Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 1.djvu/403



issue; the “Hunkers” favored slavery, and the “Free Sellers” were antislavery. There was also an “Anti-slavery” party, which in 1854 nominated a full ticket for State officers. James W. Grimes was known to be outspoken in opposition to the extension of slavery and he was willing to make a vigorous campaign if he could receive the support of all of the opponents of the extension of slavery. He therefore held a private conference with the antislavery leaders, and persuaded them to withdraw their ticket and support the Whig candidates. Mr. Grimes now entered upon the campaign with great vigor and with strong hopes of success. He attacked the National Democratic administration, denouncing in scathing language its persistent efforts to extend slavery into the new Territories. He became the champion of the opposition to slavery and won the support of a large portion of the Free Soil Democrats. It was the beginning of a union of all who opposed the extension of slavery and the forerunner of the coming Republican party. The campaign resulted in the election of James W. Grimes, by a vote of 23,325 to 21,202 for Curtis Bates, giving Grimes a majority of 2,123. The Whigs also elected A. J. Stevens, Auditor, while the Democrats elected G. W. McCleary, Secretary of State; M. L. Morris, Treasurer; and D. C. Cloud, Attorney-General. James D. Eads, Democrat, had been elected Superintendent of Public Instruction in April.

The Fifth General Assembly, which convened on the 4th day of December, at Iowa City, was organized by the election of Maturin L. Fisher President of the Senate, and Reuben Noble Speaker of the House. The Democrats had sixteen members of the Senate; the Whigs and Free Soil, fifteen. In the House they stood, Whig and Free Soil, forty; Democrats, thirty. The Democrats organized the Senate and the Whigs the House.

Governor Hempstead, in his retiring message, reported the financial condition of the State to be as follows: