A portrait of Alexander Ramsey, probably taken in the 1860s

POLITICS, PATRONAGE, and Ramsey's Rise to VOWER, 1861-63

JOHN C. HAUGLAND

ON APRIL 14, 1861, when news of the fall How did Ramsey, chief executive of a re­ of Fort Sumter reached Washington, Alex­ mote frontier state, come to be so oppor­ ander Ramsey, governor of the three-year- tunely in the nation's capital at the moment old state of Minnesota, hurried "in company hostilities began? The answer has more to with Senator Wilkinson and Thos. J. Gal­ do with partisan politics than with patriot­ braith and tendered to Secy. War 1000 men ism. Ramsey's trip east in April, 1861, was on behalf of Minnesota." He thus became not prompted by concern with military af­ the first governor to offer troops for federal fairs or with the crisis the nation faced in service in the Civil War — a distinction that dark month. It was but one incident in which has been widely hailed in Minnesota, an internecine struggle for control of the and which in the eyes of posterity probably Republican party in Minnesota — a contest constitutes the summit of his long career.^ which extended from January, 1861, to Janu­ ary, 1863. MR. HAUGLAND is assistout profcssor of history The election of Abraham Lincoln to the in Wisconsin State College, Superior. This ar­ ticle is adapted from his dissertation on Ram­ ^ Ramsey Diary, April 14, 1861, Ramsey Papers, sey's political career. owned by the Minnesota Historical Society.

324 MINNESOTA History presidency in November, 1860, was the spark doubt they felt reason to fear his influence that ignited the flame of secession. It also as acknowledged leader of the Repubhcan gave Republicans, for the first time, control party in Minnesota.^ of the national administration, and with it a Ramsey himself apparently assumed that wealth of government jobs. When Lincoln he would bear a large share of responsibil­ moved to Washington he found that thou­ ity in the distribution of patronage. Writing sands had moved with him hoping to feast to Aldrich on February 26, 1861, concern­ at the trough of pubhc patronage. It was ing three possible appointees, the governor reported that seven hundred apphcants stated he had "no selfish motives in writing from Minnesota alone had hopes of securing you this but as party men we must have a federal appointments.^ preference. ... I trust you will see that There was at that time no civil service something of a geographical propriety is commission, nor were there statutes to regu­ preserved in . . . appointments. ... As I late the appointment of people to public may not come on to Washington until late office. A change in the national administra­ and possibly not at all I trust you will do tion was usually followed by wholesale re­ me the favor to consider these as merely moval or resignation of federal employees. friendly suggestions and not intended to The spoils system was an integral feature arrogate to yourself any special influence in of partisan politics, and for leaders in the the distribution of patronage."* Ramsey parties it was an opportunity to acquffe evidently wished to impress upon Aldrich power and provide remunerative positions that he was not to assume a greater role in for political supporters. The abihty of a patronage matters than any of the other party leader to secm-e appointments for his three members of the delegation. followers was a fair measure of his influence and standing within the organization on THE MOOD of friendly co-operation did both local and national levels. Minnesota not last long, however. Three considerations was not unlike any other state in this re­ militated against a mutual understanding spect, and the struggle for the spoils was between Governor Ramsey and the Con­ a hotly contested one. gressional delegation. First, there was the In the days immediately following Lin­ dffficulty in maintaining party unity once coln's election it appeared that the Minne­ the battle against a political foe had been sota Congressional delegation, consisting of won and the spoils of victory were avail­ Democratic Senator Henry M. Rice, Re­ able. A second factor of importance was the publican Senator Morton S. Wilkinson, and make-up of the delegation, which included Republican Representatives William Win­ individuals with high political aspirations dom and Cyrus Aldrich, would work hand- of their own. And finally, there was the in-hand with Governor Ramsey. Senator policy adopted by President Lincoln in de­ Wilkinson, a prominent attorney from Man­ termining the distribution of patronage. kato, and Representative Aldrich, a Minne­ The influx of job seekers to Washington apolis real-estate man who had been elected was so great in the early months of the new to Congress in 1859, had both signified Republican administration that the presi­ their intentions to "consult and satisfy" dent and his cabinet were tremendously Ramsey with regard to appointments. No overworked in attempting to place and sat­ isfy all those who sought public office. Pre­ 'State Atlas (Minneapolis), quoted in the Si. occupied with the deteriorating relationship Paul Daily Press, January 26, 1861. between the federal government and the " Stephen Miller to Ramsey, February 22, 1861, seceding states, and unable to bear the bur­ Ramsey Papers. * Ramsey to Aldrich (copy), February 26, 1861, den of meeting all the office seekers who Ramsey Papers. clamored for his attention, the president

