The County of Philadelphia was merged with the city February 2, 1854, a measure of great importance, as it enlarged the sphere of municipal action.
Governor Bigler urged the payment of the public debt, and used his great influence in behalf of the public schools with beneficent results.
In March, 1854, Bigler was unanimously nominated for a second term and immediately entered upon another hard campaign for re-election. Opposed to him was James Pollock, of Milton, a man of rare culture and ability. In the midst of the campaign Governor Bigler was stricken down with sickness, and he lay ill at his home in Clearfield during most of the canvass, thus being unable to stir up his followers by his personal presence and earnestness. Pollock’s campaign was allied with the Native American or Know-Nothing Party. He also was an active leader in the Free Soil movement. Bigler had violently opposed the Know-Nothing Party from its first organization, and his attitude toward the Kansas-Nebraska Bill cost him many votes. As a result Pollock was elected Governor by a large majority.
General U. S. Grant Leaves Philadelphia on
Trip Around World, Arriving There on
Return December 16, 1879
There were several incidents in life of General Ulysses Simpson Grant which are of especial interest to Pennsylvanians.
On June 10, 1865, he was tendered a formal reception at the Union League Club house in Philadelphia, at which he was received with such enthusiasm, the general was engaged more than three hours in shaking hands with his visitors.
When the great fair was held at the Academy of Music, commencing October 23, 1865, to aid the Soldiers and Sailors’ Home, the inauguration ceremonies were conducted by Lieutenant-General Grant, Major General Meade, and Admiral Farragut, and an executive committee, including the most distinguished officers and civilians.
As these three most distinguished officers appeared together, the entire audience rose and saluted them with long continued applause. They each made short addresses.