REFERENCE LACROSSE PUBLIC LIBRARY 800 hAAlH STREET LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN 546«

MARK M. POMEROY: COPPERHEAD EDITOR A Study in Transition

by

Harry Frederick Bangsberg

A paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for Course 16:273 in the Department of History in the Graduate College of the State University of Iowa

January, 1953 PREFACE

Several years ago this writer decided to undertake a study of

the activities of Marcus M. Pomeroy, editor of the La Crosse Democrat.

noted Wisconsin Copperhead organ. And, as such, this is the initial

phase of that study. Much remains, of course, to be done on additional

aspects of Pomeroyfs life and actions.

Pomeroy!s name had oft "been mentioned in the river city where

the writer lives. However, it generally was referred to in a derisive or

ill-favored manner. Local elders could see little value in a man who

tended to side with the Democrat extremists against Lincoln and the

victorious Union as personified in the Republican Administration. Known

for his fearless, trenchent and vindicative pen, Pomeroy, tfat least, wrote 1 in such a style that even his enemies could not resist buying his paper."

The ensuing paper deals primarily with the editor's La Crosse

activities, especially those during the immediate Civil War period. It

is not an attempted study of the Copperhead movement as such. Rather, it

seeks the reason and explanation why Pomeroy, a Douglas Democrat, supported

/Lincoln in the beginning — wijth...qygQA£i^

critic and attacker, reviling the party and cursing the_JLeader.

It should be pointed out that although Pomeroy, in 1864, could 2 voice a plea for Lincoln's assasination, such was not always the case.

1. Benjamin F. Bryant, Memoirs of La Crosse County. Madison, Western Historical Association, 1907, p. 178.

2. For Dagger Statement see La Crosse Democrat. August 24, 1864.

ii The La Crosse editor was not originally an avid adherent of that group which early caused Lincoln much consternation and which was referred to 3 as "the fire in the rear." However, he was to affiliate himself with it and become a leading exponent.

Needless to say, Pomeroy was a picturesque figure, especially for a Middle Westerner. Relatively short with reddish blonde hair, he was born in the East and started his journalistic career at an early age.

Moving to Wisconsin, he also spent some time in Washington before taking over the La Crosse Democrat. Later transferring his activities to New

York City, he was associated with Boss Tweed, whom he soon came to dislike.

He championed the Greenback cause, embarked on railroad and tunneling activities in the Rockies, turned to the publishing business, was married three times and ultimately died in Brooklyn.

While studying the journalistic attitudes of such a man — or the editorial opinions of the period — it should be remembered that libel

laws were not as today, and a general backdrop of what might be called

"Editorial Billingsgate" seemed to prevail. Discretion and fear of legal reprisal did not handcuff the flaming pens of zealous editors.

The study of editorial comments of the time is highly interesting and amusing. A spade was a spade and little else. The La Crosse Daily

Republican likened the Copperhead Chicago convention of 1864 to "foul and dirty birds," claiming "the Copperhead is so lousy that nothing but a

3. Edward L. Pierce, Memoir and Letters of Charles Sumner, Roberts Brothers, Boston, 1877-93, Vol. 4, p. 114.

iii buzzard can clean his nest." This paper and other administrative mouth­ pieces continually roasted Pomeroy in their editorial columns. But Pomeroy wasn't the only victim; the area papers could deal in personalities as well. The La Grescent (Minnesota) Plain Dealer, speaking of Ostrander, editor of the nearby Hokah Chief, supposedly the oldest paper in the 4 state, termed Ostrander "the spittoon of the Chief."

Much remains to be done on Pomeroy1 s life and adventures. This author hopes in the future to make a thorough check of the editor's early life, his New York, Western and Greenback activities. Work is currently being carried out through Colorado papers and Western historical societies.

Another aspect being considered is his relation with General Benjamin F. 5 Butler of New Orleans fame.

For much aid and assistance, this writer is deeply indebted to the Wisconsin State Historical Society, La Crosse County Historical Society, particularly A. H. Sanford and the late Harry Hirshheimer of the latter institution, the La Crosse Public Library, New York City Public Library,

Library of Congress and Newberry Library. To F. Hal Higgins of Walnut

Creek, California, for making Pomeroy cartoons available to me; to Mrs.

4. See article by author on this general subject in the La Crosse Tribune, April 20, 1952.

5. Benjamin F. Butler, Butler's Book. Boston, A.-M. Thayer and Company, 1892, p. 43. Pomeroy had tacked the epithet "Spoonfed" to the military man. The two also were involved in litigation when Butler represented one of Pomeroyfs wives in a divorce action against the editor. Later, Butler said that he had been counsel "against the editor in another case in which Pomeroy was sued for grevious wrongs done to a young lady."

iv Joseph Trahern of Clarksville, Tennessee, for a large etching of Pomeroyj to my wife Trudy, for typing the paperj and to my father, managing editor of The La Crosse Tribune, who gave valuable information on certain jour­ nalistic matters and for checking the initial draft, I am appreciative.

v 1

During the late summer of 186U, -when the presidential race was rapidly coming to a boil and political tempers -were at "white heat, the

editor of the La Crosse (Wis#) Democrat, looking toward the possibility

of a Republican victory, fervently expressed the hope that if Abraham

Lincoln were re-elected President of the United States, nsome bold hand 1 will pierce his heart with a dagger point for the public goodJ1

Thus exclaimed Jfarcus Mills Pomeroy, best known of Wisconsinfs

Copperheads, excoriating editor, moralizing and humorous writer, self- styled philosopher, tunnel-builder, defender lf*..of the poor, the working men,. •,!l presidential candidate and, as might be expected, seeker of notoriety*

Yet this very same individual could reply to a prospective biog­ rapher^ request for background facts that '-"There is nothing in it different from the history of other self-made menj nothing of a startling nature that 2 would please the public ••••It is simply a plain history*n

Although Pomeroy claimed a non-star±ling existence, he was not reluctant to add: nThere are, however, with me in this office gentlemen who have known me from boyhood, '-Who have been with me for years in dark 3 hours and dangerous ones.*,*11

1* La, Crosse l^eklg Democrat, Aug. 2li, I86I4..

2. Mary E. Tucker, Life of Marcus M» Pomeroy, A Representative Young Man 2£ America: HLs Early History, Character and Public Service in Defense of the Rights of States, Rights of the People, and the Interests of 'Working Men, G. S. Carleton, London, 1868", preface.

3# Ibid, 2

Startling or not* Editor Pomeroy!s actions i

one of the better known cities of the United States in the l860!s* although

the Mississippi River community at that time counted less than five thou-

_sand inhabitants*

From the Civil War era to the latter part of the century* Pomeroy

was at the height of his power. Nor was his influence confined solely to

La Crosse, for he became a national figure both journalistically" and polit­

ically • An attacker of Tammany after moving to New York, the La Crosse h editor also -was nominated for the presidency by the Greenback Party in 1881;.

In the main* however* this paper is concerned with his actions

during the Civil War period. For it was Pomeroy *s attacks upon the Repub­

lican Administration* especially Lincoln* -which brought him to national

attention* His famous or infamous "dagger" editorial was not the first in

•which he derided the chief executive* nor was it to be the last* He had

early tacked the epithet flThe lidow lalcer"/unt4 the sorrowful man from

Illinois and was to expend many adjectives in attempting to villify the

party in power and its lanky leader*

In undertaking such a study* it should be pointed out that the

vitriolic editor was possessed of another side* a facet often revealed even

in the heat of political controversy. Able to invoke the anger of thou­

sands and stir the hearts of fellow Copperheads* Pomeroy could write such

k* la Crosse Tribune* July 21* 1938* This is from a reliable source* However* the official Greenback candidate that year was Benjamin F* Butler. Pomeroy, very active in Greenback affairs* might -well have been put forth by a faction or separate entity* Another account states the date was 1880.

v ^4 e^w^- i **• * ' 3

delightful, nonpolitical works as Sense, Nonsense, Reaching for Hearts, and could plead for temperance and good working conditions.

Pomeroy was admired and feared by friends and enemies alike# 5' One of the better characterizations of the editor pictured him as follows:

...one of the most brilliant and erratic men who ever wielded the editorial pen in the state.•.•He was clever, fearless and enthusiastic, but he was also unbalanced and vindicative. The fact that his paper, at one time, reached a circulation of 90,000 ?fas due in part to his disregard of the conventions, which stimulated curiosity as to -what he would do next, in part to his witty pen and in part to an appeal to those whom the stirring events of the times led to the extremes of controversy...

Hot a lisconsinite by birth, Pomeroy claimed to have been born in

ELmira, Chemung County, New York, Hon the morning of Christmas, 1833• At least so say the ones who ought to know and who wrote the event down in the 6 family Bible.f!

His father, Hunt Pomeroy, was a watchmaker, and his mother was the former Orlina Rebecca White* Shortly after his birth the family moved to Tioga. County, Pennsylvania, and the youth! s mother died soon after his second birthday. His early years were spent in the usual fashion with grammar school, chores., hunting and fishing. According to his biographer, he was a lad who ffread with wonder and admiration, the life of Eranlclin11 at the age of four, and yielded himself !!to the holy influence of the lives

£. Benjamin F. Bryant, Memoirs of La Crosse County, Madison* "Western Historical Association* 1907* p. ll^T™

6. Mark !!• Pomeroy, Journey of Life, New Ibrk, Advance Thought Company, 1890, p. !• k

7 of Franklin and Washington*"

As a youngster * Pomeroy clerked in a drug store, worked winters in nearby lumbering camps and spent-many laborious hours performing the duties of a farmhand. However, t!from the first I wanted to be a printer," and this caused parental objections since Father Pomeroy -wished his son 8 to become a merchant or banker*

Ultimately the younger Pomeroy won out* In April, 18^0, he packed his few belongings and started the sixteen mile tramp across country to Corning, New Tork, -"where there was a printing office, and in that printing office I was going to work, and sometime in the future I should 9 have a newspaper*"

The Corning Journal was published by Thomas Messenger, a native of Canada, and Pomeroy apprenticed himself to this man -whom he soon grew to respect and admire* According to the agreement, Pomeroy would receive

130 the first year, S1|0 the second year and S60 the third year, in addi­ tion to board and washing* "That I was to be cared for when sick, and in return for this was to help about the house and garden nights and mornings 10 at anything.••" After two years, Messenger sold his paper and moved to nearby laverly where he started the Luminary* Pomeroy worked for the two new

7* Tucker, 0£. cit., passim*

8. Pomeroy, op. cit*, p* 5>0.

9. Ibid,, p. 5'2*

10• Ibid*, p* J>U* $

Journal owners, but subsequently moved to laverly to work under

Messenger*

Life in the new community -was quite turbulent* According to

Pomeroy, Messenger had offended men engaged in the liquor and saloon business and they "prevailed upon some young woman in town to bring charges against him for immorality cf conduct*n Accompanied by Pomeroy, Messenger fled to Canada.* And during the two ensuing years, Pomeroy tramped the countryside and worked in printing offices on both sides of the border*

In 18fS>lj., Pomeroy returned to Corning to become re-affiliated

•with the Journal. As the business prospered he decided he was worth more money but was refused a raise* Disgruntled, Pomeroy set out for New York with $20 to buy printing equipment and establish himself in business.

After several fruitless attempts at credit he received a $600 advance on machinery and materials from a James Connor.

Returning to Corning to await the arrival of his equipment, he continued working for the Journal owners who were not aware of Pomeroy *s intentions* The fact that they were embittered did not bother the youth and he embarked upon the new enterprise with zeal. rtAnd here begins my experience at the printing business on my own account, and surely it has been of the most varied and tempestuous, in the effort to save the bark 11 from the shoal and get out into deep water*"

His job-printing endeavor was a success and, flushed -with victoiy,

Pomeroy soon began publication of the Sun, running off 1,000 free copies

11. Pomeroy, op* cit*, p. 105• 6

of its initial issue. As it came out again and again it continued to be enlarged, for merchants found it profitable to advertise in the publication.

In ±Q$k, at the age of 21, Pomeroy married Anna Amelia Iheeler.

The following year he sold his paper and interests for Si,300. The new owner , the Rev. Ira C. Brown, was not punctual in paying off the debt and

Pomeroy never collected the full amount owed.

Trie autumn of 1855 found Mr. and Mrs. Pomeroy in Athens, Pen­ nsylvania, where he was publishing the Gazette. This undertaking lasted until the spring of 1857, when Pomeroy sold the paper and moved westward to Wisconsin.

The westward exodus was not made -without some knowledge of the new territory. 3h fact in 1S£6 he made a rapid trip to Wisconsin to see how the area would receive a new neimspaper editor. He left his.paper in charge of the foreman.

Pomeroyfs western destination -was Horicon, Wisconsin, "a young

Western town, under the plow, scraper and chain of the surveyor.ft Here were "houses and balloon frames which were to be houses or stores in a short time." He found fIthe pioneers wading around in the mud and plowed ground -with their pants inside their boots, slouched hats on their heads, 12 and themselves all full of growing expectations*11

Horicon, at that time, was the western terminus of the la Crosse and Mlwaukee Road, and the trip from the East had been ma!de on a railroad pass. Free passage had been secured "with the understanding that I was to

12. Pomeroy, 0£. cit., p. 112-113. 7

•write something descriptive of ray trip, and call the attention of the 13 traveling public to the road on which I should go and return*"

Coming to Horicon at the behest of an eastern friend, John

Hancock, then a Horicon lawyer, Pomeroy moved about the area and worked

in printing offices to earn his keep* Bxpected money from the sale of his

Pennsylvania paper did not arrive - the reason has been cited - and he was

soon forced to return East,

One larch morning in 1857* Pomeroy, accompanied by wife and bag­

gage, set out for Milwaukee armed with railroad passes and $20*29 in cash*

The trip was made without incident and the couple soon arrived at Horicon Hi with the large sum of %\\4 remaining to be spent.

For $600 Pomeroy was able to buy out the newspaper of P. S. Croft which had failed. Next he leased two rooms on the second floor above a

drug store and named his paper the Horicon Argus* Aid was promised by

Charles H. Larabee, circuit court justice, and Pomeroy set himself to the task of preparing the first edition*

Type faces were cleaned after stirring up his own soap mixture, the press was cleaned and over-hauled, page forms were readied and adver­ tising secured* Now, however, he found trouble from this quarter, and it was only after much wrangling with Milwaukee concerns was he able to secure paper on credit. Finally the presses •rolled; the Argus appeared "and was well received*"

13. Pomeroy, 0£* cit., p. 112. lit* Ibid., p* 3-2ij.*

•y/]/ w\s^ 1'0 3

Judge Larabee had attempted to censor a number of stories before they were inserted in the initial paper* Reading the page proofs he re­ marked !tMo,t! !!This won!t do*1 and other comments. However, Pomeroy reminded

him. as to the editorfs identity and, although relations were momentarily

strained, kept his friendship.

. Within three weeks the new editor could claim a paid subscrip­

tion list of 325 persons. Six-month rates were |1 and $2 for a year -

in advance* »rfhey bought copies to send away to friends , and subscribed

on its novel terms...in advance or sent as an act of charity. Not -wishing to be classed as objects of charity, those -who called paid for the Argus

in advance«n

Pomeroy early ran into trouble from two papers at nearby Beaver

Dam. However5 working hard to meet his creditors, he found little time at first to strike back at the attempts made to annoy him and draw his liter­ ary fire.

Not too long after his arrival in Horicon, Pomeroy was appointed a deputy United States marshal,-with Judge Larabee securing the position for him. In his new post, he was able to journey about the state, make new acquaintances and receive additional pay. However, much of the money received - if not all - -was spent attempting to elect his benefactor to

Congress from the Third Congressional District then composed of twenty- four counties.

1$* Pomeroy, 0£. cit., p. 133* 9

Feeling himself now firmly entrenched, Pomeroy began to prepare

for his editorial counter-blast against the larger town of Beaver Dam*

He visited the community and felt "it was a town of wind, and that it had

been greatly over-estimated and over-advertised.11 He soon penned a satire

which was to earn him the nickname of "Brick." Erom that moment on, he 16 was Brick Pomeroy.

In his description of Beaver Dam, Pomeroy explained it contained

eighteen million inhabitants and was nsituated in the midst of a highly-

fertilized town" -which "promises to be the largest place in this world or

the next." It had been settled "by one beaver and twenty dams, but the fever and ague shook the beaver off, and it is now known as simply B. Banu"

The community contained "ommense stores at least 10 feet high" and

erected "at a cost of |21.62 each.11 He added that Beaver Dam "had a fine water power last summer, but a stranger*s horse drank it up, since 17 then a boy has driven their immense machinery with a syringe."

Following additional retorts from the new editor!s caustic pen, numerous leading citizens from the adjoining town paid a visit to Judge

Larabee, acknowledged Pomeroy1s superior talents and asked Larabee to

"call off his dog#"

16. Pomeroy,,op. cit«, p# 137 • The satire was reprinted in the Louisville (^•) £2HS§i^ anci ^he author w&s labeled a "perfect brick." However * some have tried to explain the sobriquet as being derived from the yellowish color of Pomeroyf s hair, not unlike the cream tinge of Milwaukee bricks.

17. Ibid., pp. 136-137. 10

Ihile at Horieon, Pomeroy, along with Andrew Jackson Tuner of

Portage, was one of the promoters of Wisconsinfs first editorial conven­ tion held in 18^7 at Portage* An association was founded and proceedings were recorded.

In 18£8, Pomeroy got himself selected as a delegate to the

Democratic Congressional Convention at Fond du Lac and then secured for, himself the position of secretary of the convention. In this capacity he was able to victoriously campaign for Larabee!s nomination. Taking an

active part in the race - which included the buying of votes - Pomeroy helped his friend to a 1*000 vote majority in what was considered a 19 Republican region•

Hot long after the election, Pomeroy was prevailed upon to accept the position of city editor on the Milwaukee Daily News. The paper was owned by John E» Sharpstein and Joseph Lathrop* Pomeroy left his paper in charge of his faeman and took the Milwaukee job at $16 a

11 •week5 ""which was then considered a big thing*

After about one-half year in Milwaukee, Pomeroy cut himself adrift from the Argus and sold it to Curtis, his foreman. As city editor of a larger paper, he had found many more doors open to him, more liber­ alities and gifts proffered. He joined the Milwaukee Light Guard, contin­ ued to travel about the state on government business and expanded his acquaintances•

18• M* M* Quaife, "Wisconsin; Its History and Its People, Chicago, 3. J. Clark Publishing Company, 3$2k9 ¥2, p.TT3*

19• Pomeroy, ££• cit«, pp. 139-llil. 11

However, by the end of the year,, he was dissatisfied with his

situation. Promised an interest in the paper -when he started working, he

now discovered it would not be forthcoming and terminated his service in

November, 18£9*

At about the same time, his adherence to the standard of Stephen

A. Douglas caused him to lose his slice of the patronage pie* The mar-

shalship fell into the hands of a Buchanan adherent.

Unsure of the future, Pomeroy!s thoughts turned to "Washington

where his friend, Judge Larabee, was sitting in Congress. The judge

indicated that he might secure for Pomeroy a federal appointment or, if

not that, at least a position on a Washington paper. Pomeroy grabbed at

the chance and left for the capital.

Naive concerning Washington politics and the actual extent of

larabee*s influence, Pomeroy was to find Washington a disappointing city

•where money was quickly spent and little received therefrom. He found

Larabee disinterested in his future, failed to receive an appointment and

found it difficult making ends meet. However, he did manage to meet his hero, Senator Douglas, and fell more under the Illinoian's influence.

Disheartened by Washington where Hmy eyes were unwillingly

opened to.the fact that national legislation is not conducted for the

benefit of the people at large,11 Pomeroy returned to 'Wisconsin in the

first months of i860. He hoped to re-enter the newspaper business and

to this end visited various Wisconsin cities to ascertain prospects.

Ultimately he picked La Crosse as a city -with a future. 12

Three papers were being published in La Crosse at this time, but not a single one was to be termed overly prosperous* Included were the leekly National Democrat of A. P# Blakeslee and F* A* Moore and the Weekly

Independent Republican of W. G* Rogers. Both papers attacked the Buchanan administration which was defended by A. ?• Swineford and the Daily Union*

Before Pomeroy anoeared on the scene, Rogers sold his Republican to 20 Leonard Lottridge and Charles Seymour*

Shortly before Pomeroy!s arrival, the Union and Democrat also were consolidated and Charles P* Sfcrkes, proprietor of a local hotel and a museum of curiosities, became part-owner';1

Realizing that the newspaper business was not his forte, Sykes offered to sell out to Pomeroy and the latter accepted. The new editorTs partners were Moore and SwineJTord, Moore had been with La Crosse papers for several years, while Swineford had published a paper at Albert Lea,

Minnesota, and was later to be appointed governor of Alaska by President 21 Grover Cleveland •

The firm was called Pomeroy and Company and, according to the new partner, had as its intention "to engage in and continue the ne?fspaper and job printing business, pushing the circulation of the paper and the business of the office as far and fast as cotild be done by honest, 22 earnestly-directed effort."

^0# His^Qsy °f la Crosse County, Western Historical Company, Chicago,

21* Bryant, oj>* cit*, p# 115$ Pomeroy, op» cit«, pp* 158-159•

22. Pomeroy, OJD. cit», p.. 1^9• 13

Pomeroy was to be editor-in-chief and general manager of the paper and its businessj Swineford was to have charge of the mechanical

department and its employees while Moore was to be local editor. Pomeroy

assumed the position in April*/ with little in his pockets and a .1!>l*Ji>00 23 debt*

The office was in a dirty state and much cleaning and scrubbing was necessary before it again assumed the outward appearance of a printing establishment. The three partners assisted in the operation and then transferred attention to the printing equipment*

In his autobiography* Pomeroy recalls that the machinery con­

sisted of one upright Washington hand-press* "well-known^ and a Ruggle!s

job-press that was so old that it was ashamed to tell its previous history ^ 2k or at least it stuttered in its attempt thereat*"

It was discovered that one press needed new material for its roller as well as cloth for a tympan (impression surface on an old press)*

Materials would cost a total of |2. but neither partner had the required

funds* Cognizant of the fact that the paper was in a bad state as far as

23* Pomeroy*. 0£* cit* *, p* 1$9* Pomeroy said he took over in April• How­ ever ^ the first edition to carry his name was May 3> i860* A note on the editorial page announced: "*.*.It is our aim and desire to make the Union and Democrat a first class, valuable and readable paper - to establish it firmly on a safe and secure ba^sis*11 and asked that bills be paid* Speaking of the Republican, it added: tfle trust that nothing -will ever occur to alter their good opinion**.*In taking charge of a paper*••we shall not be the first to break the rules of good breeding and editorial courtesy*!f

2lj.. Ibid** p* l60* lh

credit was concerned, Pomeroy -went out and made a personal loan from a waitress in a restaurant•-where he ate. The ensuing Christmas, not for­

getting her generosity, he-gave the girl a silk dress "which was "considered

a theme for unkind remarks."

As might be expected, a feud arose between Pomeroy!s support of the Little Giant and Sifineford?s defense of Buchanan and his administra­ tion. Pomeroy -went out of his -way to promote the Douglas doctrine in the . editorial columns and -wherever people "were gathered.

However, both men agreed upon one primary factor, and that was the sectional tinge of the newly-conceived Republican Party, immediately following the Democrats1 ill-fated ajid tempestuous Charlestown meeting,

^he Pn3-°ft and Democrat reported "the happy Republicans are in a queer state of preservation. It is a stroke of policy they cannot account for, and a 26 more that upsets their entire program."

The paper was overly optimistic about the dangerous Democratic rupture* Or perhaps it was engaged in a bombastic form of -whistling in the dark* It assured its readers that after hearing from their constit­ uents and discerning the Republican candidates, the Democrats would then

"reassemble, all the better for an intermission* The result mil be that a man will be nominated -who will receive the hearty support of the Demo­ cratic Party. That man -will be he, -who after consultation -with the people,

2$• Pomeroy, oj>* cit., pp# l60-l6l#

2^# Un^on and Democrat, May Ij., i860. IS

will be the strongest man.** As far as Pomeroy was concerned, "that man11

was Douglas, The editor lauded the Wisconsin delegation for its support

of Douglas at the Gharlestown convention and presumed they would continue 2? that line at the Baltimore gathering.

Thus, at the moment when the unity of the Democratic Party was

rapidly splitting asunder, and when disunity -would mean almost certain

loss of the coming presidential election, the la Crosse paper could not or would not look at the coming events* To the editor's eyes, the only dis­

organized group was the Republican Partyj and this because it was seemingly 28 composed of such divergent elements: Hie Republican Party is a sectional party - a meddling party - a Union destroying party - a party composed of all the odds and ends, the rag-tag and bobtail of all the parties that ever existed*.. ."Whoever got it up, took what was left of half .a dozen parties, put a big Negro on top, called it a Union, liberty party, and are falling down to worship it.

Swineford and Pomeroy came to loggerheads on political questions many times before the partnership was terminated. On one occasion, Pom­ eroy had -written, an editorial and gone out to lunch. Returning, he found the press idle and the typesetters busily at work. He learned that Swine­ ford had throT/n out his Douglas-favoring item and was inserting one of his own. Pomeroy at once reminded Swineford that the inside of the paper -

its editorial page - belonged to the editor* He then proceeded to discard

Svrineford!s efforts -which had the backing of local office-holders.

2?* ffnion and. Democrat, May ij., May 12, I860.

•28. Ibid., May $> i860.

29* Pomeroy, op. cit*, pp. 162-163* 16

Business called Swineford out of town for several days and on

his return he discovered the paper had printed numerous pieces favoring

Douglas • He immediately composed a story, placed it on the front page

and pointed out that he had not -written the Douglas articles nor was he

necessarily in favor c£ them. He said nthey materially conflict with his

(Swineford*s) views on Democratic principles as well as policy." And,

seemingly forgetting his own bias, he explained: "As an independent

journal, devoted to the promulgation of Democratic principles — we could 30 not become the organ of an individual, at the expense of principle #ft

To this account Pomeroy replied: nSo with us there will be an 31 irrepressible conflict so long as we edit a paper*M

The controversy had a surprise ending when the paper was closed

down by its principal creditors, the Milwaukee firm of Noonan and McNab.

