400 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS. 1847. On January 2 the General Assembly sitting in joint convention elected Samuel Galloway as Secretary of State, Albert A. Bliss as Treasurer of State and Edward Avery as Judge of the Supreme Court. On January 8 the Democracy held their usual annual banquet at the American House. The president of the occasion was Colonel Douty Utter ; the vice presidents were John L. Cock, J. P. Bruck, James H. Ewing and Elias Gayer. An oration was delivered by B. B. Taylor and responses to toasts were made by Ni C. Read, S. Medary, C. L. Vallandigham, George E. Pugh, Charles Reemelin, B. F. Metcalfe and A. P. Edgarton. The Democratic Central Committeemen for the year were Edwin M. Stanton, J. W. McCorkle, J. Reinhard, A. P. Stone and Thomas Sparrow. The Whig committeemen were John A. Lazell, Lewis Heyl, Joseph Ridgway, James L. Bates, Joseph Sullivant, J. B. Thompson and Lanson Curtis. On November 27 Ex-Governor Thomas W. Bartley addressed a large Democratic mass meeting at the Old Courthouse in vindication of the Mexican War. On March 27 Daniel Webster, then about to journey from Washington to New Orleans, was invited by several hundred citizens to visit Columbus on his return from the South. Mr. Webster replied that he hoped to arrive at the capital of Ohio about the last of May, and preparations were made to receive him, but illness obliged him to return to New York by another route. A National Convention to take action in behalf of public improvements in the West was held at Chicago beginning July 5. Eighteen States were represented in this assembly by about ten thousand of their citizens. Edward Bates, of Missouri presided ; Schuyler Colfax, of Indiana, was one of the secretaries. The following delegates were appointed in June to represent Columbus : Joel Battles, Peter Hayden, William Bebb, A. S. Chew, John S. Wood, J. W. Andrews, Samuel Galloway, W. B. Hubbard, A. A. Bliss, A. P. Stone, A. B. Battles, William Dennison, W. S. Sullivant, N. Tallmadge and J. M. Butterfield. The convention adopted resolutions demanding the improvement of western waterways by application of national revenues. 1848. The Democratic State Convention was held in a large hall in the Statesman building January 8. The candidates before it for the nomination for Governor were John B. Weller, Reuben Wood, Emory D. Potter, P. B. Lowe,. Douty Utter, William C. Walton, W. Lawrence and A. Duncan. Weller was nominated. A. so called Committee of Public Safety was appointed, comprising one member from each congressional district. The platform of principles adopted was reported by Allen G. Thurman, of Ross. The resolutions demanded that the Governor should convene the General Assembly to pass an apportionment law, denounced the Whig apportionment and favored the appointment of a Committee of Public Safety. One of the resolutions adopted read as follows : POLITICAL EVENTS: 1840-1848 - 401 That the people of Ohio now, as they have always done, look upon the institution of slavery in any part of the Union, as an evil and unfavorable to the full development of the spirit and practical benefits of free institutions; and that entertaining these sentiments they will, at all times, feel it to be their duty to use all power clearly given by the terms of the national compact, to prevent its increase, and to mitigate and finally eradicate the evil. 11   A committee was appointed to issue an address to the people. The usual annual banquet in honor of Andrew Jackson and his New Orleans victory was held at the American House, Alexander Duncan presiding. The principal table speakers were George W. Morgan, Reuben Wood, Alexander Duncan, S. Medary, LeGrand Byington, E. B. Olds, C. L. Vallandigham and N. C. Read. A convention of Democratic editors was held at the American House, January 10, Samuel Medary presiding. A Democratic supper took place at the American House February 22, E. Gayer presiding. Democratic State .Central Committee : E. Gale, John Walton, S. D. Preston, Jacob Reinhard, H. Rodter, F. W. Thornhill and William Haskins. The Democratic National Convention convened at Baltimore, May 22 ; Andrew Stevenson, of Virginia, chairman. Its nominees were, Lewis Cass, of Michigan, for President, and William O. Butler, of Kentucky, for Vice President.   The Whig State Convention assembled in the Capitol Square in January, Allen Trimble presiding. The candidates before it for the nomination for Governor were James Collier, Columbus Delano, Seabury Ford, W. P. Cutler, H. Griswold, H. Ramage, G. Sanderson, J. Ridgway, Senior, S. Mason and E. Florence. Seabury Ford, of Geauga County, was nominated. Central Committee appointed : Joseph Ridgway, Senior, John A. Lazell, Horace Lathrop, John B. Thompson, Lewis HeyI, Lorenzo English, and A. H. Pinney, Franklin ; James T. Worthington, of Madison ; James R. Stanbery, Licking; Samson Mason, Clark ; John Cochran, Pickaway ; and Sherman French, Delaware. Joseph Vance and John Sloane were appointed delegates-at-large to the Whig National Convention. A convention of Whig editors met on the same date, James Wilson, of Jefferson County presiding. A Whig supper, Governor Bebb presiding, took place February 22, at the United States Hotel. Toasts in prodigious number were proposed and responded to, and Colonel James Kilbourn sang some political songs. The Whig National nominees this year were Zachary Taylor for President and Millard Fill-more for vice president. The National Convention was held at Philadelphia, beginning June 7, Ex-Governor J. M. Morehead, of North Carolina presiding. John Sherman was one of the secretaries. The nominations of Taylor and Fill-more were celebrated in Columbus, June 9, with bonfires, rockets, fireballs, music and illumination. A Rough and Ready club was organized at the Council Chamber June 14. On June 22, Martin VanBuren was nominated for the Presidency by the Free Democracy (socalled Barnburners) in National Convention at Utica, New York. A "Free Territory, Free Labor and Free Soil League" for Franklin County was organized July 5, at the Council Chamber, J. H. Purdy, chairman. Mr. Westwater reported resolutions, which were adopted. A Whig meeting held at the Markethouse July 21, was addressed by Thomas Ewing and Timothy Walker. Salmon P. Chase addressed a meeting in Truro Township July 25. A Whig   26*   402 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.   meeting at the Old Courthouse October 18, was addressed by R. C. Schenck. John VanBuren delivered a political address in the Representatives, Chamber October 20. David Smith, a Columbus journalist, presided at this meeting. On November 16, the Whigs " jollified" over Taylor's election to the Presidency. "Most of the Whig stores and several dwellings, the Neil House and the United States House;" says an account of the occasion, " were illuminated ; the boys blowed tinhorns and made bonfires and John Kinney let off his fireworks."   On the occasion of the death of John Quincy Adams a meeting of citizens was held at the Council Chamber March 1 for the the purpose of attesting appreciation of the character and public services of that eminent man. The chairman of the meeting was Joseph Ridgway, its secretary Eli T. Tappan. A committee was appointed which arranged for a public eulogy upon the life and character of Mr. Adams, to be delivered April 8 by Aaron T. Perry.   A Liberty and Free Territory Convention held at the Old Courthouse June 19, Doctor J. P. Kirtland presiding, was addressed by S. P. Chase, James Birney and others. About 150 persons were present. A Free Soil State Convention in which S. P. Chase, W. B. Jarvis and B. S. Cowen took part, held sittings in Columbus December 29 and 30. The resolutions adopted advised independence of both the old parties, distrusted the increase of corporations, favored a tenhours labor law, demanded repeal of the black laws and revision of the State Constitution, and declared for free soil, free speech, free labor and free men. Samuel M. Smith, E. T. Tappan, J. M. Westwater, J. C. Vaughan and James M. Briggs were appointed to serve the party as a State Central Committee.   NOTES.   1. Dated at North Bend, December 19, 1839. 2. To Hon. Harmar Denny, of Pittsburgh. 3. Mr. Greiner’s career has been sketched in the history of the Press, of which he was a conspicuous member. 4. Ryan's History of Ohio. Another account states that the log cabin and hard cider ideas took their cue from the Washington correspondence of the Baltimore Republican —a Van Buren paper — and that the language used was this: " Give him [Harrison] a barrel of hard cider and settle [on him] a pension of two thousand a year, and our word for it he will sit the remainder of his days contented in a log cabin." 5. Ohio State Journal. 6. The name Democrat first came into use as the designation of a national party when adopted by the Jacksonians in 1828 in lieu of the word Republican by which they had been previously entitled. The supporters of Adams styled themselves National Republicans. The name Whig was not assumed by the old National Republican party until 1834, and is said to have been first used at the charter election of that year in New York City. 7. The resigning Senators were : Seabury Ford, Geauga ; James H. Godman, Marion, Simeon Nash, Gallia ; Joseph M. Root, Huron ; Benjamin Stanton, Logan ; William I. Thomas Miami ; A. Van Vorhes. Athens; Benjamin F. Wade, Ashtabula ; Alexander Waddle, Clark ; Joseph Barnett, Montgomery ; James S. Carpenter, Medina; John Crowell, Trumbull ; Chauncey Dewey, Harrison ; James Henderson, Muskingum ; Elisha N. Sill, Summit.   