NEGenWeb Project
Resource Center OLLibrary
 

322

PERIOD VI. 1861-1880. THE GREAT REBELLION.

   During the winter of 1872-3, an investigation into the affairs of the Credit Mobilier -- a corporation formed for the purpose of building the Pacific Railroad -- was ordered by Congress. It was discovered that many of the securities of the road had found their way into the hands of members of the general government, upon whose legislation depended the value of the stock. Two representatives were censured, and a senator barely escaped expulsion.1
   24. Early in the spring much trouble was caused by the Modoc Indians, who refused to Sketchremain upon their reservation in Oregon. Peace commissioners were sent out to negotiate with them; but the Indians treacherously made an attack upon the council while in session, and two of its members, Gen. Canby and Rev. Dr. Thomas, were killed. An active campaign was then begun against the Modocs, who were finally compelled to surrender. Several leaders of the tribe were executed at Fort Klamath, October 3, 1873, and the tribe was removed to a reservation in the Indian Territory.
   25. In the autumn of this year occurred a financial panic, which in character was far more general and extensive than those which had preceded it in 1837 and 1857.2
   
The effects of the war had tended to establish fictitious values and inflated prices, and this depression was looked upon as a perfectly natural reaction. It was, of course, attended with much evil, brought ruin to various industries, and was particularly severe upon the laboring people, many of whom were thrown out of employment. This state of affairs gave rise to a class of persons known as "tramps," people who obtained their living by going from town to town begging and stealing. They became so numerous, and committed so many acts of violence, that many of the states were obliged to pass laws for the general protection of society.
   By some a further issue of paper money was advocated as a measure of relief,3 while Sketchothers asked for a return to specie payments. Congress, in 1875, passed a bill naming January 1, 1879, as the date upon which resumption should take place. Financial affairs adjusted themselves accordingly, and on the date mentioned, specie payment was resumed.


   1 See p. 319, ¶ 17.      2 See p. 201, ¶ 1; -- p. 225, ¶ 3.      3 See p. 312, ¶ 62.


   QUESTIONS. -- What was the Credit Mobilier? What was the result of the investigation of its affairs by Congress? 24. What is said of the Modoc Indians? How did they treat the peace commissioners? What was the result of the campaign against these Indians? 25. What was the character of the panic of 1873? What had been the effect of the war? State what is said about "tramps." What general measures of relief were urged, and, what did Congress do? What resulted?


GRANT'S ADMINISTRATION.

323

   26. Political disturbances in reference to state governments occurred during this administration in Louisiana and South Carolina. In the former state both political parties claimed the election of its governor and legislature, and threatened to establish their claims by force, so that President Grant felt compelled to interfere, and sent thither bodies of United States troops. They sustained the authority of the Republican state officers. A similar condition of affairs existed in South Carolina, and by similar interference the Republican state government was upheld.
   27. Colorado, having a population of one hundred and twenty-five thousand, applied in 1875 forSketch admission to the Union. In March of that year Congress granted to the people of the territory power to frame a constitution. By proclamation of the president it took its place in the Union during the summer of 1876. It is known as the "Rocky Mountain" or "Centennial" state.
   
That part of Colorado lying east of the Rocky Mountains and north of the Arkansas River was originally a portion of the "Louisiana purchase."1 The remainder was included in the Mexican cession2 of 1848. Colorado made the thirty-eighth state.
   28. 1876 marked the completion of the first century of the republic,3 and was known as the Centennial Year. The epoch was generally noticed in all parts of the country.
   
The Fourth of July was especially observed. At Philadelphia an International Exhibition was held, opening upon the 10th of May, and closing in November. It was visited by nearly ten millions of people. For the purposes of the exhibition two hundred buildings were erected in Fairmount Park, six of these alone covering a space of sixty acres. The display of manufactured goods and general products from the many states of the Union was exceedingly extensive and attractive, while foreign countries, particularly China, Japan, Russia, and France, by their varied contributions, added much to the interest of the exhibition.
   29. This year was also marked by a further disturbance among the Indians. The Sioux refused to settle upon the reservation assigned them by treaty, and made various attacks


   1 See p. 166, ¶ 3, and note 5.     2 See p. 219, ¶ 7.     3 See p. 119, ¶ 2.
   QUESTIONS. -- 26. Give an account of the political disturbances in Louisiana and South Carolina. 27. When did Colorado apply for admission to the Union? How and when was she admitted? What is the state called? From what sources was Colorado originally obtained? What is her number in the order of admission? 28. For what was the year 1876 noted? How was it observed? What exhibition took place at Philadelphia? Give an account of it. 29. What is said of the trouble with the Sioux?