December 1961 325 instructed his cabinet to consult the appro­ Cloud, for the office of surveyor general. priate Congressional delegation when there Thomas Foster, Ramsey's personal secre­ were contests for particular positions. The tary, whom he had befriended many times delegation, directed Lincoln, must approve (especially in money matters), wanted the each applicant for office, and gubernatorial Winnebago Indian agency, and the office endorsements were to carry little weight. of postmaster at St. Paul was sought by By this means he hoped to ease the patron­ Robert F. Fisk, a St. Paul Republican. age problem and to weld the Republican Two of the aspirants, Fisk and North, party into a national organization.^ were in Washington during March, 1861, at The hand of the Congressional delega­ the time appointments were being made, tion was thus tremendously strengthened, and they were keenly aware of the delega­ and as the weeks passed many applicants tion's efforts to snub them. Frustrated at endorsed by Ramsey found themselves un­ every turn. North decided that forceful in­ able to secure appointments. Indicative of dividual initiative was necessary if he were the growing schism between Ramsey and to be at all successful. In desperation he the delegation was the unsuccessful attempt went to the private rooms of Aldrich and by the governor to place four men in the Windom in order to get papers and peti­ best patronage positions in Minnesota. John tions that the delegation had been holding W. North, a regular Republican and a dele­ back. Fisk summed up the trying situation gate to the national convention that had when he wrote to Ramsey: "We only call nominated Lincoln, aspired to the position on the delegation when it is absolutely of superintendent of Indian affairs in Min­ necessary. ... I have not yet let North nesota. Though North was endorsed by and Baker [James H. Baker, secretary of both Ramsey and the president, the delega­ state in Minnesota] know of your intention tion favored the candidacy of Clark W. not to come down until next month [April], Thompson, who had a milling establish­ for fear they would break down. . . . We ment in Houston County. Senator Wilkin­ are using your name and influence, where son, who strongly recommended Thompson, we can, with propriety, and the Cabinet was so vehement in his espousal of the man understand now pretty fully that Wilk. and that he wrote William H. Seward, the sec­ the others, in their distribution of the pub­ retary of state, that "If the President should lic patronage, are not disposed to do it, think proper to appoint some other person for the benefit of the party." ^ to fill this office, I shall feel constrained to Senator Rice, being a Democrat, was sel­ refuse here after to present the name of dom consulted on appointments, but he, any person whatever for an appointment too, lamented the fact that Ramsey was not under this administration."^ in Washington when he was really needed North was naturally concerned when he by his supporters and by those whom he and other friends of Ramsey proved unsuc­ had recommended for office. The Senator cessful with the delegation. He lamented had the impression that the appointments the fact that the governor was not in Wash­ ington to intercede personally in his case '^WiUiam B. Hesseltine, Lincoln and the War Governors, 138 (New York, 1948). and charged that the delegation "evidently "Wilkinson to Seward, March 15, 1861, in the think that offices were invented for the Clark W. Thompson Papers, owned by the Miime­ purpose of employing men in their indi­ sota Historical Society. For an account of North's political background see Carlton C. Qualey, "John vidual service."'' W. North and the Minnesota Frontier," in Minne­ North, however, was not the only one to sota History, 35:101-116 (September, 1956). feel the coolness of the delegation. Ramsey 'North to Ramsey, March 13, 1861, Ramsey had also recommended Stephen Miller, an Papers. "Fisk to Ramsey, March 20, 1861, Ramsey Pa­ old personal and pohtical friend from St. pers.