POLITICAL EVENTS; 1840-1848 - 403   Representatives : J. B. Ackley, Meigs ; A. A. Bliss, Lorain ; T. G. Brown, Guernsey ; Charles Bowen, Muskingum ; David Chambers, Muskingum ; Joseph Chenoweth, Franklin ; Reeder W. Clarke, Clermont ; John P. Converse, Geauga ; Eleutheros Cooke, Erie ; Gideon Dunham, Brown ; Stephen Evans, Clinton ; John Fudge, Greene ; Simeon Fuller, Lake ; Isaac H. Gard, Darke ; Moses Gregory, Scioto ; J. S. Hawkins, Preble ; Thomas M. Kelley, Cuyahoga ; William C. Lawrence, Union ; Nathaniel Medbery, Franklin ; W. B. McCrea, Champaign ; Joseph Olds, Pickaway ; Simon Perkins, Summit ; Thomas W. Powell, Delaware ; John Probasco, Warren ; Robert C. Schenck, Montgomery ; S. H. Smith, Montgomery ; John V. Smith, Highland ; Jason Streator, Portage ; Josiah Scott, Harrison ; S. F. Taylor, Ashtabula ; Stephen Titus, Meigs ; Joseph Updegraff, Shelby ; Lorenzo Warner, Medina ; Stephen M. Wheeler, Clark.   8. Ohio State Journal.   9. The United States Court building was then so designated.   10. Then a member of the General Assembly from Columbiana County.   11. This resolution was drawn by Hon. Norton S. Townshend who, though not a Democrat, had been invited to attend the Democratic Convention. The Committee on Resolutions at first rejected this "plank," but finally, to Doctor Townshend's surprise, accepted it, and it was reported to and adopted by the Convention, as stated.   CHAPTER XXV.   POLITICAL EVENTS; 1849-1853.   The legislative deadlock in which the General Assembly became involved during its session of 1848-9 was not only a unique event, bearing a close relation to the history of Columbus, but an episode of far reaching consequences both to State and National politics. By means of the factional contentions which produced it and the party helplessness in which it resulted, a few resolute, farseeing men, with no party following, but a firm sense of justice, were able to force concessions and compel legislation which neither of the predominant political parties then existing would for a moment have thought of granting, either then or perhaps for many decades afterwards. So, often, do Progress and Humanity win their way by humble and apparently accidental means, and in defiance rather than by the help of the deliberately planned and powerful agencies which affect to control the destinies of men and nations.   The controversy turned upon the election of Representatives from Hamilton County under an apportionment law which had passed the General Assembly, under Whig Control, during its preceding session. That law contained these provisions:   So much of the county [Hamilton] as is comprised within the limits of the first eight wards of the city of Cincinnati shall compose the First District and shall be entitled to one Senator and two Representatives, the Senator to be elected in the years 1849 and 1851 ; and so much of the county as is not included in the First District shall compose the Second District, and be entitled to one Senator and three Representatives.   The Democrats maintained that in pursuance of the Constitution of 1802 a county could not be thus divided for election purposes,' and put their candidates in the field for the whole county, regardless of the legislative apportionment. Their nominees, George E. Pugh, Alexander N. Pierce, Edwin L. Armstrong, Henry Rodter and Alexander Long, obtained the highest vote in the county at large. The Whigs, adhering to the apportionment, nominated for the First District Oliver M. Spencer and George W. Runyan, who obtained in that district the highest number of votes. The canvassing board comprised two justices of the peace and the County Clerk. The justices declared and certified that Spencer and Runyan had been duly elected Representatives from the First District ; the County Clerk, on the other_hand, certified that Pugh and Pierce, as well as the   [404]   POLITICAL EVENTS; 1849-1853 - 405   three other Demotratic nominees, whose election was not disputed, had been duly chosen as Representatives from Hamilton County. 2   This action, together with the general result of the legislative canvass in the State, produced a situation ideally promotive of contention. The new General Assembly convened on Monday, December 4, early on which date, " before the Whig members were out of their beds," as it was represented, the Democratic Representatives assembled in the Old Statehouse, took possession of' the right hand side of the Hall, and of the speaker's chair, swore in fortytwo members, including Pugh and Pierce of Hamilton County, and chose Benjamin F. Leiter, of Stark County, to preside. Aroused by this action the Whigs hastened to the Hall, assembled in the vacant space on its left hand side, swore in thirtytwo members, and chose Anselm T. Holcomb, of Gallia County, as their presiding officer. The eight Freesoil members were installed both with the Whigs and with the Democrats. Fortyeight members—twothirds of all (72)—being necessary to a quorum, and neither of the leading parties having that number, neither could control the organization. The events which followed may be best stated in the language of their most conspicuous and able participant. In 1837 Doctor Norton S. Townshend, then a medical student in Cincinnati, attended the proceedings, in that city, by which a fugitive slave girl named Matilda was claimed for rendition to bondage. The defense was conducted by Salmon P. Chase, who was then considered " a promising young attorney, " and was evidently in profound personal sympathy with the cause he championed. The masterly argument of Mr. Chase excited the admiration of the young student who, on learning the advocate's name, said : " There is a man whom I can and will vote for whenever I have the opportunity." The opportunity came. How it came Doctor Townshend himself succinctly relates as follows: 3   In 1848, after that student had become a physician and surgeon in busy practice, he was nominated and elected to the lower branch of the General Assembly of Ohio by the Free Soil men of Lorain County, and by them instructed as their Representative, when in the legislature, "to act with any party, or against any party, as in his judgment the cause of freedom should require." When the time arrived for the legislature to meet, it was found that the House could not organize, on account of a difference between the Whig and Democratic parties — growing out of a division of Hamilton County for election purposes which the Whig party, being in a majority .in a previous legislature, had made — both parties having claimants for two seats. There were also other contested seats in the House, and besides these the election for Governor had not yet been decided. After a long struggle, when both branches of the General Assembly were finally organized, this was found to be their political complexion : In the Senate the Whigs and Democrats were a tie — Senator Randall, a Free Soil Whig, was elected Speaker. In the House the Democrats lacked one of having half the the members ; the Whigs, adding several Free Soil men who had been elected by the aid of Whig votes. also lacked one of having half the members. Besides the Democrats, Whigs and Free Soilers already mentioned, there were two Free Soil members — Colonel John. F. Morse of Lake County, and Doctor N. S. Townshend, of Lorain County — who had been elected in opposition to candidates of both Whig and Democratic parties, and were therefore independent of both. Before the House was organized all the antislavery members came together for a conference or caucus. A gentleman of large political influence, [ Mr. Tappan though not a member of either branch, had been invited to be present and give to the conference the   406 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.   benefit of his counsel. He urged upon the members of the conference the importance of perfect agreement among themselves as affording the only hope of securing any antislavery legislation, or the election of any antislavery man to the United States Senate. A resolution was then introduced pledging each member of the conference to vote upon all occasions as a majority of the conference should direct To this obligation most of those present agreed. Doctor Townshend refused to give the requisite pledge, because eleven of the thirteen Free Soil members present were, to a greater or less extent, under obligations to the Whig party, and it appeared evident to him that such a pledge would compel him to act only with the Whig party, and contrary to the instructions of his constituents. Colonel Morse took a similar view of the situation, and also declined to give any pledge, believing, with his Free Soil colleague, that if the Whig party could not be induced to support antislavery men or measures, there might be a possibility of obtaining aid from the Democratic party. It should be understood that an antislavery and progressive spirit had begun to be manifest among some of the members of that party. In the State of New York this was still more apparent, antislavery Democrats being there known as Barnburners, in distinction from the unprogressive wing of the party who were known as Hunkers. In Ohio many young Democrats were participating in antislavery movements under the name of the Free Democracy. At the close of the conference referred to a resolution was introduced to exclude Morse and Townshend from future consultations. This served to convince those gentlemen that they occupied a common position, and must in future act together and independently of others. Had they submitted to the demands of the caucus, the Whig party would at once have secured the ascendency, and probably little or no antislavery progress would have been made.   Some time after this Mr. Chase came to Columbus to argue a case before the Supreme Court. He was waited upon by Morse and Townshend, and requested to draft a bill for the repeal of the Black Laws. This he did, and the bill was promptly introduced in the House by Colonel Morse. The Black Laws, very properly so called, prohibited the settlement of black or mulatto persons in Ohio unless they could show a certificate of their freedom, and obtain two freeholders to give security for their good behavior and maintenance in the event of their becoming a public charge. And unless the certificate of freedom was duly recorded and produced, it was made a penal offense for any white person to give employment to a black or mulatto. The common school system of Ohio made provision for white children only, and the children of black or mulatto persons were excluded from all common schools. Worst of all, no black or mulatto person could be sworn or allowed to testify before any Court in the State in any case where a white person was a party. This exposed colored people to all sorts of wrongs, and left them without legal protection.   