The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1920-04-01
FREE SOILERS
NAMED DURKEE
Madison Man Tells Inter
esting History of Early
Kenoslla Co. Politics.
LED PERSISTENT FIGHT

Some interesting history of the po-
litical fight which resulted in Charles
Durkee, only Kenosha man in the
United States senate, being elected to
represent Wisconsin in the higher body
of congress is told by Fred l., Holmes
of Madison. He says:
with the agitation in some quarters
for third party movement, it is in
teresting to notice that in the early
history of Wisconsin the free soil par
ty--a third party move obtained such
an impetus in the state that it sent
Charles Durkee of Racine county to
the United States senate.
"The same free soil representative
from Wisconsin in an early day has
the Repatriation of being probably the
first 'pacifist' in the state and in be-
half of this movement once went to
Paris to urge the justice of a pacifst
movement.
Charles Durkee was an early resi-
dent of Kenosha county. The first
session of the legislature of this new
territory was held at Belmont, small
town east Of the Mississippi river, com
mencing on Oct. Is, 1885, Mr.. Durkee
was elected to the house of represen-
tatives in this legislative body from
the county of Milwaukee, in November
of that year.
Founded Liberty Party.
When the first measures were taken
in Wisconsin for the organization of
an anti-slavery party, for the avowed
object of arresting the further prog
ress Of slavery into new territory, Mr..
Durkee entered earnestly into the
movement. He was among the origi-
majors of the "liberty party" in the
state, and Jealous supporter of it's
measures, contributing liberal sums
of money for the purchase and distri-
button of anti-slavery documents, for
the employment Of lecturers, and for
the support Of a press to represent
the interests of the party Being re-
garded as one of its popular leaders,
he was every year nominated candi-
date of the party for some important
office. Notwithstanding the liberty
part was for long time in minori-
ty, without expectation of eleeting its
candidates, yet Mr.. Durkee consented
to stand the prospective defeats at
the polls, religiously believing it to be
his duty to represent principle,
which was destined ultimately to sue
coed.
In November, 184e, he was elected a
member of congress from the first
congressional district, being the first
representative in congress elected as
a distinctive anti-slavery man from
the northwest. In November, 1851, he
was elected for second term, making
his service in the house Of representa-
tives four years.
In the years 1S49 and 1850 the sub
ject of a world peace convention was
much discussed in many portions of
the country. Elihu Burritt, then
widely known as an advocate for the
avoidance of the calamities of war BY
referring all national controversies to
the arbitrament of congress of ma
tions, visited Wisconsin, and by his
public addresses created considerable
interest on this subject in several To-
calities.
The idea Of universal peace through
the Intervention of a tribunal Of ma
tions, very naturally commeded itself
to Mr.. Durkee. "Pcace on earth and
good will to men" was one of his fav-
orable themes. A peace society was
organized about this time in Kenosha
county, and at meeting called for
the purpose of considering the prop
riety of sending delegate to the pro-
posed peace convention to be held in
Paris, Mr.. Durkee was unanimously