326 MINNESOTA History being made were ones that Ramsey did not postmaster in St. Paul, lost out to Charles favor.** L. Nichols. Thus the best offices in Minne­ Stephen Miller was very critical of Ram­ sota— those that were most lucrative and sey and advised him "to lay off your coat, offered the greatest number of subordinate put down your foot, and be a politician appointments — went to the followers of with the rest of us." By doing this Miller Aldrich and the Congressional delegation felt that Ramsey would rally the support rather than to Ramsey's friends.^^ of most Minnesota Repubhcans. "What we need," wrote Miller, is "a bold, fearless, and THE POLITICAL undertow, however, was if need be an aggressive leader, and above not all in Washington. There were prob­ any or all others you are the man. . . . De­ lems in Minnesota that also had long-range termine to be Governor, and then [United effects. Ignatius Donnelly, the young lieu­ States] Senator, and above all to win for tenant governor, by nature impatient and both. In doing this in this particular way, volatile, had suffered two rebuffs at the I know that you will have to bear the brunt hands of Ramsey in the first six months of of . . . abuse and opposition, but in doing 1861. At the time of Ramsey's tender of so you have an object, national as well as troops, the governor wired news of the of­ personal, for which to labor." ^° fer to the adjutant general, William H. Either Ramsey was not the man to do Acker, and to his secretary, Samuel P. what Miller asked or circumstances pre­ Jennison, but not to Donnelly. This was a vented his action. The state legislature ad­ slight that Donnelly did not overlook. Writ­ journed on March 10, 1861, but Ramsey did ing to his wife, Kate, he explained that not leave for Washington until April 3, "Gov. Ramsey then in Washington, totally arriving in that city on April 10. During the ignored my existence here, sent two tele­ three days before the outbreak of war, graphic despatches ... to issue a Procla­ Ramsey visited various cabinet members mation in his, Ramsey's name. I informed and attempted to see the president on mat­ Mr. Jennison that I held my office by as ters of patronage. But April 10 was too late good a title as Gov. Ramsey — that I was — almost all the important appointments acting Governor, and that if Mr. Ramsey had been made. In place of the superintend­ thought he could ignore my existence and ency of Indian affairs in Minnesota, North ride over me rough-shod he had mistaken was forced to be content with the office of his man." ^^ surveyor general in Nevada Territory. The The second rebuff came a short while Winnebago agency went to St. Andrew D. later, after Donnelly asked Ramsey for an Balcombe instead of Thomas Foster, and appointment as colonel in one of the volun­ William D. Washburn rather than Stephen teer regiments. The youthful lieutenant gov­ Miller became surveyor general in Minne­ ernor was told that no one but a military sota. Robert Fisk, aspirant for the office of man would be appointed colonel, and Ram­ sey confided to Thomas Foster that he °Rice to Ramsey, March 21, 1861, Ramsey thought Donnelly a dunce to propose such Papers. a thing. In Donnelly's eyes, the governor's "MiUer to Ramsey, March 27, 1861, Ramsey Papers. refusal to let him have command of a "Ramsey Diary, AprU 3 to 14, 1861; United regiment carried overtones of political ex­ States Senate, Journal of Executive Proceedings, pediency. Writing again to his wife, he 11:352, 353, 466 (Washington, 1887). " Minnesota in the Civil and Indian Wars, 2:1-3 said, "The old 'cuss' fears that anyone (St. Paul, 1892); WiUiam W. Folwell, A History might interfere with his plans for the U.S. of Minnesota, 2:77 (St. Paul, 1924); Ramsey to Senate in the future. If it turns out that Jennison, April 15, 1861, Ramsey Papers; Donnelly to Kate DonneUy, AprU 17, 1861, Donnelly Papers, he does not appoint me I will make him owned by the Minnesota Historical Society. regret it." These incidents strained the

December 1961 327 personal relationships between Ramsey and purpose by the very men who are now Donnelly, who thereafter sought the sup­ down on him." ^^ port of Cyrus Aldrich in an attempt to strike Gorman's promotion was confirmed on out on his own.^^ March 18, 1862, but discontent over the Albeit there was distrust and dissension selection of officers continued. Nevertheless, among the members of the party, there was Ramsey remained adamant in his criteria little opposition to Ramsey's re-election as for establishing the suitability of can­ governor in the fall of 1861. The Minnesota didates. These included military experience, Republican convention, meeting in St. Paul the efforts of an individual in raising troops on September 4, renominated by a single for service, and lastly, political considera­ resolution all of the state officers. In the tions. Attempts were made to maintain a election that followed, the Republican state balance between Republican and Demo­ ticket was returned to office, and the party cratic appointees, to preserve some equality continued to hold a decisive majority in in geographical representation throughout the legislature.^* the state, and to recognize popular leaders Governor Ramsey's power to appoint of­ in order to secure support for the war ef­ ficers in the new regiments formed for serv­ fort. Ramsey admitted that when geograph­ ice against the rebel states somewhat offset ical and other conditions made it possible, his lack of influence in Washington. As in the he appointed a friend in preference to an case of civilian offices, the Congressional enemy, but he maintained that he had done delegation and the governor frequently justice to his pohtical and personal op­ could not agree on military appoint­ ponents.^^ ments or even on promotions. Colonel Among the twenty-one Minnesotans who Willis A. Gorman, commander of the First rose to the rank of brigadier general or Minnesota Volunteer Regiment and former above, there were many close friends and territorial governor, was promoted to briga­ supporters of Ramsey. Baker, who had dier general in September, 1861. His new been secretary of state in both Ramsey ad­ rank, however, had to be confirmed by the ministrations, was one, and Ramsey's sec­ United States Senate. The Minnesota dele­ retary, Jennison, was another. The list also gation favored the promotion of Colonel included William R. Marshall, founder of Napoleon J. Dana, in part because there the St. Paul Press, which served as the had been criticism of Gorman in various voice of Ramsey's political interests for matters, and also because Gorman was a Democrat. Donnelly cautioned Ramsey not ^"Foster to Donnelly, July 7, 1861; DonneUy to to back Gorman too vigorously because he Kate DonneUy, June 26, 1861, Donnelly Papers. As an alternative to a mifitary appointment, DonneUy had little standing in the Democratic party, had suggested that James W. Taylor's position as and was certainly without influence in the special agent of the treasury department be made Republican party. Ramsey, however, did available to him. " Eugene V. SmaUey, A History of the Repub­ support Gorman in the face of the delega­ lican Party, 169 (St. Paul, 1896). tion's opposition, not so much out of per­ "^ DonneUy to Ramsey, December 24, 1861, Ram­ sonal liking for the man, but because he sey Papers; Ramsey to DonneUy, December27,1861, Donnelly Papers. In his letter to Donnelly, Ramsey feared there might be political repercus­ explained that he had three times asked Dana to be sions if he did not. He reasoned that "what­ colonel of the First Minnesota but that Dana had ever else we may think of him [Gorman] refused. Because of pubfic pressure and DonneUy's recommendation, Ramsey had then appointed Gor­ his rejection now would be ascribed to po­ man. htical prejudice and would at once give " John D. Hicks, "The Organization of the Vol­ him strength here at home either for Con­ unteer Army in 1861 with Special Reference to Minnesota," in Minnesota History Bulletin, 2:350 gress in October [1862] or the Senate in (February, 1918); Ramsey to Miller, AprU 1, 1862, January '63 and he would be used for this Ramsey Papers.

