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Newspaper
Freeport Journal
Location
Freeport, Illinois, United States of America
Date
Jul 17, 1878
Page
2
Notable local citizens and veterans, long staunch Republicans, were grossly insulted by Ring Master Atkins who served as master of ceremonies at the caucus held in Fry's Block Saturday evening.
At the end of his current term Mr. Burchard will mark ten years in Congress and has received about 50 000 dollars of the people’s money. The record of the decade is examined for what was gained as compensation for this large sum.
Voter turnout reached 437 with 112 voting Anti-Burchard. Report notes extensive ring influence, money spent, outsiders hired to bolster support, and a strong local opposition in Mr. Burchard’s home city. It questions his popularity and calls for more evident dissent.
The piece argues people boycott primaries due to disgust with the caucus system and party ring manipulation. It notes the July 16 convention call appeared late in the Journal, giving readers too little time to respond, with delays in mail from towns hindering notices for caucuses.
The piece accuses Burchard backers of covertly packing town caucuses with paid supporters. It argues the timing during harvest prevents farmer turnout and calls the maneuvering disgusting, predicting the caucus system will be abandoned if the public cannot control their own affairs.
In a Freeport communication the writer says a Journal item accusing Gen Atkins of usurping Kilpatrick's staff remarks was not penned by the Journal. The letter asserts the signer is credible and notes a misinformed account about a colonel seized for conduct unbecoming, suggesting Atkins has since claimed the matter as his own.
The writer urges readers to question Mr. Burchard’s suitability, labeling him a demagogue for forcing his candidacy despite party opposition. They cite a county majority of 344 two years ago versus a general election range of 415 to 451, arguing his lack of party support and home-town weakness.
In Jo Daviess County the Republican choice trails by 344 in Ads report with 178 votes swing needed to flip to Democratic. The piece argues McClellan's harmony efforts once carried Jo Daviess for Burchard, questions the defeated candidate's strength, and urges Republicans to favor strong district alternatives over a burdened nominee.
The text condemns General Atkins for using vindictive and vile language toward the Journal editor, contrasting it with conduct toward Mr. Burchard and urging civility. It notes such language harms his standing among true gentlemen and suggests he should imitate refined behavior.
A congressman, claiming top status for his state, roams shops and offices in sweltering heat to beg neighbors and townsmen for votes in primary meetings. After ten years in national service, he cites no praiseworthy act to justify support, raising questions about his appeal to other counties.
In a heated campaign message Gen Atkins asserts the Anti Burchard movement targets his head and that voting against Burchard equals voting against him. The piece says Atkins is Burchard and Burchard is Atkins and urges composure while noting Postmaster Atkins has four more years. It argues removal requires cause and that with Burchard in Congress, removal or investigation was impossible.
The Grangers demand clarity on a five thousand dollar back pay linked to Horatio and the district. They accuse political figures of maneuvering funds through Washington and warn of possible post election draws. They label Horatio as evasive, likening him to a snake, while noting Burchard’s influence and doubt over who will ultimately receive or return the funds.
The piece critiques H C Burchard and the salary grab, notes Horatio’s alleged swag misuse, and cites Stephenson County election returns from November 1876. It includes certified vote tallies for Cullom, Thornton, Gundlach, McClellan, Burchard, Pattison, and Hayes, with commentary on Burchard’s lagging county performance.
The Stephenson County Republican Convention met at the Opera House in Freeport on July 16 1878 to select 12 delegates for the Congressional Convention on Aug 8 1878. The body chose E P Barton as temporary chair and Blakeway Ide as secretaries amid credential debates and factional motions. Delegates from multiple townships were listed with a vote split reflecting Anti Burchard sentiment. Florence passed a protest against renomination of H Burchard.
A Saturday Third Ward caucus led by General Atkins, accused of profane abuse and aggressive campaigning for Burchard voters, is described as uncharacteristic drunken zeal rather than his sober self. The piece questions motive and loyalty to the JOURNAL editor and hints Atkins’ enmity influenced his behavior.
The paper states the conversation between Mr. Burchard and a voter on the Sterling P. O. matter did occur as reported and that last week’s Journal account was substantially correct. It adds the voter provided the information and notes Mr. Burchard will not deny the meeting or the report.
The text notes Mr Burchard barely carries the county by the skin of his teeth as towns including West Point Dakota Onecce Buckeye Florence elect anti Burchard delegates. Freeport, a Democratic city, would have defeated him without its votes, and the piece argues we work for Republican success rather than a Burchard party.
A sound Republican letter from the Journal editor outlines widespread dissatisfaction with Mr. Burchard in many county school districts. It cites former radical Republicans refusing to vote for him despite party harmony, accusing Burchard of being controlled by a party ring that serves no one but itself.
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