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Image of the inaugural award,
click here to view a larger version.
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KPI awards the
John J. Ingalls Spirit of Freedom Award to a Kansan who uniquely supports the principles of individual liberty and economic freedom. Captain John D'Aloia, Jr. of St. Marys received the inaugural award in 2012.
Click here for a list of award recipients.
The award is named in honor of United States Senator John J. Ingalls (1833 - 1900). Ingalls represented Kansas in the U.S. Senate from
1873 - 1891 and served as the President pro tempore of the Senate between the 49th and 51st Congresses. One of Kansas' founding fathers, he coined the phrase that would become Kansas' motto "Ad astra per aspera" and helped draft the state constitution.
In
their history of Kansas' political and governmental culture, Drs. H. Edward Flentje (Wichita State Univ.) and Joseph Aistrup (Kansas State Univ.) identify Ingalls as a strong believer in the principles held at both the state's and the nation's founding - limited government and free enterprise. In fact, the quote on the plaque presented to recipients of award is from their work;
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I belong to the school of politicians who think that government should interfere as little as possible in the affairs of its citizens. I have no sympathy with the paternal idea, but believe that the best results are attained when people are left to settle the great questions of society by individual effort. All that legislation can do is to give men an equal chance in the race of life.
- Senator John J. Ingalls
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Ingalls was certainly a fierce partisan and, at one point, f
aced accusations of corruption. However, he was later exonerated of the charges by a Senate committee and would go on to recognition as a leading national figure and draw occasional presidential speculation.
A native of Massachusetts and a free-stater, Ingalls migrated to Kansas in 1858 to practice law. He ultimately settled in Atchison and held many local, territorial, and state offices. In addition to his political career, Ingalls was a publisher and
author of national repute.
Statue of Sen. Ingalls in the United States Capitol. |
A statue of John Ingalls also resides in the United States Capitol as part of
The National Statuary Hall Collection; each state is permitted to send statues of two notable citizens to this national collection and Ingalls was joined by President and General Dwight D. Eisenhower in 2003.
Senator John J. Ingalls died on August 16, 1900 in East Las Vegas, New Mexico and is buried in his adopted Atchison.
Learn more about Senator John J. Ingalls at the links below;
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Architect of the United States Capitol
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Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
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Kansas Historical Society
The University of Kansas Press published, "Senator John James Ingalls" in 1972 which quotes a letter in which Ingalls outlines his personal creed;
I would say that my creed is simple. I believe in the universal diffusion of political rights, accompanied by sufficient guarantees for the protection of life, the security of property, and the preservation of personal liberty.
- Senator John J. Ingalls
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Award Recipients
2012
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Captain John D'Aloia, Jr. |
St. Marys, Kansas
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