328 MINNESOTA History many years, and Stephen Miller, who had ever, who preferred that nominations for been disappointed in his hopes for office in both Congressional seats be directly asso­ 1861. Henry H. Sibley, appointed colonel ciated with his own goal of defeating Ram­ during the Sioux Uprising of 1862, was a sey for the Senate.^^ former territorial and state governor and a Although Donnelly was carrying on a personal friend of Ramsey, but not a politi­ surreptitious correspondence with Aldrich cal ally. Although some of these men had and his political heutenant, William S. King, had previous mflitary experience, ah owed then postmaster in the national House of their initial appointments in Minnesota vol­ Representatives, he was in the fortunate po­ unteer regiments to the governor. sition of representing himself to Ramsey's supporters as a friend of the governor. Politi­ CONSPICUOUS by its absence from this cal maneuvering was further complicated hst is the name of Ignatius Donnelly. His by the intentions of Miller, then serv­ vow that he would make Ramsey regret ing as lieutenant colonel in the First Min­ denying him a colonel's commission was nesota. He felt that with Ramsey's support, made early in 1862, when he began to chart he could win the Congressional seat in the a political course largely independent of second district. After surveying the situation, the governor. It was assumed throughout Ramsey decided there was not much the state at this time that Ramsey would strength in Miller's candidacy and on May try for the Senate seat then held by Rice, 7, 1862, sent a letter to Donnelly saying whose successor would be chosen by the that he was not going to support Miller. legislature in January, 1863. Thus the gu­ Discouraged by the seeming neutrality of bernatorial nomination in the following the governor, Miller wrote to him declar­ (1863) election appeared the next logical ing: "Ever since I went to Minnesota I step for Donnelly. At first he indicated have thought your course too negative for a some interest in it, and the supporters of politician; and altho' your continued success Congressman Aldrich willingly offered their sometimes shook my conclusion, I am more aid to him. Within a few weeks, however, than ever convinced of it now. . . . Had the aspiring young lieutenant governor you and the 3 friendly electors gone to changed his political sights and set as his Washington when I suggested it, we should goal the Congressional seat of the second have probably secured half of the ap­ district, operating on the assumption that pointees in the state, and these would now Aldrich would vacate it if he challenged have been your active friends. As it is I fear Ramsey for the Senate. As early as March 6, that they will afl be actively against you." ^^ 1862, Donnelly felt fairly confident that he Secretary of State Baker advised Don­ would be a candidate for Congress and "in nelly that the governor liked all three can­ all human probability will be elected." This didates. (Jared Benson, former chairman of prospect was less pleasing to Aldrich, how- the Republican state committee had also thrown his hat in the ring.) Baker thought " WiUiam S. King to Donnelly, March 31, 1862; that Ramsey would not meddle in the mat­ Donnelly to John P. Persch (copy), March 6, ter and "In your triangular contest he will 1862, Donnelly Papers. The second district, embrac­ maintain his 'masterly non-consentalism,' or ing the northern part of the state and including the towns of St. Paul and Minneapohs, had been created I misunderstand the man." Jared Benson ap­ during the previous legislative session. Before 1862 parently had a similar opinion of Ramsey, the state's two Congressmen had been elected at large. See Minnesota, General Laws, 1862, p. 134. for he wrote Donnelly: "I suppose the Gov­ "Ramsey to Donnelly, May 7, 1862, Donnelly ernor is not doing much. He never is."" Papers; Miller to Ramsey, May 8, 1862, Ram­ At the second district convention Don­ sey Papers. "Baker to Donnelly, May 21, 1862; Benson to nelly, true to his prediction, was success­ Donnelly, May 21, 1862, Donnelly Papers. ful in gaining the Republican nomination

