Vilas, William F., was born at Chelsea, Vermont, July 9, 1840. He graduated at the Wisconsin State University, to which State his family had moved, and also at the Albany Law School, Albany, New York. He raised a company in 1862, going to the war in command of it; reached the grade of lieutenant-colonel. In 1863 he resumed the practice of law in Wisconsin. He was law lecturer in the State University. In March, 1885, President Cleveland appointed him Postmaster-General. In December, 1887, he was made Secretary of the Interior. Virginia was one of the original States of the Union. On April 17, 1861, a State convention passed an ordinance of secession which was ratified by a popular vote in May. By Act of January 26, 1870, the State was readmitted to the Union. The capital is Richmond. The population in 1880 was 1,512,565, and in the last census (1890) 1,655,980. Virginia is entitled to ten seats in the House of Representatives and twelve electoral votes. It is considered a Democratic State in national politics. It was named for Queen Elizabeth, the "Virgin Queen." Popularly it is called the Old Dominion, sometimes the Mother of Presidents, and occasionally the Mother of States. (See Governors; Legislatures; West Virginia.) Virginia Dynasty is a name given to the group of Virginians that, at the beginning of this century, wielded an almost controlling influence in the affairs of the nation. (See Virginia Influence.) Virginia Influence. By this name is known the influence wielded by the State of Virginia, headed by Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Taylor, Tazewell, the Randolphs and others, from the adoption of the Constitution until about 1824. It arose largely from the unaminity of its people on national subjects, owing to a certain clannish feeling among them The lead taken by the State in opposition to Hamilton's view of the Constitution caused it to be regarded as the head of that opposition, and therefore of the Republican party. This Virginia Influence was a distinct factor in national politics. After John Adams, all the Presidents until John Quincy Adams, in 1825, were from Virginia. Virginia Resolutions of 1798 were resolutions adopted in that year by Virginia. They were drawn up by Madison and were similar in import to the Kentucky Resolutions of 1798 (which see). Virginius Case.-On October 31, 1873, the steamer Virginius was captured on the high seas, near Jamaica, by a Spanish vessel. The Virginius was sailing under the American flag, but was supposed to be carrying men and arms to aid insurgents in Cuba. Executions followed of the captain and several others. The United States demanded the surrender of the vessel and the survivors, and reparation for the insult to our flag. The vessel was surrendered in December, but sank on the voyage to New York. The prisoners were also liberated. Spain disclaimed any intention to insult us, and it was proven that the Virginius was not entitled to sail under our flag. Vote, Presidential. (See Presidential and ViccPresidential Electoral Vote; Presidential Popular Vote.) Voters, Qualifications of. (See Qualifications of Voters.) Voting in the Air.-This phrase was invented by William M. Evarts, of New York, during the presidential campaign of 1884, to characterize the action of those who intended to vote for St. John, the Prohibitionist candidate. St. John had no chance of election, and votes for him were considered, from the Republican standpoint, as thrown away. Wade-Davis, Manifesto. (See Davis- Wade Mani festo.) Wagon Boy.-Thomas Corwin, of Ohio, was so called because he had driven an army-wagon during the War of 1812. Walker, General William (sometimes called "the gray-eyed man of destiny"), was born in Nashville, Tennessee in 1824, followed journalism in New Orleans and San Francisco, practiced law in California and then engaged in the expeditions an account of which will be found under the title Filibusters. Walking Delegate.-In the trades-unions of today there is employed an official known as Walking Delegate. He is a species of inspector, carrying to the different branches of an organization the decrees of the central bureau and supervising their execution. One of his principal duties consists in discovering and reporting any instance of the employment of non-union men in institutions where union men are at work, the latter being forbidden to work with the former. War, the, a Failure.-The Democratic party at its national convention in 1864 declared the Civil War a failure. (See Anti-War Democrat.) Previous to that time the Legislature of Illinois, that met January, 1863, had carried in the house resolutions condemning the war, and recommending the adoption by the federal government of measures leading to a peaceful settlement. These resolutions failed in the State Senate. Those that favored this solution of the national difficulties were known as "Peace with Dishonor" men. War Democrats.-Those individuals that, Democrats before the Civil War, yet favored the prosecution of that contest and supported the Republican party during its continuance, were so called. War Department.-One of the executive departments of the government; it was established by the Act of August 7, 1789, and with the departments of State and of the Treasury constituted the original departments. At its head is the Secretary of War; he is a member of the Cabinet; his salary is $8,000 per annum. The department has charge of all matters relating to war or to the army, including purchase and distribution of supplies and army transportation; it also has charge of the signal service and meteorological records and of the disbursement of river and harbor appropriations. The principal subordinates of the department are: Inspector-General. Adjutant-General. Quartermaster-General. Commissary-General. Surgeon-General. Paymaster-General. The above are officers of the regular army, and receive and allowances of a brigadier-general. The Secretaries of War, from 1789 to date, are as follows: the pay Henry Knox. NAME. Timothy Pickering William H. Crawford. John McLean. John C. Spencer.. James M. Porter. William Wilkins. Simon Cameron. *Edwin M. Stanton *Suspended, August 12, 1867; reinstated, January 14, 1868. War of 1812, sometimes called the second war for independence. In the early part of this century Euro 1869-1876 1876-1876 Pennsylvania.. 1876-1877 Iowa... 1877-1879 Minnesota. 1879-1881 Illinois.. 1881-1885 Massachusetts. 1885-1889 1889-1891 1891-. pean nations did not admit the right of expatriation. Great Britain held that "once an Englishman always an Englishman," and maintained the rights of search and impressment. Many of our vessels were stopped on the high seas and searched; seamen claimed to be British subjects were taken from them and forced to serve in the British navy or imprisoned for refusing to serve. Several of our men-of-war were fired upon and compelled to give up seamen in their crews. The arrogance of Great Britain was further shown by her interference with our commerce under her paper blockades. She interfered with rights which our government claimed for our vessels as neutral ships. (See Embargo Act.) The Henry affair (see Henry Documents) also increased the bitter feeling of our people. For several years previous to the war England's action had been intolerable. The failure of the Non-Importation, Non-Intercourse and Embargo acts (which see) necessitated more vigorous measures. The Federalists were opposed to a war: the Republicans favored it. Madison, the Republican President, was personally not disposed to warlike measures, and it was asserted that he could not be kicked into a war." Finally, however, the pressure from public and party became too strong for him. The Congress which assembled in December, 1811, was heartily disposed to resort to arms. It passed acts to increase the army, and appropriated large sums for the army and navy. Finally, on June 18, 1812, the President declared war against Great Britain. The Republican scheme of invading Canada was hardly a success, but brilliant victories were gained on the ocean, and by Jackson at New Orleans. During the war the Federalists continued to oppose the government's measures. (See Hartford Convention.) The war was ended by the Treaty of Ghent (which see). Its result practically was the end of the old Federalist party and renewed strength to the Republicans. The objects of the war, so far as English arrogance was concerned, were practically accomplished, though the terms of the treaty did not expressly negative the British claims. |