In late August 1866 President Andrew Johnson and entourage embarked on a two and a half week “Swing Around the Circle” tour to try to influence the 1866 midterm elections in favor of more conservative, Democrat candidates opposed to Radical Republicans. The president didn’t swing into New England, but it probably wouldn’t have helped his cause at all. On September 10th Maine voted overwhelmingly Republican. The Republicans kept all five U.S. House seats, and former General Joshua Chamberlain was elected as governor with 62% of the vote.
Hiester Clymer
The Pennsylvania elections were scheduled for October 10th. According to the October 6, 1866 issue of The New-York Times 150 years ago this evening Democratic gubernatorial candidate Hiester Clymer held a rally at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. His opponent was former Union General John W. Geary. Mr. Clymer began his speech by explaining that he had traveled throughout the state during his campaign, including “on the African coast that Bradford and Susquehanna Counties. [Laughter and Applause.] … and the stomping ground of THADDEUS STEVENS – the County of LANCASTER. [Applause and Laughter.]”
After the Keystone Club arrived Mr. Clymer continued his address:
Don’t vote for Geary!
… My fellow-citizens, the clouds of darkness are disappearing. Upon every hill-top and in every valley the watchfires of Conservatism are burning brightly; and by the 9th of October I predict the glorious sun of victory will arise to shine upon the peace and happiness of our distracted country. … Now, my fellow-citizens let me advert to the gigantic conflict which is presented in the present issues. Why was that war waged? Was not its vital object [the] preservation of the Union, to uphold the Constitution and enforce the laws? [“Yes, yes.”] Suppose that under the shadow of this sacred temple of liberty, the memories of which inspire the heart of every American – suppose that at the inception of the rebellion you had been told it was intended to free the negro, to confer social and political privileges upon him, and to perpetuate the existence of a particular party, would you have voted a dollar or a man to any such purpose as that? [Cheers.] But there is a party in this country that openly proclaims this was the great and essential end of the war. …
no gray area
A procession approached that included “an omnibus containing wounded and maimed soldiers and sailors” … “A banner was borne containing the inscription – ‘No serpent can live in the Cradle of Liberty.'”
Mr Clymer continued:
Fellow-citizens, you now behold men who in their devotion to the Union have risked life, strength and comfort. [Cheers for ANDREW JOHNSON.] I stand before the people of this State the representative of the Union, of the Constitution, of the enforcement of the laws, and of the white race in this land. [Cheers.] It matters not whether the destruction of this Union be effected by war or legislation; whether it be the open act of the rebels or the insidious and unconstitutional abuse of power by the Radicals. The Democratic party stands ready to thwart and prevent them. [Applause.] …
The candidate again noticed the maimed soldiers and maintained his opposition to negro suffrage, unlike his opponent John Geary – “I am gratified in maintaining that I am the representative of the white race as a distinction. [Cheers.]” There was more to Mr. Clymer’s speech. The Times also reported a brief disturbance at the rally in which some police officers and citizens were severely injured. The Union Republican clubs of Philadelphia conducted a “grand torchlit procession” on the same night.
Clymer supports President Johnson’s two vetoes of Freedman’s Bureau act
“sacred temple of liberty”