The paper was suspended from lay 16 - 2f>, and on the latter date Pomeroy announced that Swinef ord had withdrawn from the concern and pledged the publication would henceforth give unswerving support to Douglas* Moore continued as partner* Swinef ord had attempted to purchase Pomeroy^ 32 interest, and, failing, sold his own#

Although the paper did appear on May 2$, announcing the change in ownershipj it did not appear again until June 6, this time making known another interesting development* An arrangement had been made between

an 3°» EEL2*1 ft Democrat, May 1$9 i860*

31. Ibid,, May 16, i860; Pomeroy, 0£. cit., p» 163#

32• Ibid*, p* l61{.. 17

the Union and Democrat and the Independent Republican so that each would be issued tri~weekly instead of daily*

The Republican was the leading and most prosperous paper in

La Crosse and Pomeroy admitted that the new axrangement was of far greater benefit to the Democrat than to Leonard Lottridge and Charles Seymour, editors of the Republican* "Without such an arrangement the Democrat could not have continued, while the Republican would have gone on slowly 33 but steadily to prosperity*11 The negotiations had been carried to a successful conclusion despite the fact that Pomeroy and Seymour were not on speaking terms.

Under the new system both papers realized a, saving and were able to secure additional advertising• Hie consolidation also meant that local citizens would be able to read daily telegraphic news* Annual sub­ scription rates were |2 for one paper and |ii for both. The Union and

Democrat was to appear on Monday** Wednesday and Eriday, while the Repub- lican was published Tuesday* Thursday and Saturday*

Since Moore was easily dominated - and soon would retire -

Pomeroy had come into his own. One of his favorite mottos, "Punish enemies and reward friends*11 now began to appear at the top of page one of the Union and Democrat.

33* Pomeroy, og. cit», p. l61j..

3^-* ffiffi* $ History of la Crosse County, ot>» cit. , p# $kk$ Bryant, 0£. cit./ p. -ll^TTjnion and Democrat, June 6, i860* The paper now was called the la Crosse Tri-OTeekly Union and Democrat. However, until further notice, it mil be referred to as the Union and Democrat. 18

Both newspapers shared the third floor of the old Juneau Build­

ing -which -was looated quite near the Mississippi River, These quarters were mutually occupied until 1861; irfien Pomeroy commenced the construction

of his Opera House at Main and Fourth Streets, still the cityfs main

intersection*

f^ne Bsptiblican -was lodged in the "south roam" and the Democrat

•was published in the "north room*" As time passed, however, it might have been far more appropriate had their locations been reversed.

As might be expected, the proximity of the offices led to strange and unusual events* A fuel storage space was placed between them and there was continual bickering over its charge• During the state campaign of

1862, Pomeroy secretly secured. 2,000 copies of a Republican edition from a Democratic pressman in the opposition's office* Before being printed,

Pomeroy had arranged that one of his editorials be inserted, disparaging the Retmblican-favored candidate for Congress* Such tricks, however, were paid in kind*

Pomeroy was sitting with the press representatives that hot Mon­ day morning, June 18, when the second Democratic convention opened in the

Front Street Theater in Baltimore* He undoubtedly joined the Douglas- backers who hissed a resolution asking admission of all delegates of the convention as originally constituted at Chariestcwn - a move definitely

favoring the Southerners.

35* History of La Crosse County, 0£* cit*, pp* $kQ~$h9*

36* Allan Nevins, The Emergence of Lincoln, Scribners, New York, 19E>0, vol* 2, p. 268* 19

From its bad beginning the convention went on to worse. North,

South, East, lest, the delegates were divided and demanding their own w&ys.

On Friday, June 22, most of the Southern states indicated their withdrawal

from the ill-fated convention. The following day Douglas was nominated*

On the first ballot, with 2l2f votes cast, he received 173th and on the

second, l8o3r«

Pomeroy!s idol was now one of four presidential candidates in

the important campaign. Boasting, the La Crosse editor proclaimed that

"The nomination of Douglas seems to have met an enthusiasm in the North­ west, unequaled in any previous contest••••The democracy of the Northwest 37 will present a solid column next November."

Terming 'the coming fight the time "to conquer or die," Pomeroy

saw in Douglas1 nomination "the dawning of a better day. It mil be a

day of labor - a day of danger - but the night -will set on a victorious amy,11 Unduly optimistic, he prophesied that Douglas would carry every

Southern state, "even should Breckinridge contest -with him, except South

Carolina, Tennessee, Mssissippi and Kentucky, and with an even chance of

carrying Texas." Looking at the North, "Lincoln*s election is out of 38 the question*"

Always a business man, Pomeroy quickly seised upon the forth­

coming campaign to increase the subscription list of the paper. Above his editorial page flew a mat of a soaring eagle carrying the Stars and

3?* UnjLon and Democrat, June 27, i860*

38• Ibid*, June 29, i860. 20

Stripes• Beneath it in>:foold letters was the statement: "For President —

Douglas of Illinois* For Vice President — Johnson of Georgia*11 To this he added: "Clear the decks for action! The Ijnion and Democrat for the

Campaign! We almost give the paper away#" Pomeroy explained that he would furnish the paper to clubs "at unprecedented rates • " Trie prices ranged from eight copies delivered at the same address for |3 to forty copies for $13 * This delivery would continue until after the election*

Pomeroy reminded his readers to "send in your orders accompanied with the money as soon as possible* There is work to do and workmen to do it if we 39 will organize and not suffer our enemies to sow tares while we sleep*"

Throughout the remaining summer months and until the November election, Pomeroy -was to busy himself with several closely related under­ takings: Promote Douglasj woo Breckinridge votes; and attack Lincoln and the Republican Party*

He had a special plan for Wisconsin supporters of Breckinridge*

Pomeroy conceived that they might vote for Douglas under protest, thus preserving the purity of their intentions* He promised to print them tickets declaring: "I ^, a true Democrat, hate Lincoln as I do the devil, and Douglas as I do Lincoln, but have concluded to vote for the *

Little Giant under protest, so, !I shut my eyes and open my mouth, and take ko this pill for the good of the South*? rt

39* Hnion and Democrat, July 21, i860* ij.0* Ibid*, July 2, i860. 21

Pomeroy worked zealously for the Douglas cause* Hot limiting v~ himself to editorials, he traveled about the area praising the Little

Giant and deriding his opposition. Realizing that a military or semi- military organization stirs the pulse, he organized the Douglas Bangers and had himself elected captain^

Throughout the campaign the name of Douglas was kept before the readers1 eyes. If the senator ma.de a speech, Pomeroy was almost certain to reprint it in its entirety or at least have an extract.

He -waxed strong on the question of popular sovereignty and the

Dred Scott case:

So much has been said about the principle of popular sovereignty or self government, as advocated by Judge Douglas, being in op­ position to the decision of the Supreme Court, in the Dred Scott case, that we are led to the belief that those asserting that such is the case are either ignorant of the points decided in that case or do it for the purpose cf willfully misrepresent­ ing Judge Douglas1 position....

Ih this connection, Pomeroy cited Justice Taney!s opinion that citizens of the United States who migrate to a territory belonging to the people of the United States "cannot be ruled as mere colonists, dependent upon the mil of the general government and to be governed by any laws it may think proper to impose*ft

To this, Pomeroy triumphantly added that !fthe Hon* Eeverdy

Johnson of Maryland, one of the ablest jurists of the United States... holding to the same opinion.••is laboring mth all his powers of intellect

&*-'* ^nion and Democrat, July 26, i860. 22

k2 for the election of Judge Douglas to the presidency,ft

Pomeroy was not reluctant to make use of the old strategy of

ndivide and conquer*ff Throughout October and into November an article

entitled "Keep it before the people" appeared on the front page or in the

editorial columns. It was designed to alienate voters of foreign extrac­

tion from the Lincoln following and turn them into the Douglas camp.

According to Pomeroy, the Chicago Press and Tribune, f,the chief

organ of Abraham Lincoln, uttered the following insult to all voters of foreign birth, in its issue of October £•" In describing a torchlight parade that had turned out to welcome Douglas and contained "3*000 Ameri­

cans, 2,000 Irish, 2,000 Otermans, and 2,£00 divided among the Welsh, Scotch, U3 Belgians, and Norwegians *..,n the Tribune Yfas quoted as stating:

Taken altogether, the Squatterite reception last evening fell far below "what had been promised but furnished an instance of •what a few determined wire pullers can do with a few hundred voting cattle, who are contented to vote either in Bridgeport, in any or all our city wards, or in some adjoining county, so that 'expenses are paid and whisky free*1

Also continuously quoted was a statement attributed to a

Sliijah A. Green: "We don!t want to borrow any Dutch votes.*.. If they don*t want to vote our ticket, let them go to Hell.... Neither do we want the Irish Catholics in our party*11 And, according to Pomeroy, T. J*

Pickett, editor of a Rock Island (111.) Republican paper, said: r,I detest the Pope and hate the papists, and detest the Irish Catholic voting lj.2. Union and Democrat, September 17> i860*

)|3* Ibid, see papers of October and early November. 23

cattle,... The Douglasites depend on the faithfiiljbiess and ignorance of their Irish Catholic allies•" Another Rock Island man, R. W. Smith, was charged with declaring, "I hope to be eternally God-daimaed if I ever vote for a Catholic for any office*"

To all this, Pomeroy added, "They speak the real feelings of that party, and all the sham resolves of the Republican Party, in favor of our foreign born citizens• "

La Crosse at that time had a heavy German population and the group had as its tongue the language paper Nord Stern, published by John

Ulrich. In late July the Nord Stern came out for Lincoln and this caused a split in the German ranks. More than eighty citizens protested the move and declared " •. .we will hold no communion or fellowship -with one who has betrayed the confidence reposed in him heretofore, and that we know how 16 and shall guard the honor of the German Democrats #rr

To stimulate interest in the election, Pomeroy announced that he had made a |3,£00 wager with Lotbridge of the Republican that Douglas would carry lisconsin and Illinois. The papers were supposedly drawn up and placed in the hands of a local bank president• Pomeroy explained that the bet would not affect publication of the paper, "beaten or not11 and

"our only wish is that we had a hundred such bets booked."

^* ^n^on ffld Democrat, October 31* i860. h$. Ibid., August 1, i860. ij.6. Ibid., July 23, i860. It is doubtful if such a bet actually existed, save as an attempt to increase interest or circulation. No mention was made of its payment and, if Pomeroy had paid, he would have been forced to sell the paper. 2U

La Crosse residents had a chance to see Senator William H.

Seward during the early fall of i860* The solon was on a tour of the

Northwest and was telling audiences that the menace to the Union -was un­ real and false* Arriving in La Crosse on Friday, September ll.;., he said that the homogeneity of the American people furnished assurances for the future which enabled men to trample underfoot every threat of disunion, every apprehension

On hand to report the senators speech, pomeroy presented a rather humorous account of the proceedings* He related that Seward landed amid the roar of cannon and was greeted ffby only 1,000 people*tl He spoke at Turner!s Hall to about 2,£Q0. Quoting large excerpts from the address,

Pomeroy pointed out that the senator spoke rapidly ".••but at his swiftest speed he found time to take out his silver snuff box and apply the contents to his Republican prombocis«u

Admittedly impressed by the senator!s ability, Pomeroy said, nHe is a generalizes and philosopher, and can discuss human rights and U8 human freedom as few Americans can, and yet there is a catch somewhere."

Looking about him at the close of September, the La Crosse editor saw only victory for the Douglas forces. "All over the land,11 he

•wrote, "have the honest, working democracy taken up the cry of *Douglas and Victory1 — and -with bared arms they are going into the fight to win.!r

!;.?• Nevins, op. cit», p. 306.

^* ^n^Qn affft. Democrat, September 17, i860* h9* Ibid., September 26, i860. 25

At. the eve of the election^ Pomeroy told the Democratic faith­ ful that they had ua little Job to do*n The Republicans were a foe that asked no mercy and showed none* Tuesday* November 6* was the Democrats chance to "crash out fanaticism and sectionalism from otir midst*l! However* the Republicans were a scheming group and the Democrats were urged to So follow the following instructions: Go to the polls early and vote. Appoint some man to challenge those -who would be guilty of fraud* Then go for those who are still absent. See that the lame* the. sick* the lazy* the aged and the careless ones are all at the polls and that they all vote* Insult or browbeat no man -- nor let no man do the same to you* Don!t begin a fight — but once in never come out until carried out on a board*

Tuesday* November 5* was election day and Pomeroy told the public the Democrat offices ?rould be open all day and all night to handle news of the returns in lisconsin and across the country* He added that he was glad to be able to say "that with this number of this paper* the bitter political campaign so long engaged in, is ended — till another season* and from now on* our paper will be devoted to matters more inter- 51 esting to the general reader.**11

"Wednesday and it was all over* the Democrats had lost* Pomeroy!s hero had been defeated* The City of La Crosse had gone for Lincoln 1{,63 to 297* "with Breckinridge receiving 23 votes and Bell* 17 • On the county 52 level* Lincoln* l*lj.77* Douglas* 16$j Breckinridge* 6$; and Bell* 18.

50. Union and Democrat* November k? i860* 51. Ibid* 52* Ibid** November 7* I860j A. H. Sanford and H. J* Hirshheimer* A^ E&st'ory of La Crosse lisconsin* l81il~1900* La Crosse County His­ torical Society* La Crosse* 1951* P« 100* 26

Though defeated at the polls, Pomeroy was able to concede with 53 a humorous, yet bitter, touch. The day after the election, he wrote:

Yesterday was election day ™ that is, for the Republicans and sinners — Democrats didn!t vote — it wasnft their day. The wicked have triumphed-— all the slaves are to be liberated — rails -will be at a premium, slavery is to be abolished on the 5th of March — -white men mil take back seats and the rail- splitter, oh we forgot - Mr. Lincoln will preside over the destinies of this country. We have met the enemy and we are theirs. Be merciful to us poor sinners• We went in like lions and came out like lambs. Oh treat us not revengefully, life intended to scoop them out and they scooped us. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light.... We val­ iantly marched up the hill and we can run down again • Gome my beloved, let us go forth into the fields*... P.S* — we don!t like to read the returns as they come inI

Pomeroy reminded his readers that they would have the next four years to study the cause of the Democratic defeat, "and learn that a few

old leaders like Buchanan can!t dictate to the working men of the party,"

Here was the culprit, James Buchanan, the incumbent chief executive, he was to blame and Pomeroy would scourge him again and again until he had left the office in larch of the coming year. If the Democracy was dead,

"Buchanan had killed it" and "little is the political respect we have for him."

Though Douglas had been beaten, Pomeroy was still undiscouraged as to the Little Giant*s future• No sooner were the returns tabulated than Douglas of Illinois was again above the.Demos rat *s editorial columns

— for president in 1861|.

$3+ Union and Democrat, November 7> i860.

$k* Ibid.

5£* Ibid. 2?

lid-November saw Pomeroy off to Hew York to buy printing equip­ ment and, undoubtedly, to engage in some political activity. However, before his stay was over, he was to be called back to La Crosse to save

"tiie ^n^on and Democrat from the hands of over-zealous creditors. No papers were issued from November llj. - 28, and only on the later date did

Pomeroy indicate what had happened*

As he explains it, two chattel mortgages were held, one for

|200 by a local person and another for flf.90 by a Mlwaukeean. On October Lj.,

Edward Miller <£ Milwaukee renewed his note and said only $300 was left outstanding and Pomeroy paid 1100 of this. Pomeroy then left for the

East and Swineford, his former partner, "industriously circulated the lie that we had absconded never to returnj that we had collected from |1,000 to f10,000 in money, and had left our creditors to collect their claims as best they could.!r Swinef ord then obtained possession of the notes, nand as the law of Wisconsin reads that the holder of notes secured by a chattel mortgage, if he deems himself insecure, may take possession of the mortgaged property, and sell after 10 days notice."

However, Pomeroy received word and "returned just in time to break up his sharp game." It later developed that Leonard Lottridge, editor of the competing Republican, had told Swineford that he would buy the paper and return it to Pomeroy. "For this noble act," declared $6 Pomeroy, "Mr. Lottridge has our deep and heartfelt thanks...".

56. Union and Democrat, November 13, 28, December 3> I860 28

Such dangers as related were not few and far between for the intrepid and adventurous editor of the Union and Democrat* Looking back upon his days in la Crosse, he recalled that "every 'few weeks, or months as furthest," the sheriff or officer of the law would come in to lay an attachment upon the property on behalf of its old creditors, "some of uhom, as they saw that the concern was making a little something, were over-anxious to be the first ones in to strip the bush of its young 57 berries before they should riiDen*"

According to Pomeroy, this process was repeated nine times in one year, and, on each occasion, "I would have to go into the streets and ask some business men to go my security in crder to replevin the property and bring it back to the office and usefulness, thereby gaining time to earn and borrow money with vfaich to pay old claims*" This later became a standing joke and men offered to bet "cigars and soda water" as to when the office would next be "cleaned out."

November 28, i860, marked the date when Pomeroy became sole owner of the Union and Democrat — save, of course, for its numerous creditors• Moore*s reason from.withdrawing from the paper was given as the "want cf sufficient pecuinary inducement to remain*" He had grown sick of hunting for local items, receiving little or no profit from the office and continually meeting up with a creditor. He recalled that he had "worn the harness much longer than any of the other remaining editorial

57 • Pomeroy, op* cit*, p. 165•

58. Ibid* 29

brethren" and "we are glad for a time, to unhitch the traces *" His partner parted "-with regret," promising that Moore and all "our brethren of the Quill, should they ever call around, shall have the freedom of the city, and the best Refreshments1 the place affords•"

The name of the paper was changed on December 3* i860, and

Pomeroy headed the La Crosse Democrat, debt-encumbered and circulation dwindling. He explained the reason for the name-change, pointing out that it had resulted from the consolidation* How, however, there was only one aimer and the name of the paper was too long* "Besides," he added, "there is still another reason* The Union part <£ it has been a 6o -—~~ curse to the party*" As the Civil lar!s approach gained increasing momentum, Pomeroy

—for once — agreed with Buchanan that "neither Congressional nor State 61 legislation is the chief cause of the terrible discontent at the South*"

The redoubtable "Brick" took a firm stand in opposition to the secession of the Southern states and to Buchananls "weak-kneed" policy*

"When South Carolina voted to secede on December 20, Pomeroy reported

"South Carolina, gone to Hell" and termed it "the first step toward the

$9* ^nion and Democrat, November 28, I860j History of La Grosse Gounty, op+ cit., p. 5IJF»~"~

60* Union and Democrat (henceforth Democrat), December 3, I860j Frank Element, "Brick Pomeroy: Copperhead and Gurmudgeon, lisconsin lagazine of History, X3G0T, Winter, 15^1, p# 107*

^* Democrat, December 10, i860. 30

breaking of bonds that have bound a union for over four score years ..*"

He angrily contended that "no state has the right to secede — has no 62 right to declare herself free from the laws that govern the Union*11

Howeverj Pomeroy also admitted that there are "circumstances

•which materially alter cases... If the Administration comes into power solely on principles deadly antagonistic to any state*.* then that state must suffer*" And he stressed that the people of South Carolina "are proudj high-spirited and jealous" and have the "right to judge.**though 63 they may not have the right to put the verdict into practice..*"

And Pomeroy mellowed even further as the weeks passed. In early January he reasoned that if South Carolina, wanted to get out of the 6k Union "and fish for herself," the Union should "let her go*n

With South Carolina out of the Union and other states ready to jump into the pond, Pomeroy railed at Buchanan for his vacillating tac­ tics, "lhat a weak, imbecilic old fool Jim Buchanan is," he wrote*

"There he sits in his soft-bottomed chair, day after day, permitting secession, treason and disunion to grow under his very eyes, and makes no move to quell it..* Buchanan is a traitor to his country — a traitor to his party — a traitor to his own word*" And if that ?fasnft enough,

Pomeroy added that the President presented the "sad and sickening picture

62* Democrat, December 2lj., i860*

63 m Ibid*

6)4. Ibid., January 11, 1861. Somewhat similar to Greeley's famed statement. 31

of an obstinate old dotard," "who lias "despised in the North and despised in the South.!f And if the country survived the shock of Buchanan1 s administration, "Lincoln*. •nor the devil can ever harm it." Editor Lottridge of the Republican again came to pomeroy *s aid in the first month of 1861. Creditors seized the mortgaged press and the 66 Democrat was printed by the Republican * s machinery. Come -what may, the fiery young editor would get his paper out on the streets.

In the hope of settling the North-South dispute, Senator John J. Crittenden of Kentucky had offered the famous Crittenden Compromise which, among other articles, predicated the extension of the Missouri

Compromise line of 36° 30! to fee lest Coast, and prohibited Congress from interfering "with slavery in certain specified areas. Of this, though opposed by Lincoln, Pomeroy" wrote in favor. He pointed out that, in his estimation, the North received more territory, and asked: HCan 67 the North do any better at the end of a Civil War?" Pomeroy had refrained from, attacking Lincoln folio-wing the

November election. It "was to be several months after the start of war before the chief executive was to become the target for the lisconsin editor's bitter attacks* However, Pomeroy did take a "dig" at the Pres­ idents trip through Baltimore, Maryland, near the end of February, en route

65• Democrat, December 28, i860.

66. lipid., January 23, 1861.

67. Henry S. Commager, Documents of American History, 5th edition, New York, Appleton-Centiiry-Crofts, 19U9} p» 3705 Democrat, February 13, 1861. 32

to Washington*

According to reports, Lincoln was in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, when he was told of a rumored assassination attempt -which would be made

•while he passed through Baltimore* At the insistence of friends, he traveled through the nighty incognito, and safely reached Washington*

Pomeroy immediately seized upon this event to cast aspersions upon the President's courage* Complimenting Lincoln for passing through

Baltimore* he then asked: ftBut how much more courage did he exhibit when he left his wife and friends to ride on the train that was sworn to de­ struction?* * * He was willing to sacrifice a dozen office-seekers and 68 Mrs. Lincoln for the good of his country...11 Reminding his audience that Lincoln had kissed little Grace

Bedell* the young child who prompted him to grow whiskers, Pomeroy satir­ ically declared that "...he wished to marry her and get Mrs* Lincoln out of the way* His political ambition satisfied, love steps forth with its demand... If cowardice denotes statesmanship, then Abraham Lincoln is • .69 the first .statesman in America*" 70 To his statements, Pomeroy also appended the following poem:

Behold the conquering hero flies J 'Wrapped like a woman in disguises! In military cloak and -woman fs shawl, The Indian fighter o*er six feet tall, In shirttail stood and fiercely swore Gome life or death he!d pass Baltimore I An ancient Soman once gave up his son, For his country, nor wept the deed once done. But Lincoln, "who doubtless read the Roman!s life, More patriotic still would offer up his wife*

68. Nevins, 0£* cit», p* i£lj Democrat, February 27, March 1, 1861

6?. Ibid.

70. Ibid* 33

On March J4, the date of Lincoln's inauguration, Pomeroy deliv­ ered his last broadside against Buchanan and his minions• It indicted the administration for its gross corruption and was to sound quite similar 71 to statements which would be made almost eighty-one years later:

The inconceivable venalty that has marked the history of the declining administration, developing itself in fraudulent sales of fort sites, fraudulent purchases of public property, corrupt contracts for coal for the use of the navyj corrupt contracts for army supplies and transportation; the shameless award of contracts to party favorites over the heads of lower bidders% the illegal interference of government officers in local elections5 the unblushing proffer of lucrative posts, and patronage to members of Congress and journalists to secure their votes and their support for administration measures and reaching its climax in the monster fraiid of the Indian bonds theft is this that makes our cheeks redden with shame.. •

The evils of an erroneous policy may be arrested hy the inauguration of a better onej the injury resulting from the rule of a misguided party may be corrected by turning that party out of power and promoting another in its steadj but a persistent venality, which,, commencing at the fountain head of power, poisons and defiles all the streams of social life, debauches virtue, paralyses honesty and sets public examples of corruption and bribery, is calamity which no material reform can repair•

La Crosse eagerly awaited news of the new President1s inaugural message* The address began to arrive over the clacking telegraph, but the flow of words was stopped near the middle of the speech by a mechan­ ical fault*

Pomeroy greeted Lincoln's pronouncements with enthusiasm, "No message for the last 20 years,11 he wrdbe, "has given more general satis­ faction. •• The tongue must be corrupt indeed that -will not say Godspeed

71 • -Democrat j March li, 1861* 3k

72 to him*"

South Carolina's assault upon Fort Sumpter brought -war* between the states, "the melancholy spectacle of the United States warring with each other*" Pomeroy termed the firing upon Sumpter "an act without a parallel in the annals of history" and classified the Southerners — once thought of as "chivalrous and honorable" — as "desperados neither human or American*"

Disgusted with the South, the Democrat!s editor also was dis­ gusted with the North, "with the past administration — with the present one." Buchanan had watched the problem grow, but only "sat and hesitated what course to take*1'. Lincoln "is not the man for the hour," he added, comparing the new President to Mr* licawber, waiting "for something to turn up*"

After castigating those responsible for the present conflict,

Pomeroy shouted "If a few thieving rebels want to fight, for Heaven!s sake let them be satisfied*" Although at odds with the administration on political issues and "deploring the existence of a sectional party,11 Pom- 73 eroy promised aid in the speedy prosecution of the civil strife*

In a subsequent edition of the paper, Pomeroy further outlined his position. He chided the Southerners for thinking that Northern Dem­ ocrats would join -with the rebels against the Republicans* "In that they

?2# Democrat, March 11, 1861.