The arrangement by which these Black Laws were repealed and Mr. Chase elected to the Senate of the United States was as follows: William Allen was the choice of the Democrats for Senator, while Thomas Ewing was the choice of the Whigs. Most of the Free Soil members, with Colonel Morse, preferred Joshua R. Giddings, then Representative in Congress from Morse's district, and Townshend preferred Mr. Chase, but both of these Independent Free Soilers cared more for the election to the Senate of some reliable and strong antislavery man, than for that of any particular individual. Colonel Morse was therefore authorized by Townshend to propose to Whig members that if they would first aid in the repeal of the Black Laws and then in the elect ion of Mr. Giddings to the Senate, he and his colleague would vote for the Whig candidates for the Supreme Bench, who at that time were chosen by the General Assembly. Doctor Townshend was authorized by Colonel Morse to make an equivalent propesition to the Democrats, to the effect that if they would first aid in the repeal of the Black Laws and in the election- f Mr. Chase to the Senate, then the two Independent Free Soil members would aid in electing the Democratic nominees for the Supreme Bench. Both political parties were especially solicitous to secure a majority of the Supreme Court, because it was thought probable that questions growing   POLITICAL EVENTS ; 1849-1853 - 407   out of the division of Hamilton County might come before that Court for final adjudication. A large majority of the Whig members were willing to accept the propesition made to them by Colonel Morse ; a few members, understood to be only four, knowing the hostility of their constituents to the antislavery views of Mr. Giddings, or for other reasons, refused their assent to the arrangement. The proposition made by Doctor Townshend to the Democratic members was accepted ; Colonel Morse,s bill to provide schools for colored children, and to repeal all previous acts or parts of acts making distinctions on account of color, passed the House as drafted. The Senate made two or three changes in the bill which were not amendments. [Exclusion of colored men from jury service was not, at this time repealed.—A. E. L.] When the Senate and House came together in joint convention, Mr. Chase was elected Senator on the fourth ballot, and two ef the Democratic candidates for the Supreme Bench were afterwards elected. Fortunately for antislavery progress, the Democratic party had at that time several popular candidates for the two judgeships, and to avoid controversy between their friends the two Free Boilers were allowed their choice from the number. Whatever of praise or of blame attached to the agreement, coalition or bargain, by which the Black Laws were repealed and Mr. Chase elected to the Senate, the entire responsibility rests with Morse and Townshend. Mr. Chase neither suggested nor directed the arrangement.   The prolonged and bitter controversy which thus terminated had some very comical aspects. As Mr. Greiner, the State Librarian, refused to surrender the keys of the Statehouse, the Democratic members were obliged to remain in position day and night lest their rivals, the Whigs, might seize their strategical advantages. From nine A. M., on Monday, December 4, until Saturday, December 23, the watchful guardians of Democratic interests remained continuously at their posts, taking their meals and sleeping at their desks, and resorting to various curious expedients, meanwhile, to sustain and refresh their powers of physical endurance. Eager to make the most of the situation, the Whig newspapers of the State teemed with gibes over the personal extremities to which the Democratic legislators were brought, and contained many a rollicking innuendo as to the unmentionable purposes to which their hats and boots were said to have been applied. The hat of Speaker Leiter was a special subject of jest, arid furnished a choice theme for newspaper paragraphers and artists. In the slang of current contention the Whig side of the House was called Chuckery and the Democratic side The Rump. Aside from the rivalry in physical endurance, the proceedings of the rival factions consisted of little else, from day to day, than monotonous calling of the roll. On one occasion Doctor Townshend, rising to present propositions of comprise, characterized this legislative farce as "child,s play," but immediately corrected himself by saying that he would not so slander little children. The Ohio Statesman thus satirized the daily routine of the Whigs :   Chuckery, with its thirty men, Marched into the Hall, and then- Chuckery marched out again!   In a written communication to the author of this work Doctor Townshend says :   The confusion which resulted from the failure to organize the House can scarcely be described. In the Representatives' Ball of the Old Statehouse Mr. Leiter could be seen   408 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.   occupying the Speaker's chair ; the Democratic members were seated in front, or to the left of him. To the right of the Speaker's chair was the seat of General Holcomb, and to the right and in front of him were the Whigs ; the Freesoil members were seated, some to the right and some to the left ; they usually answered the roll call of both the other parties. Every foot of the Hall not occupied by members was often crowded by visitors who were not always more orderly than the members themselves. On one occasion Mr. George E. Pugh, standing upon a chair, was making an energetic speech ; at the same time, from a similar platform, Mr. Chauncey N. Olds was speaking with equal force ; then a third person, not a member, mounted upon a chair and commenced a furious harangue to which at once every one gave attention. Such were the forcible and expressive gestures of the new orator that even Pugh and Olds paused for a moment, and it was then found that the performance of the third orator, who was recognized as Peter Douglass, of Cincinnati, consisted wholly of pantomime. He had not uttered a word ; a hearty and general laugh put an end to the uproar for the day.   This disorganization, continues Doctor Tewnshend, terminated unexpectedly. One of the Freesoilers whose sympathies were still to some extent with the Whigs, called on Mr. Townshend, the Freesoil nominee for Speaker, and promised to secure his election by Whig votes provided he would promise to resign as soon as the contests for seats were all settled, and allow a Whig to be elected in his place. This was regarded as an attempt to capture the independent Freesoil vote for the Whig party, and therefore at the next opportuity Townshend and Morse voted for Breslin, the Democratic nominee, and he was elected Speaker. Stanley Matthews, who had been assistant editor of the Weekly Herald, the antislavery paper published in Cincinnati, was then nominated fer Clerk of the House by Doctor Townshend, and immediately elected. A Whig was elected Sergeant-at-arms, and an organization was thus secured on January 3.   The Ohio State Journal of Monday morning, December 11, contained these cutting observations :   The House and city were quiet yesterday morning [Sunday], during the previous night and all day. The Public Property is safe ! Thanks to the snoring guardians of the public weal, the chairs, the desks, the inkstands, the sandboxes and the wafer boxes are all in their seats, and a full quorum present. On motion, at seven o'clock A. M., the roll was called — the Honorable member from Stark in the chair. . . . The Chair declared " no quorum," and the " absent counties " were called but came not. After passengers came stated preaching which was listened to with becoming reverence. . . . After divine service the Honorable chairman refreshed himself with a short walk.   On Saturday, December 23, a proposition submitted by the Freesoil members was adopted by which the. House was temporarily organized with Mr. Leiter as Speaker and S. W. McClure, of Summit County, as Clerk. The members then paired and went home for a little holiday rest. On January 1, 1849, the claims of Pugh and Pierce were disallowed by a tie vote, 35 to 35, and those of Spencer and Runyan by a vote of 32 to 38. On January 3 a permanent organization of the House, with seventy members, was effected, John G. Breslin, a Democrat, of Seneca County, being elected Speaker.' But the two independent Freesoilers still held the balance even between the two parties, and without their cooperation nothing could be done. After more tedious contention a settlement was finally reached, as narrated by Doctor Townshend, who, on January 25, reported from the Committee on Privileges and Elections in favor of the claims of the Democratic contestants to be recognized as rightful Representatives of Hamilton   POLITICAL EVENTS ; 1849-1853 - 409   County. In accordance with the understanding arrived at with the Democrats, the report was adopted and Pugh and Pierce were seated.' This took place January 26. On January 30 the bill repealing the black laws passed the House by a vote of 52 to 10 and on February 22 Mr. Chase was elected United States Senator. The choice of Rufus P. Spaulding and W. B. Caldwell as Judges of the Supreme Court immediately followed, and thus the consummation so much desired by the Freesoilers was completely effected.   