December 1961 329 for Congress. But the political aspirations he was informed that Aldrich and Ramsey of Donnelly and his quest for independence were both candidates for the United States were closely linked to Ramsey's maneuver­ Senate, and therefore their views were nat­ ings to become a United States Senator. urally different. To Aldrich's alarm. Chase The latter's senatorial campaign had actu­ had offered to follow Ramsey's wishes in ally begun as early as January, 1862, as had making treasury appointments in Minne­ that of his prospective opponent. At this sota, but he finally decided that it would time Aldrich had requested Donnelly to be wiser to side with the delegation. Thus watch events in St. Paul. "You can judge the administration's patronage policy was better than I what to do and how to do," reaffirmed and Ramsey met with another he wrote. "I leave my chances, my all in defeat in the battle for spoils.^^ your hands and trust you will do the best you can — if so, I shall be satisfied." ^^ WHILE THESE pohtical machinations In the meantime, the Congressional dele­ were occurring, the Civil War continued un­ gation had been able to diminish the politi­ abated. But the actual fighting took place cal prestige of the S*. Paul Press, Ramsey's many miles from Minnesota. War in the organ, by having the federal public print­ military sense did not come near the bor­ ing in Minnesota transferred to the Pioneer ders of the state until late in the summer of and Democrat. Wilkinson and Aldrich had 1862, when the Sioux Indians rose in re­ requested the change in the summer of bellion. The outbreak began with the kill­ 1861, claiming that the Press was hostile to ing of white people at the Lower Sioux the Congressional delegation. With the Agency, located on the Minnesota River, printing contract, the Pioneer and Demo­ on August 18, but word did not reach Gov­ crat received the tacit endorsement of the ernor Ramsey until the nineteenth. On that national administration, and announced its day, the Pioneer and Democrat ran a front­ intention to support the Republican party page editorial on "The Disfranchisement of and its principles.^^ This it did with rela­ the Citizen Soldier," calling for "Some tion to national policy — a course which means ... by which the volunteer can was neither unusual nor particularly in­ have his rights saved to him, and the free consistent for a paper that, like the Pioneer and full enjoyment of them guaranteed." and Democrat, had traditionally supported Jo.'^eph A. Wheelock, editor of the St. Paul the free-soil wing of the Democratic party. Daily Press, picked up the sentiment and The conditions of wartime blurred political ran a series of editorials on the subject, at lines and naturally led to a certain amount the same time voicing a need for a special of bipartisanship. With relation to the local session of the legislature. On August 23, pohtical picture, however, the circum­ Ramsey resolved to call such a session be- stances were totally different, and it quickly became evident that the Pioneer's support ™ Aldrich to DonneUy, January 2, 1862, Don­ neUy Papers. for the state Republican administration was -' Wilfiam R. Snider to Clark W. Thompson, De­ considerably less than lukewarm. cember 8, 1861, Thompson Papers; William Win­ The rift in the ranks of Minnesota Re­ dom to Ramsey, January 22, 1862, Ramsey Papers. The Press received no federal money during the publicans continued to show itself in the second session of the 37th Congress (1862). The recommendations for federal appointments Mankato Independent and the St. Paul Pioneer and made by Ramsey and the Congressional Democrat, as "Pubhshers of laws, etc." each re­ ceived $482. After Ramsey was elected to the Sen­ delegation. In the summer of 1862 this ate in 1863 the Press and the Independent each caught the attention of the secretary of the received $335 for public printing during the next treasury, Salmon P. Chase. When he in­ session of Congress. See Department of the Interior, Annual Register, 1863, p. 15. quired about the inconsistencies and ques­ ''John J. Knox to Ramsey, August 21, 23, 1862, tioned why the delegation always won out. Ramsey Papers.