73* Democrat, April 17, I86lj lilliam D. Love, Wisconsin in the 'War of the Rebellion, Chicago, Church and Goodman, 1866, pV XIi2. 35

have been mistaken, and mil soon find it out to their cost.11 However, he warned that "We are a Democrat — we have no sympathy with ReDublicansj we have fought them for years, all the time loyal to the United States*.*"

Pomeroy *s patriotic enthusiasm remainded at a high pitch during

the early months of the war* During the latter part of April he proclaimed

organisation of the ""Wisconsin Tigers," a volunteer company, and issued a

call for 2lU men to comprise it* The volunteer group would be on the order

of the horse ^ouves, gray pants, red shirts with low collars and a gray mantle* The men would be armed with two revolvers, a sabre and a minnie rifle, would enlist for the entire war and would become as famous as

MarionTs Men*

Reports poured in from fired~up Badgers and Pomeroy soon could report 181 men on the muster* All save 5>0 were f,over six feet tail," and

Pomeroy promised them all the excitement they could handle* However, his dream of the Tigers was to vanish into obscurity• A May communication from the state adjutant general's office said no cavalry troops were then needed*

A later Washington statement to the same effect dispelled the Tigers*

Pomeroy wrote that friends urged him to accept a commission in the Union forces and a lisconsin Senator wrote in his behalf* However, the government, while agreeing, asked that he should refrain from "any

criticism of the administration" and give the "indorsement of a newspaper

7)4• Democrat, April 21?., 1861*

75. Ibid*, April 29, 1861.

?6* Bxta»j lay 6, fey 10, 1861. 36

which did not in any -way indorse that which was known as Abolitionism or

Republicanism," Pomeroy immediately informed the War Department that "I 77 could not accept the commission upon such terms*11

Like many Northerners, the La Crosse newspaperman looked for an early victoiy over the South* He pointed out that the rebel states had neither powder nor flour, "and they are disappointed in the vigorous measures the administration is taking for the support of its position*rt

He added the Southerners also were disappointed because Northern Democrats

"will not help them to forcibly wrest the Government from the Republicans,ft sjid said decisive action, such as carried on by the administration, f,will 78 save much bloodshed."

Shocked to hear of Douglas1 death on June 3 at Chicago, pomeroy mourned flHe is gone* We have no word to say

In general, Pomeroy Heft politics alone during the month of June*

He made a trip East and most of his articles were concerned with places visited, men met, accounts of incidental happenings and speculative talk.

Back in the harness again by July, one of his first moves was to urge an early Democratic state convention in the fall. "While promising no quarter for traitors, he urged his fellow Wisconsin Democrats to promote

77 • Pomeroy, op* cit*, p. 167.

78• Democrat, lay 1, 1861*

79* Ibid** June 5>* 1861. 37

a platform standing for support of the Union and "the Constitution as it is*" To the principles of Jackson, Jefferson and Douglasj having a re­

gard for Constitutional rights and strict compliance "with the decisions 80 of the Supreme Court, In this statement j Pomeroy was contributing a clear-ctit indica­ tion of how he would react to later administrative actions* "While desir­ ing to support the government, he would bitterly take issue with many of

Ldncoln!s acts which to him appeared to be promulgated by a dictator.

But this was not the moment Pomeroy turned his face from support of the administration's war effort• After the Union debacle at the first

Battle of Ball Bin, when the victorious hopes of "Gn to Pdchmond" had been dashed by Gray cannon balls, Pomeroy spoke out against those -who were mur­ muring against the government and its actions.

A vigilsxtce committee had been organized in La Crosse to guard against traitors* t The editor termed them "stout, armed, •watchful, deter­ mined men. ••who are pledged to hold to the strictest account those ../who may ...openly avow their sympathy with traitors*11 If it is right "for people to talk," Pomeroy added, "it is right for the vigilance committee 81 to act."

When time combined with realism began to cool the patriotic and

victory-seeing ardor of the North, Brick Pomeroy!s patriotic zeal also

lost its fiery hue* Hherever he looked, the Wisconsin editor began to

80. Democrat, July 10, 1861

81. Ibid., July 26, l86lj History of La Crosse County, OJD* cit., p. £2 2 5 Pomeroy, op. cit., p. 168. ""*"" 38

see the lengthening shadows of Abolitionism creeping across the land, as if the Republican Party were held fast in its fanatic clutches *

Looking upon the blackening scene, the Wisconsin editor issued 82 a warning: ; . > There is not today half the enthusiasm in the country there was two months since..* A chill has already set in... We are willing to fight till death for the common good of a common people, but will not be :forced into a fight to free the slaves. The real traitors in the Horth are the Abolitionists, and they are the ones idio mil do more to put off the day of peace than all the soldiers of the South.

As he was to later -write,- Pomeroy found nday by day, little by little, first the creation, and then the widening of a gulf between Dem­ ocrats and Republicans, TOO were for the time being charged with the preservation of the Constitution" and the American Hepublic. And he be­ gan to fear that those in control of the government irould ultimately set tip a system Tdiich would reduce him and the Democratic ranks to a position 83 of n slavery.n

Endorsing a non-partisan ticket in the county elections, Pomeroy still espoused the Democratic slate in the state, contest. Slowly it dawned on him, however, that the so-called Union Party ticket represented

Republican Party strategy, and he denounced it as a political swindle — a political feast wherein Lincoln!s party took the turkey and gave the

Democrats the buzzard.

82. Democrat, August 19, 1861.

83. Pomeroy, og>. cit., p# 168.

^,j,# Dem0crst, September 6, 20, 1861; IOLement, 0£. cit., p. 108. -30

Taking great pains to be annoying to the Abolitionists, Pom-

eroy directed many of his attacks against Sherman M. Booth of Mlwaukee.

Que of the parbiciilars in the case of Ableman vs. Booth, a famous fugitive

slave litigation, Booth also edited the em^jicipation-asking l&lwaukee

Daily Life during the early Civil lar period. Booth "is to respectable

.people/1 wrote the la Grosse editor, "-what a blooming -pole cat would be

in a ballroom*11

He also took delight in shaming local Abolitionists or those

whom he felt tainted -with the dread disease• On one occasion he derisivly

remarked that one family "Is so in love mth the nigger that even the hair

of some of them kinks like curled wool*11 Ihile this family damned the

North and damned the South nand all #10 do not go in for abolition.. .

neither father or son goes to war or gives a cent to any -war fund or to

encourage volunteers."' To Pomeroy*s line of thinking, "There should be a- 86 •separate hell for such blatant meddlers*11

One of the Negroes in La Grosse was named "Sam," and when his

•wife died only five black men and one -white appeared in the funeral cor­ tege • "As Sam is a pure blood," -wrote Pomeroy, "blacker than night, we

supposed the -whole order of Leaguers /TTnion LeagoeJT would assist him in his great trouble and pay the respects they pretend the Negro has a right to claim*" Sam had been drafted and his -wife "had died of a broken heart,

85. Democrat, September 27, 1861; KLement, 0£« cit», p* 108.

86. Democrat, lay 10, 186U. 1*0

for there were no Abolitionists who would pay to exempt her husband, save

Pomeroy who said he would contribute f>100*" Mentioning the names of sev­ eral local figures, the editor caustically added, ""what hollow mockery is their love*"

For some length of time*, Pomeroy had hopes that Lincoln would thwart "the mad abolition policy of emancipation or separation*" He praised the chief executive for his stand, pointing out that it "will strengthen his Administration at the North." It indicated a "more cordial and earnest co-operation between the administration and the Army" and would aid In developing and encouraging "to action the loyal feeling of 87 the South*" Erement's proclamation and the subsequent Emancipation

Proclamation were several of the measures which would change Pomeroy's thinking and helped turn him from Democrat to arch-Copperhead*

Lincoln had early set the egotistical John C. Erement as com­ mander of the Western Department. The first Republican candidate com­ manded the support c£ the anti-slavery wing of the Republican party, and more or less believed that Lincoln had given him "carte blanche" to con­ duct the war in his sphere as he saw fit* These factors, coupled with his desire to strike a blow at that "peculiar institution" of the South, caused him to set up as a policy maker. On August 30, 1861, he issued a proclamation establishing martial law in Missouri, one section of -which freed the slaves of all persons resisting the government* Realizing that such an order would alienate the border states as well as many northerners,

87 • Democrat, December 7, 1363j January 2ii., 1862. 88 Lincoln publicly revoked the Pathfinder»s ukase•

Pomeroy did not let the opportunity pass without some mention.

"What a satire there is in the simple fact that when Frement should have been issuing orders., .he -was in the seclusion of his inner chamber* -writ­ ing a proclamation to free niggers—thinking more of the beslaving praise 89 of abolitionists than of the perpituity of the Union. . •"

And when Charles Sumner dared to issue 3, tract on the Negro question* Pomeroy immediately termed him "a crazy* foolish* destroyer of law and order* If you and your kindred nigger worshippers want the slaves 90 free* why don't you shoulder a musket and go in?"

"While not endorsing slavery as a favorable institution* Pomerojr saw it as an existing situation which abolitionism would not cure* Fur­ thermore* the national government lacked authority to intervene Mien the sovereign states accepted and protected it* And as an advocate of the laboring man* Pomeroy did not look -with pleasure upon the northward move­ ment of freed Negro workers.

Pomeroy was in the gigantic group cf . Northern citizens who called for action from the Union forces* Throughout the North* voices were raised in protest at the lack of movement along the fronts and Lin­ coln soon was to be forced to write McClellan that "Tou must act*"

88. T. Harry Williams* Lincoln and His Generals* Alfred A* Knopf* New York* 1952* pp. 33-37.

89• Democrat* October 9* l86l*

90. Ibid.* November 27* 1861* k2

Unconfident McClelland faults were transferred to the chief executive, as far' as the far-army Wisconsin editor -was concerned* "When, in the name of God, is the army to move,n he asked* ifWe have been told in

Abraham1 s jocose "way.•• that the Army would make a forward movement in a few days.* J1 He hit at officers "who attended parties instead of taking advantage of roads and weather and then issued his own orders for an 91 all-out advance.

Appointment of Mwin Stanton as secretary of war to replace the inefficient and bungling Simon Cameron Y^LS greeted as a huge joke by

Pomeroy* "Wonders will neTer cease,» he said, and complained that the new secretary was an "ardent Breckinridge Democrat — a personal and political friend of Buchanan... le Dredict Deace within sixty days, and withdrawal of our troops from Southern soil*11

pomeroy!s attitudes began to take on a more decided Copperhead tone in the late spring and early summer of 1862. He began to feel that the Abolitionists now held almost complete control of the government and took issue with Lincoln over the draft question. 93 Speaking of Congress, he charged:

Nigger is the big thing* Congress has for months been laboring for the nigger• .* Nigger is a never-ending theme... Taxes

91. Williams, eg* cit., p* 62; Colin E. Ballard, The Military Genius of Abraham Lincoln*. NOT?? Ibrk, "World Publishing Company,' 19$2/rpl':'m58; Democrat, January 8, 1862.

92• Democrat* January 17, 1862. The total evaluation was greatly in error.

93. Ibid*, ifey £, 1862. U3

.• are' nothing, if for the nigger. %r is a feast of reason and flow of soul, if for the nigger. Death, disease and suffering are the choicest of blessings, if for the nigger**• Congress has no time to pass tax bills — no talent for raising a revenue — • no ambition — no voice — no hope — no aim be­ yond the cur ley-headed and down-trodden nigger, who, today * is most contentedly hoeing corn and cotton, while our phil- anthrapy is going to the devil* iihen this will end, God only knows, and the revolutionists in Congress do not care*

9 'From, the outset of the war, the vast bulk of the Union forces consisted of specially recruited units of volunteers. In addition, the regular army was increased, first by presidential flat, then by an act of Congress* Lincolnfs first call*. April If?, 1861, was for the militia of the several states of the Union to the number of 75*000* Approximately

80,000 troops were raised under this call* If, however, the government was to continue to use the militia as an efficient instrument, it was necessary to adapt it to the purposes of national army-making* TiTith this in view there was passed an unsatisfactory measure known as the militia act of July 17, 1862* This provided that the President might specify the period of service (not to exceed, nine months) and-issue regulations for enrolling the militia and putting the'act into execution where this should be necessary to cover defects in state laws* Universal military liability was recognised in the act by the provision that the militia

Miall***include all able-bodied male citizens between the ages of eighteen 9k and forty-five,11 thus becoming a national conscription*

9k* J« G. Eandallj The Civil War and Reconstruction, D* C* Heath, New York, 1937, p* W. bh

This was the first of Lincoln's drafts and it -was to cause

Pomeroy to attack the president and the administration again and again as call after call was issued• "There is a difference of opinion as to

drafting troops to fill the president's call/1 Pomeroy -wrote* He pointed

out that "the Northern heart is as loyal today as ever — there are a half a million men ready to fight if it can be proved business is meant•"

Asking that the President turn his back to the Abolitionists* Pomeroy indicated a rather new slant on the Secretary of lar* Stanton: "Were

w Stanton removed* 10^000 men would volunteer in Wisconsin before September#

As one can readily see* these statements are quite mild. The

Wisconsin editor was simply stating 'that a difference of opinion existed between himself and the chief executive* However, as will be seen, the mood would undergo a marked change and Pomeroy would soon term Lincoln

"The- 1H.dow-]feker*H

Thus at this period — the late summer and early fall of 1862 —

Pomeroy still had hopes that Lincoln might turn out to be the type of man needed to direct the nationls destiny through the perilous crisis. Ihen

Edward G. l%ran* noted Wisconsin lawyer* came forth with the famed Ityan

Address in the Democratic state convention that September* Pomeroy spoke out against him and refused to publish the Address in the Democrat*

Hyan had -written the Jacksonian anti-bank clause into the proposed state constittxtion of I81j.6 and* as chief justice of the Wisconsin

95'• SVed L» Holmes* ed# Wisconsin^ Lewis Publishing Company* Chicago* 19li6* VII* p. ]$} H. Riis sell "Austin* .The lis cons in Story* Milwaukee Journal Company* I9I18* p* 132. 16

Supreme Court, was to render in 187U the greatest of the state decisions 96 against the railroads• Xa his speech before the convention of September 3* 1862, the man who was to lead the state!s Copperhead clan drew a distinction be­ tween loyalty to the administration and loyalty to the Constitution.

"The Constitution is the Union, ••blind submission to the administration is not devotion to the countrj^ or the Constitution/1 he charged. "The administration is not the government. The government is established by the Constitution and rests on its provisions• •• When.the administration violates the Constitution, loyalty to the administration becomes dis- 91 loyalty to the Union*"

Hyan believed that slavery was !la misfortune, not a crime*"

The only crime was "the presence of the African race upon the continent,fI

However, "now that the niggers are here, their inferiority and unfitness for freedom must be recognized.11 And Pomeroy — though disagreeing at the time with the first portion of the address —• would say "amen11 to 98 this last statement. Pomeroy was "visibly disturbed by ^an!s statements -which became part of the state platfornu "This is no time for drawing party lines," the la Crosse editor pleaded* "Partisan agitation mil not subdue the

96. Frank L. Element, "Middle We stern Copperheadism and the Genesis of the Granger Movement," Mississippi Valley Historical Review, IXXyiH, l&rch, 1952, p. 679*

97. Austin, op# cit., pp, 131-132. 98. Ibid. U6

99 rebellion,f{ Unfortunately, Tomeroy was to forget his pleadings in the

Byan case as the war continued and he became more and more positive that the Lincoln administration wished only to perpetuate itself in power and maintain a ncrusade for cotton and the niggers•"

Pomeroy*s endorsement of the -war obviously was not the blanket " type ~- even at the early stages* The suspension of the -writ of habeas corpus and the wholesale arbitrary arrests drew criticism* He expressed disgust Y&th Lincoln's flbunglingn and "experimenting." McClellan!s re­ moval seemed to be based upon political motives and the pressure of the

Radical Republicans * Soldier voting-in~the~field drew a barrage from the editor, for it was a political maneuver which stiffled the Democratic revival: "The "whole thing of this army voting is a most consumate humbug.,. 100 The scheme is like a jug handle — on one side." However, it was to be a three-week tour of the St# Louis sector of the war and a two-month period in Arkansas- at the headquarters of the

Army of the South -which were to ultimately undermine Pomeroyis devotion to -war and destroy — with other factors aiding — his flagging respects for the Lincoln administration. It ended, eventually, his qualified sup­ port of the effort to subdue the South by military might* It was to change Pomeroy from a protestor into a full-fledged Copperhead^ and one of the most vocal in the state — if not the nation*

99. Democrat, September 8, 1862.

100. Element, 'Wisconsin lagazine of History, g£# cit», p* 109. Itf

Pomeroy left for St• Louis on November 2k, 1862, and returned to La Crosse in mid-December, suffering from a mild form of small pox*

After his recovery, and on January 1, 1863, he left for Helena, Arkansas, to serve in an unofficial capacity upon the staff of General Willis A*

Gorman, a friend from Minnesota. Pomeroy arrived in Helena on January l£,

I863, and, sometime later, his commission arrived* The first lieutenants

commission, signed by Governor Edvmrd G* Salomon, contained a note on its margin: nBy request <£ M* H* Pomeroy no pay chargeable against "the State under this commission*ft The commission assigned the editor to no specific military organisation* It was, in fact, little more than a roving-news­ paperman is pass* When the governor later revoked the commission, Pomeroy denied it was a commission, insisted that he had never accepted it, and claimed that revocation of emething -which ms non-existent bordered on 101 absurdity*

Ihile at St* Louis the touring editor had become acquainted with Army contractors and quartermasters who had cooperated to build pri~ 102 vate fortunes — "making money by the cord*11 Discontented officers and friends explained army politics and related practices to the eager editor and unloaded upon willing Copperhead-tending ears their tales of political patronage, rank favoritism and widespread frauds,

Pomeroy was quick to note the demoralizing aspects of army life —

"hordes of unlawful -wives and prostitutes accompanying the array^" gambling

101* Element, "Wisconsin Ifagaslne of History, op* cit., p, 109.

102. Democrat, December 9, 1862. U8 .N

condoned on every hand, liquor shipments and sales at every base and stealing sanctioned under the guise of confiscation* !tThe horrors of war will not end on the battlefield," he wrote his readers through the

Democrats news columns, nnor will habits so easily formed by a large 103 mass of officers and men ever be shaken off*n

Yisiting the area hospitals and making trips to the front lines, Pomeroy saw dying men, shell-broken bodies and caught the perme­ ating spell of disillusionment* nHcm a hospital strips the damnable lOlf crimson glory from a soldier," he wrote* latching a shipload of £00 pine coffins being unloaded at the St. Louis -wharf brought the following 10£ reaction:

These rough, brown, cheap, worm-eaten coffins, piled up there like oyster cans, silently waiting to fold their wooden arms about our sons, brothers and fathers, rather took the poetry out of the shoulder straps and gold-covered cord to be seen strutting around, giving orders to the glory-hunters in plain blue.

His experiences at the Helena headquarters of the Army of the

Southwest added to his misgivings*

Pomeroy was able to make the trip because the office was be­ ginning to prosper and was in good hands* Harvey D* Earnsey, one of La

Crosse!s wealthiest men ~- and a Democrat — aided Pomeroy by furnishing sums of money whenever needed* An agent of the La Crosse and Milwaukee

103. Democrat, December 16, 1862*

10lu Ibid., December 9, 1862.

10£* Ibid* h$

Railroad and holding an interest in several Mississippi River steamers, 106 Ramsey directed much business to the door of the Democrat»

To run his paper in his absence, he had developed a fairly capable staff of editorial writers and counting house employees* Heading the pen-men -was Charles Lobdell, a former Bridgeport, Connecticut news­ paperman, -who was destined to die in a railroad disaster at Angolia, New-

York in the late l860!s* Others included Mark Kellog, who was killed

•with General Custerj James Healey; and Judge Joseph R# ELaners of laloine,

New York. The latter had been imprisoned at Seward!s order, but was re­ leased in February, 1862 • According to Pomeroy, the judge1 s newspaper 107 salary was Slj.,000 a year*

The trip to the Helena district was made by railroad and river packet* From La Crosse to Chicago and thence to St* Louis by rail, and down the Father of Waters on the Silver lave, a small stern-wheeler* Get­ ting off at Memphis, Pomeroy made his way to the little village of Helena on the eastern banks of the Mississippi*

Upon arriving, Pomeroy found'that General Gorman was up river at Clarendon and that General Benjamin M* Prentiss, -who had surrendered at Shiloh, had come to Helena to replace Gorman* Pomeroy immediately took passage up the Ihite Paver in an attempt to reach Clarendon and

106* Pomeroy, or>* cit*. pp. 181-182* The Democrat, as might be expected, became the railroad1s foremost proponent*

107. Ibid*, p* 179j La Crosse Chronicle, December £. 1897J La Crosse Tribune, July 21, 1938* 50

locate his friend*

After a tedious journey he reached his destination to find

everything hurry, bustle and confusion. He -wrote the following account 108 of the encampment for Democrat publication:

A few inches of snow had fallen upon a bed of mud* All about the little village•..were fires burning by which soldiers in the twilight were making coffee and cooking chickens, pigs, hogs and beef that had been overtaken and slaughtered indis­ criminately on the occupation of Clarendon by troops.

By the time Pomeroy reached Clarendon, General Gorman had pushed on up the "White River, leaving behind the second lisconsin, one company of •which had been recruited in La Crosse* There were a number of Pom­ eroy! s personal acquaintances in the regiment and they initiated him !tin the slap-dab of war*"

The day following his arrival he accompanied members of the regiment on a skirmish or,, as the soldiers themselves more aptly put it,

"a turkey hunt*'1 The destination -was a plantation "and into the house went the soldiers, pell-mell, without so much as by your leave, treating the inmates civily, but giving them to understand that one portion of the

Army of the United States was in the vicinity*!t The lady of the house said she had no cotton available, but the soldiers nabbed a Negro boy and declared "that if he did not tell them where they could find some cotton they would hang him to a tree*" Subsequently three bales of the desired commodity were found in a corn crib and the soldiers returned to deal "with

108. Pomeroy, OJD* pit *, pp. 182-183. Gorman was former governor of neighboring Minnesota. 51

the pleading and almost hysterical Southern woman* Pansacking the house

t}from corner to corner,11 the soldiers made off with all they needed and

carried the cotton to Clarendon• It was then sent to Helena, nwhere, with 109 other bales thus obtained, it was sold for the benefit of the officers Jr

Pomeroy spent considerable time attending cotton-raids and con­

fiscation parties in the Clarendon sector. According to the editor, !!it was laTrful at this time for anyone to purchase cotton, provided he had a permit from the Secretary of the Treasury, who was issuing permits..•on payment of twenty-five cents tax for each bale of cotton the purchaser wished to buy." Pomeroy told of one man!s purchasing 1?.,000 bales of

cotton, shipped free by government boat and costing $1,000 for paying the tax.

It appeared to the editor ftas though every one in the army -was intent upon gobbling somehow**1 He saw cattle shot down in the fields where they were quietly feeding, "many of them being left there to die, of no use to those who had killed them, the slaughterers declaring that it was right and proper to kill everything on which the wives and families of rebels subsists This seemed hard to pomeroy, but when he protested 111 against it "they laughed and said 1 was a booby*n Pomeroy got into trouble on one cotton-confiscating expedition,

109. Pomeroy, op* cit», pp* lS3-l81u In this sector, cotton was selling at flj.00 a bale and confiscation was a handy method to become wealthy,

110. Ibid,, p« 18U.

111. Ibid. 52

was accused of stealing the precious material and ran afoul of General

Prentiss, "formerly a dishonest steamboat agent at Qainey*tf Eegiments from Illinois and Wisconsin had taken cotton from a seller named Pike*

He complained and was informed — according to Pomeroy *s version of the story — that a frMajor Pomeroy" was the culprit, liiile in Helena, a detachment of soldiers seized the La Crosse editor and took him before the area provost marshal* P±ke!s charge was refuted by Pomeroy, -who de­ manded a trial* This was promised and Pomeroy was released under the condition that he would appear every morning at the provost .marshal fs headquarters until the day of the trial arrived* f!So it was that I improved the time by going from place to place in Helena, and occasionly running the lines or slipping out without a pass into the country adjacent, 112 the city being surrounded by a chain of picket guards •"

Pomeroy busied himself -writing and visiting while awaiting his trial* Angered and saddened at what he was seeing, he cursed the "devil­ ish vandalism of the soldiery0 and declared: "If- the enemy is to be conquered, why in God!s name do we not march troops to battle instead of cotton fields?" The army could not fight and steal at the same time, and

Pomeroy did not spare General Prentiss in his castigating reports to local 113 readers*

At the trial, "it took but a few minutes to prove, by unim­ peachable witnesses.••that I had nothing whatever to do with the raid,

112* Pomeroy, OD* git»<> P* iSlu

113. Ibid.: Democrat, February 17, March 17, I863. 53

except to sit on a horse to see -what was going on." The court absolved the editor from any blame and Pomeroy looked forward to watching more

cotton raids, horse stealing, gossip and playing poker* Such, however, was not to be the case.

A few days after the trial there came down the river from La

Crosse a bundle of newspapers, copies cf the Democrat* A military post­ master opened the bundle and read one of the stories belaboring General

Prentiss* The paper -was submitted to the general "whose rage was nearly

equal to his greed for plunder*" Pomeroy was ordered brought before

Prentiss "at the point of a bayonet" and it was out of the frying pan "115 and into the fire.

The guilty copy of the Democrat was read before the assemblage

"so as to bring out the full beauty, or enormity, of the treason it con­ tained. ..great care being taken to put in points that had been omitted hj the punctuator," Pomeroy admitted authorship arid then proceeded to boldly enumerate instances cf military graft and corruption, taking pains to cite Prentiss whenever possible. Prentiss1 action was quick* He or­ dered his adjutant to write out order Number 19 > as follows, -which was 116 later to receive considerable space in Republican papers:

11)4. Pomeroy, op. •22$L*> P* ~(^7* Republican papers were to circulate the report that Pomeroy had been drummed out of the sector for dealing in confiscated cotton and playing poker with a government paymaster and inveigling him out of government funds.

115. Ibid., p. 188.

116, Ibid., pp. 188-189 $k

That M. M* Pomeroy, a citizen of "Wisconsin, having been found within these lines as the owner and correspondent of a news­ paper to which he had -written things that had a tendency to demoralize loyal sentiment and discourage enlistments; that the said person was commanded to leave that military depart­ ment on the steamer Kenton, at four o!clock in the afternoon, and that he "was to be sent North, under penalty of arrest and . death should he ever be found again within the lines of the army, or department commanded by Brig* Gen. Benjamin M* Prentiss.

