The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-12
RICHMoND,s ANNIVERSARY.
Interesting Political History Brought
Ont by the Celebration.

Ont by the Celebration.
The city of Richmond has just celebrated
the eightieth anniversary of it's incorpora-
ton, which occurred in 1885, two years after
the admission of Indiana as a state in the
Union. The city has always ranked as one
of the most substantial and progressive in
Indiana, and has done it's full share in pro-
noting the social, educational and political
advancement of the State. It's recent an
niversary YVES marked by special issue OF
the Evening Item, containing much inter-
esting matter concerning the first settle
ment and early history of the city, and an
excellent presentation of it's present institu-
lions, manufacturing establishments and
business houses. The following extract re-
lating to early political history is of general
interest:
."rhe fact that Richmond was one of the
earliest settled communities in Indiana, was
on the National road, and on the only rail-
road that connected Indianapolis with the
East, together with the character of her
citizens, made her the center of many stir
ring political events in the early days.
Politics in this locality were always, as they
are now, very exciting. The Friends, who
had a liberal settlement here. were impor-
tant factors, and their vote was courted.
The county In its early history was strongly
Wing. When the slavery question came to
the front, however, there was, "a division OF
sentiment in the county, and party lines
were broken by great many, and the nght
between the abolitionists and Wings Became
extremely bitter and personal. 80 intense
was the feeling among the Friends that
their church was split into two factions.
was the center of the abolition element OF
Wayne county and central station on the
underground railway. The most exciting
incident of the anti-bellum days within TINS
vicinity occurred in the fall of 1872.
1T was on the first Saturday IN october,
1872 that Henry Clay. the e, candi rrsned Tor
Richmond on his way from Dayton, o., to
Indianapolis, he then being on speech
making tour in his own behalf. While here
he was the guest of Elijah Coffin and
Stephen =. Stanton. His appearance here
was known ahead of time, and the town
was the scene of a wonderful multitude of
people, greater than ever before in its his
tory. The Aboitionsts had determined to
petition him for an interview relative to the
freeing Of his slaves petit petition wfn aver
had been signed by the committee having IL
in charge: Daniel Worth, Peter Crocker,
Hiram MendenhaH and Samuel Mitchell.
They had come to Richmond for that pur
pose, and II was known to the Wings. Elk
element ran high, and threats of violence
suit Henry Clay by offering him such a pc
tition, for SO the Wings called the action
1t was denied the Abolilionists the privilege
to privately present their petition, it no
being supposed that they would have the
courage 10 do it openly. the speaking
Cured from temporary platform erected
Hibberd and West on North Eighth street,
between A and B. James Rariden presided,
and upon the meeting being called to order
Mr.. Rariden asked that anyone having pc
titions to present to MIR. Clay would please
bring them forward This was done to force
the Abolitionists to either back down or
else incur the anger of a hostile crowd
bitter partisanS. In this announcement j
was also made known that any petition
would be replied to by Mr.. Clay at that
time. When this announcement was made
the Abolitionists, through Hiram -henden-
hall, a fearless and stalwart farmer, sent
their petition to the stand. AS he started
with 1t cries of Mob him.' Stab him. Kill
him! arose from the crowd, the vast ma
jority of whom were Clay partisans. Seeing
the seriousness of the occasion, Clay
stepped to the edge of the platform and i'm
portuned the crowd not to resort to violence
1t is said that only his plea saved Menden-
halls life. The petition was handed to
Rariden, Clay refusing to touch it, and read
by him. Then Clay made answer. For over
an hour he poured down upon the heads OF
the Abohtionists in general, and the petit
TONERS in particular, a storm of eloquent
was probably never heard in Richmond be
fore or since because 1t was only such as
Henry Clay could give. He even became
abusive, and finished by telling the petit
toners to go home, go home. and mind your
own business!' OF course the speech was
strong one in the eyes of the crowd but
is said that this very same Richmond speech
defeated Clay and elected Polk. AS fast as
the mails would carry the news of the meet
ing 1t was sent to the AbolitionistS of New
York, where the speech was taken as text
and stirred the friends OF abolition of tina
State TO such activity that 1t went against
Clay. 1t was the pivotal State. and decided
the day. After Clay's defeat the Abolition
Wayne county Abolitionists. said gleefully
We are at home. Mr.. CLAW. I"