Of course the Whig partisans and their organs were enraged by these results and " a corrupt bargain " was freely charged. Messrs. Townshend and Morse were especially singled out for unmeasured abuse. Many of the authors of that abuse lived to atone for it by peans of eulogy, and the men who were subjected to it now need no vindication. Time and the impartial judgments of men have amply performed that task, but this record would scarcely be complete without some local illustrations of the partisan detraction with which the two Representatives who forced the repeal of the black laws and the election of an antislavery Senator were visited. The phillippics of the Ohio State Journal Were particularly bitter, and continued for many months. On the votes of Mr. Morse to seat Messrs. Pugh and Pierce its issue of February 5, 1849, made this comment :   A felony may be forgotten when its perpetrator has died—even a murder may pass unremembered after a time ; but when has a traitor or his treachery ceased to be detested ?   The same paper of February 12 approvingly quoted from the New York Tribune:   We use calm words; yet we do not the less feel that the people of Ohio and the Whigs of the whole Union are the victims of a most scoundrelly conspiracy wherein Townshend is the chief actor and Morse the obedient tool.   On March 6 this, editorially :   It is asserted that Salmon P. Chase, our Senatorelect, is in favor of free trade. That he is a freetrader his dickering in such unwholsome articles as Messrs. Townshend and Morse is, we think, abundant evidence.   On April 11, referring to the proposed revision of the State Constitution, this :   Were there 10,000 new constitutions, the General Assembly would be remarkable for nothing but its rascality, with such members as Townshend and Morse ; for its brutality with such as Rodter and Leiter ; for its barbarism with such as Mott and Monfort ; and for its revolutionary insanity with such as Whitman and Archbold.   Another issue of the State Journal which appeared during the continuance of this paroxysmal humor, contained the following effusion from the pen of Mr. John Greiner:   BEELZEBUB'S CATTLESHOW — A DREAM.   I had a strange dream but a few nights ago ; ' Twas of being in hell, at a great cattleshow Where many came in ; for great competition Prevailed for the prize, at this exhibition.   410 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.   There Beelzebub sat to decide in each case At this hell of a fair, in this hell of a place, With one servant only, a genuine Pat, Whom he kept for an usher. And this one, and that, As they came to exhibit at Beelzebub's fair, Were conducted by Pat up in front of his chair. Now each one that came to compete at this place Was judged by his " turpitude, guilt and disgrace ; " If they,d any good qualities, so much the worse, For they went to their debit, as a matter of course. And in fact ' twas agreed that he who was worst In the scale of hell,s merit should surely stand first. This being the case, as one might well know, A strangelooking company came to the show. There was Judas Iscariot, who his Master betrayed ; And fair young Delilah, that treacherous maid ; And old Ananias, who lived out his life, Link’d in with Sapphira his perjurous wife; And a long train of others — ten thousand or more — While the rear was brought up by Babylon's w — e. Old Beelzebub viewed them from front to the rear ; Then turned round to Pat and says, " Paddy, come here ; " "At your sarvice," says Pat, "just your will let me know." " Well, on whom shall I, Pat, this prize here bestow?" Pat cock,d up his eye, shrugged his shoulders, and swore, That " the prize is due, shure, to that baste of a w —e As the wickedest crayther since the days of old Noah." But just at that moment wide opened the door. And in, with great haste, strutted two subjects more. Be saited," says Pat —" No, we,ll stand where we are " Till we find whether this is the place of the fair." " ,Tis the place of the fair," old Beelzy replies ; "And we are about to dispose of the prize. " Do you wish to compete ?" " Well, we do, horse." "And what are your names?" " They are Townshend and Morse." " Och, faith !" cries Pat, " what a beautiful pair! "They'll take the shine eff anything at the fair!" Old Beelzy turned round, whispered Pat in his ear, And said: "Pat, have you knowledge of these fellows here ?" " lndade, that I have ; I know them full well, "And they cannot be bate in the regions of hell. " Why, mon, they,re the chaps that kicked up that rumpus "Away up there on earth, in the town call'd Columbus, "And I know full well that you know them," said Pat ; " For you can't have forgotten about Leiter’s auld hat ; "And you must remember what a terrible stew "They got into for voting for Pierce and for. Pugh." "Ah! I know," says old Beelzy, "and , twas an unlucky hour "That brought to my kingdom this ' Balance of Power, "And I fear, my dear Pat," (and he uttered a groan) " That this `Balance of Power' will oust me from my throne." " Oust yon from your throne ! Why, you need have no fear,   POLITICAL EVENTS ; 1849-1853 - 411   "There's a hell where they live that's worth two of this here ; " With a Chase and a Hamlin, and such devils in it, " So never you fear, no not for a minute, "But give them the prize —they're desarvin' it shure, "And send them off home, and your throne is secure." He took Pat's advice, as a matter of course, And declared off the prizes to Townshend and Morse. Pat then made a speech in true Irish style, And closed by suggesting three cheers for Free Sile ; All hell gave a shout — a most terrible scream — Which broke up my slumber and ended my dream.   During the legislative session of 1849-50 the apportionment law which had caused the deadlock in the House gave rise to renewed controversy in the Senate. That body, consisting of thirty-six members, half of whom had held over from the preceding General Assembly, convened December 3, 1849, and, there being then no Lieutenant-Governor, was called to order by a Democratic member, James Myers, of Lucas County. It had fallen to the lot of Hamilton County to elect one of the new Senators, and the seat thus to be provided for was claimed by William F. Johnson, Democrat, who presented a certificate of election by the voters of the county ; and Lewis Broadwell, Whig, who presented an abstract showing that he had received a majority of the votes cast in the first eight wards of Cincinnati. Both the contestants were sworn in, but as to which should have the disputed seat the Senate divided on party lines. Eighteen votes were cast for Broadwell to seventeen for Johnson, but inasmuch as the chairman and clerk recognized Johnson and refused to recognize Broadwell the votes on all questions of organization resulted in a tie. Finally, on December 28, Harrison G. Blake, of Medina County, received sixteen votes on the three hundred and first ballot, and was declared by the chairman to have been duly elected Speaker. Blake, at the first opportunity, recognized Broadwell, although it was claimed that he had pledged himself not to do so until the Senate had formally passed upon the Hamilton County contest. The Clerk, who had held over from the preceding Senate, still refusing to call Mr. Broadwell's name, the Speaker, Mr. Blake, called it himself. This provoked much bitter feeling, and on January 3 Mr. Lucian Swift, of Summit County, offered a resolution reciting by preamble that Blake, in consideration of Swift's vote for him for Speaker, had given pledge not to recognize Broadwell in advance of formal action upon his claims, and declaring, in consequence of the violation of this pledge, Blake's deposition from the speakership. Mr. Blake thereupon vacated the chair, but was obliged by his partisans to resume it, and after doing so ruled Swift's resolution out of order. An appeal from this decision precipitated a violent controversy which continued until January 17, when resolutions were adopted authorizing Mr. Johnson to retain his seat until his claims to it should be passed upon by the Committee on Privileges and Elections. Resolutions removing the Speaker were then successively introduced by Senators Swift and Myers, but were ruled out of order, as was also an appeal from the ruling. The controversy and blockade of   412 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.   legislation had thus continued nearly seven weeks when, on January 18, Charles C. Conyers, of Muskingum County, was by undisputed choice elected Speaker, and the organization of the Senate was at last complete. Mr. Johnson retained his seat until February 27 when, by a vote of 14 to 13, he was obliged to relinquish it to Mr. Broadwell, who was sworn in as Senator from the First District of Hamilton County.   We now resume the chain of political events, interrupted by these legislative episodes.   The Eighth of January, 1849, was celebrated by a Democratic supper at, the American House. Colonel James Parker, of Perry delivered resided, and addresses were delivered by Judge Wood and Messrs Pugh, Morgan, Whitman, Rödter and others. On February 22 a supper, given by Mr. Chase, United States Senatorelect, took place at the American. The principal speaker of the evening was Judge R. P. Spalding, In March, 1849, a Joint Resolution was passed by large majorities in both Houses of the General Assembly, submitting to a vote of the people the question of calling a convention to revise the Constitution of the State. A popular verdict was given in favor of the convention by a decided majority of the votes cast in the ensuing October election.   1850.   