3?omeroy had managed to "confiscate" a silver-plated revolver from Prentiss1 office while the charge was being read* Afterwards, he traded it for four bottles of wine and consumed the contents with friends before going aboard the Kenton* He arrived before the designated hour and Prentiss was not able to parade Pomeroy through the streets at the head of a bayonet-poking military guard* "Thus I went within the lines of the army and thus Came out, returning to La Crosse after thirteen weeksf absence, during "which time I became convinced that fighting for onefs country was one thing, and stealing from onefs countrvmen -was 117 another•"

Pomeroy returned to La Crosse in the early spring of 1863* a confirmed Copperhead* Ho longer -was there any wavering on his part, any indecision - Lincoln and the Republicans ?fere destroying the Union. The 118 war had degenerated into a "murderous crusade for cotton and -Hie niggera "

His obsession drove Pomeroy to the very brink of • treason. He - recognized that Patrick Henry's pronouncement !llf this be treason, make the most of it" ™ a statement made a hundred years earlier — paralleled

117• Pomeroy, 0£* cit», p* 19k* l:L^ Democrat, March 17, I863. $$

119 his own*

The people do not want this mr* Taxpayers do not wish it. Widows j orphans and overtaxed working people do not ask or need this waste of men, blood and treasure • There is no glory to be won in a civil iar^ no more than in a family quarrel. If politicians would let this matter come before the people there would be an honorable peace -vri.th.in sixty days. But so long as blind leaders govern and fanaticism rules the day,'so long will there be wars, tears and deso­ lation* It might be treason to -write this. But we cannot help it. If the truth be treason, this is the heighth (sic) of it, but such treason mil find a cordial "Amen*1 in the thousands of hearts both in and out of the army.

Henceforth he had only one aim in life. The Republican poli- ticians must go* In every Lincoln action he saw a threat to freedom.

Lincoln and the Abolitionists > were to blame for everything.

At this moment it might be well to discuss Midwestern Gopper- headism, that movement to -which Pomeroy was heart, soul and pen attaching 120 himself. In his excellent paper on the subject, Frank L* Element points

out that it was compounded out of "a half dozen complex ingredients *ft

Democratic partisans flavored it with political opportunism and sordid party tactics* Religious hopes and fears "served as a condiment, for a tinge of Kno?«r-Nothingism colored the Republican party and drove Irish and

German Catholics into the ranks of the opposition.11

The movement also possessed social aspects* The designation

11 Butternut,n used interchangeably with the term ^Copperhead," indicated

its rural and democratic basis* It was, in the main, a small farmer

•^9* Democrat, March 1?, I863j Element, Wisconsin Magazine of History;, op* cit*, pp* 110-111*

120* See Rranlc L# Elements article in the Mississippi Valley Historical Review, previously cited* 56

movement ~ for the Copperhead country -was characterized by small home­ steads, poor soils and widespread illiteracy•

Western sectionalism played its part. The westerner was desirous of promoting his section!s economic welfare, political aspirations and cultural cevelopment. The westerners distrusted and were jealous of the banking and Puritan East* The^could recite a long list of economic griev­ ances including collapse of banking systems; closing of the much-needed

Mississippi River trade Yfhich forced farm prices downward and also tended to throw the farmers to the mercy of the eastern railroads and their high ratesj objectionable tariffs which tended to benefit Eastern manufacturers) all these things tending to crystallize thinking and form the background for the Granger movement which -would subsequently envelop the area*

One of his first quarrels with Lincolnian practices after re­ turning to La Crosse was the Conscription Act of I863. According to this act all able-bodied male citizens between twenty and f arty-five, besides alien declarants, were-"to constitute the national forces•" Exemptions were extended to mentally or physically unfit, certain high government officials on state and federal levels, the only son of a dependent widow and the only son of infirm parents. Service was not to exceed three years.

If a drafted man furnished a substitute he might be exempt from servicej 121 such exemption could also be bought outright for $300*

Under this ill-devised statute a Federal provost marshal gen­ eral's bureau -was set up and a vast national network of enrolling officials 57

was spread over the country. Though in the long run its results were small,

this elaborate machinery reached into every locality and into every home

that included able-bodied men of military age# 'Die -thankless and danger­

ous business of these officials -was. to list the men liable to service,

examine state credits, equalise the burden by a process that resembled higher mathematics, determine exemptions, conduct the draft, make arrange­ ments in the matter of substitutes and commutation money, and bear up as 122 best as they could against pressure and tricks to defeat their work.

The very moment of adoption of national conscription was one

of depression* Volunteering had subsided, there were many desertions, defeats and setbacks were fresh in the public mind# Operations against

Vicksburg had been thwarted, Charleston had withstood Federal attacks, the gloom of Fredericksburg still'prevailed; and in that vicinity Lee was soon to win another triumph•

The provision of the Draft Act regarding the payment of.$300 in commutation -money was highly impractical and greatly undemocratic,

Pomeroy would have much to say against it, especially as discriminatory against the poor. The State of Delaware voted to pay the commutation money of all its drafted citizens and many areas f ollowed this lead*

"While financially profitable, it did not raise an army. According to one authority, the result was that the draft law, instead of settling every­ one1 s duty and introducing the quiet and order of ^European war-time,

122. J. G. Randall, Lincoln the President, Dodd, Mead and Company, New York, 191*6, vol. 2, p. 292. 53

created three and one-half million recruiting agents combined into groups of varying sizes, calculating the amount they could pay to escape service, 123 or could secure for serving#

"While charging that the conscription commutation clause fell heavily upon the poor, Pomeroy at first did not think it inconsistent to applaud the very same clause. Without it the draft -would take "brains, which cannot be replaced, as well as brawn which can be replaced.. • The nation -will then suffer, business will stop." However, since brains might possibljr be found among the poor, and to save those who didnft -want to go to -war from service — in addition to pandering to the public fs -whim —

Pomeroy espoused the idea of the commutation pools already alluded to.

Since "there isn't a man in La Crosse County who -wishes to join the array, either as a conscript or a volunteer," Pomeroy urged that the rich pay their own |300 exemption fees, while the County Board should be author­ ized to radse a fund by taxation to "exempt the poor who cannot afford to pay and mast either run away. ..or go to war*" However, the city experi- 12U enced great trouble in this and it -was unsuccessful* As draft rolls continued to be drawn up during I863, Pomeroy was to term the act "a most damnable humbug" and compare it to the slave auction block. "IhenJ oh when will the powers that are now ruling fall back upon the love of the people, and not make slaves of its defenders."

123* See C. R. Fish, "Conscription in the Civil "War," American Historical Review, XXI.

IL2U* Democrat, Jur^e 2 and 3* I863. $9

The July draft riots in New Tork were termed "a taste of war in the North,"

and were the f!result of disobediance to law for which tlie Administration... 125 is more responsible than the rank and file*11 His most bitter words were

reserved for a later date*

At four o1clock on the morning of June 3* 1863* Federal troops* acting on orders of General Ambrose Burnside* marched into the office of the Chicago Tames* stopped the press* told all employees to leave* and took possession of the. establishment.,

Seizure of the Times was the climax of public agitation that had been growing for some months* On June 25* 1862* Governor Oliver P,

Morton of Indiana singled out Wilbur Fiske Storey*!s paper as one-against which the administration should act* Governor Hichard Yates of Illinois asked for its suppression. Storey had termed the Snancipation Proclamation

"•••the most wicked* atrocious and revolting deed recorded in the annals of civilization•" Advocating peace9 he declared soldier's lives were sacri­ ficed without cause and responsibility for all further conflict should 126 rest upon Lincoln* Pomeroy* upon hearing of the action* editorially rushed to Storey1s aid. Terming Burnside!s work "an outrage none but a petty tyrant would be guilty of*'* he claimed "•••the United States court is ignored* and great* free* enlightened America is disgraced from the rotten center at Washington

12 ^* D^ffyjft* July 17* September 10* December 25 17* 1863 •

126* Robert Earner, Lincoln and the Press* McGraw-Hill* New Ibrk^ 1951* pp. 2^7-258- 60

127 to the most distant verges J1 128 He added:

Has the President no regard for the people? Has he determined to declare himself dictator? Are the bayonets of our brothers to be thrust into the hearts of those "whose only offence is loving the laws and the Constitution?*. .Have the people any rights left or must we submit to the shoulder strap dictator •with bowed head and closed mouth like dogs?

Pomeroy warned that the Northwest "mil not long stand such acts

of outrage, tyranny and despotism* There is an element in this country no armed force can ever put down ~ no military orders can ever kill — it is the element of freedom.fl ""Where are our boasted guarantees,w he asked.

,rBhere are the courts — the laws? Iffliat is the administration...?11 If 129 this continued, Pomeroy -wrote, civil strife might start in the Uorth.

Burnside's directions for supression of the Chicago Times also excluded the Hew York World from the Gtiio Department* Lincoln was "embar- rassed11 by the generalTs actions, Wiile he desired to do right-by the, military • and give it every support, he was faced by the question of lib­ erty of the press. After reflection and considerable advice and pressure from Republican and Democratic sources, he ordered Burnside, on June If., 130 to revoke the seizure order*

Pomeroy praised the President tipon learning that he had revoked

•^7* Democrat, June U, 1863»

128• Ibid.

129. Ibid.

130. Harper, ££• cit«, p» 26l»- 61

rfthe order issued by the upstart, Burnside***11 The .La Crosse editor explained that ?rby this act the President gains a stronger hold upon a large mass of loyal people who were fast losing all faith in him... He is a man of too strong sense to allow fanatical fools to ruin the country 131 by such Jackassical proceedings•"

During the preceding month, the annual meeting of the Wisconsin newspaper association had been held in La Crosse* The fact that Pomeroy still IceTyb a weather eye open for all angles of newspaper work can be 132 gained from the following resolution "which he presented and had adopted:

Resolved: That any member of this Association who will consent to or offer to do any kind of advertising at less than rates prescribed by law, be formally read out. of the Association at the next' annual meeting as a rat3 provided that the accused shall have the opportunity of being heard in his own defense.

With attention being focused upon the Democrat, and the name of

Pomeroy being heard more often in newspaper and political circles, the

La Crosse editor took time out from attacks on the administration to laugh at himself* Scanning the various sheets which lay on his exchange table and, no doubt, dramng many ideas from the letters he received, Pomeroy 133 came up with the following self-description:

In all human probabilities the most persistently wickedly ambitious chap in all Christendom, is a very mean man, known only in 'the world in which he lives, as Brick Pomeroy, According to the papers.••he should be extinguished at once* His'characteristics are:

13^• Democrat, June 5, 1863.

132* Quaife, op. pit«, p. 5>7H»

133* Democrat, July 1, 1863* 62

He is bankrupt without a dollar in the world • He controls the La Crosse and Milwaukee Railroad* He has not the least influence. He controls the La Crosse and St. Paul Packet Company. He is dishonesty deceitful, unscrupulous and dreadfully wicked. He will lie, steal* rob* plunder* cheat* swindle and swear to it. He goes naked through the streets on the Fourth of July. And no one will swear out a complaint against him. He is kept caged* has a keeper and can be seen at any hour of the day or night at his cage* when not up to some terrible devilment.

To Pomeroy* the arrest of Clement L. Vallandigham* prominent

Ohio Democrat* indicated the extension of tyranny* and his military trial represented the armyts invasion of judicial fields. "The President*" said Pomeroy* "has no more power or authority to arrest Vallandigham... than he had to suppress a newspaper«" And after the Ohioanfs release and flight to Canada* Pomeroy added: "It seems indeed singular that a free

American citizen should be compelled to seek refuge under the flag this country battled against so many years — under the flag of a monarchy." 13k Furthermore* Pomeroy advocated the "martyr candidate for governor of Ohio."

Benjamin F* Butler also drew Pomeroy*s wrath* One of the dar­ lings of the Radical Republicans* Pomeroy often pictured "Beast Butler" in cartoons and engravings. He was also responsible for the turbulent 135 general being popularly known as "Spoon" Butler.

^^ Democrat* June 10* July 21* I863.

13$ • Element* "Wisconsin Magazine of Ristory* op« eit»* p» lllj La Crosse Chronicle* December 5* 1697* Pomeroy was one of the first area news­ papermen to employ an engraver* and he used mojiy cuts in his paper* 63

As the Union forces labored in seemingly fruitless manner before

Vicksburg and Lee was beginning to thrust up through Pennsylvania* the

Copperhead Milwaukee lews reported that hope in Grant -was daily during and rhetorically asked: "How long* CHLorcl* how long?11 Upon reading this the editor of the Madison Journal commented f!It takes very little to discourage such men of that sheet," and caused the following satirically bitter retort 136 from Pomeroy:

Dhat a pity all are not like this lark Tapley of the Journal* ¥e really think the Mews lias no cause for discouragement I The war has not §.s yet been a long one I The original call for 75j000 men failed to do the -work, but -what of it? Half a million men have been killed, but that is nothing* The rebels are marching into Pennsylvania, invading the sacred soil of the North, but that is nothing! The people of the north are disgruntled with the management of the war, but that is nothing to feel blue over* There is no head to the array (and the tail is'-winding away rapidly) but "what of it. We do not think the editor of the Hews should be discouraged at trifles like these — by the cherished Administrative hope of African happiness through forcible emancipation*.. There is no cause for discouragement* We are going on right mer­ rily for a funeral* /

The victory Mead won at Gettysburg lifted Pomeroy *s hopes momen­ tarily. Urging immediate pursuit of Lee to s peed the ultimate victory,

Pomeroy also praised Grant!s wrk at now-conquered Vicksburg* "Vicksburg is ours* Glory to God — to General Grant and to the brave men 'who -with hiin have made the natal day of America brighter and more honored than ever .before*" Perhaps anticipating Grant1s shift to the Potomac sector, 137 Pomeroy predicted that "He ?dll yet be first in Richmond*"

136• Democrat, June 30* 1863#

137- Toid*, July IO/I863. 6k

Miss E* T. Greenfield, the famed "Black Swan,1-1 appeared in la

Crosse in mid-July of I863, and quickly captured the city. Surprisingly enough, Pomeroy -was one of her hailers. -"We are not an admirer of colored persons as a general thing," he explained. "But in this instance the presence of such a wonderful genius for song forces us to give her praise*"

Asked to stay over in La Crosse and give additional concerts, Pomeroy de­ scribed the Black Swan as na dark brunette, with a sort of alboni figure, and with a voice of the most extraordinary depth, power, range and sweetness. 138 Needless to say, "she charmed and more than delighted" her audiences.

As July days passed and the Union forces did not follow up their victory at Gettysburg, pomeroy again became discouraged and charged that 139 the s Or called victory had actually been a Federal defeat:

Day rolls into night -- night unfolds itself into day, but through the darkness and the blackness thereof the morning sun brings no glimpse of light from the, Army of the Potomac. The Government Lie Machine had promised a quick follow-up victory and defeat of Lee, but it comes not* The truth is the Gettysburg battle was a Federal defeat• If this is not so, the Federal managers are worse than traitors* Lee walked off from the scene of conflict like 3, lion.**

Pomeroy accused Lincoln of desiring the "Gettysburg defeat*"

"We do not believe it is the policy of the Administration to push the

Potomac Army into rebel territory," he charged« Without his favorite

McGlellan in command, the Army of the Potomac "is like the people of the

North, sick and disgruntled at the tricks and deception practiced on them

138. Democrat, July 18, 20, I863*

139• Ibid,, August 1, I863. by the authorities in Washington*n

By reprinting articles from Copperhead sheets like the Chicago

Times, New York Worlds Cleveland Plain Dealer, Cincinnati IMfflirer and the MLlwatikee Mews, Pomeroy was able to advocate his views through irt- direction. 'The Eyan Address which he had rejected the previous year, he now endorsed* Ho*wever, when he spoke outright for himself, he claimed that if the Democrats lost the fall election it could be attributed to llll that same Address.

La Crosse Unionists tried to combat Pomeroy1s influence. They tied the.tail of treason to his kite and used Copperhead as a smear term*

Unsigned letters threatened his life, but it was to be some months before an actual attempt at destroying his property along with the editor was to crystallise.

Bepublicans urged Hloyal menH to cancel their subscriptions to

"^le Dg^c^gt and businessmen to cease advertising in its columns. Social boycotts, too, were the order of the day. A* P* Blakeslee launched the

Democratic Journal to lure party members from Pomeroy!s quarters and di­ rected editorial attacks at the "treasonable doctrines' of those who sym­ pathise with the rebellion.tf Blakeslee warned that fllisconsin Democracy has a few dangerous men, seeking to be leaders, whose counsels should be li>2 spurned." Even the courts were appealed to, for a certain Colonel R. 0.

1-kO* Democrat, August 1, I863* llll. Ibid., August 1(3, September 13, 20, 23, November 3, 1863*

U.i.2. La Crosse Democratic Journal, June 17* 2k9 18Q3« 66

Mirohy -was reportedly fusing Pomeroy for 510,000. on the charge that the v—^ ~ 3JU3 La Crosse editor had called the colonel ua coward and a traitor*11

Tactics of intimidation and the State election fever of I863 ™ spurred Pomeroy to increase his accusations and intensify his charges•

Brick tried his hand at the shrine of the poetic muse when he U4I4 dedicated the folloiring hitter lines to Lincoln and his administration:

We are coming, Abraham Lincoln, From mountain, wood and glen, We are coming. Abraham Lincoln, lith the ghosts of murdered men* TesJ Tfe!re coming Abraham Lincoln, "With curses loud and deep, That mil haunt you in your waking, And disturb you in your sleep •

There fs blood upon your garments, There's blood upon your soul, For the lust of ruthless soldiers, You let loose without control, , Tour dark and -wicked doings, A God of mercy sees. And the wail of homeless children, Is heard on every breeze*

Therefs sadness in our dwelling, And the cry of -wild despair, From broken hearts and ruined homes, Breaks on the midnight air: Ihile sorrow spreads her funeral pall 0!er this once happy land, For brothers meet, in deadly strife, A brotherfs battle brand.

^J-3* Democrat, August 29> I863* Pomeroy1 s paper -was carrying much adver­ tising from Milwaukee and other outlying cities, attesting to the fact that it was becoming -widely circulated* llji;* Democrat, August 22, I863, and reprinted in numerous succeeding issues* 67

With desolation all around, Our dead lie on the plains. You1 re coming Abraham Lincoln, With manacles and chains, To subjugate the -white man, And let the Negro free. By the blood of all those murdered men? This curse can never be•

You may call your black battalions$ To.aid your stinking cause, And substitute your vulger jokes, For liberty and laws. Ho J By memory of our fathers, By those green unmarked graves, We'll perish on ten thousand fields Ere we become your slaves*

Hie fact that thirty-three newspapers "have hoisted the Demo­ cratic ticketn in the State of Wisconsin,," and !lnot less than seventy- thousand sheets are issued weekly in defense of old-fashioned democracy," meant to the La Crosse editor that the "Wisconsin Democratic Party was much alive in the fall election* He pointed out that people were begin­ ning to remember "Democracy* has always taught us that every man was a traitor -who would infringe uoon, in the slightest manner, the sacred rights 116 of the Constitution* Democracy nearer has done it and never w ill*n How­ ever, the Jtepublican Party — state and national — continually was de­ stroying the rights of free-born people and must be voted out of office if the Constitution were to stand.

Members of the, party in power were continually reminding the

'Wisconsin firebrand that he, too, had urged Democrats to "stand by the

President.11 In his earlier editorials he had maintained flThis is no time

-L^£# Democrat, August 29$ 1863. 68

for threats, defiant acts or positions* Loyal Democrats are true to the 11,1.6 Union -~ the Constitution and the Laws*"

Pomeroy readily admitted that he had stood by Lincoln, "as he —- had promised to stand by the country*" However, little by little he had

•watched despotism develop* "Tighter and still tighter he /LincolnJ drew the cord of tyranny about the necks of a willing people* One by one, sacred rights, dear to Americans, went by the board, cut away from the sacred temple.by his acts.**" The people protested ~ but in vain* The right of free speech -was denied, the rights of the free press were ignored, and the chief executive further "poured cold water on patriotism" by use of the draft.

"When he returns to his duty," promised pomeroy, "we mil return our allegiance to him*" However, "we mil not leave ?Hail Colurribia1 for

*Qld John Brown*T" If "Lincoln mil stand by the Constitution — it is older than he — we will stand by him*"

On the day of the state election, Pomeroy claimed that any Dem­ ocratic loss could be charged to the Byan Address, forgetting that he him­ self had adpoted it through the back door and that his own e:diortations and diatribes might be considered far worse* Awaiting the day!s results, he set forth his position for the future* His stand would be to put down the rebellion by force of arms, preserve the union for posterity, and

1'-'^* Democrat, October 8, 1863*

Htf.'lbid., October 8, 2k9 1863- 69

11.3 sustain the government regardless of cost in blood and treasure. However, these noble sentiments, as might be expected, were to be short-lived,

November h* I863 >. brought another defeat for the state Demo­ cratic organization. The La Crosse journalist headed a front page story

!?Gone ~ Gone — Goneir and commented: tTGoodhy and. if foreverj fare thee well I We have as a party met the enemy -- surrounded them from the center and shall consider ourselves prisoners of war* The Democratic Party of

"Wisconsin had died again.{j li*9 According to Pomeroy^ this is how the fatal accident took place: nIn 1863* the party...was found apparently dead in' the wilderness^ or at least so badly wounded as to fail recognition. It -was "well laid out and found nicely wrapped up in 'the T&an Address, "with E. G. £]&&$ himself sitting at the head of the corpse waving his head and chanting hysterically:

They say I'm self-willed - The party Ifve killed - Then Ifil laugh in my joy And sing in my glee The corpse I -will dress In the I^ran Address And laugh at the fools In sweet mockeree Ha ha* ha ha> hee hee^ hee hee For the King of the Dead is Byaxi, E* G» Ihen MbClellan's name began to be bandied about as a possible Democratic candidate in the national 106k election Pomeroy vaulted to the band wagon and praised the fallen idol. Pointing out that Little lac

^$. Democratj November 3* 1863* lh9* Ibid. 3 November hry 1863* 70

would get the soldier vote, Pomeroy cynically remarked that "Perhaps we had better fall back on honest Old Abe -— the elongated rail-splitter*

The gander-shanked f latboat man. • • The long statesman —-' measuring him by the duration of the war he promised to end in sixty days.11

After reading McClelland defense of his military actions,

Pomeroy charged that he had been removed from command when upon the very threshold of victory* However, the jealous Lincoln administration was ' 151 responsible and the American people now knew*

Shortly after the lew Tear, pomeroy was able to buy out the weekly Democratic Journal, which had been established by Blakeslee as a special conservative Democratic organ for the previous state campaign*

The addition, claimed Pomeroy, makes the "Democrat establishment.• •the most extensive printing office in the Northwest except for that of the

Milwaukee Sentinel.!l The paper was !rout of debt and money ahead,11 and the vigorous editor said more, attention would be paid to "local, .national and variety reading*!! nlfe shall support this Administration,11 he reit­ erated, "although we have not a bit of respect for it, for such is the ' 152 duty of every editor and of every citizen*"

The fact that Pomeroy !s paper was growing and that he was gain­ ing adherents throughout La Crosse and the surrounding territory was underscored during the initial -week of 1861.!, when the daily Democrat -was

^0# Democrat, December 8, I863* l£l. Ibid*, December 28, I863* l£2* Ibid*, January 2, 1861;. 71

made the city!s official publication, leeks later he announced that he soon would begin publication of a German language weekly to be known as

"^ie Ge™afl Democrat. Subscription rates would be $1.50 a year in advance, with special prices to clubs of ten or more members. On April 1, his

Democrat was expanded from seven columns to eight, and, to make his hopes complete, La Crosse went democratic in its April city election. Pomeroy *s friend, Albert 1. Pettibone, was re-elected mayor with a sixty-seven vote majority. The prior election had Dut him in office mth a single-vote 153 " ' majority.

The draft came back to plague pomeroy and he began to dismantle it in his editorial columns. Lincoln had requested £00,000 men to be raised in March and the La Crosse editor cried nThey cannot be had. There are not 500,000 more men in the North ?#io will go to war.21 Looking about him, Pomeroy stated n... there is not a man in this city pleased.. • We do not know whether this...denotes a breaking down of the spirit of freedom -- a sort of meek submission to the powers that control, or a disposition to rebel.n As far as Pomeroy was concerned, Lincolnfs call should be answered by the Abolitionists, Wide Awakes and Union Leaguers flwho would now have their chance to rush to glory by way of an early grave*11

Pomeroy had often felt the taunts of others. People shunned him on the street, decried his name in conversations, and worked hard to put him and his publication out cf business. However, these machinations

^3» Democrat, January 8, February 27> April 1, 6, I86I4.

15U. Ibid., February U, 9$ 186U'. 72

did not reach the point of physical violence until the last day of March, 186k.

As the editor tells it, a young Array private came to see him """" "' and reported that La Crosse men had boarded a steamer at Winona. The river packet -was laden with troops of the Third Minnesota Regiment en route to the Potomac* The local men plied the soldiers with liquor in the hopes

"they would get the Democrat office and destroy its contents*11 According to Pomeroy, the reason for the young man!s warning was that earlier he had aided the soldier1s father*

After hearing the alarming news, about one dozen employees and friends of the paper gathered in the upstairs rooms of the Juneau Building to defend the Democrat from the expected attack. They were armed with re­ volvers, repeating rifles and n100 bottles of nitric acid,11 in case the 156 fighting was 'at close quarters* A mob of soldiers and civilians gathered about 10 p.m. near the

Democratic stronghold and prepared to march. However, three factors inter- ferred with completion of the avowed task* In the first place, Mayor Petti- bone ordered the soldiers to desist and called their commander. Secondly,

Republicans to whom Pomeroy owed money went about the rioters, urging them to refrain from destroying the property. Thirdly — and perhaps most important — a brewery was in the line of march and the stalwarts stopped

155. Pomeroy, op. cit., p. 19$•

156. Ibid., p. 196. 73

to quench their thirst, soon dismissing previous intentions from befuddled 157 minds•

These threats infuriated Pomeroy* He feared no one ~- he would *"" fight fire with fire* !tlhen this office is visited by a mob of soldiers or civilians there mil be'trouble, and somebody will be killed dead," he warned• If an arson attempt "was made upon the office, the editor promised

"a hundred-buildings in the city will keep it company in ruins* Matches i£8 are cheapI"

The national election -was to be held in l861j., and Pomeroy was quite concerned over the selection of a suitable party candidate, "The country calls for true, earnest, patriotic, practical men," and person­ ages like Buchanan, Vallandigham, Lincoln and Greeley "are not wanted."

On the contrary, the nation was calling for "a patriot, a statesman, a man -who loves his country better than Copperheadism, Abolitionism, or mis- cengenation. A man who believes in* the Constitution... A map. who mil 159 respect and enforce the laws of the land."

