Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-05-08
MISC ELlANEOUS,
Elccfioneering i'm Kentucky

High up the Big Sandy, in Ketucky, i.
a mountainous region of country known as
the "Knobs," where doctors and school
masters are unknown, where man under
six feet would be a curiosity, and the,girl.
and good wives are all able to "whip theil
weight in wildcats" Annually or bi-an
nually, as election days come round, the
uncultivated inhabitants of this region be.
come of importance, and their only pro
perty, their votes, are begged and bargain
ed for by the would-bc servants of the
public. When Davy Trmble was can
didate for their suifragcs he was opposed
by Col. D., who started upon his
"stumping tour" some weeks in advance ol
his rival. The tributaries ofthe Big Sandy
had poured out their hundreds, all eager
to drink the Colonels whiskey, and the
majority ready TO receive such other to-
kens ofrcgard as he might think it neces-
sary to give to secure their suhrages.-
The Colonel had declaimed against banks
and Fedcralists, oppression and political
chicanery, and was ringing the changes
upon the Tariff, when he was interrupted
by an old fellow, who asked
"Wcll now kurncl, will we ist tell us
what sort Of fellah this ere Tariff is, for
we've hern tell on him, from most every one
of our town chaps what come up here to
git 'lectcd!''
"Why SOUR, this tariff isn't a man, but
machine like Carey plough that has
been invented by the Wings to scratch
poor mems backs with, and if they get into
power, you'll be harried about the country
like so many dogs and Davy Trimble is
a Wing, and is in favor of the Tariff
Whereupon a shout went up that if Davy
Trimble came after their votes, they would
shoot him at sight.
Sometime later, the lamented Richard
Mennifee and Judge French were canvass
ing the same district for a seat in Congress
The speeches had been made and a barba-
cue given, and the excitement of the day
was to be wound up by dance at dou-
bic log cabin near branch Not wishing
to lose any opportunity of making friends,
the candidates were in attendance-Judge
French holding thebutton of young hun
ter while he discoursed of imposts and the
unconstitutonality of internal improve
ments, and Mennifee with his coat thrown
in a corner and his sleeves rolled up, swing
ing the rosiest-cheeked lass in the room,
through the wild gallops ofa country dance.
Such contrast could not remain unobser-
we'd and it was soon whispered around that
Judge French would be ready enough to
dance with the fine folks at Owensboro; but
he was too proud to dance with the likes OF
us and cold shoulders and contemptuous
looks were bestowed upon the Judge, as
freely as were smiles and promises Of sup
port at the polls, upon the merry Dick
Mennifee.
The cabin was built at the base of high
hill that came to point a mile and half
below, and upon whose opposite side was
another cabin, Tim Bufium's) where a
similar jollifcation was being held on the
same night. To reach Buffum's, it was
necessary TO ride down to the point and up
on the other side, making the whole dis
tance three miles or to take rough foot
path across the hill. Judge French de-
termined to try his tactics upon this new
field ofoperations; and mounting his horse
leisurely troted down the branch when
Mennifee, who had observed his move
ments, and suspected his intention de-
termined not to be out witted by his op-
poncnt, and took the "short cut over the
hill.
Afterwards, in enumcrating the causes
of his defeat, the Judge was wont to close
his narrative of this recontre with a -
"And what do you think l saw when l
opened the door? Why there was that
Mennifee, coat and jacket of, stamping a.
way as if he were winning wager from
Jim Grow! | thought the woods were
full of Mennifee's and left thenext morning
for Owcnsboro.''
After the mountain canvass was over,
Menniiee stopped at the Amanda Furnace
on the Ohio.where twenty or thirty brawny
fellows'had as many votes for whoever
could secure their interest. Mennifee call
ed all hands around him, and announced
himself as candidate for Congress. He
would not propose TO buy their votes, not
he. He had too much respect for the IN
tegrity of any American citizen to offer
him such an insult Besides these people
up on the Knobs had cleaned him out, and
he had hardly thirty dollars left But he
would tell them what he would do he
would put up dollar against every
man, and wres,lc for it, and ifthev threw