St. Paul daily globe., 1892-06-27
He Never Ran for Any Office
Except on a Democratic
Platform.
During the War He Was AL
ways Favorable to the
Union Cause.
Speeches and Letters Which
Show Where MIR. Steven
son Stood.

at different times OH other platforms
than that of the Democratic party, it is
false. The facts are these:
The congressional district in which
was elected in 1874, against Gen. Nc
Nulta, was made up of Mclean, De
Witt, TaZewell. Logan and Mason
counties. The voting population in these
five counties was about 10000, with a
safe Republican majority, under ordi-
nary circumstances. of 5000. Now. it so
happened that in that year the so-called
Peoples party in this same district held
convention prior to the Democratic
convention. There was not i'll the
platform adopted by that convention any
plank favoring initiation. Nor have l
ever been in favor OF imitation. That
convention nominated me as its caDdi-
date for congress. But did not accept
it. Neither did | refuse it. Soon after
held and was chosen as its candidate.
Being thus supported by the two Or
ganiZationS, Overcame the Republican,
majority of 5000 and was elected by
1900 majority. But the campaign was
made by me purely on Democratic
issue. especially on my hostility to the
reconstruction policy of the Republican
party. That was my main issue and
doctrine. Nor did | make any financial
speeches, greenback or otherwise, while
in congress from 1878 to 1877. The most
important matter that came up during
that congressional session was, as will
be remembered, the adjustment Of the
Tilden-Hayes election.
Action in Congress
During the most critical time of that
conflict. while the minds of millions
were inflamed almost to the verge CT
another outbreak of civil war, and
when the question was pending
whether to peaceably accept the finding
of the electoral tribunal, delivered the
following speech:
Mr.. Speaker-When this congress as
sembled i'll December last it witnessed the
great American people from one end of the
country to the other divided upon the ques-
ton as to which candidate had been lawfully
elected to the high Office of president of the
United States. The business industries of
the country were paralyzed, public con-
fidence destroyed, and the danger of civil war
was imminent. That Mr.. T1lden had re-
ceived a maloritv of more than 100000 was
jority of the presidential electors in the
several states and he was lawfully entitled to
be inducted into this great office was the firm
belief of more than one-half of the people
oi this great country. The hour was
slitutions. and many were appre-
hensive that we were but entering into the
dark night of anarchy and confusion. After
many weeks Of angry discussion. which re-
suited in still further arousing the passion of
hn q mo nf a st m q Mt
proposed. 1t was believed that there was
still patriotism enough left in the American
congress to yOuchsate an honorable and fair
settlem 4nt of this most dangerous question.
You remember, Sir-We all recall at this
moment-how our hopes revived and how
gladly we hailed the introduction of the bill
recommended by joint committee of con-
ference of the senate and house eff repre-
sentatives. 1t was welcomed as the har-
binger of peace by the people OF this great
country.
Earnest support Given.
Mr.. Speaker gave that bill my earnest
support. 1t had upon this great floor no
friends more ardent in its advocacy than N.Y.
self. l believed it 10 be measure in the in
terest of peace | believed that those who
framed it. as we'll as those who gave it thei
support upon the floor, were honest i'll thei
statements. that no man conld afford to take
the presidency with clouded title ana that
the object of this bill was to ascertain which
of the candidates was lawfully entitled to
the electoral votes of Florida and Louisiana
never mistrusted for moment that states
men of high repute at so perilous an hour,
upon so grave question, would palter with
words in double sense. Mr.. Speaker. we
who are the actors in this drama know and
history will record the fact that the con
ference bill became law, and the electoral
commission was organized not for the pur
Eose of aScertaining which candidate had a
prima tace majority of the electoral votes.
but for the purpose OF ascertalnlng that the
governor of Florida and de facto governor of
Louisiana had given certificates 10 the Hayes
electors.
The letter written by Col. Sidwell in
1871 in refutation of the charge made
against Mr.. Stevenson is as follows:
Chicago, Sept. IS, 1ST4.-Mr. Editor: 1
have noticed in some of the Republican pa
pers of Central Illinois statement that A.
L. Stevenson, now q candidate for congress
in the Fourteenth district, was. while resi-
dent of Woodford county, vile secessionist
and bitter opponent of the war. As matter
of simple justice to Mr.. Stevenson l desire to
say that know the statement to be wholly
unfoun6ed.
Iknew him intimately during the entire
period of the war, and remember we'll at the
breaking out of the war he made speech in
favor of the suppression OF the rebellion. In
the month of August, 1852, raised two CON-
panies in Woodford county which were
Eighth regiment of Illinois volunteers, of
which regiment I was subsequently elected
lieutenant colonel. At the time | was organ
izing the companies Mr.. stevenson went with
me to different points in the country and by
public speeches and by his personal infu-
ence greatly assisted me in procuring enlist
ments. / never heard it intimated that his
sympathies were in favor of the rebellion.
He was, | know, an ardent Douglas demo-
crat In 1854 Mr.. stevenson was candidate
f0r cfofa o. oft md We aIantad al
the district was Overwhelmingly republican.
Political excitement then ran high. but it
was never charged upon him that he had
been q sympathzer with the rebellion. By
greatly oblige, yours truly. r. l.. SIDwELL.
What David Davis Wrote.
A letter written by the late David
Davis on Oct. 25, 1880, In support Of Mr..
Stevenson's candidacy for congress is
also to the point. 1t read thus:
Messrs. James Haiues and F. Shurtlef, Gen
tlemen regret my inability to attend your
meeting. the more so because it would have
afforded me an opportunity to bear personal
testimony to the claim of A. E. Stevenson.
who is up for reelection to congress and
who deserved the support of every fair
minded and independent voter. Mr.. Steven
son unites i'll his character and candidacy
qualities which jefferson defined as the nee
essary conditions for properly filing public
trust. He is honest. he is capable and he is
faithful to duty. AS representative of the
people of his district, whether Democrats,
Republicans or Nationals. have reasons to be
proud of him, for on all test questions he has
risen aboye the narrow restraints, Of
party, guided by the principal rights
and animated by a moral courage that
never faltered i'll asserting his conviction.
The soldier. the soldiers widow and the sol
dier's children have found in him q vigilant
and untiring friend, to whose influ-
ence and efforts they owe the relief that has
soothed many sOrrows Enjoying the fullest
confidence and respect of all parties in con-
gress, he has done very much to serve local
and state interests. This experience will
enable him TO do more than any new member
could hope to achS,ye for the first term in
the ints.sE school of legislature
If therseEas no better reason than self-in
terest tSIeeommend him he ought to be re-
turned again. But as he stands upon a
higher claim and asks the approval of an in
telligent and just constituency upon the
merits of his congressional career. it should
be given gratefully ana generously. With
high respect, your obedient servant
DAVID DAVIS.
The EuIogy Of Douglas.
Thoco naccoOcc from fba oIrioru ar,