Pomeroy believed the nationfs voters had three choices open to them. Those who believed in the abolition of slavery could vote for Fre­ mont, Those "who believe in plunder, and who hold to principles only as

15>7. Pomeroy, op. £it., p. 1963 Democrat, April 2, 1861;• Pomeroy explains he ?rtook especial pains to keep myself somewhpt in debt to prominent Republicans..•because they would not be so willing to destroy the bus­ iness of a man who was in debt to them.t! This even if he did not need funds•

1^8- Democrat, April 2, 1861;.

1$9.. Ibid*, April 23, l86ii. Ih

they are baited with office and a chance to steal*" would vote for

Lincoln, if he were renominated* And, thirdly, those %ho believe in the Union — in the Constitution — in the laws and in the enforcement thereof ••.•will vote for neither one or the other of the Republican can- "l60 dictates, but for the nominee of the Democratic convention.11

Republicans held their convention at Baltimore and Lincoln, ~:::

"the great American humorist,11 was re-elected* Pomeroy greeted the news with dismay. "May Almighty God forbid that we are to have two terms of the rottenist, most-stinking, ruin-working small-pox ever conceived by fiends or mortals in the shape of two terms of Abe Lincoln's administra­ tion. t! Terming Baitimore /recalling 1860JT a poor place to hold a pres­ idential convention, Pomeroy looked forward- to the Democratic meeting 161 at Chicago, a "better11 location* And, for the editor's pre~convention 162 money, Grant was the man to defeat Lincoln. Although Pomeroy had expressed the belief that Grant could de- feat Lincoln, he was not disappointed when the Democratic party selected

General McClellan as its candidate. Pomeroy lauded the military figure

!la noble patriot and gallant soldier,!t and declared the "insurgent's tyrannical reign is arriving neigh to its close. The dawn lias come and in the future we again see peace and happiness restored to this distracted

160. Democrat, June 7> 186k.

161. Ibid., June 9, I86I4..

162. Ibid., June lU, 1861;# 1$

163 and ruined country." . v The election campaign coupled with the draft and the continual berating of Democratic loyalty was to send Pomeroy off the deep end. He was to search the dictionary for denunciatory derivatives -which might be applied against Republicans, the administration, and especially, the chief executive • No sooner was the Democratic convention over than the local

Republican paper termed it a collection of "foul and dirty birds," and 16k such charges set Pomeroy seething.

It was on April 23, 1861;, that Pomeroy appended the name

"widow-mjaker" to Abraham Lincoln. In the months that followed it was to become one of the editor!s favorite and most-used barbs. However, his attacks would not be limited by it. The height of denunciation was yet to be reached.

With Lincoln flcalling for ^00,000 more victims," Pomeroy thought it time "for the women to buy mourning clothes, for in a month or two there will not be money enough in the country to use for that purpose•" Lincoln was demanding "human sheaves to run through his thresh­ ing or mangling machine. The -widow-maker is bound to feed the freemen of the nation just fast enough to keep it running till his pets are enriched from the blood daily being spilled." As Pomeroy saw it, the situation had reached the point where "It is now revolt, Canada, or fight." He

163. Democrat, August 31* l861j.# l61u La Crosse Daily Republican, September $9 I86I4.. 16$ wondered what course the people would take.

The La Crosse editor injected economic and sectional appeals into his war against the draft. The poor were being trodden under by the draft machine. Men were told to !lmake arrangements to secure your fall crops by proxy.11 Looking eastward, Pomeroy charged that eastern states should fill their prescribed quotas instead of depending upon the west* nHow much longer -will the west submit to this cruel injustice? 166 he rhetorically asked*

Ihen Lincoln set aside the fourth day of August as a period "~ " of fasting and prayer, Pomeroy proclaimed that the fifth day "would be one of great sorrow, for the "body snatcherir would begin c ollecting his victims• Playing up racial and class prejudices, he said the draft would fltake the last stay and dependence from many a poor Irish and

German family.!f The wealthiest La Crosse businessmen raised |7,000 to pay substitutes and left the "poor to shift for themselves end stand 167 the raking fire of Lincolnfs death-loaded cannon*11

Negro suffrage as a policy was receiving numerous and bitter blasts* General Butler and Wendell Phillips shared Pomeroy!s editorial

1 # ^ democrat, July 1$y 186U* Strangely enough Ppmeroy .had stated that he would pay $£ each to the first five volunteers for the draft, shortly before this attack* He asked others to do the same, but the measure fell through,

166. Ibid., July 19, 25, 1861;• During much of the campaign, Pomeroy carried a one-column cut of Lincoln on page one, titled "The lidow^lfaker*"

16?• Ibid., August 2, 1861?. 77

abiise. And Lincoln was to blame for it alii Termed "Hell's vice regent on earth,11 Pomeroy claimed that the man who "votes for Lincoln now is a traitor," for the chief executive "is a traitor and a murderer. He who 168 pretending to war fcr , wars against the Constitution*"

The die' was about to be cast for the La Crosse editor* From warm-hearted support cf Lincoln at the "fearly stage of the war he had rapidly cooled off* As the months passed and he began to believe he was witnessing the rise of an Abolition-Negro dictatorship*, he was driven farther to the left by his sincerity, courage and zeal to be recognized.

He had called Lincoln everything from a fool to "a tyrant fs bastard."11-

The only phrases he had not uttered were those demanding the President's life and calling for a revolution,- though he oft had hinted at the latter.

These phrases, however, were not long in waiting to be mouthed*

Pomeroyf s fantastic yet serious censure had won him national notoriety. ' He gloried in that publicity --.it was food for his vanity.

Thus it was that he reached the point where he became bold and abusive enough to ask for the Presidents death. On August ?S, 1861>, he printed the famous dagger editorial which was to ultimately call down the fire 169 of the gods upon his blondish head* It charged:

He who calls and allures men to certain butchery, is a murderer, and Lincoln-has done all this. Had any former • * Democratic president warred on the Constitution or trifled

168* Democrat, August 22, 2£, 186)4.

I69. Ibid/9 August 2£* I86I4.J La Crosse Chronicle, January 1, 190£s Element, "Wisconsin, o£* pit*, p* 113• The statements ramifica­ tions were more thunderous following Lincoln!s murder* 78

with the destinies of the nation as Lincoln has he would have been buried to perdition long since• And if he is elected to misgovern another four-years, IS TRUST SOME BOLD mm 'CELL PIERCE HIS Hi&RT WITH A DA.GGER POINT FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD.

Local and area reprisals and counterblasts greeted Pomeroy *s

attack upon the chief executive• However, it was not to gain its full

national recognition until the President was slain. TShile Lincoln lay

dying in lashington, Charles Seymour, editor of the Republican, sent a

copy of the dagger editorial to Horace Greeley in Hew York, along with a

dispatch charging Pomeroy with being the head of a treasonable organiza­

tion known as the Knights of the Golden Circle* Greeley reproduced the

editorial and Pomeroy gained more national attention, though this time 170 he undoubtedly would have preferred avoiding the limelight.

^ie Rep^lican castigated Pomeroy for his remarks, asking !lwhat

does this impious and base -wretch mean by thus casting, his filth and inso­

lence upon his betters? Does he not know that he has outraged public

decency in this community to a degree that has taxed the tolerance of

his fellow citizens?11 Deriding Pomeroy for recently divorcing his wife

and abandoning' her to "the cold hospitality of the world. • .and the child who had issued from his loins,11 the Republican * s editor promised that

"'By the name of the God that made us, we will not permit such a vile

character to defame the unsullied character of the chief magistrate of

170* .La Crosse Tribune, July 21, 1938• However, according to this article, Pomeroy!s editorial assistant, Charles Lobdell, wrote the dagger article. This seems unlikely since Pomeroy, later, more or less admits authorship. 79

the country of which we are humble citizens, without stripping from his

loathsome carcass every rag that conceals his moral leprosy from public 171 execration.11

It was the personal malignity of rfMr. Lincoln11 "which was keep­

ing 30,000 Union prisoners suffering needlessly in Southern prisons, said

Pomeroy, using this fact as some of the justification for his dagger

statement. The rebels were willing and desirous to make exchanges, he 172 added and the President's lack of action nis reprehensible."

Because of the hellish acts of Lincoln and his minions, Pom­

eroy felt constrained to point out that the North was nrushing into the

flood of a revolution.•••at a rate of speed few dream of.11 Democrats

were urged to be ready for anything* When "they /Republicans/ kill the

humblest Democrat, let us slay the leader ox that party, and destroy his 173 habitation.tt

The only hope of the Union, as Pomeroy saw it, was a McCleHan -

victory in November. He urged the Democrats to appear at the polls and

cast their ballots for deliverance. Republicans were appealed to, and

the La Crosse editor issued s special plea to the foreign-born. Harking back to his statements of Republican intolerance in the i860 campaign,

171 • La Crosse Republican, August 26, 1861;.

^72* Democrat, October 3$ 1861;. Pomeroy appeared to believe that Lincoln feared negotiating for the release of prisoners since they might vote against him. He apparently failed to realize that an exchange would greatly benefit the South1s military potential.

173. Ibid., October 7, 1861*. 80

Pomeroy told the new voters that they had come to this country to better their conditions and because they liked the nation's laws* Now, however,

Lincoln "has broken the Constitution which he swore to protect... Ever since he became President the country has been in trouble..* If you want peace...your sons and brothers to come home alive from this war...vote :,17U for McGlellan — and the Democratic ticket — the ticket of the people."

An early November snowstorm knocked out telegraph communications between La Crosse and the rest of the nation as the river city anxiously awaited, word of the election results* However. Pomeroy conjectured that there was "little, if any. doubt, but Lincoln is re-elected, though we do not admit the facts until we see the figures.11 If the incumbent was not re-elected the world would wonder, he added. "What with the great leverage of means in the hands of unprincipled men, and millions of dol­ lars at his disposal, and the reign of terror his followers and advocates 175 have spread over the land, no one will wonder if he be re-elected*" The election results repudiated Pomeroy, McGlellan and the

Copperhead-sponsored peace policy. The disconsolate editor regretted

Lincolnrs election "mere than words can ever tell," and predicted that the Union of states "was gone forever," that the South "would never be subjugated," and that thieving arms'- generals ."would be able to cany out their unscrupulous work with renewed effort. He again warned that the

^^# Democr^t, October 11, l861u

175* Ibid., November 10, 1861».. 81

nation was ripe for revolution and that a Northwestern Confederacy would 176 be formed to join an alliance with the South*

Cla:iJir3.ng the will of the people had been ove:rahelmed by execu­ tive patronage, Pomeroy looked nto those -who voted for Lincoln and the 177 continuance of this war to go to the front•" And, he warned Lincoln that if the President ever stepped into the office of the La Crosse 178 Democrat, !lWe1d shoot him quick as any manJ1

Shortly before the -date"of the November election, Pomeroy took leave cf la Crosse for several months in the East* He-had numerous friends and subscribers in this part of the country, especially in New York State and its principal city. He was absent until January 1865, and during this period the editorial guns of the Democrat were relatively stilled*

After the election excitement abated, Pomeroyf s principal contributions from the East were comments on Democratic notables, sight-seeing trips 179 and human interest angles•

Returned to La Crosse, Pomeroy had a very short stay before again turning his steps eastward for a four-month circuitious tour of the

East and Northeast, This jaunt began to dull the Copperheadfs sharp criticism. He found the country not nearly as ruined nor war-weary as he had earlier imagined* And he even found time to pat Lincoln on the

-L76. Democrat, November 21, 1861;•

177. IbicL, November H«, 186!?*

178* Ibid,, November 21, I86I4..

179. In the Democrat of November 10, 1861}., Pomeroy claimed a detective had been hired to follow him East, He had many friends in the New York area and was to start operations there at a future date. 82

back for removing "Beast11 Butler* Erom New York he wrcfc e that the

"President has lifted himself several stories in our estimation..•" by

this action, Pomeroy -was of the opinion that Butler's removal indicated

that Lincoln "means business this year." If such were the case, the la

Crosse editor promised tr.#.ours will not be the pen to speak other than praise• xLet him now weed out...other thick-headed citizen-generals who 180 were better fitted to stir mush than to lead brave men to death."

About the most vitriolic statement made against the President

in the last few weeks before his death actually was directed against his

sonj Robert Lincoln. As was to be the case in another great -war, Pomeroy

complained that "Robert had been given "a soft job" in the Army. His

appointment as an assistant adjutant general of volunteers with the rank

or captain had been confirmed, and Pomeroy claimed he would be on Grant1s

staff "where he will be out of harmfs way and can enjoy himself hugely.

This patriotic example of the President's son should encourage'every loyal J^oung man in the North to offer his services at once as captain of 181 somebody1s staff*"

Pomeroy was convinced that General Grant was dealing the Con­ federacy its death blow as he prepared to return to la Crosse during the latter part of March* And he was almost equally sure that the powder and blood had cleansed the Army of the corruptionists and plunderers,

lt ^°* D^°CFatj January-17 > 1865 s written January 10.

181. Ibid*, March 2, 186£. 83

In early Aprilj Pomeroy returned to la Crosse, and the Bepublican commented that it understood the editor of the Democrat was applying to the Legislature !tto have his name changed to beans*" During his absence,

Jt said the opposition paper, Pomeroy .. #delivered 3*000 lectures, addressed sixteen million people, bored out over 800 oil wells, invested a quarter of a million dollars of his. surplus capital in Ohio and Pennsylvania and 182 secured a patent for securing people -with gas cheaper than daylight*11 A few days after his arrival* Lee arid Grant settled their dif­ ferences and Pomeroy considered the war over* Seeing only the beautiful lights of peace and happiness in the future, the editpr ordered the bells to be rung, /'not in exultation over a brave and fallen foe so much'as for joy that the Union is restcr ed» Glory to God and to the brave warriors of the North —- to the immortal Trinity of American Military Genius — 183 Grant, Sherman, Sheridan," And looking into the recent past, he declared:

1/ttien the energies of the nation are applied to conquering those in rebellion more than to suppressing newspapers, imprisoning editors, stealing cotton, robbing defenceless women and im­ poverished orphan children, God smiles approval..* The day of pea.ce draweth neigh and the Union mil live* Rejoice!

^ie Republican rejoiced, too, but its happiness was due to the fact that the country "has not been ruined by its enemies#n Turning to its city-rival* the paper said fflet our rejoicing be tempered by well directed and fervent curses on all the northern men who have been

IS2. Republican* April 7* 1865•

1^3* Dsra°cPat« April 10, 1865- Like many others, he failed to see Lincoln1s military genius. 8U

traitors to the loyal cause -When it -was in jeopardy, and who are now traitors to the southern cause when it is irrevocably lost." The paper advised: nTou' Skunk1 /jomeroj/' Go and hang yourself, but do not mar the music of freemen*s cheers, "with your heartless hooting over Federal victories*n

But there was to be little, if any, rejoicing* On the night of April IJ4, Lincoln and Booth had their fateful meeting in Ford!s

Theater, and the President died at an assassin1s hand.

E\ren the irascible editor of the Democrat showed regret at

Lincoln's death • The newspaper was decked in mourning black and Pomeroy proclaimed !lle mourn with the people for a great man has fallen.tf Quali­ fying the statement, he pointed out "Lincoln was not a Napoleon ~- -was not a Jackson -— was not a Webster — was not a Douglas* But we believe he was a man of genius -- a lover of his country — an honest man — a 185 statesman. He was too honest for the position if such things can be#n

t!For the last few months,tt he continued, !tthe President has been more than ever endearing himself to the hearts of the people by his refusal to listen to the -wily politicians — by his proven desire to hasten r>eace 186^ and its blessings.11

The nation demands the blood of the murderer, shouted the La

Crosse editor. nThe culprit ought to be hung in chains to starve to l&h* Republican, April 8, 1865•

1^# Democrat, April 1$> 1865.

186. Ibid. 85

death, n Pomeroy suggested, adding that he suspected General Butler as 187 being behind the dastardly plot*

Lincolnts death left the nation without a head to guide its destinies, he continued* The victors "are left -with a drunken politician 188 ' to preside over the destinies of an afflicted people•"

Though he attempted to point the finger of guilt at other individuals, Pomeroy, too* tras under suspicion* In an attempt, perhaps, to divert suspicion from the door of the Democrat he called for a special memorial service in La Crosse* ffLet us all in sorrow follow him to the grave, and pay a feeble tribute of respect to one so worthy of love..." 189" he said.

"When a memorial meeting was held, the La Crosse editor appeared """ fllike Satan among the Sons of God, acted as one of the speakers and min­ gled his damned hypocritical whine of sorrow, with the honest grief of 190 loyal men*11 Area and national newspapers began to whittle away at Pomeroyf s —• war-time excesses* The New York Tribune considered the Democrat na speci­ men of the spirit pervading a portion of the Democratic press*" Accord­ ingly, the eastern-organ continued, "...their names should be made known

18 ?* Democrat, April 2h9 186£.

188. Ibid., April 15, 1865.

189. Ibid., April 17, 186$.

190. Late Taylor in Prescott, Wisconsin^ Journal;, quoted in Republican, May 3$ 186$. Taylor was wrongj Pomeroy attended service but did not speak. 86

to the entire nation, and be handed dorm to posterity in c ompany with the perpetrators and accomplices of this foulest crime in the history of the United States *"

Seymoiir, editor of the local Republican, spoke pointedly to his rival* "Tour work has been carried out," he told Pomeroy. "Abraham

Lincoln is dead* Go and look at him, send as you stand beside his coffin

'think of what you said, and settle the question with your own conscience, whether the blood of a, noble, great and good man is not on your garments."

The St. Paul Press named Pomeroy as one of the "primary originators and instigators of the damnable crime," and the Beaver Dam Argus suggested 192 ™~ that he be immediately arrested and hanged*

Pomeroy offered weak denials of his editorial activities*

With abuse piling upon his shoulders, he denied that he had "ever expressed a hope that some Brutus would free this unhappy country from its tyrant in the horrible manner President Lincoln was murdered*" He explained that the Democrat "did at one time say that if a man was elected to Mis­ govern this nation some bold hand should touch his heart -with a dagger 193 point for the public good.111

The article in question, claimed Pomeroy, had been written at a ';.time when "criminations and recriminations were fashionable — -when even members of the Republican Party /Wade and Davis/ were opposed to, certain

191. New York Tribune, April 18, 186£.

192. La Crosse Tribune, December 7> l?!*!.

^93* Democrat, April 22, 186£. 87

acts of the Administration* and when certain events caused thousands of men all over the North to tremble for the perpetuity of civil and religious liberty*» Although he had been critical* Pomeroy reminded his attackers that others* too* had been critical* said may of his own ^comments were 191; products of "the heat of a fierce political campaign*M

Even -while issuing retractions* the vitriolic editor remained somewhat defiant• Reporting that more than one hundred papers were crying for his life* he went on to defend himself against his accusers and added: l!le have written forcibly against men of the Democratic and Republican

Party as in our judgement the urgencies of the case demanded* and shall 195 continue so to do without fear or favor*"

The capitulation of the Confederate forces to Generals Grant and Sherman cancelled* as well* the commissions of the Copperhead cap­ tains* The -war discredited them as prophets* so Pomeroy and his compat­ riots stood disgraced. However* though in disgrace* his pen was not stilled* and he attempted to make the necessary re-adjustment to the new situation.

First terming President Andres Johnson a "drunken politician*"

Pomeroy began to reconsider his statements as he idealized that Johnson

•would not fall under the influence of the radical Reconstructionists. then Johnson held* in opposition to Sumner* that a state -went into the

19^# Democrat, April 22* lay 8* 1865.

195* Ibid.* May 2* 186$• 88

rebellion as a state and continued to remain one, Pomeroy praised this as "important and sound*t! Naturally desiring mild treatment for his

Southern democratic allies, he pointed out that "Out of this principle comes a bright hope of the restoration of the Union on a sound basis.

Let him /johnsonj follow out these principles, and fanaticism mil gain no comfort by his administration*" Momentarily forgetting the cloud he

•was under, Pomeroy rashly suggested that Lincoln Ts death "has proved a blessing to the country* Hereafter we shall never question the wisdom 196 and the greatness of the Deity."

Though the war was over, the La Crosse editor could not forget his unfavorable brush with the Union military. Watching the military tribunals in Washington, he called them a "ursurpation of power •" The provisions of the Constitution were being flaunted, "and a dozen shoulder- strapped officers are allowed to usurp the place and prerogative of judge and juries... If they were being tried by due process of law all would 197 be well."

Pomeroy*s personal readjustment lay in turning toward the Green­ back movement and, partially, to establishing a branch office of the

Democrat in Ifew Tork City. However, this was to mark his highest point and, the New Tork venture was to s uddenly become a disastrous undertaking.

19&* Democrat, lay 5>, June 16, 1865 • Pomeroy seemingly never realized that Johnson was only trying to follow Lincoln's kind and mild conception of Reconstruction* lb was not original with the new executive*

197* Democrat, May 25, 1865* 89

The fact that he was a Democrat and always had been somewhat interested in laboring conditions and the farm protests, may explain his adherence to the Greenback cause• His OTTO conversion to Greenbackism was brought about, he explains, when he realised what the currency could do. He claimed that the Democrat "was the first paper in the United

States that 1 know of, and certainly the first democratic paper in the 198 country, that declared in favor of Greenback money *n

Pomeroy made numerous trips throughout the South, lecturing, making himself known and drawing subscribers to the Democrat* The Mobile

(Alabama) Advertiser reported him "very temperate until he tou.ch.ed upon the Puritanism of Few England*11 It added that Pomeroy promised the

South *s day of deliverance would come through the efforts of the Demo­ cratic party of the North and Northwest* Commenting upon this,. the local

Republican stated."Brick makes as tig a promise as the Devil did on the mountain, and he has just about as much hope of making his promise good 199 as the Devil. •• "

By 1868, Pomeroy claimed to have a circulation of more than

100,000, "even his enemies could not resist buying his paper." The paper was circulating throughout the country, and the tremendous rise had neces­ sitated his buying a new press to insure its appearance* Pomeroy claimed

1J?8• Pomeroy, o£# clt», p. 199*

199* As quoted in the Republican, larch 28, 1867. 90

200 90j000 subscriptions were north of the Mason-Dixon Line*

Often an eastern visitor, Pomeroy, swelled with success, decided to open a branch office of the Democrat in New Ibrk City. 'While in Mew York City, Pomeroy had become acquainted with "Boss11 rweed, and it ms at Tweedf s insistence that the La Grosse editor decided to open the New Ibrk Democrat* To Pomeroy, Tweed was "a very companionable, genial, and wann-heartecl man, and one who was thoroughly up in the arts of -politicians.. • From the first 1 liked him, because of his activity 201 of brain and his great determination to do something»n However, to

Pomeroyr s dismay, he was soon to find that Tweed was far more active than he might have wished.

Pomeroy borrowed |25>,OQO from Tweed and secured another $30,000 from an insurance company, mortgaging a new office he was building in La

Grosse, to establish the New York edition. One of his first actions was to publicise the venture. This'"was done by printing one hundred thousand 202 of the following handbills:

DA MM IT RED HOT FOR THIEFES If You Mil The La Crosse Democrat BUT R5&D IT FIHST ^ E\TERY NEWS AGENT .SELLS IT

200, Circulation figures vary. Pomeroy, OP* cit., p. 20£, states 100,000. Notes belonging to Barry J&rshheimer, noted authority on La Crosse history, give 90,000j "William F. Raney, Wisconsin, op* cat., p* 2f>l, says 300,000, which.is far too greatj History of La Crosse County, op. cit., sets the figure at 91^200j L. H* Pammel, Some Reminiscences of la Crosse and Vicinity, -La Crosse, 1928, says 90,000$ and Appleton!s Annual Cyclopedia and Register <£^ Important Events of the Tear I896, says 100j000, which is about the best figure available.

201, Pomeroy, on* cit., p. 215

202, Ibid., p* 217. 91

In five weeks Pomeroy!s paper had a circulation of 39,000, with more promised* He subsequently paid back his loans to Boss Tweed and the insurance company and advanced |17,500 for Seymour !s victorious campaign for the 1868 New York gubnatorial election* For his party work,

Tammany rewarded Pomeroy by making the Democrat an official pacer of the 203 City of New York, and Pomeroy began envisioning millions*

Wealth was turning Pomeroy!s head. Before going to New York • he conceived the idea of a model printing establishment and it was com­ pleted when he left for the East* A site at Fourth and Main Streets had been purchased, and he proposed to erect the nation!s most glittering office. The people could easily forget some of his misdeeds and gathered weekly to attend the mammoth receptions of the "Great Editor."

But this was not enough. Imbued with a sense of culture and his own grandeur, Pomeroy decided La Crosse needed a new opera house*

Thus came about what -was known to a select few as "Pomeroy1 s Folly." He insisted on constructing the building according to his own ideas, and when nearly completed, it was discovered that there had been absolutely no provision made for its heating. This necessitated the tearing out of huge portions of the wall to make room for chimmneys. entailed consider- able financial drain and the editor was forced to borrow $100,000 to com- 20U plete the bailding*

203. Pomeroy, op. cit., pp. 219* 22£.

20l).. la Crosse Tribune, July 21. 1938. 92

The new structure was four stories high, and occupied a space

of eighty by one hundred feet* Three stores took up the ground floor

space fronting on Main Street, while the third and fourth floors were the

opera house. The building.-was sold by the sheriff a few years after its 205 construction, on a mortgage for 135*000. It was burned soon after*

With his characteristic facility for causing a stir, Pomeroy brashly had a hand clutching a dagger inscribed upon the opera house cornerstone* The motto implied that "No one touches me with impunity."

This action caused trouble and guards were employed to secure the area.

Pomeroy claims the design was simply ?l•..suggestive of a man*s willing­ ness not to be fooled with, and his ability to strike in defense of him- 206 self, if nothing more.11 An interesting sidelight, which gives additional evidence of

Pomeroy! s great ego, is the fact that he had numerous pictures of famous men upon his new counting house walls* Included were portraits of George and lartha Washington, Ben Franklin, Andrew Jackson, Thomas Jefferson,

Robert'E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, John Hikes Booth, Horace Greeley,

General Jit z John Porter and M*JfcI* Pomeroy.