The Eighth of January of this year was celebrated by the usual Democratic banquet. The Democracy held their State Convention on the same date, Samuel Medary presiding. A Whig meeting of citizens and sojourners was held at the Old Courthouse February 4. General E. R. Eckley, of Carroll County, presided, and resolutions were adopted opposing slavery extension and favoring the admission of California to the Union, with an antislavery constitution. A State Free-soil convention met at the Old (United States) Courthouse May 2, Rev. Edward Smith presiding. Resolutions were adopted reaffirming the Buffalo platform of 1848, condemning Webster and other Northern statesmen for abandoning the Wilmot Proviso ; and adhering to separate party organization. The Whig State Convention assembled May 6, at the Odeon. Simeon Nash was its temporary and David Chambers its permanent chairman, William Johnston, of Hamilton County, was nominated for Governor. The resolutions adopted opposed the extension of slavery to any new territory to be thuniversalrganized. The " friends of universal peace" held a convention at the Old Courthouse May 18. Their resolutions favored a "Congress of Nations." The State Constitutional Convention, elected April 1 in pursuance of an act passed Representatives assembled in the Hall of Representatives May 6. The number of its members, corresponding with that of Senators and Representatives in the General Assembly, was one hundred and eight. By reason of the cholera epidemic which broke out in midsummer, it adjourned July 8 to reassemble in Cincinnati on the ficompleted in December. Its work was completed March 10 and ratified by vote of the people June 17, 1851. The death of President Taylor took place and was announced July 9. As a manifestation of   POLITICAL EVENTS ; 1849-1853 - 413   respect to his memory business was suspended one hour July 12. On September 17 a eulogy upon his life and services was pronounced at Doctor loge's church by John G. Miller. A Democratic State Convention met in the Senate Chamber. Barnabas Burns was its chairman, C. L. Vallandigham its secretary, and A. P. Miller, of Butler County its nominee for Member of the Board of Public Works. A Democratic Publishing Committee, socalled, was appointed early in the year "to collect facts and arguments, and circulate them in tract form throughout the State, and to collect money to defray the expenses thereof" Its members were Samuel Medary, D. A. Robertson, Thomas Sparrow, James M. Westwater and Matthias Martin.   1851.   The Whig State Convention met July 3 in the " New City Hall over the Markethouse." Its chairman was Hanson L. Penn, of Brown County ; its nominations were these: Governor, Samuel F. Vinton, Gallia ; Lieutenant-Governor, Ephraim R. Eckley, Carroll ; Secretary of State, Earl Bill, Erie ; Attorney General, Henry Stanbery, Franklin ; Auditor of State, John Woods, Butler ; Treasurer of State, Albert A. Bliss, Lorain ; Members of the Board of Public Works, Daniel Segur of Lucas, John Madeira of Ross and David H. Lyman of Muskingum ; Judges of the Supreme Court, S. J. Andrews, Cuyahoga, C. C. Conyers, Muskingum, Peter Odlin, Montgomery, Bellamy Storer, Hamilton, and George B. Way, Defiance. The resolutions adopted declared that the Fugitive Slave Law, which bad been approved by President Fillmore in September, 1850, "was not recommended by the President or passed as a party measure, and that entire toleration of opinion should be allowed thereon." A declaration that General Scott was the first choice of the Ohio Whigs as nominee for the Presidency was also adopted. In lieu of John Madeira, who declined the nomination for Member of the Board of Public Works, Benjamin F. Conway, of Scioto County, was nominated by the Whig State Central Committee, which comprised the following members: John B. Thompson, Lorenzo English, Samuel Galloway, John W. Milligan, John Graham, Theodore Comstock, William T. Bascom, R. P. L. Baber, A. B. Buttles, Samson Mason, Thomas W. Powell, C. N. Olds, William Richards.   The Democratic State Convention met at Neil's New Hall, Edson B. Olds presiding, and nominated the following ticket : Governor, Reuben Wood ; Lieutenant Governor, William Medill ; Supreme Court Judges, R. P. Ranney, W. B. Caldwell, J. A. Corwin, T. W. Bartley, A. G. Thurman ; State Auditor, E. D. Morgan ; Secretary of State, William Trevitt ; Treasurer of State, J. G. Breslin ; Attorney-General, George E. Pugh ; Board of Public Works, A. P. Miller, G. W. Manypenny, J. B. Steedman.   The Free Soil State Convention met in the City Hall August 21, Joshua R. Giddings presiding, and made nominations as follows: Governor, Samuel Lewis ; Lieutenant-Governor, Nicholas Spindler ; Secretary of State, H. W. King ; Treasurer of State, A. A. Bliss ; State Auditor, John Woods ; Attorney-General, John Rutgers ; Supreme Court Judges, J. Brinkerhoff, S. J. Andrews, R. P.       414 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.   Ranney, B. Storer, W. B. Caldwell. The resolutions adopted denounced the Fugitive Slave Law and favored the abolition of slavery in the territories.   A meeting of the colored people of Columbus, held on September 22 at the African Methodist Episcopal Church, adopted resolutions expressing sympathy with a band of escaping slaves from Baltimore County, Maryland, who had successfully resisted their attempted recapture at Christiana, Pennsylvania. The chairman of the meeting was John T. Ward, the secretary, C. H. Langston ; the committee on resolutions, C. H. Langtson, L. D. Taylor and John Booker. Hon. Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois, visited the city on political business September 27.   1852.   The Democratic State Convention met in the City Hall January 8, B. F. Leiter, of Stark County, presiding. A resolution recommending William Allen as first choice of the Ohio Democracy for presidential nominee was bitterly opposed, and a substitute by Mr. Vallandigham, declaring it inexpedient to make any recommendation was adopted instead. The nominees were : Supreme Court Judge, William B. Caldwell ; Member of the Board of Public Works, James B. Steedman. The Democratic National Convention, held at Baltimore beginning June 1, nominated Franklin Pierce, of New Hampshire, for the Presidency, and William R. King, of Alabama, for the Vice Presidency. The Whig State Convention met in Columbus July 22, Hiram Griswold presiding, and nominated Daniel A. Haynes of Montgomery, for Supreme Court Judge, and David H. Beardsley, of Cuyahoga, for Member of the Board of Public Works. Edward D. Mansfield and William Dennison were nominated as Senatorial Electors. The Whig National Convention met June 18, also at Baltimore, and nominated General Winfield Scott for the Presidency, on the fiftythird ballot, Webster, Scott and Fillmore being the leading candidates. William A. Graham, of North Carolina, was nominated for Vice President. A Whig ratification meeting held June 21 was addressed by William Dennison ; another, at the City Hall, June 23, was addressed by Samuel Galloway. The Free Soil State Convention was held at the City Council Chamber February 11, Mr. Paris, of Erie, presiding. The convention expressed its preference for the nomination of John P. Hale for the Presidency, and adopted a resolution offered by Mr. Jenkins (colored) declaring that the elective franchise should be extended to all men, regardless of color.   The Freesoil National Convention, held at. Pittsburgh August 10, nominated John P. Hale for President and George W. Julian for Vice President. Henry Wilson, of Massachusetts, was Chairman, and Frederick Douglas one of the secretaries of the convention. A Central Chippewa Club (Scott and Graham) was organized July 10 ; President T. V. Hyde ; Secretaries, James R. Tuttle, Martin Krumm, Charles Klie ; Treasurer, J. J. Janney. The Whig State Central Committee of the year was : John Graham, James L. Bates, J. B. Thompson, William Miner, W. T. Bascom and M. Pennington.   POLITICAL EVENTS; 1849-1853 - 415     In the General Assembly, April 15, pending discussion of a resolution to lend the arms of the State to Kossuth, Representatives C. L. Weller and Daniel Heckel' fell into an altercation, and hurled their sandboxes at one another's heads. Neither was hit. The affair was humorously spoken of as "the battle of the, sandboxes." One of the current political rhymes and jests of the campaign was the following, quoted by Judge Johnson, of Cincinnati, at a great Whig meeting at Niagara Falls:   We hang our harps upon the willow Whenever we think of General Pillow, Who dug, by the aid of General Marcy, Ditches and breastworks vice varsy.   Horace Greeley addressed a street meeting of the Whigs September 7; another meeting by the same party, held at Goodale Park September 8, was accompanied by a parade on High Street. It was addressed by Horace Greeley, Thomas Ewing, L. D. Campbell, W. H. Gibson, and others. General Sam. Houston addressed an open air Democratic meeting September 7; another Democratic meeting held September 11 was addressed by Hon. Stephen A. Douglas. John P. Hale, the Freesoil candidate for the Presidency, spoke at Neil's Hall September 23.   General Winfield Scott, the Whig candidate for the Presidency, arrived from Cleveland September 21, and was formally received by a committee the members of which were Mayor English, R. W. McCoy, Joseph Ridgway, John Noble, William Armstrong, P. H. Olmsted, N. H. Swayne, Robert Neil, H. B. Carrington, T. V. Hyde and John Chance. From the railway station General Scott as escorted to the Neil House by the Chippewa Glee Club and other Whig organizations, led by Machold's Brass Band. While an artillery salute was being fired, Henry Fetters was mortally wounded by the premature discharge of a cannon. At the hotel General Scott briefly addressed the crowd which assembled to greet him.̊ In a subsequent address during his sojourn at Columbus he repelled, with much feeling, a statement that he had caused fifteen German soldiers to be tied to a tree and flogged during the Mexican War. On September 22 he left for Maysville, Kentucky, via Chillicothe.   The death of Henry Clay took place at Washington June 29; on the thirtieth a meeting of citizens — A. F. Perry Chairman, and J. J. Janney Secretary— was held to express sorrow over the event. At this meeting a committee of fifteen to make arrangements for receiving the remains of the distinguished deceased was appointed. The City Council, on the same date, passed resolutions of regret, and ordered its chamber to be draped in mourning. Mr. Clay's remains arrived at Columbus, under escort from Washington, at 7:30 P. M., July 8, by express train from Cleveland. The remains were received by committees representing the City Council and citizens, and a procession was formed in the following order : 1, firemen ; 2, hearse, with Captain Schneider's Volunteers as guard of honor; 3, Committee of Arrangements as pallbearers ; 4, committee of the United States Senate; 5, committees from Kentucky and Cincinnati ; 6, committees from other towns and cities; 7, City Council in carriages; 8, citizens in carriages.   