Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-08-04
From the National IntelIgencer.
Downingville Ratification, at Last.

From the National Intelligencer
Downingville Ratification, at Las
Do,cningrille, State Of Maine, July 20, 1852
Mr.. GALES g. SEAToN,
Washington, Seat Of Congress.
NV DEAR OLD FRIENDS: We've maj
out to ratify at last, but it was about as ha
lob as it was for the Baltimore Convel
ton to nominate. And Pm afraid II
worst ont amt over yet; for Uncle Joshr
shakes his head and says to me, in To-
tone, so the rest shan't hear, "between yo
and me, Major, the lection will be hard
er Job still" put great faith in Uncl
Joshua's feelins. He's regular politica
weather-glass, and can always tell whethe
we are going to have it fail or foul goo
ways ahead. So when he shakes his hea'
[ materially look cut for ufspell of weath
er. When / got home from Baltimore
says I, "Well, Uncle Joshua, you got m,
letter in the Intelligencer, didn't you ~
And says he, eyes"
"Well, didn't we do that business VI
we'll 2" says l. 81 don'tknow about that,
SAID Uncle Joshua; "I have my doubts a
bout it."
"Why, don't you think" says I, "the
nc mination of Gineral Pierce will put the
Democratic party on its legs again, and
give it fine start!"
Uncle Joshua looked up TO me kind Of
quzzical, and says he, "1t has gin the par
ty pretty considerable of start already,
it come 50 unexpected" And then he sol
as much as two minutes drumming his fin
ger on the table, and didn't say nothin.
And then he looked up again, and says
he, Major, ,cho is Gineral Piercss Il amt
fciious name, is it,"
"Why, Uncle joshua" says I, chow you
talk! 1t is Gineral Franklin Pierce, ol
New Hampshire"
"Gneral Franklin Pierce, of New Hamp-
shire, is it1" says he; "weH, now, Major,
are you sure there is such person, or did
somebody play hoax on the Baltimore
Convention ,"
Eyes" says 1, "Unclc, I'm as sure Of it
as l am that there Is such a person as Un-
Gle Joshua Downing. To make all sure OF
it, and no mistake, come through New
Hampshire, aud went to Concord, where
they said he lived, and inquired all ABOUT
it. The neighbors there all knew him per-
fectly well, and showed me the house ne
lives in. He wasn't at home, or should a
seen him myself and should got his prom
ise to keep the Downingville post Office for
YOU. But YOU needn't be afraid but what
you'll have it, for sent telegraph to him
from Baltimore, as soon as he was noml-
mated, to keep it for you"
Here see by the looks of Uncle Josh
ua's eyes that he begun to get hold Of some
new ideas. Says he, "Well Major, it is q
fact then. is it, that he was nominated IN
real earnest, and 'twasn't no joke /"
"Upon my word and honor" says !.
'qhere isn't a particle of joke about it; it
was all done in real arnest"
"Well, then, if you'vereally got can.
date" says Uncle joshua 81 should like
to know something about him. Does Ire
belong to the Old Fogy class or Young A
merica class p
II guess about half and half" says I,
"aad he'll be all the stronger for that, be-
cause he can draw votes on both Sides"
"After ALL" says he, "I'm afraid it's o
bad nomination. Them old pillars of the
Democratic party, Gneral Cass, and Mr.
Buchanan, and Governor Marcy, and Gin
eral Houston, and the rest, will feel so in
suited and mortified at being pushed aside
for strangers to take the lead that they'll be
agin the nomination, and their friends too
and .hat'll upset the whole kettle of fish. D
Don't you never fear that Uncle Josh.
ua," says L; 'them old pillars that you
speak Of arc all very much tickled with the
nomination. Ye see, 1t broke the nose ol
Young America, and they was delighted
with it. AS soon as the nomination was
out of the mould before it had time TO cool
they all telegraphed right back to Baltimore
that nothing in the world could have hap
pencd to suit 'en better; it was most ex
cellent nomination and they felt under cv
erlasting obligations to the Baltimore Con
vention. You needn't have no fears tha
they'll feel any coldness towards the nom
ination. They'll all turn to and work fori
like beavers"
"Well, how is it," said Uncle Joshua
''about that boy-candidate for the Presidcn
cy that they call Young American If hi
nose is knocked out of joint he'll of course
oppose the nomination, tooth and nall
"There's where you are mistaken again
Uncle Joshua" says I. "On the contrary
he goes for 1t hotter than any of 'em; ant
he telegraphed back to Baltimore as quicl
as lightning could carry it that the nomina
ton was jest the thing; it couldn't be NJ
better. Ye see, he looks upon it IN th'
light that it chokes off all the Old Fogie'
and leaves the field clear for him next time
He thinks SO highly of the nomination, ant
feels so patriotic about it, they say he's 60
ing to stump it through all the States, ant
make speeches in favor of Gineral Pierce'
election. You may depend upon it Uncl
Joshua, we've. got very strong noEli1a
ton, one thatll carry all afore it; ever
body is delighted with it, and ever. body
going for it. I didn't expect YOU to hol
back moment. Thought you would hav
things all cut and dried fo. rousin ratifi
cation meeting by The time got home"
"Well, you knew, Major" said Uncl
Joshua, 81 alw.ys follow Colonel Crockett
rule, and Fever 60 ahead till know In
right. How foolish We should look to cal
ratification meeting here in Downingville
aDd BE- voted right plump down. You know
the Freesoilers are very strong among us
:ney are very strong in all the Northern
States. And you know TIE Baltimore Con
vention fxedup platform to stand on that
all in favor of the compromise and the fu
gitive law, and is dead-set agin the Free
soilers. Now, Major, you must have more
understanding than to think the Freesoiler'
will ever swallow that platform, and if the,
don't We are dished,"