Although he was the mouthpiece of the Tweed organisation, Pomr- eroy soon found himself unable to march down the line -with the New York

205>* Sanford and Hirshheimer, og* cit., p* 19k*

206. HLrshheimer!s notes; Pomeroy, 0£* cit., p* 22l|. The motto on his opera house curtain declared: trBy minding my own business I have made my fortune *tf

207• Democrat, November 20, 186?. 93

politician. The two men quarreled* Pomeroy undoubtedly feeling a pinch

in his conscience coupled with the fact that Tweed was not fulfilling all

of his promises* and the La Crosse editor began to attack the Big City

Boss* His charges were carried on by other New York papers after the New

-fork Dem°cra.t folded* and Tweed was exposed*

Pomeroy sold the La. Crosse Democrat August 1, 1871* to. John Syiies

and George ¥• Peck* The latter was to become governor cf Wisconsin* The

name "was changed to the Liberal Democrat and the paper siroDorted the Greeley 208 —— —_

campaign* Pomeroy* bereft cf newspapers* threw himself into the Greenback

movement.

Settling in Chicago* Pomeroy gathered about him his far-flung

.printing equipment and launched what was called Pomeroy* s Democrat* a

Greenback organ* His initial following was large and the first edition

had 5>0*00G subscribers* as he became one of the top chieftans in the Green­

back wigwam. Brick constituted himself president of the Greenback Clubs

of America. He traveled throughout' the Midwest

The charters cost |3 a year* -with the money entering the Pomeroy coffers.

According to reports* he made subscription to his paper a condition of

membership in the club. However* an estimated income of $81].*000 was not sufficient to surrnort him in the style to -which he had some hopes of be- 209. coming accustomed to living*

208. La Crosse Chronicle* December £* 1897- fhile in New York* the local edition of the Democrat -was edited primarily by John and George Peck and Alfred Seven* see Bryant* op. cit.* p# 118.

209. Raney* 0£. cit.* p. 25>1 j la Crosse Tribune* .July 21* 1938. 9h

The erratic editor returned to La Crosse in 1878 and re-estab­ lished the Democrat, Upon divorcing his first wife, he had given her control of the Pomeroy Building and he was to find himself renting office space in the palatial structure from his former spouse, then Mrs. Reed of

Clintonj Iowa* His aura still hung about him, for in a short time his 210 circulation topped 30*000.

However, Pomeroy! s stay in La Crosse "was to be short,, and -within a.year he was.to leave town under unfavorable circumstances. Returning to La Crosse, he had entered a partnership -with Alpheus S. Foote of the city. According to an agreement, Foote was to furnish'the office to the extent" of #20,000, while pomeroy supplied the paper.

About 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 1, 1880, the Democrat * s managing editor, G# F. Huntsman, was working late and alone in the office.

Needing some material, he passed through'the various offices toward Pom­ eroy *s personal sanctuary. Ihile walking past the lavatory he noticed a cigarbox filled "-with paper and other combustibles, in the middle of which stood a lighted candle." Realising that this was seemingly an attempt to destroy the office and oper house, he snuffed out the candle and went in search of Charles Seymour, editor of the republican* Suspicion pointed at Foote, and the two men, accompanied by the chief of police, arrested

210. Bryant, op. cit«, p. U6j La Crosse Chronicle, December 5, 1897. The author of this latter account claims that he was renting from Pomeroy!s former wife when the editor returned• Pomeroy secured the building on a lease, bid up the rent "so high that 1 had to move,!t and took over the office. . 9$

211 Pomeroj!s. junior partner about two hours later•

Since it was Saturday evening, Foote could not be brought be­ fore a justice until the follo?dng Monday. In the meantime, another angle, developed which obscured the alleged arson attempt* A charge of forgery was brought against Foote* He was accused of forging his father- in-law1 s name, James Vincent, to notes amounting to $15,678. This had been known by some individuals, but, until that time, it had been kept quiet. Under the original agreement with Pomeroy, Focite had raised #2,000 in cash and presumably hoped to raise the remainder by devious means* The first forgery was a f£,20Q payment to the Campbell Press Company, with the other notes to banks and individuals* FooteTs trial was continued until the rlovember term of circuit court * On November 2ij., 1880, he was sentenced 212 to five years in the state prison.

This put Pomeroy tinder a cloud. The Republican and members of the community began to indirectly accuse him of having knowledge of the fire and, what is more, he was rendered suspect of having started the fire which Ydped out the Republican office in 186£» In addition, it was reported that Pomeroy knew of the initial far gery '-within several days of its trans­ piring, and that he was aware of .the rest* The editor was quick to see

•which -way the wind was blowing* packed his bags* heeded Greeleyls advice, '213 and departed for the Far lest.

2-&*# History of La Crosse County, op« cit», pp. I\k6~hk7•

212. Ibid,,

213. La Crosse Ctoonicle, December 5, 1897l also see Hirshheimer^ notes. 96

In Denver, Colorado, Pomeroy edited the Great Best, invested in mines, and re-established himself financially through organizing and and promoting the Atlantic-Pacific Hallway Tunnel Company* He left Denver during the latter part of 1880 to attend one of the Greenback conventions being held at St* Louis, intending to resign the presidency of the organ­ ization* However, he was enthusiastically greeted and was nominated as the Greenback candidate for the presidency of the United States*

Returning to Colorado, he continued his interest in the Tunnel firm which intended to burrow through the Rocky Mountains* He maintained and widely publicized the notion that the mineral wealth taken from the hole would not only pay for its construction, but also great dividends.

Buying played out and deserted mines, Pomeroy sold huge shares of stock to -whoever would buy into his organization* Though the scheme was destined to fail, he removed himself to Hew York City in 1890 and set himself up as President of the Atlantic and Pacific Tunnel Company, flooding.the area with news of the tremendous undertaking.

In his plush Hew York offices, Pomeroy started Advance Thought, a journal and also the name of the publishing company to plug and pub­ licize his ideas* Turning toward the philosophic mood, he began writing in the Horatio Alger manner, warning youths against sin and indolence and recapitulating Jiis life and times in La Crosse* Almost every ptiblication,

211|. Here again the presidential candidacy question comes up* This is taken from the La Crosse Tribune, July 21, 1938. If this is true, it must be an offshoot of the Greenback-Labor party -which held its 1880 con­ vention in Chicago and named James "Weaver of Iowa as standard bearer. 91

no matter the nature^ contained extensive advertising of the tunnel 215 projects. /

The flarnbotiyant editor died in Brooklyn on lay 30* I896, -with ~""~ his third irife^ the former Braraa Stimson, at his side* They had been married on September 2, 1876* Following the Tweed blow-up, the editor had momentarily taken Mrs. Louise N* Thomas of Cleveland as his mate*

A former actress, she shortly deserted him to return to the stage* Pom- eroj/*, according to his -wishes*, was cremated, and his ashes were thrown to 216 the four winds from atop the Brooklyn Bridge*

Had any of his former La Crosse enemies been present at his death, they might well have utilised an epitaph written about him in

I86I4.. Terming him. "Manhood of the vilest type,11 an "outlaw in every social sense," and "pestilence that stalks with gloom," the author reported 217 that the fiery editor now:

* He sleeps at last lowly and lone, A puff that ended in a groanj The last dull rite is paid to him, The world has lost — a rotten limbJ He lived — the shame of human kind — Ambitious, reckless, fierce and blind -- Moved thru the world to plague and spoil, From whose death-touch the damned recoil -— His soul the haunt -where passions revel, Himself the offspring of the devil.

21^. For examples see his autobiography* This volume was the first of a contemplated two* The second was never published.

216* La Crosse Tribune, July 21, 19385 Dictionary of American Biography*. Dumas Malone, ed*, Charles Scribner!s Sons, New York. 19351 vo^ ^$ PP- $3-$k* 217•. Republican, October 12, 186k, by E. F* Ring* 98

Let all true men his actions scan. Report him — whether fiend or man, And sculptured with a "brick" or bone, The same on his sepulchral stone, Housed — -will the world his memo doom, And. plant the nightshade on a traitor*s tomb.

In conclusion, it might be well to scan Pomeroy!s record and, if possible, determine what influenced his participation in the Copper­ head movement, deeming him "fiend or man."

Mich of his participation in the radical Democratic group can be traced to his personality- and to his predilections* His surprising audacityj courage and unconventionality —- tending toward exhibitionism— 218 were fathered by his vanity and search for notoriety. He was not adverse to complimenting himself in his own.' newspaper* "If they /the people/ "wish to read the opinion of a man who fears nothing but his God... the Democrat 219 mil suit them," he maintained• However, many believed this exhibition­ ism and impulsiveness came before anything else* "He neither means nor 220 believes half what he says, politically.. in the Democrat*" His political and social philosophy, too^ drove him into the

Copperhead camp* Essentially a Jeffersonian Democrat at heart, readily lending sympathy to the underdog, Pomeroy!s individualism prompted hrbn to stress personal rights and freedom of action. Human rights were superior to-property rights* He claimed that employers were morally

218. La Crosse Chronicle, January 1, 1905>j Bryant, op* cit.* p* 116.

21?» Democrat, September 12, 186I|.*

220. Element, Wisconsin Magazine of History* op* cit*, p. 1^7• 99

obligated to pay a living wage, that the sweatshops of New York were a national disgrace, and-that God did not sanction the suppression of truth 221 and justice by the money powers*

-Like Jefferson, his great idol, Pomeroy had a swelling faith in man, a respect for constitutional government and a reverence for indi­ vidual rights* This became so evident that it seemed Pomeroy would rather have the Union lose the -war than win the conflict at the expense of cer­ tain infringed individual rights*

Opposed to war and a humanitarian at hearty the La Crosse editor was discouraged by his visits to the military hospitals and battlefields* flTruly war is frightful," he declared* "Its glories are these of death and grief — its pomp and vanities, those of crazed ambitionj of sorrow 222 and ruin*"

Sectionalism, too, exerted great pressure on his political direction• He regarded the Morrill tariff as a monstrous tax upon the agrarian lest* He claimed that "rivers of blood11 were being shed "mainly to extend and expand New England Puritanism by force upon an unwilling 223 people*11 Furthermcre, the West was furnishing the cannon fodder while the East, which had demanded the war, was not fulfilling its share of the manpower bargain* It was his loyalty to the debtor lest which made man­ datory his acceptance of the treasury notes in 1862, and which turned him

221 * Democrat, September 3^ 27^ I863.

222. Ibid*, April 18, l862j see autobiography.

223. Ibid*, July 7, I863. 100 into the Greenback pasture after the war. Time aJid again Poraeroy had predicted that history -would vindi-" cate his views and sanction his course of action* The Copperheads were to be the true preservers of the Union against the dictatorial ambitions of Lincoln and the Radical Republicans. However, he little understood the force of nationalism* For in the popular mind of today he lives as

Copperhead and traitor* Lincoln-villifier and obstructionist* A rivalfs evaluation dominates all others: "He out-jeffed Jeff Davis in treason- • 22l* able utterances and out-deviled the Devil in deviltry*"

2%h* History of la Crosse County* OP* cit..* p* $l\$* APPENDIX A

c^f w^

—r^ SrTr^*^^ *

(J —

It '" M, $/2^*9^L

t i if '// ^-€>&$L /&/ H /1~

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A, This is an engraving of Poraeroy's handwriting. Taken from The La Gro SS6 Tribune files. 102

B

B. Both pictures are from the files of The La Crosse Tribune• The picture at the left was taken about 1#64, while the one at the right is from a mat in the Denver Post of 1900, but was probably taken about 1S#0« Engravings were transferred by Clayton Weber of the La Crosse Tribune• 0

$> p H3 & H Z? ct®H tf CS o *t *1 ^ O _^ O c^ H Kd ^4 0"< THE C-rOTAL ME1T. £L AH AOBWTJLTCBVSU' WOH1W*. ^ «

^£ O At usually "bu»y mien" of tha Minciminn •Vasts ol oanal boats, of ocr Stat*, being fairly * OH aasaasrurated, we iriseul to our nederrs a eotn- ROBWAT OATA ® *»padium of the results of •tour of obeerrntion, •7 onr reporter*, which has eUeiUd many in- f GRANT !XQ*€t -wsresting statistics and moon important infonaa- J» £T (Lorn. la tawsiela«et Is**. Us, aVW. aUasssix aa* ef the The canal* of New York State are, in the ag- steal artaaatra asat eaaartriamt susaarsef Watt Ter> MGTfl) ^agate, •bout eight handled and thirty-lour .sanaes in length, which dlstane* ia divided aaaong a aaekaera of seas, earn frees taa AaTlealtareJ Bare** *< ' fka various line* aa follow*, lit. :— The Erie, extending from BofUo to Albany, H». to -'•tree hundred and fifty mil**; the Chenango, HilCD abas* Binghampton to Utioa, ninety^eTeamflea; akate«lt»BSIa*iseaaaTe*jaile»al. las taiwlntrlaa 0^ •**• Oenaeea Valley, from Olean to Boohastar, ef aaaaaroaa stalks. Uatr aarprlata* arowth aad slaa, ' •"JlS •feecy-flr* mile*; a branch of the cane, from GQ H«|O 'ttaajiiiii to Danville, twenty Bailee; the Black iQUairwaar weadartal rUld af two thoaaaai H« Vtret, from Borne to Carthage, Including a die- wVr*akaadrWeadeaa^tr4re«raJiis,beta«fresa to or t* Crfo *a*aoe of forty-two mile* by riTer, earanty-asran afiaUsaea thai e( tha eld kht*. aad Wla* Car aaparior aa 3 enatUs; tha Chemnng, from Elmira to stontaau- eaalitr aad waiaht, ladaaed hlat to aarefallr areearr* dh aaa> <~ hundred ossasnn, and tha arerage eoat is about four thou- ® 1 3 sanaA doilart The monthly coat of running CO O *)aa*ragea, tnnTnding tolls, towing, at*-, about eight eaamdrad dollar* per boat, making a total —thly expenditure, tor the whole fleet,o f about ^g ct ud praise. The product of the fourth rear with the Kot- .**« mxOion thru hundred and tixty-*igkt thou- war Oats furnished tomcltat aaedto aoahla Hr. SUK*>' tr ajaaaf dollars' when in active aerrloe. The are- axavl*. Bath 0*0 CD fekg* crew of each boat is about flTe men, being, •a* tha entire number of boat*, about thirty-thru this tact brai P3 Q) Balling Jh* \undr»d a*djlfty men. Of the** of his own State, wl aaWet ent tfiird are marrUd mm, most af whom H^ H> MM a eontrolling interest in, or the whole of a dlaoocUnoed nUlu*ord*relor aioretliaa on* plat to aas" H* (D O . Was each, and share the accommodations of their •eating rasidenoe* with their families, "How»llsji»T5T«mi#wnatonn you gira di* yaah ohile for de dinneri- You know da JSuro reeds me, and I waft is de beat r udvaaaraaoSJaredashifhaaa^rr daUan far a tincl* v ?V^ v *W«»f •—" I oan giro you a nioe steak out of this fellow—slaughtered for the bondholder beside you. HVhae been eating ohoioe cuts from these bodies foi some tima, and says on Brow ISAMV. boakaUhathaiUKltedaapplrof aaadaad aood of aaaaal this is the beat market in the world. W* killed these fallowe here on purpew f~r vou and him—TO gire you the meat and let 4Mr families har* tha bona* P *%n H T3e»" busy season •oommenoee with the Au- ardart would aot pertnlt him to asaaat the eCtr. " All right, Tnsass giTa us aomeflng nine and tender 1 Uncle Sam will foot de bill,"' © Cft- J—» Tha Ronrar Oats will arowfrom 1M to 13* bnihala to the acre, of train that will welfh from a to ii ihe. to the 0 4fi **» fee imbargo olosee narigation, about De- andof tha Unntaaae for Preaadestt. KRRORS OP YOUTH. TsBAtl AaTD OOPrmKB. ^ bushel- The «rel* la rarrlaraa aad prajnp, of* very dark Jawabex 10th. but at an earlier or later period, ao- slub and its President, Mr. Simmons. The other tot*TABI.miTaaT> 1861. ssajdtng toth a aBrariry of tha weather. No military chieftain, who ia willing to act gentlemen who offloer tha aasocisHon are: Mr. Ther will. It 1. conndenUr assert. Jreignta, which are, in cirolea of the initiated, til EU Field, Vke-Praaiaent; Mr. Charles a Tay­ the tyrant, under the rerengeful abolition, re- si take of taStriBa h WiaTil 111 ail low, are, tor " through freight," mean- |S> P3 |3 lor, Secretary; and Mr. Benj. F. Petit, Treasurer oonatruotion act* of a bitter, sectional Con­ GKJAT AMBBIOAN TBA COMPAJT ^^Hfram oar «% to Buflalo, sixty-flTS cents per la* tha slap)* rentedr br wl —all connected with tha canal interests. gress, U fit to be President of the United wisWra-toBwaterth TBflTIatONIAU! IN f AVOE 0» THB NOBWAT OATS, j y.tanai^ ** flour; sixteen cent* per bushel for . saiitct eonAdatiea, iH&m Speaking is attentiraly listened to every Wed­ States, or share any honors of high oirfl sta­ T1A8 BT THX CABOO From U*at-OoT. B. Taoais, of Vermont: "Iconalda* • Hi ill tvolT* and one-half cents per bushel for JOHWB.OODKN, «0< the Morwar OaU far superior to-tor lu tht countrr tar ^ nesday erening by large aodiesoss, and, tion. He ia only fit to be a soldier. Never *«. (D ssara, ami. ta » ^k* ratio for other commodities their srtat rield and .upesior e.uslltr-" m campaign progresses, the number of meetings for allow euch an one to be our oiril ruler, when 8k» ATsngfr ^ * consumed in making a " round BBBT TBA DIBTEIOTS *» Pu Ct d this purpose will be increased, ultimately con- we long for peaceful union. a.r.^^^rfSJ'rSi, S^eV^. S^'^- eafet* luUdrty. »J*, °* which about fire days are train, wetahlat-tt lbs. or aaor* to the buahel, with thai ort en"" ** ^ ^ U>* route, Norwa/OaU." tJo dill boat suoh speakers as may be obtained. PRICK! ilST TO SEWI DBaXKRS. l W CHINA AND JAPAN, H. O.Paaaa, of Hartford, Tt, »*n: " I paid at the rata fin aTsrego cost of v' * « *• Isden with E:° ' "lLI.r;8T*ATaD»lAKRIA0 1 OUIDB, of SU the bushel br at teed, aan ats not eorrr I did. A little time passed In the oanal distriot during Hct O •©Min"is about serenity dollars, and with flour La Cross* Weekly Democrat-Retail Price, lw iUU ,l(wo,l M , b ladseUth OotA. B. Haaiao, JeneeTMe, Wis, ,saTi:-"I sot tTJ *h««?ifty doil&ra; and th» ttTerB«« employment the leisure hours of the boatmen, sumoos to dis- dlx Cents. " * w ifistrJrw^e .t.n. lb. from the 101 tee*, i baa-. I bellere ther rlU rffid M* AT OABQO PRIGB3. bush.l. Ipthe sere on our Western soQ." vOO «* about fire extra hands—TcOBshoremen—ii re- olose group* of men inured to toil, earnestly and WlsXOBLLAWgOTJg, WHOLES AiR The Ooaapanr have selected the Wlowln intelligently discussing the national issues, end VI *d lulred for its aooomplishment, *oct A> tient is thus afforded for upward*' of on* hundrtd which are about to bo ororthrown. o Under 600 copies, three and three-quarter L. sf.'asaswoaTS, of Boolh' Hudwlek. Tt., Mr«:-Th* *.wd $izty-*ight thoutand of the h boring men of Of the six thousand seren hundred and ten headways,from Iwelreto etxteen iuoaeilon*. Bverr oo» cents per copy. * £T(m • «aw York and ricinlty. boats, each has an arerage of about three Toters, T ADIE8 AND GENTLEMEN EMPLOY- OQLO!fO (Black), Tftt., S»e., »3e., b»« making an aggregate of about rwsnry thoutand Send your orders to the American News JLd »d. Pletor* busln.ua. Tory J>ro6table. Ko risk. MIX IS rereen and Dltckl. Tie., Wc KI, ii, jfn,' H-0 The cargoes of the boats are the n '-"on* egri- ont hundrtd and thirty vottrt, who hare deter­ Company, wholesale agents for the _publisher, BNOLrSH BKSAKtAST (Black;, Noa. 11& and 121 Nassau street, Saw York "YMMTl?i?AI. Onfnl.Rhlfc TromRer-at. T. BtLL, Neaman'i Kill. Albaor Oo., R. anltnral products, etc., of our own and Western mined to Uavt thtir hoot* on election day, £D & City. RAPPING PAPER-A LAROB A8, TbUUtt HYSON (Oraen), 60c. »1, fiio. beiftrij States, which are brought to New Ye *> "^ whererer they may be, go horn* and utUldth* •ortmeotol MANILLA and BOOU8 MANILLX City or oountry dealers will be recoiled by W UNCOl OWBT> lAPArJ.aea., »t. tl IS, bert »1 t> perl*. ripen as earl* aa my oommoa oaU. I can reoommend «, aumerous foreign and •irf'itiv mannfa. ''turod Wrapplac Paper hi sheets and rorti; slab WHITI Paper thw to the awiaia*- world wrlh aonfldaote. ballot for the election of tha Presidential, Ouftr- zonMlmmUj oa hand. All orders from ocraotrr merohinta ODNPOWDBB (Green) »l tS, beet (I M per in. nt the American, the New York, or the National • Vtlclct and foreign productions whioh ere ** natoriol, and other candidates of the National News Company, of New York, atjpublishsr's proTnptljr attended to< any slu m»i1» to order. KANAHAN 4 MULLAtL OOmxa ROAST ID AND GEO TODDAILY . from 0seas* liiua DaaTUla, ftrmont. i^eti the city. rates, a* above, uniform East and West Democracy. whaleaalt Paper Warehoeee, OBOtTND CO?fBaVt»e_tte- J*!,**, Vert «le. per r*. Toar Rorwar OaU take the prlee la this tectloa. sflaa The term buty fcaton has, since 186X bean a EIV V rlelded at least oae-thlrd more tavaalhe old kind, and br '^tz.2^*"'»"NCHlrB*Btn^lf^rfn,nrllNl weisht are ten or twelve poanda heavier totbe butheL I fjoraor, the season of that year boing the lost really CbaJlsnsre—Reply-. Adrarclssment* ftrUn LoCrasst DanoMrat. erTawt eeed aaoush .o'uaa. itKo&lfSS. which we Mil .} theTow price or JJc. per tuty one, the auoceedlns^asaspns, up to the present pojod, and wimnl to aire perfect aatlafacUoB. ROAfff- .t°ortereed. A blackguard in Trenton, N. J., named C. AdTsrUarmenta tot tha La Cross* weekly Dano- NOVELTY.—WE HAVB JUST IN- 4ame, haring been placed in unfaToroble oontraet r*r 100,000), tf handed in this oOee ID (nnrronnd). JOc.. Ue:, best. «3e. per lb. eBIBN (on- \ T. JAY, ohallengo* us to meet him in debate. tr^oe^U^»oa^^j|,otiJ^te»rt_»»^O.nU JT« > .with thoee of former years, by on alarming de­ noon, will appear ia next week's A osstedT, *^-d»e" ^?£* JJ- *IrVre ^ ] «,„ gj0 iElrn.b>wa Writes: If\ we were as anxious to assooiate with liars ltd betteraend a Poit-oflfce drafror nnner with their or- crease of about Jifly par centum of the quantity par Una each tnsarUoa. Tha La Thoee Rorwer OeU beat anrthla* I erer a*w In the war iddren In'tirijnHed'" errer ordata wul be forwarded br eapraaa, to " collect on eg merchandko transported by means of this BJJJJ swindlers as they are. to associate with Cross* DtKooui is tha best adrertislns; medium in openl»d>ra \t. LBMII H as CO, in Furnlihliisa, It Wklte Eeraafterwe will aend •ccnrpliawtitarr paekasre to the gentle, men, we should aooept the challenge. •gieoies of inland narigation. " "OTAtTflAVAN A LOWrJkV. -PR^to »rtr settle* ap the club. Our pnAt} are umalL bat we rill be as liberal as we eaa adbrd. we eeod no OOBIBU- This disastrous tailing oS is, to some extent, We arOtBlwaya wining to debate with a gen- R reMlaaolsV InfomUea fambbeS. The bis he* From Oaatraoar Gaararrsa. BrookfleM, Tt. La Cram— Democrat. F^noablMeiaendaUkladeofOoldandJlli'ar. attributed to the unwise and incomprehensible Uom&n, Vat not with a liaf, drunkard and Tha waeUy edlUoa of the Li Caoaaa DXMOOBAT ia 111! eew TATJOB at CO.. Beakers, H Wall it., W.T. foHcy of our State goremment, in psaeing the swindler, like 0. W. JAT, of Trenton. fllHat UNIVBItSAIi CLOTH(E8-WRINO. of*th. kind erar raised In tniee' pir"t*"aaal ow tmalkhad atmnJtaneoaaly in La Croat*, Wis., JL SB.Ial*lrlm*COTtdwiUiKo*eU,iMt»nt4oiiM*(a*r ^ioS2aCnthaf«» espeir* of oanals in tha hands of contractor* New TOTS, an sad n«v elsst eatenaien, soon arti Its ceet in Ubor and elotbaa. ** aiJrWirniMr with the Psvawr Bror. with- Sawb j rirtually giring an arbitrary control to a AruT7«sre to CorroepondanU. ' brail B. J. Liwaaaoa, of Baoth Btukelr, 0anada Bart, w^ltea^- .gang of mercenaries, who, by their criminal T.- '*CanloemaaoBba r*Ui ape* to • Ih*rebr c*rtifr that tha Rorwar Oat., which I recelva* gegtlgenc* and utter imbecility—except so far as erlsttttkaenrerab, R. B.-rnbaMUnts of Tflhuraa and town* where a laraa j •••ear reside, by rtbWUnrtowetbe r eaa rrdaee The Tlerd'^re^'e^dous. and"! "earSC tea* tended to increase the plethora of their own when the. members tort mors friaaffly keeauas ef saao- the coet cf their Teas sod neoV* abaat eoe-thir I. and notbint saoa*. I hare haaid aoosidsrsbia fbeeMe* the eiareae ^aarree) »r_aaadra» fr-tir capacious purses—hare caused the boats to to -*rs SUIT Aaaaisaa TSa eoerrasT." andergo long and frequent delays, thereby de­ - Trtoaad et Buttet troai a pound of milk. Ho OATJTl.Ort.-Ae tone eonaena la this ettr a»4 ether taining important freight, entailing, not only L Caabaaaae* la are arfaa tee with tsaaaio- •leeee. Imitate ear Bene and errl* of adr»rt!»in« and-doin* bnstaeaa. II ia hanwrtaatlaart ear Meads lnniniT—'TrrT. but alas many and uriom la****, j%eSoetoa aara ;-^ Thay axe truly waadtrfat, aaaan both shipper and consignee, creating a di*> tr.ni'wn.Tsft. &5^.rtSg The FannerrBrattleboro, Tt, asye:—"We know teat' 41st and indignation among the Western msr- areaauaa fateat Battat aaaoalatlaa. *M Broadwar. »• ^ Ofllee SVa.e4.ppeer.lta thleadVerateeeaent This aaaay a« the tattlmmiWJ. are from tiat-olase mem." ejaants, which has led to the direTsion from N»w auSpBiflB xfRttitOst CABPrl-sUO^ aril* aterent their oaaart- fraaa vetUaar lata tha hao*J oc thaee beeraalnlaaioaa. Task of rest quantitias of Western prodaes, tOn-OrrtpforAtTf sad draftaaa*. sjwaate We the or- From tha Report of the Riw TOM TIBHIM' CLDB. ttrowlng it into New Orleans and other South- derwf " Taa Oaaar Avaaioait Tka Ooarurr. Tha Rorwar Oats eaaw a rrowth aad yield asamubtedtr Dtraetlattara and eraart (aebefow, aa mora, so tea. dues, but principally to tha former, for Over oa*\ thousand of the beat fax (••as-shipment.