330 MINNESOTA History cause of 'Tndian difficulties — and the loss The governor received another setback of the ballot to soldiers." ^s when the legislature took away his power Whether or not these were the only mo­ to appoint company and field grade of­ tives behind the call, the legislature con­ ficers in the state militia. The Pioneer de­ vened on September 9, and the Sioux clared that the object of this action was to Uprising overshadowed all other considera­ prevent him from making appointments tions. Indian troubles, however, did not that would be helpful in securing the Sena- prevent the Republican-dominated body torship. It also accused him of ignoring the from passing a law which enabled Minne­ law and directing appointments. The sota soldiers to vote. Ramsey, the Congres­ legislature was, nevertheless, unable to sional delegation, and Donnelly (not yet a limit Ramsey's appointive powers for the Congressman), all vigorously supported the volunteer regiments; the provisions of the provisions of the act and wrote President newly passed state law related solely to the Lincoln requesting that commissioners be organization of the enrolled local militia and allowed to visit the various army camps were not applicable to the organization of without interference from officers.^* volunteers enlisted in the service of the Although the official record does not United States. Thus Ramsey continued to show it, the Ramsey forces worked tire­ promise and make appointments in regi­ lessly behind the scenes, trying to induce ments as late as December 12,1862 — a pre­ members of the legislature to elect a new rogative from which he no doubt benefited United States Senator during the special during the Senatorial election of the foUow­ session. If this were done, they argued, ing January.^^ the next regular session, scheduled to meet in January, 1863, could be postponed at a EVENTS moved swiftly after the close of substantial saving to the taxpayers. The the extra session. As early as September 10 proposal was unsuccessful, however, and the contest between Ramsey and Aldrich Ramsey's hope for a quick election was had inspired a bitter public dispute in the lost.25 newspapers which spoke for the two fac­ tions. On that date, while the Sioux War "^ Ramsey Diary, August 23, 1862. See also Lyn­ still raged in the Minnesota Valley, the wood G. Downs, 'The Soldier Vote and Minnesota Pohtics, 1862-65," in Minnesota History, 26:187- Pioneer asked, in a front-page editorial, 210 (September, 1945). Downs points out that to "Who Is Responsible?" Its own answer was the Democrats and anti-Ramsey Republicans the Ramsey, whom the paper accused of dere­ special session represented a plot on the part of the governor to have himself elected to the Senate. liction in his duty to protect the frontier ^ Minnesota, General Laws, 1862, extra session, settlers. In an even more bitter vein, it went 13; Ramsey, Wilkinson, Windom, Aldrich, and on to bring up once more a long-standing Donnelly to Lincoln, October 7, 1862, Robert Todd Collection of the Papers of Abraham Lincoln, in blot on the governor's political record: the the Library of Congress; Walter N. Trenerry, "Votes Sioux payment investigation of 1853. It for Minnesota's Civil War Soldiers," in Minnesota History, 36:170 (March, 1959). Unfortunately for repeated old charges that Ramsey had cor­ the historian, no record was kept of the 1862 soldier ruptly cheated the Sioux and been "white­ vote; therefore it is impossible to ascertain its effect. washed" by the investigators. "And now," DonneUy, however, had previously stated that the soldier vote would place his election to Congress the editorial concluded, "when his acts beyond a doubt. See Donnelly to Kate Donnelly, have culminated in a Sioux War; now when August 28, 1862, Donnelly Papers. the chickens from eggs of his own hatching "^ Ramsey Diary, September 24, 25, 26, 27, 1862. have come home to roost, he meanly at­ ^St. Paul Pioneer, November 2, 1862; Press, November 4,16, 1862; Ramsey Diary, November 14, tempts to cast the blame upon others."^' 15, 21, December 5, 10, 12, 1862; Folwell, Minne­ In a hotly argued defense six days later, sota, 2:105. the Press referred at length to Ramsey's '" For an account of the investigation of Ramsey see Folwell, Minnesota, l:462--i70. vindication by the Senate following the