416 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.   Led by Chief Marshal Glenn and Assistant Marshals Bruck and Hulburd, the procession, which also comprised a large body of Masons, moved on High Street to Town, on Town to Third, on Third to State, on State to High and on High td the Neil House, where the body was deposited for the night. During this movement all the bells of the city were tolled and minute guns were fired. Large crowds of people lined the streets along the route of the procession. At the Neil House brief addresses were made by Hon. William Dennison, of Columbus, and Governor Jones, of Tennessee. A memorial meeting held at the City Hall during the evening was addressed by A. F. Perry and William Dennison. Joseph Ridgway presided, and resolutions were reported by R. P. L. Baber.   1853.   The Democratic State Convention was held at the City Hall, January 8, C. L. Vallandigham presiding. Its nominations were : Governor, William Medill ; State Treasurer, John G. Breslin (renominated) ; Secretary of State, William Trevitt ; Board of Public Works, George W. McCook. The Freesoil State Convention met at the City Hall January 12, Jacob Brinkerhoff presiding, and nominated : For Governor, Samuel Lewis ; Supreme Court Judge, Reuben Hitchcock ; Secretary of State, William R. Graham ; Attorney-General, Cooper K. Watson ; State Treasurer, J. W. Chaffin ; Board of Public Works, Alonzo 0. Blair. A long series of resolutions was adopted, of which the seventeenth declared that " sound policy requires a system of free trade with all nations that will trade free with the United States," and favored direct taxation as the only fair and just mode of raising revenue.   The Whig State Convention met at the City Hall February 22; T. R. Stanley presiding. Its nominations were : For Governor, Nelson Barrere ; Lieutenant Governor, Isaac J. Allen ; Treasurer, Henry Brachman ; Secretary of State, Nelson H. Van Vorhes; Attorney-General, William H. Gibson ; Supreme Court Judge, Franklin T. Backus ; Board of Public Works, John Waddell. The members of the State Central Committee appointed were, A. F. Perry, William Dennison, W. T. Bascom, Samuel Galloway and R. P. L. Baber, of Columbus; John Coon, of Cleveland ; P. Van Trump, of Lancaster ; R. M. Corwine, of Cincinnati, and N. Evans, of Cambridge.   On August 24 a supplementary Democratic State Convention was held at the Ambos Hall to nominate a candidate for Lieutenant-Governor in lieu of Lester Bliss who declined. James Myers, of Lucas County, was nominated, and Hiram H. Barney was at the same time named as candidate for State School Commissioner.   The Martin Koszta extradition case was at this time a subject of current political discussion. The unconditional release of Koszta by the Austrian Government was announced in the local press November 18. On May 16 a request of colored citizens for the use of the City Hall for a public meeting was denied by the City Council. Pending discussion of the socalled " crowbar bill," in the lower House   POLITICAL EVENTS ; 1849-1853 - 417   of the General Assembly, George T. Barnum, Representative of Cuyahoga County, was struck and knocked down on the floor of the House by its Clerk, M. H. Medary. The trouble grew out of charges made against Medary by Barnum and referred to a special committee which reported adversely to the accusations. Medary was arrested.   A demand for general dissolution of the old political parties was currently made, and was one of the striking features of the politics of this year, both local and general.   NOTES.   1. Conspicuous among their partisans in maintaining this opinion was Edwin M. Stanton, the subsequently distinguished Secretary of War. 2. The election took place October 10. The vote stood :   First District —George E. Pugh, 6,462 ; Alexander N. Pierce, 6,431 ; Oliver M. Spencer, 4,534 ; George W. Runyan, 4,451 ; J. R. Hamilton, 968 ; Alexander Webb, 1,009.   Second District.—Edwin L. Armstrong, 6,230 ; Henry Rodter, 6,100 ; Alexander Long, 6,225; Stephen S. L'Hommedieu, 2,326 ; John S. Nixon, 2,176 ; John Martin, 2,277.   3. Article, Salmon P. Chase, in the Ohio Archaeological and Historical Quarterly for September, 1887. 4. The vote stood, 37 for Breslin to 37 for Leverett Johnson, of Cuyahoga. 5. The vote stood, 32 to 31. 6. In this address General Scott made use of the expressions, " sweet German accent " and " rich Irish brogue," intended as votecatching compliments. These phrases were thereafter current among the stock expressions of the canvass, and rather to the detriment than benefit of the General's political interests.   27*   CHAPTER XXV I.   POLITICAL EVENTS, 1854-1860.   1854   An event which took place in Columbus on July 13 of this year, is memorable as the beginning of a recast in both State and National politics. It was a meeting at which delegates were present from. all parts of Ohio, and which was known in the current phrase of that day as an Anti-Nebraska State Convention. The date of its occurrence was the sixtyseventh anniversary of adoption of the Ordinance of 1787, containing a prohibition of slavery in the Northwest Territory. It was the beginning of the Republican party. In order that its discussion may come in proper historical sequence, some events which preceded it will first be mentioned,   The Democratic State Convention of the year assembled on Saturday, January 7, Matthew Burchard presiding, and was addressed by William Allen, George E. Pugh, George W. Morgan, and William Medill. It nominated Shepherd F. Norris, of Clermont County, for Supreme Court Judge, and Alexander P. Miller, of Butler, for Member of the Board of Public Works, and appointed the following State Central Committee : S. S. Cox, chairman ; James H. Smith, secretary ; Washington McLean, Hamilton ; Amos Layman, Washington ; John Sheridan, Ashland ; William Parr, Licking ; R. S. Cunningham, Preble; W. D. Morgan, Columbiana ; J. G. Haley, Henry; Frederick Fieser and H. S. Knapp, Franklin. The usual banquet in honor of the New Orleans victory took place on the evening of the seventh, at the American House. On March 3, George E. Pugh was nominated for National Senator by the Democratic caucus of the General Assembly. The tide of anti-slavery sentiment was at this time rapidly developing, and had already acquired sufficient strength to give direction to the current of political events. The Kansas-Nebraska bill repealing the Missouri compromise act of 1820, gave it an enormous impetus. That bill was reported to the National Senate by Hon. Stephen A. Douglas, in January ; on February 14, a meeting of citizens opposed to the measure was held at the First Presbyterian Church. At this meeting J. R. Swan presided and resolutions were adopted declaring that the act of March 6, 1820, forbidding slavery north of latitude 36:30 was a solemn compact between the North and South ; that the North had complied with it in letter and spirit ; that the compromises of 1850 would be sustained; that the compromise of 1820 was not superseded by or inconsistent with that of 1850 ; that the Nebraska bill was an outrage, and that further agitation of the slavery question was greatly to be deplored.   On April 3, an Anti-Nebraska meeting of Germanborn citizens was held at Hessenauer,s Hall. John P. Bruck was chairman, Thomas Lindenberg was sec-   [418]   POLITICAL EVENTS ; 1854-1860 - 419   rotary, and Otto Dresel, Charles Languth, John G. Becket, M. Fassig and L. W. Wirth were members of the committee on resolutions. The Douglas bill was denounced.   A State Convention held March 22, to protest against the Nebraska bill, was addressed by D. K. Cartter, Jacob Brinkerhoff, S. P. Chase and R. P. Spalding. Letters from Thomas Ewing, B. F. Wade and Charles Reemelin were read, and resolutions, reported from committee by John W. Andrews, were adopted. During the meeting, which was held in the Town Street Methodist Church, several persons, including Representative Allen, of Brown County, were severely injured by the fall of a stairway.   We come now to the State Convention mentioned at the beginning of this chapter. Its preliminary sittings were held in the City Hall, its later ones at Neil's Hall. Its delegates comprised many Democrats and Freesoilers, as well as Whigs, who were opposed to the Nebraska measure. Benjamin F. Leiter, of Stark County, with whose name we have become familiar in connection with the legislative deadlock of 1848-9, presided. Joseph R. Swan, of Columbus, was nominated for Supreme Court Judge, and Jacob Blickensderfer, Junior, of Tuscarawas County, for Member of the Board of Public Works. The committee on resolutions comprised the following members, one for each congressional district: Benjamin Eggleston, James Elliott, David Heaton, T. Cunningham, J. J. Paul, William Allison, W. H. P. Denny, J. Corwin, Homer Elliott, E. Nye, Joshua R. Giddings, Henry B. Carrington, Joseph Root, Norton S. Townshend, Joseph W. Vance, Davis Green, John Davenport, E. N. Sill, Rufus P. Spalding, George F. Brown and Ephraim R. Eckley. The resolutions adopted, after reciting the slavery prohibition- in the Ordinance of 1787, and announcing a determination to " labor assiduously to render inoperative and void " that portion of the Kansas Nebraska bill which abolished freedom in the territories, as well as to oppose " by every lawful and constitutional means every further increase of slave territory," declared concurrence in " the recommendation of the people of Michigan," that " there should be a general convention of the free States, and such of the slaveholding States or portions thereof," as might desire to be represented, with a view to adoption of more effective measures to resist the encroachments of slavery. To obtain concurrence from other States in holding the national convention thus suggested, a correspondence committee of five persons was appointed. The members of this committee were Henry B. Carrington, of Columbus, and J. H. Baker, of Chilli- the, Whigs ; Joseph R. Swan, of Columbus, and R. P. Spalding, of Cleveland, Democrats, and J. B. Coulter, of Columbus, Freesoiler. For the new political coalition thus begun the name Republican was suggested, but Messrs. Townshend, Root and Paul objected to the adoption of any party name as premature, and their arguments prevailed. In the election reports of the ensuing October the fusion was variously mentioned as American Reform, Anti-Nebraska, Know Nothing, Whig and Know Nothing, and also, occasionally, as Republican. Judge Swan, the nominee of the convention, was elected by a phenomenal majority of over 80,000.   