Bat another reason is transoendanUy nromi- •Mt-it is the Eadioal raatadmintstration of —rottAyfi mftsf HooKs, CSIARTEI (aet. Kea* wboadrerUe. Whit* rlorway Oat. or BUoV Rorwa? Oat« here aot the *>nuln* eeed. We will lend a ears National Goremment To this cans* is as- full printed hiitory af oar^rain to aUwho wulatod forlC pes, TfajSWaranr*"—^- "— a*xned the present Uttisness of transportation aa ahowins the fraud* that arebaraa; tea*iked oa tha farav aasstzasted with its greatness in palmier days, an OAKD TO THB PTJBJJO. *)M sword had superseded tha steH* and tha MEDICAL. J^ttfewttot. M-*ssart»t&at I her. a>pola|ed Mean. JToaa* eajriarentT, _ >oaine«s interests of onr eoontry had been paral- A Ot^anafJfcw Tork aty atle aaatattaar the sale af the pad by internal strife, tha wounds of which feeUag iajrowinf up in the West or elaewhsra, in op- 4ar* bean, and an, kept in • constant state of poelUoa to saaaoary. There hare been aome iadica- , IHOA78AND8. OF*OHIIJ>RaBT. DIB AN- ttoos, eapsetanr ta eartam ooQarsa, that the old peraa- jninfoJ irritation by unrighteous enactments. eatfng sptttt is not r*» dead, but it-appeared to be tha Kjs^*sss^?axfg^e^^ These are the main oasses to which h* tha oanal - men ascribe the oommance- 3?jhS^ i^ va^r^iKt^j *s* fteir former prosperity, a* enjoyed under Dem- asstatic administratiom of Qoreramant; and thay BIRO. ALL ATM a •svrearcaaedtoasenae of thaajnaa injury thai BTRO. ha been inflicted upon them; thay hare awak- AUBTRA

aWUoal rule; and they hare organised for work. FaaniTCir*a Hlataryasf tt* We» lUsastaa

On tha tSd of Bapiembec. 1868, wadtall star Under tha leadership of Mr. T. V. Bisamons, hare rendy te daUrarr to ooiraltteea, the ssj(Mrmtend«ntW<>awc4shassrg*tras>i{>crtatioo gn«teat poUiioal paaaphla* arar printed, in- BOW TO OBTAJB TsTJ ROBWAT (tttt. \ Majfsiili*. a Democrats* club has team farmed, teaded lor a«arJ diatributiflsi in town and wtth haadqnarten in % srsMtoaanall at thaeor- city. Itwi& U ffluatrated, and one of tha moat peoullar, oonrinoing, nnanawarabl* no- . Mtast Broad and Sevth stsaata, a poaat in tha Oa«aaarLtr*f*li,aT.»oa. at sj irtssel doomsnssito of thaasra, oomtninina; sajryaaBtnof tha canal raodearoaai hnsadnda era! pssjw of aaaMan af boatmen hare already •obsezfbad thatr Pmi0av-^tea^ec«*ea,10e*ata; lOOoapias, - as its roll, and man/ jqeoxs an be to; M»0eo^,|aJX »ani ay mail o, ax- l»chac*s,*rs*taa*ae*«*»*r**r*,** sf bsaaaaay, aa-aav raraaa. press *t rarlatsrad Mtotw. U eraarla.. «+r* ymt f. O. •«• j\ political ehtb rsr-ths* portion of the First Wa call ta* attontion of Btata, Oongrea- |M1iiawatolitaiiss>iiaiasiia1litlfbibtiaa>»i iiaiass WaJd'ts an organisation withocst preoadeas, and sional, city, oountr, and town ooaaatttaea, end U*a«wir*lw«wfU**sataO. tV, *«t »* preear that *a MacapTaim is due to Mr. tamos, and his aar- til Pamooratto afubs But a^ ••**, to ttria ito«—ant,onwtstoh great nanf, tkomghf labor ii bstng axpassHsd Latttbaatrou lsnnfliwt, fca- it* arfosaanto Ma *»»** » otauil Tha dab has procured twe able, and its MhJ^ei «»»t*r of snch ahaorbiaa; intarast are* onr anamiaa wffl read it, and «Wt the hall is open erary erening; and tha beunaWatoanswerit Bond orders at ono* laadtng Democratia joornalsaro daity Roarred to M. M. FoafKmoT, Bditor BKMOOBAT, T. O. tor tha nee of all who ohooss to arail thetnsahra* «S the pririlege of reading tham. A largo Na- MLSUTT BUVDIO OTJT THE HEBRXWt. I for that r esses alone ax prmeUeeZti tkrmt Pm*n OM of AM no* irritating llAowswl. We knew they would still vote ftfngs that OH> occur to a person or party, as»l**t self allowed to coaaetn on the basts of m5oo&&e?& m&Qcastitutsoa, and for that reason we had to jBtttwUt aadone that will proroke cnrshig more tegUete "outside of the Oonstltnttom" assume 8,000 tf^VSZ^XVXZ th^n toother, to to tumble plump into a erlshUthctimawsMtUtMl the power to regulate suffrage, entrsnehlae the Inegroes, disfranchise the whites, and Impose su'pay treat prostata events. 8ead trUmpe*ms trap they have nicely arranged for an upon them constitutions vlrtoslly of our own enemy. TMM* precisely «o ptedkament making. Fearing there might be some resis­ WATCH rJUtsL-etvea grsUt to aay bvs mm of the Jacobin mob relative to the Booth. tance to our plan for securing to our party the A who will aetasageaMa-a new, Hfbttad hesv WoaM tboj wen fafeewbo brougMtbssetldlags ea. votes of tue South by dltfraochislDg the whites, oratte aaataasa.pa]riag SJU per day, sore- segUI Mr. Senator THAT**, with others, has Jo* ' Ited 1 bear* Tboms* Sqrmosr leas I _ and subjecting them to the government of their enterprise; no humbug, sad so nosey waatssf bv- TlMltstSSSt, (ticnswt Fnedoia's (Aanploot |S . late slaves, we thought It necessary to suspend edvaaee. Address H. Ssnro Kennedy i Co.. Pitts. made a thorough toar of the Booth, and, '~- the writ of assess earpas. and pot tbem au oa* burg, Pa. eeplttm. *poa hie retarn to Washington, » compelled ~ bash tbsnotes of mlrtb sodsUeoo* keep; der martial law. The PresWeot was in our Well suj the ttustenwl son* •' TnedSa weep. Oft nn/~l BOLD.—The Magsetle Pocket Time : to admit that GHAUT hae no abow for carry- way, and we strinasAJtim of his legitimate #\J*\JSJ\J Keepor aad Com past. HsnaSosae- Stilled, Uut fearless, llsa heart, powers ss far u ws~co*" \j legjsnUioo; and Case 'Glass Crystil,wklto tsamelled disl, steal sua , , Sag those State* 1 This mast be a most en- That brooked, undaunted; siaaiMst, bite sad rags, not satlsaed with tasj. %s would have removed eooraging report for Jacobins, for if they Gone—he who bore toch noble put him from offlee, bannrmToa th our rsnks. two years. Batli It was rumored tlMwAs aajerreme Ooart would -— securely by mill, postpaidP< , cannot cany any Soothem States, where AaUd the erimn a ad foIHos of US are. set aside all our lagaMSsti "outside of the !lle Wsfeh' (S": Thsa anst we BMora, for ws bars lost s BSB, Ceaadtutkra," and tofJrWeotthat we restricted la the name of Jos* Baxrw* will they get K A host, leadUn to Frsedsia's swbt the ran. —"" Action, • - • any, poteide of Maeearhtieftte and Vevraoat t l Fame, she aurked him for her own, , , dged voters of the South ebooee. The slujle married, the married happy<. We'd Jo* like a little information on this led bla tbroa«b the wUdeat storat at Hfs- ..ungratefully showed unmistakable signs and Wise In Time Simple, harmless, awl sure:. ^Alsao point ttonulmxrhlcbwtak besrts (to dews, s*e deposition to EO over to the enemy; so to Journal of Love, Secret of Success. F— *- "-* Aad an forgotten la the-dla aad strife make sure of the votes of the reconstructed mStates for our candidates next fall, we have ad­ Tu» scalawag* aad carpet-baggers -of the Bathe, as grows the'oak, grawsrmer thea, vised tfaelr Legislatures, composed chiefly of tw*. la valor he a peer, s*a«oe hrsresMa. our ralnloos. to take the appointment of elec­ *ogt» Boose of the legislators of Georgia, tors into their hands; and as Virginia, If recon­ hare J«st rewarded the negroes for their de- structed, would Immediately follow the exam­ Office anrt Innnnitry, 696 Wabash Aveirotv ple of the adjoining States -Maryland sad Bot'h of 14th street, Chicago, IU. Totfon to RadicaMam. In the Heose there Kentucky—and go the Democratic ticket by an aseeasafarly treat* Cancers witeoat loilCa, lass a*. Moodorsarleasp*ln,io the shortest time imagmsf. aretwenty-ave aegroes, besides four, who overwhelming majority, we determined to pre­ ale. Also saeesaafallrtreaucaroale IHseeaessasV vent that catastrophe, and have decreed by act of claim to be white. On the second inst a Congress, though "outside of the Constitution" neakjtkm was passed declaring these per- it may be. that she, as well ss Mississippi, shall A rilBBI BODtl. ejoMinemgibte,byaToteofMesa*ddrai^hjDr.O.PUBXPBBB&Vlt,» .£ Wattor^f Va la Crotte Dtmttrmt: rranlte-bseedhelgbUol King's Mountain the ford, Mlesieappt, December 17,1808, and whlsh ?to knock over a noisy, uniting nigger, tangos growth of Radicalism sickens and dies. farther proof thsa their perusal. !*B; HQraadBt, JarseyCUj, H. J. • wifi&p * I have read wltbln the last six or °J*jL, a BMle at It myself. 'Then, sir, I begin with lug flows at will from his gliding pea with in- whole race of Israel, branding us as faithless, Orfsns, sod the waele train of disorders bresi ?Pf*>i bot if so armed body or negroes go trsr- this remark, that I have so Idea that uesMgro tmltebU grace end flaency. He scorns all de­dishonest snd disloyal, and its purpose snd effect byYauaula-dvieleuthabUa. Osasteeathw <^•» - "their lives, their fortunes, aad their sacred were to prosecute and persecute thoes.to wham been cured by this noble rested?. Prompt* «£"• „ eling about the couatry, as in Georgia, honor," for the main ten ance of what was, ks ception, despises all vice aad hypocrisy when­ -•-'-•-benoatWeaffliet^nSruBJortsnV *5trS>,' ever mind, uncloaks the shivering devotees it wm applied, on account of their birth, which redae for pnpariBTsad BSIBS: th *«Jj2 murdering and plundering whomsoever those days, a white man's government. Tee, with their rehgton, ie their only crime ; and this mass of human putrescence is arrayed as with s masterly hand, aad boldly and skillfully ,._ _ sealed envelope, to escrone who ** JJfB" ,„ TaequetuoB then Is. whst is he f and from anatomists their hideous deformities in the WasaiAS, The said Ulysses 8. Grant Is now they meet, the Jevootomestt once pronoooos hencedld'be spring' disputants for the sacred folds ef Democracy, before the country as a candidate for the high­ free of cfisrce. Address 3oStrBT.tr -^J* ^^ with the children of Washington I presence ef the world. the reports of the some a copperhead He. sty opinion is, that he -is an small. No position U toot' est ofBoijn the gut of ihs American people; _etweeutbe Caucasian aad the beast Among "A fallen sage! weald er? sassae r» therefor*. It is too bad eomethioercajmot be done to Shall It ber Look! Must he yield to this eape the blasting thox __ ALENIC JtKDICAL JNgTlTUTa those writers I have spoken of, quite a number *«sofca Mast he, for^hota_ jQod •' " Hie motto of "PrlneipU mm Aomfsst" U pires, snd Incapable of administering the laws Hly or Indirectly arising from set. tsinly lost They are sadly in need of S3S3? characteristic of the man, and well worthy the to all daases with Impartiality and without t fill to read toil work. All diss tie is an <_ 'of Liberty he proves him-prejudice. tare treated teteotlfleally tad SD "rebel outrages," ac&eome of their Smolwtd, That we, seen snd every one, indi­ _ manutl of Venaretl Surgery. ' In sapsest of my views I give you us fol­ to unroll the hidden vidually and collectively, as Israelites who price tl, numeroutbr Illustrated, fr gerfwocld pay ageod price for soese of lowing: wonders of Creation, aad to opes the mouths '"ie would unhesitatingly sacrifice ell his | have respect for our honor and. our religion, tlva in til parts. A VAH11C CL them, furnished immediately. Let «t a tfeoesaaa tongues to sing His praise—aye widely extended and enviable fame, all his Im­ pride for our race aad love for our country, do isriecale In four days Sen' moil be yield to the domination of him whose mense weaHS, so deservedly bestowed at the pledge ourselves to use every honorable means QALKNIC SUSDICA be bloody aad of thcKu Klux order. exceUaace is In complicity with that of a hands ofansiefal and .appreciative people, ere Iu our power to detest the election of the said brute 1 God forbid I he would deviate one step from bis heroic de­ U. 8. brant. ANTgD-AQKNT8-17B laay agam we are moving heaven and earth votion to his principles of rectitude, Justice and Maris. 8HIRT-*AIL WASHOUTO says that the Trench, bnt to sustain nun before the Rttobnd, That this meeting is not called for ^W t everywhere, m«le_snafe ta»aaooset saontiv world, shey appointed a committee and sent to vindicate-oar country's cause. The cam­ bitter opposition to tyranny and fanaticism of male, to Introduce the the-Secretary of -the Treasury advertised paign opens witbjrreat vigor for Seymour whatever ebaraoter. in the proud conscious­ iv political party or pnrpoee, but solely to lease Vamllr Sewing theso'Into Central Africa to examine the tribe. tad e atWoh, hem, feu, that the five-twenty bonds would be to- 'I saw tbetr report on tfaelr return so Francs sod Blair, was old Thad. Stevens (pardon m ness of bis superiority and with a smile of anlet jfeat the man who has. by his Order No. 11, quilt, eord, Nnd, braid -" hem, feu, toes; It fully sustained uoimveler's account. Blnce I have forgotten) •aiive when Democracy hove scorn he has met alike, the malignant libels Insulted the whole Jewish race. penor maunor. Price onlj deemed in gold, toorder to induce the- ia eight ofthe promise land at the nomination Setobud, That we exhort and admonlih our for Are year*. We will ptj /"am Fully then I-lied an lnteTviewwlUi She Rev. Mr. and dastardly threats of his Jacobin enemies, tbit will tew a stronger, r /slooSfor sny itaUeU of the country to loan their money of Seymour and Dlair* At ailevent* the Bads who here unceasingly striven by every art brethren In this and all our cities and towns In 'ntlctetmUiinoart. It are harl to please, for when the South gees within the scope of hereditary deviltry to turn the United States, ss they value religions llher- cb." Everytecoid if to the government asid take the bonds as-se­ any of the tribes who had tatssf And his re­larto the Union, old Thad. goes out 1 the rapsd tide of popstor favor from him; but 'j and their rljrhta, to do all In their power to —. cloth cannot be pullet* curity. This is a*&Usee.ths River no m«e principle then, he has we would elogtst as lives In toe world, fill employment drum, and nyme: the flag as she U aiou ortr thi Term*:—«ngie copies, 10 eta.; 60 cop­ for years was the examination of the fossil probably have published his vile, obscene beads, JK> one reels that ther are thi-t is wht"- a well oi tae-artlncer't ses, |3; io« copies, $o; 1,000 copies, f*». remains of animals er beasts aad of the Lamia .foUowtrs of grisn viaaged Mars, tor -and corrupting advertisement, species, sad he shows very distinctly and satis­ the brave and,honest do '* Address DBSCOOBAT Offioe, La Croese, 'Wis. factorily, that the fossil remains of the negro ' ^a?,Wwr«^4"^'^elr*M^nS aad those of the enraag-ootaog agree more COABSS oceple nee eeane perfumery, smdnries AnssBii "rebel" outrage has Just .perfectly than anyotbers. Now let physiologists •wrso. It is safe to set down a lady who uaesatisat | t^^ftwmSM^ explain all this. I want fo hear from them aad dp"m7*^s*issl>, s (»iis1derable"quiathy"et sp^-l^pirito" •toa^l -orfunieperfume,, FHALONFHALON'' S "«*LOft. DE. been perpetrated m New Orleans, and it Buua great breach U betas made in their*] eieforthertnterest; orelseitU made an antu- •• Vt A 4^, -*Tt^^ JyJZHL IQBNT8I AQEN' especsaly from New England. Now, air, I ment to gsaot them unreasonable privileges ln-i it7ht~lro,"- ae««»£«a perso. nruSnn of tastn me iaa d seaatbDty-- I AQE occurred in this way. P. B. 8. PXNCHBACK hare been a great deal with the negro aad .rsnks, and bnt few will be left to dispute thesj !j>erhapsat)oeteaa, oradne marietta. Sold by .honors of the closrn. Before thia time neat yearl —... .-Educe them toTemainhereremain here.. 'mirdlyThirdly^, l*erhaoeape*te«a, or adne mi W AN TE D| Is A nigger of considerable blackness; he to while they have or give evidence of the Cau- J -catUnblood, I know they have A smell of a, .some of these thoughtless people who nay be be owing 'to subjects, oujy, it ie Also said to-be a Senator in ithe LooJasons .regardUcs now for their home-born friends, then charging the active and Industrious sub- legislature, to which place be was OneeLmy friends Being exsesdlngiy sick sad >may be -eeen crawling under-some goard-vlne I AUttle trsnaied, stated that he had been a great .shade, to eat a green water-melon, and roUingi' o few daps *g\« by >the ousting of a white 'deal with the negro, and that God had certaln- out In the euu for at to ripen I Who, thee, will fPity the fonditioaof thh) staple commodity of A TBAB TO AOKNTS—to s man. Well. Senator P.& 8. PDCHBACX, who ily made them ofthe same material that he did w the beast, which smelt until yet. >the torrid zonef And tali the martyrdom paring those .resoBuoes which should ftrt»m-n1' J!ffi2*!*l!& S^g is a nigger, was one owning enjoying * igx, Now, sir, having been born Jtetd lived long soaght in the dleasi e to make Grant President. tASlefendlttn case of necessity." Q. Wilson, A* Co., MOTtUaA, CL; Beaton, aU-.; ItXeais, So. » purchi_„ ._ . ., -Brioos ptroncnade down Canal-street, New amidst them, I know the calibre of their minds, I. Our lnducemenu t aad I know too that they are oot fit lor or - sepmwiat iny other House in the Orleans, when he met ene MoaoAir, who is equal to franchise, and it u a shame upon New erlU he sot bs the UnooostitBtioual Smell, of a large National deVVfae says ntf "P LAOS AND BANNBK8I " also a nigger, and, like PIKCHOAOX, a soil iglasd and the Bump Congress to attempt to <*»» , ... , v \ *«D short, a-irisUi(»aMebtand*a»e9ifk*side* sgainthatse are ntarrlag heavsajm, T d \ thelnconvi hSJZBS, «TYLE84 QUALITIES. man. Without any words Senator P.B.8. give It to them or mike ahem ous equals, e "f'o'^S^t^i *nJ!Z£2! T?T"a»oa«an!Es*^fu '! «mtaeonvenleuethe Inconvenienee; ma b*sassmentk>sedbeesrsmentioeed) havbaveabre also-, peJUIeally or socially. earth r the cause ef Democracy. In MUaU of '- - • J Order. Praatptly Ailed. mpalga baareo ltaelf is i?'-- rS" " ilatheir M>asean^fara-U *raas^—,„ | wbere. Agerrt* is New Yonc CTty, HcSeison A HtF I statue and the like, and I have BO doubt wss ol Democracy it has carried off with It ligh^ established Abls system ie task stead. Robblns,*!* W Fulton si, aad John Mflhsu A. Son, f a h •kails. The result 'WM that ~ the meet perfect one sees en earth, except one, amount of Radical tta, for farmers . L_ I yesr ' rEe satire eeltectrjo arid mar >--zm Ho. let, Broaawsy. luulswitt ^ i^ 3^^;"sTv?^S3? ,S ead that was toe second adamT'the human wili want to know whom they bond their pesp- 0 & PIKCBBACK, «nd another nigger were rpto OENTLSBfEN OMIT.-An entirely newln- ^ountJ,fg,>od.for&.Umone^ni taT * '"* Bsswrsof the liOrd sad Bailor Jesus Christ. art/ for to support- The freshet will make the epaajn, haveaiwthave grii n risecp such s tuulUtade •con in the calaboose. J 1 rtaSloD. wkech as liEmrlemaa. married or tin- "»- then come* ee- '~"- • — ereesed by, and resaouakte ' ^SS, sbould baenthoM • single dty. Orer 80,0 0 merbesa^msure, aoid at private,—Is the past three months. It will D. BINE'S Thesis the Honorable •eaator s?mca- BelUa (Texas) Journal. Indusoee-of me —g o that ther hr —'' • hut at least a year with careful usage, and csn be L. SAoxIa second attempt to murder Moa- . carried in the "rest pocket. Sent securely eeoled, on amalgamations, and that "And thesame may be astd with regard to 1jeeelpt of 80 eerHs. GEO. B. UPTOlf A CO., «AK, the drafr attempt handag ocourssd aepsSwlt Box 118, Clnclnaitl. Ohlr 130th Regular Monthly Gift Enterprise,. u. . ostiy (t to be ruled, governed and elevated the offices* of ear uumereos army, and the January last, at the Radical headquarters, by the Otncssisn race. And ia oo other way S>\ >.cea which tbeaamy has es sated. All which, rr«HE ONLY Perfect Cinr tor Piles of All Kinds. eouldtteeaowelleccompllehedeainthe rela­ Oeataa, In thesweemt.sae, to ee alasmlogly put together, gives .the executive power so per- JL alaoLeoproty, Scrolula, Halt Hheum. tad aU when aad where XOBOAH WAS nrrmdtod, tion to the master and their fasaeaes; for It Is 1_. ii anergy with res poet • - "— Disease* of the Skin and Blood, li KOWLfTS PILK 118,000.00 Worth of Valuable Prize*,. well known that, bath morally and crvlly, they terribly beaten, and loft for dead byPnci a Ml harvest of smbllo attractton. Ives, snd *a. prevailing.*! """ """"K CITBE. I'---" <-•—" — • WHOLE NUMBER OP OlrTS, l.WO. have by reason oi this revolnliaa attained - In the literary world this attractton too c BACK, who had been instigated to commit lends and 'tasalllea, as will amply ...World. !»__ ... ONK CA8H PBJZB, il,M*. ed1 upoupon Hark It Pomerey, (more famHUarly to refund the suiney and chtrge the deed, by WABMOCT* and avraxa, two u aaeeuds forihe torn of external prerogative.' FOVLE, Chemist, Bostoo, known aas "BrickBriL_ " Pomeroy„) and the La.Osoeee J a WHOLE MUSIUEB. O. CA8B PRIZES, a» distinguished loilists and carpet-bag Radi­ The above was written ahout the year Oassol'""" - •»-"''"",i!- «"- J"™-' Prepared by 11. D. , DBMOOBAS-, of which he Is sole editor aa25^00d 0 Sold everywhere, fceud lor cals. We suggest now, if that greased back Into slavery if they could. One Fine Horse and Baggy worth |C0O. kprietor, a paper supplied to snot ~' 1790, at wham trnas the public debt of . ve, energetic Agenu, u ntro- plane, that BBOWJTLOW WM going to have eaUsaed that they will be better cared for by W dncc theChlcopee Famllj Sewing M their old masters, tbaa by the Radicals, seals- regular subierlbersVbesldet the _. Great Britain, which BLscasooNa thougtrt Wuruted to be the best ••""• ' --••-• UiismiJy Sewing Aischines worth |100 eaoa, to escort Democrats to hell is ready, Sena­ wags and Rump Congress; and I thank Qod of newsdealers in every city and town, both lr"folly Ucoosod k>w priesischine io the Market North and South. Ia order te supply Us isu- so daagerooj to the liberty of rtbepeopl e of tor P. B. 8. PnrcHBACK be given a front that the time Is near at band when this III do every variety of tewing for family wear JSUOUoid * Suver Lever hunting Watches* will be fully tested, for I am sure in niy mind that monarchy, ww 142,000/000 pound seat thereon, with s bunch of brimstone, open i branch offlo* la New York, wtu that Democracy will take rule soon, enough printed from stereotype plate* seat through or of the United States is very near W.0W,-. territory: cas secure a etll from the traveling bent, Worth from $25 to $375. for the present; you shsll hear from me agafa. a copy of the "reconstruction sets," the express from La <>eese, aad to, tbetwfors, U „„„„,-.. «-. -it iaadexiaalDfl the machine, ss sddresslug stone* Will yon please give this s place in your valua­ r Radical platform, and GRAVY'S letter of ble sad widely c&eulatcd paper. -very reepeet, the tame *"" •--*" CtoeopejpRowing Mtehln* Co., CUeopee Fills, Haas. Solid and Doable-plated Silverware, Jew " and "let t JO**TKA* DA via This unprecedented n TJOW TO MAKE MONEY !-OetC*No di Afae~ have peace P' elry, 4a extraordinary nature, eadof^urM~wsarshv TheBadical patriot who made the fol-JUL eeronl, or esaswloh Oheesa. a new, Delldsua, wmth Pedasx *» *he •ewta. Urested la knowing now it has been attained, or. to express[ It & the lsuuscs of Brick, and Wboiesosae Article, to spread upon braid, ba*. Tiek*U limited to914.000 14, . single ticket*. Si; ata eossms toJest eeespieted ta ftlty-fcu, parishes < Boca HILL, 8. a, Aug. 96,1808. "Why these things are ttsiT How happen* mwingcottfsmion,-^ have boa. "fool tfte^Vi^^S^;£?,&£ Jeketa, #5; tw •. - »1()"' ; twentylve, sai.^ " ' "* n; 1 ra aM JeWers/tAsZe Orom?D*moir*t7 ^ ^J£f*i¥* L *«jS ' • ootmtry paper • • - Whether at WM DICK TATA*, B^or^slesU**sa,»astUlas,ead for Travator? l^fiwn, eCLiai*, ati, SomU,, UctaOts- Away up in the mountain nobs of South Oar- puUtohed ins far Vestern State hasfoenele- ZjUMQumn** or rtamtor BrmAornj we ^^ »^^ '»fg«^?A^ «d w , popeSakm would eeoa be doable If UM large ottaa, aad^Uhl|B_boomIng sousd_of King's BI D w -= i&r^d acsuIsatlBl swamps wars cultivated. The &- , you with our straws for u- do not know. Whotf/or it was he gives •Bd%^Pa^rxp1«*.usn^A^ h*hsian.are*ta*iMd ss follows: M caret - mortarof the most gigantic "Brtek" edifice of thotruemotivmaf tta rwindllnglogiabv| tfTl&^tfig&rfr^ m «. Democracy oa thia eoaUaaat. Here, from sreuad the gravm of the heroes of liberty, De- — (orystacsdaaoBof the sseaimg mystery tioo the cotmtry has boas cursed with tat ^^jf^al'etemot Two Do***, ttttpm Me7mos5s,aadAJ»asms. There are fa seoersey reeelvad iu qmckentug In times of old, than by sotiang the prominent faatsresia the the last few years: ' " ' - - MM Jews sad MQ8 Jewesses, who live and it* straws will serve as meet addenda to character of IU editor, ss by'that Mbeysoanras. Iastractlooit gives to "lirmT wS«r.mtl«^^ The Uviagstoo Ctdo Company, superb earth-etool. we hold out _. — , **"— " scarcely ntcesssry to speak, /^ '