December 1961 331 1853 investigation, and concluded with the of the land office claims. On December 30 statement that "Cyrus Aldrich, an ex-Land it published a number of letters from promi­ Officer in the State of Illinois, was covered nent men testifying to the Congressman's with shame as an exposed and convicted upright character and freedom from guilt defaulter to the United States Government, as a defaulter. The most enlightening state­ in the sum of five thousand dollars, which ments came from President Lincoln and has never yet been paid." In the following Representative Elihu B. Washburne of Illi­ weeks the Press repeated this charge, to the nois. According to them a dispute had arisen accompaniment of varying epithets aimed in 1853 between the government and a num­ at the "vipers warmed into hfe by Federal ber of Illinois land officers — of whom Al­ patronage." ^* drich was one — as to the disposition of When at length Aldrich filed suit for surplus funds in the land offices. The claims libel, the Press countered with a full-page being similar in all cases, it had been agreed spread that purported to examine the Con­ that only one should be brought to court, gressman's record as receiver of public and that the other parties would abide by moneys and disbursing agent in the federal the decision. The government had brought land office at Dickson, Illinois, from March, suit through its district attorney, and the 1849, to March, 1853. Its main content, land officer involved in the test case had en­ however, was merely dunning letters which gaged Lincoln's law firm to represent him. the treasury department had sent Aldrich The matter, however, had never come to over the years, reminding him that the trial because, according to Lincoln, "the government considered his account unset­ District Attorney was never ready." Thus, tled and maintained a claim against him as Washburne observed, "to charge crimi­ for the sum of $4,011.45.29 nality upon any of these land officers for This was scarcely proof that Aldrich was doing precisely what the government agreed "branded with the meanest and most odious they might do, all acting in good faith, seems offense known to the law." Nevertheless, little less than atrocious." ^^ For the time, after the Press broadside, Ramsey's future however, the question of legahty was lost in looked brighter. Copies of the paper were the confusion of partisan emotions. distributed to all Senators, Representatives, and cabinet members, as well as to leading IN NOVEMBER the voters elevated Igna­ journals, and it was felt that Aldrich would tius Donnelly to the United States House of be unable to regain his lost stature in time Representatives, re-elected WiUiam Win­ for the senatorial election. The Congress­ dom to the same body, and returned the man virtually admitted that his influence Republican majority to the state legislature. in Washington was destroyed, charging During the interim between the election and bitterly that "Ramsey and his blowers [?] the convening of the state legislature in in order to defeat me are laboring to defeat January, Ramsey busily mended pohtical every bill before Congress intended to benefit our State and our people." It was '^ Press, September 16, 27, October 4, 8, 22, 24, also apparent by this time that the Pioneer's 1862. "Press, November 28, 1862. attempt to make Ramsey a public scapegoat "" Press, October 4, 1862; David Heaton to Don­ for the Sioux Uprising had proved a dismal neUy, November 28, December 3, 1862; Aldrich to failure.^" Donnelly, December 28, 1862, Donnelly Papers. "^ Washburne's letter, dated December 12, 1862, On November 3, 1862, a new Republican and letters from Wilfiam P. Fessenden, Lyman paper, the St. Paul Daily Union, appeared. Trumbull, and Edwin M. Stanton are in the Wilfiam It was dedicated to the interests of the anti- S. King Papers, owned by the Minnesota Historical Society. Lincoln's letter may be found in Roy P. Ramsey group, and its first order of business Basler, ed.. The Collected Works of Abraham Lin­ was the vindication of Aldrich in the matter coln, 5:541 (New Brunswick, New Jersey, 1953).

332 MINNESOTA History fences, and his supporters were satisfied that cus adjourned until the following evening. his chances for gaining the Senate seat The one-day recess provided enough time looked bright.^^ for the Ramsey supporters to bolster their Donnelly, under obligation to both sides, forces, and on the first ballot of the next continued to balance carefully on the fence. meeting Ramsey received twenty-six votes to In late December he seems to have made a Smith's twenty and gained the nomination. cautious suggestion of some kind to Whee­ The legislature in joint session on Janu­ lock concerning the awarding of the state ary 14, elected Ramsey Senator. Judge An­ printing contract by the next legislature, drew G. Chatfield, a Democrat who had possibly hinting that a change in the Press's run unsuccessfully against Windom in the attitude toward Aldrich was the price. Congressional race, received the votes of the Wheelock evidently distrusted Donnelly, seventeen Democrats in the legislature and for his reply was a pompously virtuous letter Ramsey received those of all the Repub­ in which he claimed that his newspaper was licans.^* the organ of the Republican party and would support all its worthy candidates without IT HAS BEEN said that there existed in fear or favor. He declared that the Press Minnesota a "Ramsey dynasty." If this was opposed Aldrich solely because of his dis­ the case, it was not true before 1863. Ram­ honesty and protested that the paper cared sey's election as governor increased his po­ "very little for men and everything for litical power throughout the state, but this principle." It was evident that, in plain was only a relative increase in standing. Al­ words, Ramsey had the blessings of the Press drich and the Congressional delegation and Aldrich did not.^^ proved that in order to maintain political On January 6, 1863, the legislature con­ stability, control of the federal patronage vened, with the Repubhcans holding a ma­ was also necessary. Aldrich, in a sense, de­ jority of twenty-nine on joint ballot, which feated himseff by an indiscriminate use of meant that the actual selection of the next this power, while Ramsey threatened his Senator would take place in the Repubhcan own cause by his unwillingness to stand firm caucus. On January 12 the Republicans held for his friends. The role of Lincoln in deter­ their first meeting and neither Ramsey nor mining patronage policy worked to Ram­ Aldrich could immediately secure the ma­ sey's disadvantage and was an obstacle that jority necessary for nomination. The frus­ had to be overcome. Fortunately for the trated Aldrich supporters began to look for governor, the distribution of commissions in another man and finafly settled on James volunteer regiments served as an escape Smith, Jr., a successful St. Paul lawyer and valve of sorts through which he could chan­ a member of the state senate. On the twenty- nel disappointed office seekers. fourth ballot of the evening Ramsey re­ Patronage was not the only deciding fac­ ceived twenty-three votes, one short of the tor in the election of a United States Senator. total necessary for nomination, but the cau- It was important, but James G. Blaine later wrote that the election of Ramsey, Governor ^^ SmaUey, Republican Party, 171; Heaton to Edwin D. Morgan of New York, and Gov­ Donnelly, December 12, 23, 27, 1862, Donnelly ernor Wifliam Sprague of Rhode Island to Papers. ^Wheelock to Donnelly, December 28, 1862, the United States Senate in 1863 was in di­ Donnelly Papers. rect recognition of the valuable service " Harlan P. HaU, Observations: Being More or which they, as war governors, had rendered Less a History of Political Contests in Minnesota From 1849 to 1904, 57 (St. Paul, 1904); Press, the country.^^ January 13, 14, 15, 1863; Ramsey Diary, January 5 Ramsey's strength, however, was built on to 14, 1863. more than his record as a war governor. Po­ •^ James G. Blaine, Twenty Years of Congress, 1:502 (Norwich, Connecticut, 1884). litical stature, matured by four years as a