On August 1, of this year, the anniversary of emancipation in the West Indies was celebrated by the colored people of Columbus. A creditable procession marched down Third Street to Mound, up Mound to High, up High to Gay, down Gay to Front, and out Front to Goodale Park, where addresses were delivered and a dinner was served. The orators of the occasion were William J. Watkins and Rev. W. Skelton.   1855.   The Democratic State Convention assembled on January 8 in the City C. L. Vallandigham temporarily and Henry B. Payne permanently presiding. A   420 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.   letter from Hon. Allen G. Thurman was read, declining renomination for Supreme Court Judge. The nominations were as follows : Governor, William Medill ; Lieutenant-Governor, James Myers, of Lucas; Supreme Court Judges, William Kennon, of Belmont, and R. B. Warden, of Franklin ; Auditor, William D. Morgan, Columbiana ; Treasurer, John G. Breslin, Seneca ; Secretary of State, William Trevitt, Franklin ; Attorney-General, G. W. McCook, Jefferson ; Board of Public Works, James B. Steedman, Lucas. A long series of resolutions was adopted, demanding revision of the tariff of 1846 so as to reduce the revenue (of which the Treasury then had a surplus) and exclude bounties ; restoration of gold and silver currency ; acquisition of Cuba and the Sandwich Islands; declaring slavery an evil to be mitigated and finally eradicated ; affirming the " equal and independent sovereignty" of each State ; and insisting upon the equal protection of all citizens, native and naturalized. The usual anniversary festival was held in the evening, at the American House, Hon. George E. Pugh presiding. Addresses were delivered by H. B. Payne, ft. P. Ranney, S. Medary, S. S. Cox, H. J. Jewett, G. W. McCook, D. P. Leadbetter and George W. Morgan.   One of the salient features of this year’s politics is indicated by the following from the Ohio Statesman of April 6:   The Murderous Triangle! The pavements of our city, especially the corners of our streets, were found to be thickly strewn yesterday morning with the Murderous Red Triangle pieces of paper used by the Know Nothing Councils, and distributed at midnight. . .. These red triangles are warnings of danger ; every Know Nothing is, upon their appearance upon the corners of the streets and alleys, to rush to his Council armed for defense, even to Murder.   An alleged secret Democratic organization, intended as an offset to the Know Nothing order, was called, in current political slang, the Sag Nichts—a corruption of German words Sage Nichts, Angl. Say Nothing. The existence of such a society was stoutly denied.   The American (Know Nothing) State Convention, comprising about five hundred delegates, assembled on June 5, at Cleveland. Its resolutions denounced the repeal of the Missouri Compromise ; declared that slavery was local, not national; opposed all political organizations exclusively of foreignborn persons and insisted upon twentyone years residence as a prerequisite to citizenship. An American National Convention was held at Philadelphia June 14, for conference. Many of its delegates refused to submit to what was termed proslavery dictation, and withdrew.   On July 13 a fusion state convention was held similar to that of the same date during the year before. It was attended by delegates representing the different Anti•Nebraska elements in all parts of Ohio. Its place of meeting was the Town Street Methodist Episcopal Church. Of the inside history of this historic assemblage the author has been favored by one of its principal participants, Hon. Oren Follett, with an interesting account which is reproduced in the next chapter.   The convention held its preliminary sitting commencing at ten o,clock A. M. Benjamin S. Cowen, of Belmont, was named as temporary chairman, and W. B. Allison, of Ashland, and J. S. Herrick, of Portage, as temporary secretaries. In the permanent organization John Sherman was appointed chairman, and R. W. Ractliff an additional secretary. Early in the proceedings selection was made of the following Committee on Resolutions : J. M. Mitchel, William Schouler, D. W. Iddings, Justin Hamilton, W. A. Hunter, David Fagen, A. H. Dunlevy, Benjamin Stanton, C. K. Watson, E. Nigh, A. Thomson, J. W. Andrews, F. D. Parrish, H. E. Peck, George W. True, C. B. Tompkins, Hugh Forsyth, Thomas Earl, R. P. Spalding, J. R. Giddings and James Robertson. Pending the morning business Hon. L. D. Campbell was requested to address the convention and said ; 1854   POLITICAL EVENTS; 1854-1860 - 421   This day is illustrious in the annals of our history. It is second only to that one when the Declaration was proclaimed to the world that all men were born free and equal. He referred to the early history of the slave question under our National Government. The sentiments of Jefferson and the early statesmen were referred to. But now how changed ! Look at the position of Georgia and South Carolina today, taking steps to extend this institution into territories which by solemn compact were declared to be dedicated to freedom, by the force of the revolver and the Bowie knife. He felt no desire to disturb slavery where it existed by state law, but beyond that we could not and ought not to go. The spirit, if not the express terms of the Constitution, contemplated the diminution and final eradication of slavery. How has it been in practice ? We know it has been increasing and extending. Disregarding all agreements and compromises, however solemnly made, the South has broken over the barriers, and has extended slavery over new and vast tracts of our common country. Will the North tamely submit to these things ? Can it without dishonor ? . . . He referred to the action of the slave power which vetoedhe bill to improve rivers and harbors, and at p the same time paid ten millions of dollars to purchase the Mesilla Valley. We must put an end to these things. We must stop these encroachments upon our equal rights. He did not desire to make war upon the South, but he felt it very important to go into a war of extermination upon the doughfaces of the North. Here is the field of our labor. Here we can be felt.   The report concludes by saying: "Mr. Campbell was repeatedly cheered during the delivery of this speech. It had a happy effect upon the vast assembly." The same report states that Hon. John Sherman, the permanent chairman, on being conducted to the platform, " proceeded to address the convention in a short but glowing and patriotic speech." Today, he said, " thousands of eyes are anxiously turned to Ohio. Let us unite upon the ticket to be here nominated and go before the people upon the great issue tendered us, and the people of the North, by the slaveholders of the South."   The following resolutions were reported from committee by Judge R. P. Spalding :   Resolved, 1. That the people, who constitute the supreme power in the United States should guard with jealous care the rights of the several States as independent governments. No encroachment upon their legislative or judicial prerogatives should he permitted frem any quarter.   2. That the people of the State of Ohio, mindful of the blessings conferred upon them by the Ordinance of Freedom, whose anniversary our convention this day commemorates, have established fer their political guidance the follewing rules : 1. We will resist the spread of slavery under whatever shape or color it may be attempted. 2. To this end we will labor assiduously to render inoperative and void that portion of the Kansas and Nebraska bill which abolishes freedom in the territory withdrawn from the influence of slavery by the Missouri Compromise of 1820; and we will oppose by every lawful and constitutional means the existence of slavery in any national territory, and the further increase of slave territory or slave States, in this Republican Confederacy.   3. That the recent acts of violence and civil war in Kansas, incited by the late acting Vice President of the United States, and tacitly encouraged by the Executive, demand the emphatic condemnation of every citizen.   4. That a proper retrenchment in all public expenditures, a thoroughly economical administration of our State Government, and just and equal basis of taxation and single districts for the election of members of the legislature, are reforms called for by a wise state policy and fully demanded by the people.   5. That a State Central Committee, consisting of five, be appointed by this Convention, and that said committee, in addition to its usual duties, be authorized to correspond with committees of other States for the purpose of agreeing upon a time and place for holding a National Convention of the Republican Party for the nomination of President and Vice President.   These resolutions were adopted unanimously. The nominations of the convention were as follows: Governor, Salmon P. Chase, Hamilton County; Lieutenant-Governor, Thomas H. Ford, .Richland; State Auditor, Francis M. Wright, Champaign ; Secretary of State, James H. Baker, Ross ; State Treasurer, William H. Gibson, Seneca; Supreme Court Judges, Jacob Brinkerhoff, Richland   422 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.   