modem, wUab, atneethe OiaalihfhyuaV NewYorkBranchOffice, tion and French Directory, the noiaocat •Jo, 1, lu BaliftlB* Prlmtlac BNH lereare, Wwr Taark Otty has bean regarded as of no vafce, right • mere jest, virtue a dme, innocence bat ignorance! MOlloas of dtiaena are sleeping gfl €t0S*i.DEMOCRATIC AT ALL TIM** AITO (TrTDBaWtmocv^V AU OIBOwTf STA1TCBS. thei r last sleep as the price of Black Repub- Betas far tba WMU; DIBIMIJ licamam. Death has run riot, Wood flow ffnflesnbsorlptioM one year KM ed, desolation perched its ashen-hued form -^~In order to hare the paper co safe, eeJtdoaaui VOL. 9. LA CROSSE, WIS., WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23„ 1868. NO. 38 packages, we it the following rata to date: in the formerly prosperous places, ruin has Six copies to one post-office, one year.. B1L00. revelled upon wealth and made the fruit­ •"welre copies to one post-ofoce, one year captured) had been driven back to Wash­ "RADICAL RKOOITITKVOTIOKH" ful places waste. andonetoa-otter-upofclub SZSJOOL ington, from the battle-field of Bull BOB, AddUtonscnten&etoclabsata*.OuiMryeK Hell Heel! has spewed forth its welcoma they made haste to adopt the following DAHTDBKOOBAT (10 eye". of the damned carnival of Black Republi­ K9*In forwarding rami «f mnasy far dnbs of sub­ resolution: canism, in dhweie and epideesfce, in das- scribers drif ts or money orders (hoaid si ways be need, Sttobed, That Iktnr k waged by the gov- •a, If loel or stolen, they can be dnplleated, tad no ernment of the United States; not tn the spirit order, and commotion, and niiaaay. anancial lou will be sustained hy parties Interested. NO PAPERS WILL BI tmrr raoa TSOS omra UK of conquest or subjugation, nor for the purpose Black Republicanism has robbed tha DEB AMY CIRCUMSTANCES, crrn, torn mom of overthrowine; or interfering with the rights vnm-m.t.n is ACTUALLY BBCKIYED BY UB, or Institutions of the States, bat to defend cad public treasuries of tha people nationals tBrePsbed. to whom the DwuomAT U gntatteuly maintain the supremacy of tbe Oonsutotaan,. State, county, township, cfcy red town, of the Union with all the dignity WriUumeiH r plain, with Poet Office, Coonty their wealtlk •ad State plain. equality, and rights of the Several States unim­ U. M. POMEBOY, paired ; and that as soon aa these objects an It has robbed the orphan, tha widows tha La Crowe, Wis. accomplished the war ought to cease, gray-haired patriot, the dead aatdier, and If writing to tbe New York Branch Office, adores* at. M. POMKBOY, r Not long after this we find this same the maimed warrior; the aorrowiaa* ssowier. P. O. Box M17, New York City. Radical Congress violating the 'pledgaV of crashed and tax-ridden workm*v national faith" theyfmade to the people, by alike. Subscribers recetona; their paper wl thi Urge % an interference with the rights and institu­ From them H has blsd tiwir ateeayiaj tions of the States, and in endeavors to and'is crushing their hopw BK thefts* prevent the supremacy of the Constitution, re. scrlpUon has expired, and the paper U dleeoutlnned and the preservation of the Union. Now, It resolves that it owes many. 'Mebta oft no sensible person will pretend to say that eternal gratitude," whkh being sternal ana) this resolution of Congress is not a mare not temporal they expect to peg sitercaav IW binding pledge to the peoplo than an em- sultation with AsnAOAJf at a future tima. novneement by an irresponsible Secretary of | They are too busy stealing now to buagj the Treasury. And yet, while Jacobins themselves with humbugged soldiers of •> claim the privilege of violating the provk- Union never desire*! or uvea tatended by ieas of the Constitution, and act at naught ] theml the acta of Congress, the promises of the Socretary of the Treasury to the bondholder There k not a house in must be kept not mortgaged toitha Black Bondholdesand waste slave-driver foe Hero Is'another pledge. full value. Shortly after the commencement of the There is not an acre erf land in Ami war, Congress passed a law which provided ^- whkh Is not held fa trust by the bribe,, for the issuing of a certain amout of legal bought, bondholding, Black Republican^ tender notes, which have universally be­ pirates, till redeemed, generations hence, if come known as greenbacks. Upon the ever, by the endless blood-sweat of tha back of these notes Congress enacted to HORATIO SEYMOUR, have printed the following: toilers! TUsnolelsa - Name a State in the Union that has not LEGAL TENDER been robbed of large ereaapxe hf BlacM Republican leeches anal thieving office­ holders. Name a county m any Btete, whkh has Xlrst District — N. D. PRATT, of Beans. been under the robber-rule of Brack Repub- Second Dlntrlct-A. O. COOK, of Columbia. oa tne pibhe debt; aad Is licanism, that has not been robbed of faa> Third Dlstrlot-IL M. STRONG, of Iowa. Receivable in payment of aU FourtaDIstrlct-H. N. SMITH, of Sheboyran. treasure and property by fraud, peculation, Fifth District-SAM. RYAN? Jr., of Oulaitamle. LOANS BUU Slatrtat—TUKODOBXBODOLr.ofLaCroeae MADS TO THS and ahamelem theft, where ten adjoining UNITED STATES. cannot be named. Name a township in America, under tha AL1BBI O. ELL».,; Nothing could be more explicit than this. Every bondholder knows that his bonds peculating role of tbe Black Republican are held as securities for mans made to the cut-throat and robber party, that has not United, States, and Congress has enacted been swindled in some form by its leper- A dangerous, though shallow, Jacobin greenbacks are llreeei*able in pay- breeding orBdak. exouse for paying ths bonds in greenbacks, all loan* made to the United States!" This is the damnable party of "Grand is •gaining circulation, It was started by pledge made by Congress to the Moral Ideas," political pestilence, highway J that universal breeder of isms, and coo- l tag men of (he country, upon whose bberry, and unpunished wholesale mux* s coctorof schemes to oppress the j>eopls itry these bends are a mortgage. As 9r, which the honest masses b*ve, froaa and working men of the land—the Newj iducement to the laboring men of the year to year, been deluded into keeping\ia York Tribune. That paper asserts, and we itry to take these greenback, Congress power, under its base, lying pretense of ba> hare Jheard small specimens of Radical said1 you can use these to pay your private ing the "Union" party. stampers repeat the assertion, that the five- dahta. ymir tares. m*A ther will also Where is the pretended Unten, for whkh, twenty bonds should be paid in gold, not used to nay public debts. it sacrificed a million Uxes, seas of brave) because tbe bonds themselves so provide* Thle^PiveroJjh&jriedgei s made by Ceng nywntejnt but because tbe Secretary of the Treasury, to the worl and tax-payers of the of the peoplpeoplee f! - _^ at the time of their sale, advertised that land, am Congress and the **ne>*m**JH0l year*; mhen they would he redeemed in gold. Radic yujUte in order to itth* promUed Uasoeif'.'iEchoes roll, re- They contend' that this assumption on give verberatej and repeat from eatery anountain, hillock, valley and valaoT%n outraged O on the part of the Secretary was a "pledge tary '•^bpuid of the taith of the nation" to the bond­ have it. land—WHIM t wrong, but they »ow see muoh that is not DssaocBA-nc SrsaKKs''HAND-BOOK.—-We The "BUek aUpnbUeaa C holders, and must be fulfilled! If th«rfjh»twenty bonds were paid now The "Union" for which the robber party right They have opened their eyes have received from the Miami Printing and In these bonds is a clause whioh says in in greenbacks, according to the "pledge of The Black Republican party cried aloud, in the anguish of its poverty, much, within the past year or two, and. substance, that they are redeemable in the the natkgL'ind the Democratic platfora Publishing Company, of (^cmsHtS,' TJUio, a origin in the desire for grasping office to deceive the army and the people, they have dissovered Radicalism in all its legal tender of the country, after fire and we savant?' the tax-payers of America copy of this work, which is invaluable to securing spoils. It was and is led by was the union of other peple's money and coiruption and rascality. before the expiration of twenty years. This, from five to eight hundred millions of dol­ speakers ssd Democrats, during this cam­ class of creatures who had been driven from property "in its hanc^sfla •vnion of ail we claim, is a "pledge of the faith of the lars. If they are paid according to person-' They have discovered that wlnle they paign. It contains 89ff pages, fine type, all other parties with which they had been power in the hands of^s accursed, blood­ stained kedesa._v* nation" to the taxpayers and working al pledges of Radicals, and the Radical were busy in the field with the plow, Radi­ and is full of information to make Radicals connected; by ambitious mediocrities; Fede- men, those who famish the money that platform, it will have the effect to plunder j cal officials were engaged in stealing the sick, Price f 8. SO, clubs o? five (10. rsiiatlc excrescences; Know Nothing malig. That is tha 'f^BMR*' which treacherous Radicalism steals and sqacanders, and that from the people from Ave to eight hundred money they had paid into the treasury in "gtyto!" nants and vagabonds; brainless, impudent, Black Rcpiililllsassym has entailed upon fledge mutt befulfilled I millions of dollars. the shape of taxes and tariffs. nnprinclpled renegados; eternal and ever­ the people, ata cost to them of a million It is a poor compliment these Jacobin or­ If the people bring this load down upon They have discovered that while they lasting peace baggers; carpet-baggers; soul- lives, trampled liberty, debased eociety/Und ators and editors pay the intelligence of the themselves, by continuing Jacobinism in were working from twelve to eighteen hours ond-body trading pimps of power and theSrcelth and reputation of the people of American people, when they assume that power, the people will have only themselves each day in order to meet the desnaneM of wealth; red mouthed abolition fanatics: a continental empire) honest, totting mechanics, plowholders, to blame. the relentless tax-gatherer, the Radiasi Red-Republicans and escaped penitentiary THI Democrats of La Salle county, DJ*» and artisans, who are now so severely bur­ Rump Congress was mdustriously engaged birds—as the damning history of its brief nois, are awake and doing a good work.— dened, struggling day and night to support The Tax-Payen' RaroWtUxu in eonooeting schemes to increase tbi.bjrr- life and times u proof. On the 8rd inst, they had a i old raising at their little families and keep tbe wolf from All over the length and breadth of this dens of taxation and put an ntore tax- Was such monstrous piracy ever knew in Leland, the banner Radical, town in tha the door, are prepared to submit to this re­ broad land we see and hear of changes— gatherers. any time ? Where shall we look for a pre­ county, at which there was an in newed outrage and extortion. changes from bod to good, from Radicalism "The multitude tn all eaajaJriseare par cedent 1 And yet; through its specious , The people underttand the ittue* 1 to Democracy. ttent to a certain point" Ths ptatonce of lying cry of "Union," this band of choice _. , L Moirr- They understand it is time, if we would Everywhere the tax-payers, the people, the American people has been- awatalyl unhang scoundrels have led the mass OOKIBT, and the Democracy promise to as­ tonish the people tliis falL here a republican government to transmit are leaving the ranks of the destructive tried, but it can endure no more of the] the surrender of every right to which to posterity, to hart thk faithless, plunder­ party, are withdrawing from under the rule of Radicalism—no more of taxing the were born and are entitled. ONB JDX NBWCOMB, a Radical membef ing Jacobin mob, wtfh its professions of Mack flag of the Jacobin pirate*, and mar­ poor for the support of the rich; no more Tbe Black Republican party list gone of the Nigger Mob Convention of Texas, "national faith," but violations of all the shaling themselves under the protecting of taxation to support. throe millions of into history as the grandest combination of has introduced a bill in that august body- obligations, from power. folds of the Democratic stantard. hardy, idle negroes; no mare of,taxation to talent, for the prosecution of grand and to "legitimize illigitimate children." Thk The worst humbug of the present age is Everywhere you go, and the more yon keep a useless and aipuraBM army m tiasel petit thievery, ever organized on earth, ex­ ks queer move on the part of NBWCOMB, 1 and would seem to show that he was per­ this Radical talk of the "national faith," travel the more you see, you will become of peace; no more of taxation to ftippeal celling its boldness, in the audacity of its sonally interested in the passage of this coming as it does upon, the heels of repeated convinced of this most important fact— in office the Radios! pirates who halve dH pretentions, in tbe extent of its lies and very important document The next thing violation of pledges and promises to the Tbe people do not talk so much Radicalism stroyed deceptions, in the extraordinary amount of we expect to see from bis k a bill to abol­ people, by these saaae loud-moothed "na- BOW as they did; they do not talk so much its robbery and the extended practice of ish marriagel tkmal faith" Radkals. about "rebel" and "traitor," and nee such and their compatriots of that revolution The celebrated "Grecian Bend"—o la the samel Let as see about violations of faith. shallow argument* In an effort to contro­ - A raw years more of Jacobin lawless­ whioh bought, throes* f^asrfssroexLpur What nation upon earth, ra ancient In bis inaugural address, delivered from vert the straightforward charges made by ness in Tennessee, will settle the states of modem times, has been so thoroughly rob­ that hell upon earth. A bill k now pend- the Capitol at Washington,. on March 4, the Democracy, of corruption, fraud, and ence; no more erf taxatientoffl the pock­ Tna carpet-baggers of Georgia, have got bed—so extensively Usxa^-maued, ss the ding in the Legislature which gives dirty- 1881, ABBABAM IaacoLH, who was the idol villainy, in the Radical administration of ets of Radical thieves who hang about thai one nigger on their hands, who, like! American nation under Black Republi­ stocking BBOWNLOW full power to equip that Radicalism woahipped, proclaimed: affairs, BAWquoa' ghost will not down. Hk name canism t Where shall we find a people—or" and put in active service an army of tern I HAVE MO PURPOSE, DIRECTLY OS is AAEOS AfCTOana BBUSUT, aad he k Tbe people have become disgusted with Oongres i snayhaven ney to a history of them—who hare submitted to thousand men, and as many more as he may INDIRECTLY, TO INTERFERE WITH SLA­ the same nigger who was expelled from the I VERY IN THE STATES WHERE IT EXISTS these weak, senseless tirades, and have left vote nwsy in woathless appropriationi each peculations and monstrous open rob­ think proper. It further authorises him nigger mob convention of Georgia bee suae them solely to the leaden of Jacobinism— these things the people are wearying. bery la pane, pocket and property f to proclaim martial hw, and compel coun­ the petty editors and orators of the party. he had once been in ths) Sing Sing prison] ties where hk troops may. be aaartored te> TQ DO ML Those Who nominated me did a* Again* thm ttiaos tkeg relet! The Black Republican party ia a horde wl|k fa^k»awVia>athMlB«vl>n>ae«hk and to felony. Ha was afterwards elected to pay the expenses of thk new Radical war. njf^M^i— has taxed, and bled, and bat- of night-prowling body-snatchers on the essay analler dsokrattoos aadhad sever re- tbe State Senate, from which body be was "Let us have peace." dened these, until they will so longer grave of liberty, practicing thuggery upon also expelled bexanee of his State prison * Tuk was nid by the leader of tbe Radi­ Tariff*— ft, hence we find them ukiag their ptaoee exaloata. That, however, did not put a A ix>TAL-t«AonBorgsnrfariori m Houston, cal, mob ia March, lSftl, and in July of the Kfre I beside the yeoman Democracy of the land, Texas, has reached the ultimatum of per­ quietus on Mr. AABOK ALraaaiA BKADLBT, saen* year, after the war had bean fully in- Standing Arm*— and demanding for themselves sad their j fection, by adopting a resolution inviting for he has turned np again lb Savannah. It has crept into the secret places, finger­ eagorated, be reiterated it Lorcoui was tbe female negroes to coma forward aad Tula time he is ambitious to be a'•Congress­ ed aiidabstrsiHed the traastire of the people. •then President of the "Halted States, and Badieal injuUiee and dithonettu gen*. enroll their names in full fellowship. Thm man." The other evening he jot up a Ithas crept into Ow privacy of oorree- this declaration of his was decidedly a more raUut k a taa strike on behalf of the carpetbag pendeaos, and fad upon tbe baatVaaffsrlng binding ••yWgeof the national faith" than These an the questions that now engage meeting of scalawags and r^gera, when he iwrerends, who hare bean tarnsd oat of 8o*erMgntf f the State* ! of the dtlsen. the adverikswont issued by a Secretary of the attention of the people of the United made a speech in the interest of HIBAK loyal churches up North. Thar want South Sconomg^r&Vlfrir*! ^heTrcssary., States, and from Bast to West, ftorn North- Uuaros, belt walked into the Yankees and It has run its gamrt, chitcMeg digits into ana Joined the toil ksgnes, sntfreHvina? tha Vmi»n,*tU f*mat,a*i 6mf carpet-baggers who had misused him so. Hotariifcatauftina; jam, en September ta, to Booth, throughout the length and breadth bureau drawers, and wardrobes, and the sodetyof femalea, theylmv«s*eaTedir by 1 He said carpet-baggers and Yankees are i^j^lBtnoBd af]BY>clamation of ernanci- of thfe land, upon the Mil-top* and deep j pockets of wearing apparel abftof'loO strategy. 'Ah exchange says not to be trusted and advised "negroes not .netien, whioh violated the pledge lie had into tbe valleys, go everywhere, and you H thVUveisttresc* thnpeaoftigl It has entered the poor man's till, and they are after the money of the wenches. to trust tbe white people, and especially the .gfyeufhat he'"had no purpose, or lataful will find that the, tax-payers unanimously Ujpfl these iatuesare the people J the rich man's vault Perhaps they are, but—Well, Ehler Kar­ kees, who ware the meanest people on| tell all about it One thing tint r%jJU t» interfere wtiM slavery in the Demand a change I ansyed in aojid; opposltios to the Radical It has crawled like a noisome reptile earth. He doubted if even the mnlattoss white people of the North can congratulate State* P* Heretofore it has been their custom to thieves and shoddyitas at Washington, and into the privacy of home, and catted itself could be trusted, ss the white blood in themselves upon k the fact that many of Another prominent Instance of the pledge attend closely to the business of the shop or in opposition to ths bondholder end aristo­ their veins mtgut gain the mastery. We the amorous exptotts of toil pulpit polihV end violation of the "national honor" by the fjum, resting securely and prosperously crat, tbe enemy of the laboring men every­ It hat poisoned virtue and stabbed iaao- understand BBADLBY is to accompany Shirt- ciaas, which have been confined to tha TUd^iifT,, under the good and economical administra­ where. 1 tail WAaxBTnw and*Lucn» SBDDCBB JUra- skters of the church*wui now be transferred On July 21,1861. when all the -'loyal" tion of the Democracy. With the advent Tkh i* the tm» pager* BmoiuUeml Tbe Black rsspublieaa party has gone nsTt n in their canvass through this district* to the sisters of the loyal-league I Bump Ccmgressmen (except those who were Lstfl el f ato history at the most accursed cabal of, BIBLIOGRAPHY

Books

1. Austin, H. R., The Wisconsin Story. Milwaukee Journal Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1948.

2. Ballard, Colin R., The Military Genius of Abraham Lincoln. World Publishing Company, New lork, Mew York, 1952.

3. Bryant, Benjamin F., Memoirs of la Crosse Comity. Western Historical Association, Madison, Wisconsin, 1907.

4. Commager, Henry S., Documents of American History. 5th ed., Appleton- Century-Crofts, New York, New York, 1948.

5. Harper, Robert S., Lincoln and the Press. McGraw-Hill, New York, New York, 1951.

6. Hesseltine, W. B., Lincoln and the War Governors. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, New York, 1948.

7. History of la Crosse County. Western Historical Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1881.

8. Holmes, Fred L., ed., Wisconsin. Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1946.

9. Love, W. D., Wisconsin in the War of the Rebellion. Church and Goodman, Chicago, Illinois, 1866.

10. Malone, Dumas, ed., Dictionary of American Biography, Vol. 15, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, New York, 1935.

11. Milton, George Fort, Abraham Lincoln and the Fifth Column. Vanguard Press, New York, New York, 1942.

12. Nevins, Allan, The Emergence of Lincoln. Vol. 2, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, New York, 1950.

13. Pammel, L. H., Some Reminiscences of La Crosse and Vicinity. La Crosse, Wisconsin, 1928.

14. Pierce, Edward L., Memoir and Letters of Charles Sumner. Vol. 4, Roberts Brothers, Boston, Massachusetts, 1877-93• 15. Pomeroy, see separate listing.

16. Quaife, M. M., Wisconsin; Its History and Its People. Vol. 2, S. J. Clarke Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1924.

17. Randall, J. G., Lincoln the President. Vol, 2, Dodd, Mead and Company, New York, New York, 1946.

18. Randall, J. G., The Civil War and Reconstruction. D. C. Heath and Company, New York, New York, 1937.

19. Raney, William F., Wisconsin. Prentice-Hall, New York, New York, 1940.

20. Sanford, Albert H. and Hirshheimer, H. J., A History of La Crosse Wisconsin. 1841-1900, La Crosse County Historical Society, La Grosse, Wisconsin, 1951.

21. Tucker, Mary, Life of Mark M. Pomeroy. A Representative Young Man of America; His Early History. Character, and Public Service in Defense of the Rights of States. Rights of the People, and the Interests of Working Men, G. S. Carleton, London, 1868.

22. Williams, T. Harry, Lincoln and His Generals. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, New York, 1952.

23. Wood, Gray, The Hidden Civil War. Viking Press, New York, New York, 1942.

Pomeroy1s Works

24. Journey of Life: Reminiscences and Recollections of "Brick11 Pomeroy. Advance Thought Company, New York, New York, 1890.

25. Condensed History of the War: Its Causes and Results: Plain Home- Told Facts for the Young Men and Working Men of the United States. New York, New York, 1868.

26. Sense and Nonsense, n.p., 1868.

27. Soliloquies of the Bondholder, the Poor Farmer, the Soldier*s Widow. the Political Preacher, the Poor Mechanic, the Freed Negro, the "Radical" Congressman, the Returned Soldier, the Southerner, and Other Political Articles. New York, New York, 1866. Magazines

28. Fish, C. R., "Conscription in the Civil War," American Historical Review. Vol. 21.

29. Element, Frank, "Middle Western Copperheadism and the Genesis of the Granger Movement," Mississippi Valley Historical Review. Vol. 38, 1952, pp. 679-694.

30. Element, Frank, tffBrick1 Pomeroy; Copperhead and Curmedgeon," Wisconsin Magazine of History. Vol. 35, 1951, pp. 106-113 and 156-157.

Newspapers

31. Chatfield (Minnesota) Republican.

32. La Crosse Chronicle.

33. La Crosse Democrat.

34. La Crosse Democratic Journal.

35. La Crosse Republican.

36. La Crosse Tri-Weekly Union and Democrat.

37. La Crosse Tribune.

38. La Crosse Union and Democrat.

39. New York Tribune.

40. Prescott (Wisconsin) Journal.

Special Sources

41. j£ Crosse City Business Directory. 1868-69.

42. Private notes of Harry J. Hirshheimer, secretary of La Crosse County Historical Society, and co-author of A History of La Crosse Wisconsin; 1841-1900. 109

43. Hart, ¥. F., The Copperhead Movement* lister1 s Thesis, Department of History, State University of Iowa, 1941.