324

PERIOD VI. 1861-1880. THE GREAT REBELLION.

upon friendly Indians. In June a force of regular troops, under command of General Custer and General Terry, was sent against them. On the twenty-fifth General Custer came suddenly upon the enemy. A terrible battle ensued. The soldiers were completely overwhelmed, and nearly all were killed, General Custer himself being slain while making a gallant hand-to-hand fight. Subsequently reinforcements arrived; a pursuit and attack followed, and the Sioux, being beaten, surrendered.
   30. The presidential election of 1876 was one of exceeding interest on account of the close character of the contest. Rutherford B. Hayes,1 of Ohio, was elected president, and William A. Wheeler, of New York, vice-president. The successful candidates were the nominees of the Republican party.
   
The Democrats named for their candidates Samuel J. Tilden, of New York, and Thomas A. Hendricks, of Indiana. A third party, called the Greenback party, also placed in the field the names of Peter Cooper, of New York, and Samuel E. Cary, of Ohio. The election took place, but the issue remained for some time unsettled in consequence of disputes which arose Sketchconcerning the return of electoral votes from several of the states. The matter was by Congress referred for settlement to a committee, known as the Electoral Commission, consisting of five senators, five representatives, and five judges of the Supreme Court. This commission finally decided, by a vote of eight to seven, that Tilden and Hendricks had received one hundred and eighty-four electoral votes, and Hayes and Wheeler one hundred and eighty-five. The latter were therefore declared elected, and were duly inaugurated in the following March.
   31. Upon entering office, President Hayes2 found political affairs in the South, particularly in Louisiana and South Carolina, in an extremely disturbed condition, growing out of the fact that rival governments in each commonwealth were disputing as to the right to the administration of local authority. His predecessor had sustained the Republican governments3 of


   1 Rutherford Birchard Hayes was born at Delaware, Ohio, October 4,1822. He was graduated at Kenyon College in 1842, and afterwards at the Harvard Law School. He then entered upon the practice of his profession at Fremont, Ohio. When the Civil War broke out, he entered the army, and by faithful service rose from the rank of major to that of brevet major-general. At the the close of the contest he returned to his native state and became prominent in political affairs. He was member of Congress for two terms, and three times elected governor of Ohio.
   2 See Appendix, p. 23.      3 See p. 323, ¶ 26.

   QUESTIONS. -- State the facts of the battle between General Custer and the Indians. What was the final result? 30. Name the candidates for president and vice-president in the campaign of 1879. What was the result of the issue? To whom was it referred? Who were declared elected? -- 31. How did President Hayes find affairs in the South at this time? What had been the action of Hayes's predecessor?


HAYES'S ADMINISTRATION.

325

these states by placing United States troops within their borders. The president withdrew the troops, and the Democrats, coming into power, took control of affairs in both states.
Sketch   
The subject of civil service reform received the cordial support of President Hayes. The matter, however, did not meet with general acceptance, owing, perhaps, to the fact that the offices under the control of government had been used as rewards for party services, and those having these places within their gift were naturally unwilling to part with such patronage. The president was apparently sincere in his efforts at reform, and found some zealous supporters.
   32. In the summer of 1877 there occurred an extensive and disastrous strike of railroad operatives, which greatly interrupted travel and disturbed business throughout the country, Sketchand was marked by unusual violence and great loss and destruction of property. The strike was caused by a reduction of wages, which the workmen united to resist. They failed of their purpose, but quiet and order were only restored by the aid of troops of the national army.
  
 The outbreak commenced about the middle of July, at Martinsburg, W. Va., with the workmen on the Baltimore and Ohio road. The strike soon spread to other railroads, and extended as far west as the Mississippi river, and east and north to Canada. At Pittsburg, Pa., a fearful riot occurred, which the state troops attempted to quell, but without success. Depots, machine-shops, cars, and large quantities of freight, were burned by a mob which ruled the city for several days. Nearly one hundred persons were killed. The loss of property was variously estimated from five to six millions of dollars. Other riots, not so destructive in character, took place at St. Louis, Chicago, Louisville, Baltimore, Hornellsville, N. Y., and Reading and Scranton, Pa. These


   QUESTIONS. -- What course did the president pursue? What is said of civil-service reform? 32. What is stated about the strike of railroad operatives in the summer of 1877? Give an account of the outbreak and what resulted therefrom. How and when was quiet restored?