and Charles C. Conyers, Muskingum; Attorney-General, F. D. Kimball, Medina ; Board of Public Works, A. G. Conover, Miami.   From this time forward the new party bore the name of Republican. On July 18, a meeting so designated ratified the nominations of July 13 at the City Hall. The principal speakers on that occasion were H. C. Noble, G. M. Parsons and S. Galloway. William B. Thrall was chairman, and Milton M. Powers, a former Democrat, secretary. On July 19 a meeting of unconsenting Whigs was held at the City Hall ; chairman, B. F. Martin ; secretary, M. L. Doherty. The principal speaker was Joseph H. Geiger, who denounced slavery and the Democrats but would not support Chase. He was happy to say that the Town Street Church, in which the coalition convention was held was unfinished, and not yet plastered. J. O. Reamey, J. H. Geiger and Benjamin E. Smith, were appointed members of a correspondence committee. Resolutions violently denunciatory of Mr. Chase were reported by Mr. Reamey, and adopted.   A socalled Anti-Chase Mass Convention, composed of Whigs and Know-Nothings, was held at the City Hall August 5. Irad Kelley, of Cuyahoga, was its temporary, and John Davenport, of Belmont, its permanent chairman. The resolutions adopted denounced sectionalism and the repeal of the Missouri Compromise; demanded a radical change in the taxation and currency systems of the State, and reaffirmed the principles of the American (Know Nothing) party. Hon. Allen Trimble was nominated for Governor. The convention was addressed by W. and James R. Stanbery, A. Banning Norton and John Davenport. A mass meeting at the City Hall, August 27, ratifying the work of this convention, was addressed by J. H. Geiger and A. Banning Norton.   The term "Black Republican" came into vogue this year as a characterization of the new party by its antagonists. The Republican County nominations were derisively styled the " Rosetta ticket," the meaning of which term will be understood by reference to the Rosetta Armisted fugitive slave case, an account of which is given in another chapter. Per contra, Messrs. Disney, Olds, Green and Shannon, the four Ohio Democratic Representatives in Congress who supported the Kansas-Nebraska bill, were styled DOGS by their political opponents, the term being an acrostic of the initial letters of the names of these congressmen. Nevertheless, at the conclusion of the canvass, the Ohio State Journal remarked: " We are happy to say that the late election campaign in this county has been conducted with less personal asperity than any other of equal vigor with which we have been connected."   Being successful in the State election of this year, the Republicans held a jubilee over their victory November 14. On this occasion a "grand jubilee supper" was given at the Neil House, and seems to have been of a hilarious character. One of the songs sung was the following :   While speeches fly around the table, Bobbing around, around, around, We'll grind a song out, if we're able, Bobbing around, around ; And while the jingling glasses ring, Bobbing around, around, around, For Sam, Know Nothing Sam, we'll sing, Bobbing around, around.   Oh Sam's a funny boy, he goes Bobbing around, around, around, Loves his friends and lams his foes, As he goes bobbing around ; Feathers upon his legs he bears, Bobbing around, around, around,   POLITICAL EVENTS; 1854-1860 - 423   And gaffs upon his heels he wears, When he goes bobbing around.   0 Sam's a good egg, all Shanghai, Robbing around, around, around ; His crow's a crow for liberty, When he goes bobbing around, A smart chap, too, he is at figures Bobbing around? around ; You don't catch him a catching niggers When he goes bobbing around.   The rats o'er yonder in Rat Row, Go bobbing around, around, around, They've got the trembles; 0 my 0 ! How they go bobbing around ! Sam don't like rats, the varmints will Go bobbing around, around, around ; Be chased as Chase chased Billy Medill. When he went bobbing around.   Oh, Sam with fusion, not with gammon, Bobbing around, around, around, Went afishing and caught a Salmon, Bobbing around, around ; The Salmon ran and won the race, Bobbing around, around, around, So, hurrah for Salmon P. Chase, Bobbing around, around.   A convention of the colored men of Franklin County was held at Columbus December 28, L. D. Taylor presiding.   1856   The Democratic State Convention was held in the Theatre January 8, H. J. Jewett presiding. Its nominations were: Supreme Court Judges R. P. Ranney and — Carrington ; Board of Public Works, Wayne, Griswold ; School Commissioner, H. H. Barney. The Democratic National Convention was held at Cincinnati June 4 and nominated for President James Buchanan; for Vice President, John C. Breckenridge. The chairman of the Democratic State Central Committee was Samuel Medary ; its secretary, Edward A. King.   The Republican State Convention assembled in the Hall of Representatives May 29, and nominated: Supreme Court Judges, Ozias Bowen, of Marion, and Josiah Scott, of Butler • School Commissioner, Anson Smythe, Franklin ; Board of Public Works, John Waddle, of Ross. David Fisher, of Hamilton County, was chairman of the convention. An evening meeting at the City Hall was addressed by J. H. Lane, on Kansas outrages ; also by Messrs. Chase, Gibson and Spooner. The National American Council (Convention) met at Philadelphia, February 22, and nominated Millard Fillmore for President and A. J. Donelson for Vice President.   The Republican National Conventionominated Philadelphia June 17, nominated John C. Fremont for President.am L. Dayton for Vice President. On the evening of June 19 one hundred guns were fired in Columbus in honor of these nominations, and a mass meeting to ratify them was held " near the Johnson Block." A Young Men's Fremont Club was organized July 16; president, E. N. Barr ; secretaries, E. A. Fitch and J. M. Comly. A Wheatland Club (Democratic) held its meetings at the Ambits Hall ; president, James H. Smith ; secretary, Joseph P. SantmeyeRepublicancrats stigmatized the Republican party as " wooly horse ;" the Republicans retorted upon the Democrats by   424 - HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.   calling them " Buchaniers," A colored men's State Convention was held in the City Hall January 16, J. T. Thomas presiding. A Republican meeting, at the corner of Town and High streets August 16, was addressed by Senator Harlan, of Iowa, William Cumback, of Indiana, and Samuel Galloway. The Kansas Aid Society of Columbus, was addressed at. the City Hall June 11, by Doctor Wilcox, of Kansas. A committee to procure funds to aid the free state cause, viz : D. W. Deshler, chairman ; A. M. Gangewer, secretary; L. Goodale, W. E. Ide, J. J. Janney, H. B. Carrington, H. C. Noble, W. H. Gibson and W. B. Thrall. A Fill-more meeting held May 27 was addressed by Hon. James Brooks, of New York.   The most important Democratic mass meeting of the canvass took place October 2. Numerous decorations were displayed though out the city, the principal work of this kind being a large double arch erected at the intersection of High and State streets. Surmounting the arches at their junction was a huge globe, from which waved a flag and streamers. Across High Street were stretched numerous banners bearing mottoes, some of which were the following : The Union ; Distinct as the Waves but One as the Sea —Our Country, One and Indivisible. We will Defend the Constitution — Let the people of each State and Territory Govern themselves — We Maintain the Sovereignty of the People, whether in the States or Territories — We carry the Flag and Keep Step to the Music of the Union — By the Eternal, the Union must and shall be preserved —No North, no South, no East, no West ; one Country, one People, one Union. In the procession, which was extensive, were numerous " floats" one of which contained thirtyone German misses, representing the the States, and bore the motto : Germans by birth, Americans by choice, Democrats by principle. A " Buck and Breek Battalion " of young men was another conspicuous feature of the parade. The day was a lovely one and the attendance very large. The Ohio Statesman exultantly said it was the " most glorious political day ever seen in Columbus .. . So long a procession was never seen at the Capital of Ohio." The speaking took place at Goodale Park, the principal addresses being delivered by Judge A. G. Thurman, Jacob Reinhard, H. J. Jewett, R. B. Warden and S. S. Cox. In the evening a torchlight procession took place; also a street meeting in front of the American House. A German Meeting was held at the City Hall.   Fillmore mass meetings took place in Columbus September 10, day and evening. The leading speakers were Judge Sutton, of Arkansas, J. Scott, Harrison, Frank Chambers and J. Davenport. The following nominations for State officers were made: Supreme Court Judges, S. Brush, of Franklin, and Daniel Peck, of Belmont ; School Commissioner, D. W. Stevens, Clermont; Attorney General, J. M. Bushnell, Guernsey ; Board of Public Works, William Oldfield, Scioto. The Republicans held their principal meeextensivee canvass September 18. An extensive parade took place, and a banner was presented to Sharon Township for the largest delegation. The flag was received by Miss Alvira Dixon from the hands of Doctor Barr. The principal speakers of the day were Caleb B. Smith, Judge Humphrey, Judge Stallo and S. Galloway. On September 30 a joint political debate took place between J. 0. Reamey and H. C. Noble, in front of the American House. About 500 persons were present. The weather was inclement.   1857.   The usual Democratic festival was held January 8, C. L. Vallandigham presiding. The banquet was spread at the American House. Chief among the speakers were Charles Sweetser, J. J. McDowell, William Lawrence, S. S, Cox, A. G. Thurman, C. Follett and Stanley Matthews.