The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-11-15

WI man 10 lose an eye or nose at election
The old things are now passed away. Treating too,
at the polls is generally discountenanced In other
days, 1t was means always rcsorted to for the pur
pose Of carrying elections On one occasion, and
here the Colonel began TO smile, which led others to
do the same, he remembered that while at the bal
lotbox, some friend remarked to him privately,
4" Johnson, JOHNSON" swell, was the reply. ''You
see them fellows yonder." "Yes." "Mr. Such-aone
has Knocked out the head of barrel of whiskey, and
The voters are helping themselves pentifully" "Oh,
is that the game" said the Colonel 90 then knock out
the heads of iico barrels of whskey the right and
mat IL make accounts even, and the people vote
without bribery Partially" Very loud laughter
But was always temperance man. Applause !
However, as he before said, these things had all
passed away. But, to come back to the humble SER
vices which ne had endeavored to render his fellow
citizens He might say that he had always acted
with the best intentions, and such was the belief of
his constituents, if he could judge by the repeated
expressions of their favor in electng him to Office
While serving in Congress, many years ago, some
where in 1908, heperceived spirit gaining strength
among the members of Congress, and which was
subsequently fully developed, to spend good por-
climate objects of legislation, to President making
In 1916, for his part he desired to confne Con-
gress to law-making II was true Washington was
an agreeable place, and members enjoyed them
selves veiy much by visiting Georgetown, and the
White House, in connection with which SO much
was said some time ago about "gold spoons" Here
there was laugh, of course.l Well, with this OBJ
ject in view, he himself introduced BILL which was
passed, allowing to members of Congress 81 500 a
session, no matter how long or how short. The
$ quence was, the public business performed by
the job, instead of by the day, as previously.
Such was the effect of this measure on the public
mind, that many men who had long and faithfully
served in Congress, and even Timothy Pickering,
was elected--to stay at home. And the Colonel said
that he himself received severe rebuke for intre-
ducing and voting for the bill, which was repealed
during the ensuing Congress. There was remark
which had gained extensive currency which some
attributed to the big orator of the West (Mr. Clay
and others to the hhe orator Of the West (meaning
himselt) 1t was to this effect: when he went home
he was obliged to explain, well as he could the
reason why he had sustained the measure. He ask
ed his constituents Suppose either of you had
rifle, and with it you had often made the shot tell up
on buffalo, deer, or eren Indian; (laughter;) and
suppose that the old gun had missed fire, but
always told with good effect now would you throw
it away if it merely flashed once in The pan ?" "Was
1t only flash in the pan,' then,' asked hon
est yeoman. eyes," rep led the Colonel oWell,
let it be flash in the pan, II you say So"
Laughter, and 'deafending stamping of feet, inter-
spersed with clapping of hands and screechng yes.
AT this election, he received but hundred ma
jorty, but previously he boosted of as many thou
sands. 1t had been objected to him that he was too
good He, however, did not think so. But this i'm
paiion from the fact that he had always voted
for the claims of the widow and the orphan and also
for those of the old soldier who had served his country
faithfully for the perpetuation Of IFS institutions and
the liberty which have so long enjoyed. He
could not avoid the remark that he was glad there
was now no probability of with old enc
my (England) But he had often thought, that, with
the assistance Of thousand brave kvntuckians, he
would be able to maintain the proper boundary in
the Northeast All that he had wished to do, was to
proceed to that section of the country, and say to
Governor Fairfield, " come, old friend stoto us this
iine-on ston TO u.s." But the line was now defn-
ed by treaty. and the qualification to which he had first
alluded was not likely to be afforded. Laughter and
applause. He had often laughed in his sleeve at the
accounts which we frequently see in the English
about disturbances in our country at the
polls and elsewhere. A little squabble was, by Bri-
fish optics, magnifed into events of great moment.
flanders, Of course, have not had the most remote
IL. e
plause. And he would say to those in whose pres
cnce he now stood, and to the country, stand fest
your independence never more firmly secured
never was your nation more permanent Applause.
In conclusion he desired TO thank his fellow-citi-
and his old friends for this manifestation of their
esteem. The plaudts of freemen were the rewards
usually bestowed upon their public servants; and
here and elsewhere had he received them. But, how
different was the state of things in kingdoms and
in empires. There the star or the garter was the
insignia of faithful public services, and also PENSIONS
to enable the recipients to stand high above their fell
low subjects. Here there were ovations Gas in
ancient Romeo and extensive preparations to sound the
note of welcome but from the heart without vain
ceremony, did he meet with their, to him. grateful
manifestations of esteem the remembrance of which
he should cherish with the liveest sensibty until,
in the course of events his remains should like those
of many with whom he bad served in civil and in
martial life, be deposited in the silent tomb.
The band struck up "Should auld acquaint-
ance be fotgot."
Governor POPE was then called for, who arose and
briefly, bore testimony to the patriotism and kind
heartedness of the soldier. He did not intend to
make speech, or to enter into any controversy. He
loved Col johnson and Col. Johnson loved him. 1.-THE
Col. nodded assent,] and he would ever on all oc-
casions which should be presented, speak word in
favor of his old friend.
The air of Yankee Dood!en was performed
ed by the Band and Colonel Johnson descend
ed firm the Mai nrm and cnrdiallu shonL hands