out. For county offices the Americans made no nominations, it being understood tlie Republican candidates were not objectionable to them. See table for the general result of the election.

1857. - The American party showed no signs of life, and the Republicans only polled about the same vote as the year previous, thus giving the county to the Democrats by a large majority.

1858. - By reference to the vote, it would seem the Republican party now embraced abaut all the membership of the old American party, only losing the election by an average majority of 200.

1859. - From the returns for this year, it appears that the Democrats only polled about three-fourths their regular vote, and the Republicans about one-half, showing considerable apathy on the part of both parties. The Democratic majorities were from 480 to 566.

not equalled even by the hard cider contest of 18-40. The two favorite sons of Illinois were now rival candidates for the Presidency, and such an effort was put forth by the friends of each to carry the State as was never witnessed before or since. This county, being exceedingly close, was made a battle ground. Some of the best speakers in the State, of both parties, were sent here ; monster meetings were held by each; the "Wide-awakes" and "Hickory Boys" were out in force, and immense efforts were put forth to influence votes. Both State and County tickets, of each of the parties, were claimed to be unexceptionable. A vast amount of money was spent ; and the final result was, the Republicans carried the county by majorities ranging from 11 to 127, though losing it on the Presidential vote, Douglas carrying it over Lincoln by 11 votes. John Bell, the Union candidate for president, received 62 votes and John C. Breckinridge 6. A larger vote was polled at this election than ever before, and the charge of fraud was made by both parties, each against the other, with what truth has really never been determined, and probably never will be.

1861-64. - During the next four years, viz., in 1861, 1862, 1863, and 1864, the Democrats had everything their own way, carrying the county generally by very respectable majorities, save in the year 1864, when the vote was very close, the Republicans succeeding in electing their candidate for Sheriff by a majority of five, the Democrats carrying the rest of their ticket by an average majority of about twenty-five.

1865. - This year the Republicans made a great effort to wrest the county from the control of the Democracy, and succeeded in electing their ticket by majorities ranging from 8 to 112.

1866. - The effort made in 1865 was continued this year, when the county went Republican by the largest majority ever obtained. The smallest majority received by any one of their candidates was 290 and the largest 424,

1867. - The Democrats again succeeded in electing their county ticket, their candidate for Treasurer receiving a majority of 17 and Surveyor 123.

1868. - U. S. Grant carried the county by two hundred and fourteen votes over Horatio Seymour, and the State and county Republican tickets obtained from one hundred and fifty-four to

1869. - Again the Democracy came to the front, electing their entire ticket by majorities all the way from seventeen to one hundred and seventy-three.

1872. - The Democracy of the country united with the Liberal Republi^^ans and nominated Horace Greeley for President. This nomination was endorsed by the Democracy of this county, the great mass of the party heartily supporting the ticket, though there were a few who did not support Greeley, as will be seen by reference to the returns. Grant's majority in the county was 197, while the State ticket of the Republicans only received an average majority of about eighty-eight. The personal popularity of the Republican candidates for local offices, caused them to run ahead of their ticket, I. IST. Pearson receiving a majority of 275 votes, and Samuel Frost 241.

1873. - This year the opposition to Republicans called themselves Anti-Monopolists, and, by uniting the entire Democratic strength with the votes of such Republicans who were Grangers or Anti-Monopolists, succeeded in electing their entire ticket by majorities ranging from 172 to 226.

1874. - This year there was a triangular light, three parties being in the field - Democratic, Republican and Independent, the organization known as the Anti-Monopoly party having been abandoned or merged into the Independent. About seven-eighths of the regular vote of the county was polled, the Republicans being successful over both the other parties.

1875. - This year but little interest was manifested, there again being three tickets in the field, and the opposition to the Republicans having little hope, in their divided state, of being successful, but a small vote was polled, the Republican candidates receiving a majority over both.

this year thoroughly re-organized, and under the old party name. Certain abuses in the administration of the civil service of the country, gave the party a chance to demand a change, and under the cry of "Reform," they went into the canvass with a determination to win. In this county there were again three tickets, the Independent party making their fight upon the financial question. The local tickets of all parties were unexceptionable, and, on -personal grounds each tried to obtain votes. The principal candidates for local office ran ahead of their tickets in their respective towns, which certainly speaks well for them.

With this, the political history of the county is brought down to the present time, and by reference to the returns given below, it will be seen how close has been the result year by year. In consequence of this closeness the canvass has usually been very warm, and as a general thing men of unexceptionable personal character have been nominated, each party trusting the personal popularity of its nominees will increase their vote. It has been well for our county that such has been the case, as it has had a tendency to make each more watchful of the interests of the people, and not so much that of party.

President

into the contest to any great extent. Robert Bean was elected Commissioner ; Charles Chandler, School Commissioner, and W. W. Clayton, Coroner.

Surveyor

John O. C. Wilson was elected School Commissioner without opposition. This was the first election under the new constitution, and was held in November.

Representative

* lUishnell precinct Mas thrown out by the Board of Canvassers, This precinct gave Banks 87 aud;^Hire 29 lor Representative. The certificate of election was given to Hire.