Autobiography of Charles Clinton Nourse: Prepared for use of Members of the Family — John Shaqi
Autobiography of Charles Clinton Nourse: Prepared for use of Members of the FamilyNourse, Charles Clinton
History
Autobiography of Charles Clinton Nourse: Prepared for use of Members of the Family
Nourse, Charles Clinton
Iowa -- Politics and government; Lawyers -- Iowa -- Biography; Nourse, Charles Clinton, 1829-
suggestion as bigotry and presumption inexcusable. He at once went to
Senator Jones and told him of the proposition that had been made to him
and the cause of it, and denounced the "Know-Nothing" organization in
most uncompromising terms. The Senator was pleased with Brother Dean's
zeal in the matter, and induced him on the succeeding Sabbath to preach
a sermon on "Know-Nothingism" and to denounce it from the pulpit. Dean
was a man of more than ordinary ability, with a wonderful command of
language. Upon the adjournment of the conference Senator Jones wrote to
Judge Knapp at Keosauqua stating the situation and suggesting that Dean
be employed in the political canvass against the "Know-Nothings" that
fall, and be encouraged in his opposition to that order. Dean returned
to Keosauqua, and I had a long conference with him upon this matter. I
knew that he had been engaged several years before that in collecting
the most learned and effective arguments in favor of protective tariff
as delivered in congress from time to time, especially from whig
members from the state of Pennsylvania. I also knew that he had
preached some of the bitterest sermons against human slavery that I had
ever heard from the pulpit or from any source, and I urged upon him
that he could not consistently coöperate with the democratic party
because of his views in regard to the tariff and because of his
opposition to slavery. I pointed out to him that the organization of
the republican party was then proceeding in most of the states and that
his feelings, sentiments, and views would be better expressed by the
position of that organization; that the "Know-Nothing" party was a mere
temporary passion and would effervesce and disappear in a short time,
and that his efforts in opposition to them would be wholly unnecessary
and gratuitous. But he was too wroth and anxious for his revenge
against those who suggested that he decline the hospitality and good
dinners of Senator Jones. He accordingly entered the canvass, and that
fall there being the election in Virginia in which Henry A. Wise was a
democratic candidate for Governor and was opposed by the
"Know-Nothings," Dean with letters of recommendation from Jones and
Senator Dodge and other leading democrats of Iowa went to Virginia and
entered the political canvass in favor of Wise and in opposition to the
"Know-Nothings." Wise was elected, and Dean then went to Washington
City. With the influence of Dodge and Jones and the Virginia delegation
he was elected chaplain of the United States senate, and thereafter,
and especially during the Civil War, he made himself notorious as a
democratic orator.
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