The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-04-13

Hartford and New HavSn, VINO UsPenseo Inc Qsice0
and dictated the nominations - toy pleased.
Against the potent dictation Of these seoonstitutsd
regencies mo dog dared to wag his tongue" and
they permitted no one to hold the high Offices Of the
State unless he belonged to the old colonial and
State aristocrcy had won his way TO their ranks
by some peculiar services or the acquisition Of
wealth. There was also during that period, sort Of
connection of Church and State in existence;
most of the inhabitants, being descended from the
Puritan settlers, were of the Congregational faith
and many Of the laws made to favor that sect.
On the day when the Governor and other State en-
GERS were sworn in at Hartford there was annually
a large assemblage Of the Congregational clergy,
who, from ancient colonial custom, considered them
selves entitled TO join in the grand procession Of dig
ntares and Ill the seats Of honor on the occasion.
sumptuous dinner was provided for these reverned
gentlemen at the expense Of the State; and this
custom was continued until about 1877 when it was
broken up by the political revolution which brought
the toleratonists and democrats into power The
friends Of the clergy among the Congregaonasts Of
Hartford endeavored to keep up the custom by con-
tinuing the annual dinner; but it was no go-the
clerical gentlemen refusing to attend after the State
had deserted them, and no the annual dinner has
long since been among the good things that were,
and have passed away.
The old federal party had not much trouble in con-
trolling the elections and managing the affairs OF the
State That party consisted generally Of Congrega-
tionaliss and few Episcopaians most OF the latter
| being made up OF conscientious admirers OF the
Church Of England and seceders from the Congrega-
tional Church. The minority Of the people, after the
old democratic republican party was formed by JEFF
ferson, included most Of the Baptists, Mcthodsts,
Universaists and Free Thinkers found in the State;
also "the rabbe," as they were called, or the lower
| orders, without distinction Of religious sect.
The Congregationalists Of the federal party, being
taught from childhood to look unfavorably upon oil
other sects, naturally Stunned that party which was
composed of such heterogeneous materials as was the
| Connecticut democracy of the times Of Jefferson
Moreover each citizen on being made freeman, on
arriving at the required age WAS sworn to support
the charter constitution, and laws of the State
and to vote for the best men to sustain them. As
federalsts considered the best men for the pur
pose, SO it was deemed wrong, and even unconsttu
tional to vote for democrats rulers; particularly
for those OF them who were admirers of the French
Revolution, and loose in their religious notions.
Hence, Connecticut was easily kept in federal lead
ing strings. 1t is wonder, therefore, that Aaron
Burr should have pronounced the people Of Connec.
ticut incorrigibe, when he returned from visit to
them, endeavoring to induce the State to vote for
Jefferson and himself at the Presidential election Of
1900. Connecticut was the only New England State
that invariably voted with the federal party during
the administrations of Jefferson and Madison.
There were bat few men of talent in the ranks of the
old democratic party Of Connecticut. Young men
were led to believe that the path to responsibility,
wealth. honor and preferment, was only to be found
among the federalsts and the ranks Of that party
were, of course, filed with the principal farmers,
lawyers, and other professional men, merchants,
mariners and manufacturers The mass of me-
chanics, small farmers, and common laborers, per-
haps, were to be found following democratic leaders.
After the peace with Great Britain, in 1915, the
federal party was gradually disbanded in most of
the States. It, however, held the power for a
considerable time in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
The votes in Connecticut for Governor, in April,
1915, stood for John Cotton Smith, (federalist,)
| SIG; for Elijah Boardman, (democrat,) 4,S76-
showing federal majority of $500 In the State.
For many years previous, the democrats had given
| merely nominal vote for their candidates for
| Governor. General Hart, wealthy citizen of Say
brook, and Asa Spaldng, Esq, wealthy lawyer
of Norwich, were, year after year, in succession
voted for as the republican or democratic candi-
dates for Governor. In 1910, portion of the
federal party, being dissatisfied with the nomna-
ton and election of Governor Treadwell, brought
| forward Roger Griswold Of Lyme, who had been a
distinguished member of Congress in the times of
John Adams. A split in the federal party was q
remarkable circumstance, and the democrats took
advantage Of it the following year. by withdrawing
their candidate and assisting to elect Griswold.
AS Governor, however, the democrats had reason
to be satisfied with their choice. He was most de-
cidedly opposed to the war with England, and re-
fused to call out the militia Of the State when re-
quired to place them under United States officers.
Governor Griswold died in 1912, and was succeeded
by John Cotton Smith, who was the last Governor OF
Connecticut elected by the federal party
In 1916, some of the leading politicians of the
| State, who were dissatisfied with the rule of the
federalists formed plan to effect political revon-
ton. The patronage of the State, on certain occa-
sons, having been refused to the Episcopal Church
and their principal seminary for education the mem
bers of that sect, large proportion Of whom were
federalists, much displeased They, therefore,
readily fell in with plan to form liberation party,
composed Of all the democrats in the State and
those federalsts Of other sects than Congregation
alists who desired change in the connection Of
political and ecclesiastical rule Oliver Wocott, VIII !,
had been Secretary OF the Treasury under John
Adams, was pitched upon as the liberation candidate
| for Governor He had resided in New York many
years, and, although federalist, joined with Rufus
King and others in sustaining the war Of 1912. On
returning to his native State he probably considered
the federal party the point Of dissolution and &C
cepted the liberation" nomination for Governor in
1876 That election surprised the federalists, al
though Gov. Smith was re elected by majority of
1913 over Mr.. Wolcott for it showed the probable
success Of the party at another trial. Jonathan
Ingersoll, an Epscopaan federalist, was the TO-
!eraon candidate for Lieut. Governor and was elect
| ed by majority Of 759 over Calvin Goddard, the
| federal candidate. The following year. viz. in
1917, the liberation party was successful in com
pletely revolutionizng the State. Mr.. Wocott was