326

PERIOD VI. 1861-1880. THE GREAT REBELLION.

were finally quelled in most part by the local militia. In some instances regular troops were called in, and rendered prompt and efficient service. It was not until towards the close of August that peace and quiet were restored and travel and traffic fully resumed by all the railroads.
   33. During this summer the Nez Perce* Indians, who had hitherto been friendly, caused some disturbance. The affair was not of great magnitude, and was soon quelled by the United States forces.
   34. An extra session of Congress was called in October by reason of failure at its previous sitting to pass the customary appropriation bills.
   
The regular session began as usual in December, and the chief interest centred (sic) upon what was known as the Silver Bill. It was a measure for re-establishing the free coinage of silver and making coined silver dollars legal tender for all debts public and private. Reasons for its introduction were found in the fact that by an act of Congress, in 1873, silver had been demonetized; and further, by the belief on the part of many that such a law would be a relief to the general financial depression then prevailing.1 This view was, however, opposed by others, who were of the opinion that exactly the opposite result Sketchwould be produced by the success of the measure. As the value of silver had depreciated on account of its demonetization by England, Germany, and other European countries, and the increased production of silver from the mines of the west, the question was also raised as to whether the government was not pledged to pay its debts in gold. The bill, however, was passed early in 1878, having been amended so as to limit the coinage of silver, and also to secure to the government the profit of the coinage.
   The Bankrupt Act, which had been in operation since 1867, was repealed during the latter part of this session.2
   
The commission to whom, under the Treaty of Washington,3 had been referred the difficulties between the United States and Great Britain growing out of the question of fisheries off the coasts of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, sat at Halifax during August, 1878, and finally agreed that the United States should pay to Great Britain the sum of five millions five hundred thousand dollars, as a compensation for fishing privileges for the term of twelve years. The people of the United States considered this award excessive and unjust, but notwithstanding, the claim was promptly paid.


   *How pronounced, and where located?
   1 See p. 322, ¶ 25.      2 See p. ¶ 8.      3 See pp. 319-320, ¶ 20.

   QUESTIONS. -- 33. What Indian outbreak occurred this summer? 34. Why was an extra session of Congress called in October of this year? What prominent bill was introduced at the regular session in December? Give a general account of it. Did the bill pass? How was it amended? When was the Bankrupt Law repealed? Give an account of the settlement of the fisheries question. What was the feeling of the people of the United States?


HAYES'S ADMINISTRATION.

327

   In the early part of 1879 a bill was introduced into Congress, having in view the lessening of ChineseSketch immigration. It was favored more especially by those from the states of the Pacific coast. Its opponents believed the measure unnecessary and unwise, as well as in direct violation of the treaty existing with China.1 The bill passed Congress, but was vetoed by the president and failed to become a law.
   35. An extra session of Congress was called by the president on the 18th of March, for the purpose of passing appropriation bills not acted upon at the regular sitting.
   Early in June a fresh Indian trouble was developed by the actions of the Utes, in Colorado. They became discontented and began to burn the forests and grasses along the line of their reservation. They also tyrannized over the white settlers, committed acts of arson, and denied the right of the authorities to arrest them on their reservation.
   
Difficulties occurred at the White River Agency, which finally culminated in an attack, in which Agent Meeker and seven white men were massacred by the Indians. The women and children were not harmed, but were secured and taken to the home of Ouray, one of the chiefs of the tribe. They were afterwards given up to General Adams. A conference was finally had between Generals Adams and Hatch and Chief Ouray, in which the latter agreed to surrender the twelve Indians who were concerned in the Meeker outrage, provided they should be taken to Washington for trial. These terms were accepted.
   36. The year 1879 was noticeable for a revival of business. From all quarters of the United States there were reports of better times and general activity. Manufacturing everywhere increased, trade received new life, agricultural productions were abundant, and the depression which had followed the war began at last to pass away.


   Here, for the present, this history closes. Its course, from the beginning, shows the protecting care of God over the American nation, and gives confidence that under His guidance a people who, during the late momentous years of their history, have evinced such patriotic energy, wise forecast, determination in disaster, and moderation in success, will continue to maintain the high resolve, that "the government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth."


   1 See p. 318, ¶ 13.


   QUESTIONS. -- What is said concerning the Chinese immigration bill? 35. When and why was an extra session of Congress called? -- Give an account of the uprising of the Utes. What took place at the White River Agency? What conference occurred, and with what result? 26. For what was the year 1879 noticeable?


Previous Page Button
Appendix Button
Contents Button
Pronouncing Index Button
Next Page Button

© 1999, 2000, 2001 for NEGenWeb Project by Ted & Carole Miller