A SUCCINCT HISTORY OF THE POLITICS OF ILLINOIS FROM 1856 TO 1884, WITH ANECDOTES AND INCIDENTS, AND APPENDIX FROM 1809 TO 1856. COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME. By D. W. LUSK. SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS. 1884. F 541 .497 Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1883, BY D. W. LUSK, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. H. W. ROKKER, g.MIS.W The purpose of the writer in presenting this volume to the public has been to put into convenient form the political history of the State, and to outline succinctly the National politics from the time Washington was elected President to the inauguration of President Arthur, together with anecdotes and incidents, bringing vividly to view the men and the measures that have contributed in giving Illinois so proud a position in the sisterhood of States. In the personal mention, the writer has not sought to elevate the character of one man by detracting from that of another; nor has he endeavored to belittle one political party for the purpose of reflecting lustre upon another; but has dealt impartially with both men and parties, and in a spirit of perfect candor and fairness, dealing only with the truth of history as he has found it. In the collation of facts the writer has been guided by the records as preserved in the archives of the State and the official publications of the National Government, which he has examined personally, and he hazards the belief that the volume will be found authentic and reliable in all its details. Finally, he has not prepared a book for the hour, to be read and cast aside, but one which comprehends in brief the history of the State for more than a quarter of a century-from 1856 to 1881-written from personal observation. In the Appendix, he has collected from the best sources and with absolute care the leading incidents. and facts in the history of the Territory and State from 1809 and 1818 to 1856. In the seventy-five years in which Illinois has been a part of the government of the Nation she has ever occupied a prominent position, and her history is replete with many stirring and thrilling events, and her progress in all matters which tend to render a State grand or great has been marvelous, of which a faithful record is given. SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, JUNE 1, 1884. CONTENTS AND INDEX. CHAPTER I-Political Parties..... Formation of parties, 1. First election of Washington without political significance, 1. Election of John Adams as a Federalist, 1. Jefferson elected as a Republican, 1. Madison as a Republi- can, 1. Monroe as a Republican, 2. John Quincy Adams as a Coalitionist, 2. Jackson as a Democrat. 2. Van Buren as a Dem- ocrat, 2. Harrison as a Whig, 2. Polk as a Democrat, 2. Taylor as a Whig, 2. Pierce as a Democrat, 2. Buchanan as a Demo- crat, 2. Only Presidents elected by the House of Representa- tives, 2. National Conventions, 2. Federal Party, 3. Demo- cratic, 3. National Republican, 3. Whig, 3. Abolition, 3. Free Soil, 3. Know-Nothing, 3. Native American, 3. Republican, 5. Slavery Question, 7. Election of Bissell, 6. Dred Scott Decision, 7. Repeal of the Missouri Compromise, 9. Attempt to make Kan- CHAPTER II-Slavery Agitation....... Why a New Party was Necessary, 10. Missouri Compromise of 1820, 12. Compromise Measures of 1850. 16. Repeal of the Missouri Compromise of 1820. 21. Douglas Denied the Right of Free Speech in Chicago, 24. Organization of the Republican Party, 25. Three Branches of the Government Pro-Slavery, 29. Growth of the Re- publican Party, (30. Caucus at Williamsville, 30. First Republi- can Convention at Cairo, 30. First Republican caucus at Metrop- Page. |