Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-03-12
ELEcTIoNEERING SPEECH.

One of the greatest electioneerers Of
the age is a Mr.. Daniel R. Russell, can
didate for auditor in Mississippi. His
mode of electioneering is to deal with the
"sovereigns" with the most blunt frank
ness. The following sketch of late
speech delivered by him must have puz-
zled his opponent to rerly to. 1t is ex.
ceedingly appropriate to the times:
Ladies and Gentlemen-I rise-but
there is no use in telling you that-you
know that am up as well as do. 1
am modest man, very, but l have never
lost picayune by it in my life. Being
scarce commodity among candidates,
l thought 1 would mention it, for fear if
l did not you would never hear it.
Candidates are generally considered
as nuisanccs, but they are the politest
men in the world, shake you by the hand,
ask how's your family, what's the pros
poets of crops, &C., and [ am the politest
man in the State. Davy Crockett says
the politest man he ever saw was one
who when he asked a man to drink,
turned his back so that he might drink
as much as he pleased. l beat that all
hollow, L give a man chance to drink
twice if he wishes, for l not only turn
around but shut both eyes. / am not
only the pOlitest man, but the best elec-
'ioneerer. You ought to see me shaking
hands with the pump-handle and pendu-
lum, the cross-cut and the wiggle-wag-
gle. l understand the science perfectly,
and if any of the country candidates
wish instructions they must call on me.
Fellow-citizens was born-ifl hadn't
beenI wouldn'thave been a candidate but
l am not going to tell you where; twas
in Mississippi, but twas on the right
side of the negro line; yet that's no COM
pliment, as negroes are born on the same
side. 1 started in the world as poor as
church mouse, yet l came honestly by
poverty for 1 inherited it; and if l did
start poor, no man can say but what l
hold my own remarkably well.
Candidates generally tell you, "If
you think 1 am qualified &c." Now 1
don't ask your thoughts, ask your votes.
Why, there's nothing to think Of, except
TO watch and see that Swans name is
not on your ticket. Ifso. think to scratch
it off and put mine on. l am certain
that / am competent, and who ought to
know better than 1 do? Nobody. 1
will allow that Swan is the best Auditor
in the State-that is, till 1 am elected,
then perhaps it is not proper for me to
say any thing more. Yet, as an honest
man, am bound to say that l believe
it's grevious sin to hide anything from
my fellow citizens; therefore, l say it's
my private opinion, publicly expressed,
that I'll make the best Auditor in the
United States.
IT'S net for honor that wish to be
Auditor, for in my own county l was Of
fered an Office that was all honor-Coro.
ner-which respectfully declined. The
Auditors Office is worth $1,000 year,
and am in for it like a thousand of brick.
To show my goodnes o. heart, III make
his offer to my competitor. am sure
Of being elected, and he will lose some-
hing by the canvass; therefore, 1 am
willing to divide equally with him and
make these two offers-I'll take the sal
ary and give him the honor, or he may
nave the honor and I'll take the salary.
In the way of honors, have received I
luite enough to satisfy me for life. l
vent out to Mexico, ate pork and beans,
ilept in the rain and mud, and swallowed
every thing except wild Mexicans. If
ordered to ego" went; charge"
'harged; "break for the chapparel," you
lad better believe beat quarter nag
n doing my duty.
My competitor, Swan, is bird ofgold-
n plumage, who has been swimming for
'ears in the Auditors pond at IS, 600 a
'ear-I am for rotaion-I want to rotate