December 1961 333 territorial governor, plus years as head of power. The rich collections of letters and tlie Republican party in Minnesota, made documents left by the contemporaries of his quest for the Senate a reasonable and that time attest to the intraparty strife of attainable goal. Added to this pohtical prom­ vigorous men who sought influential and im­ inence was his economic and social standing portant positions in government. in the Minnesota community. Ramsey was to remain in the United States While Ramsey's course to the United Senate for twelve years. His election in 1863 States Senate may have seemed relatively helped to determine, in large measure, the unobstructed to the ordinary citizen, be­ political complexion of Minnesota until neath the surface of things political there 1875, when a more successful coalition than e.xisted a turbulence created by the oppor­ that headed by Aldrich defeated his quest tunism of strong-willed men contending for for a third term.

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A Soldier's Chrtstmos - 1861

DECEMBER, 1861, found the First Minnesota Minnesota Historical Society. On December 25, Regiment of Volunteers performing picket duty 1861, he wrote: along the Potomac. They had seen action at "This Morning dawned very pleasent and the Bull Run in July and again at Ball's Bluff in whole day, but it was a \ery dull Christmas October, but following the second encounter, to us. Last night our suttler had a lot of goods the recruits had returned to their permanent come, with all kinds of marks on them. Some camp between Poolesville and Edwards' Ferry, were marked Knifes and forks, boot blacking, Maryland. From this point they patrolled the pepper &c. But our Col smelt a rat and had the north bank of the Potomac River for some dis­ wagon taken up to the guard house, and this tance on either side of Edwards' Ferry. Though morning had the boxes opened and lo and be­ it was a time of little excitement, the men were hold they contained a lot of choice Whiskey & not idle, for their newly commissioned colonel. Brandy, which to his surprise were taken up to Napoleon J. T. Dana, drilled the regiment re­ Poolesville to the hospital department, to be lentlessly through the long winter months, help­ used in that institution, during the day 2 or 3 ing to perfect the disciplined fighting unit that kegs of beer \\ere got and some of the boys was to perform so effectively in later campaigns. began to feel rather fight headed. Had no drills, For most of the young soldiers — as for Pri­ nor even dress parade [.] I suppose the reason vate Samuel Bloomer of Company B — it was was it was Christmas and it dont come but one the first Christmas in the army. Bloomer came in a year. I for one wish that we had Christmas from Stillwater, and he kept a diary of his war­ e\ ery day on the drilling account, not because time experiences which is now in the files of the we had such a good time, for it was the dulest Christmas that exei I spent in all my lffe and hope I never shall again. Being a soldier is not 'f^- like being at home on that day. The boys in my mess got a lot of oysters and good fresh milk and made a good Soup of them. But I had to look on and see them 'go in right' . . . good er- nest, as I am no oyster eater. I could not stand it to look on, so I pitched in and eat a lot of bread and Molasses, for a substitute of the oysters, 'perhaps that is a poor substitute.' Ser­ geant Burns . . . will probably leave for Still­ water in a few days."

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