1861 Vermont gubernatorial election
September 3, 1861 (1861-09-03)
 
Nominee Frederick Holbrook Andrew Tracy Benjamin H. Smalley
Party Republican Democratic Peace Democrat
Popular vote 33,152 5,722 3,190
Percentage 77.5% 13.4% 7.5%
Governor before election

Erastus Fairbanks
Republican

 Elected Governor

Frederick Holbrook
Republican

The 1861 Vermont gubernatorial election for governor of Vermont was held on Tuesday, September 3.[1] In keeping with the "Mountain Rule", incumbent Republican Erastus Fairbanks, who had also served as governor from 1852 to 1853, was not a candidate for a third one-year term.[2][3] The Republican nominee was Frederick Holbrook, a former member of the Vermont Senate.[2] With the Democratic Party split nationally over the issue of slavery during the American Civil War, Andrew Tracy, a former member of the United States House of Representatives, appeared on the ballot as a pro-Union Democrat.[4] Benjamin H. Smalley was on the ballot as a "Peace Democrat," Democrats who favored a compromise with the states that had formed the Confederacy.[5]

Vermont continued to oppose slavery and support the Union, which was reflected in its support of Republican candidates.[2] Holbrook easily defeated both Democrats and won a one-year term that began on October 15.[2][6] Illness confined Holbrook at home for most of October,[7] and he delayed traveling to Montpelier to take his oath of office until October 22.[8]

General election

Results

1861 Vermont gubernatorial election[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Frederick Holbrook 33,152 77.5%
Democratic Andrew Tracy 5,722 13.4%
Peace Democrat Benjamin H. Smalley 3,190 7.5%
Scattering 732 1.6%
Total votes '42,796' '100'

References

  1. ↑ "State Election". The Vermonter. Vergennes, VT. August 30, 1861. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Armstrong, Howard E. (1955). Vermont Legislative Directory and State Manual. Montpelier, VT: Vermont Secretary of State. p. 274 – via Google Books.
  3. ↑ Hand, Samuel B. (2003). "Mountain Rule Revisited" (PDF). Vermont History. Montpelier, VT: Vermont Historical Society. pp. 140, 143.
  4. ↑ "The Union People's Convention". The Daily Journal. Montpelier, VT. August 22, 1861. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ Dell, Christopher (1975). Lincoln and the War Democrats: The Grand Erosion of Conservative Tradition. Teaneck, NJ: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press. p. 109. ISBN 978-0-8386-1466-2 – via Google Books.
  6. ↑ "Legislative Proceedings: The House, October 15". The Weekly Times. Burlington, VT. October 19, 1861. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ Walton; E. P., eds. (October 18, 1861). "Who Will Be Governor?". Watchman & State Journal. Montpelier, VT. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ Howard, S. Jr., ed. (October 25, 1861). "Gov. Holbrook Took the Oath of Office on Tuesday". Lamoille Newsdealer. Hyde Park, VT. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
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