Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-04-29
THE GAZETTE.
! THURSDAY MORNING, APRIL 20, 1858
THE OLD APRIL ELECTIONS.

THE OLD APRIL ELECTIONS.
We took occasion, a short time since. to
express our qualification at seeing restored
the time honored institution OF militia mus-
ters. Thee is another institution, which,
alas there is no hope of ever seeing restored,
which is, yet, dear to our heart, from the
many pleasing recollections which it recalls.
We aliude to the annual April election, when
candidates, after having been trotted out for
a month to show their faces, were brought to
the course for the final race. The April
court day, IN the olden time was the most
important day of the whole year. In con-
parsou with it, the 4th Of July dwindled in-
to insignifcance. The whole strength OF the
country vas at the court house, for the mo-
dern invea,ion of Precincts had not then
been devised by demagogues. Rich and
poor, high and low. good and bad. rogue and
honest man, all were thrown together, upon
this day of universal freedom. II was On
that dsy that the free and independent voter
felt himself really sovereign. lie was as
nroud. in bis way, as old Warwick the King.
maker. lie not only assisted to make rulers,
but he was the master of the ruler after they
were made. His breath could make them or
uUmdk6 lucy "OiO ehO GO "
his hands, and be felt his consequence. He
who aspired to represent the sovereign people
paid dearly for the privilege. 1t be had done
augbt of which be had reason to be ashamed,
be was sure to hear Of it. lie heard of 1t,
too, not through the softening and dulciiyiug
medium Of the press, but by word OF mouth,
on the very scene Of his final struggle; for
each candidate was compelled to take his seat
on the bench and "hold up his head" that the
sovereigns might look at him. They bad no
idea of "buying pig in poke" They
were determined to inspect the article before
thew condescended TO bid for it. This Gus
tsm gave rise to the following anecdote.-
About the time of the war Of 1872, the State
of Virginia was represented by number OF
gentlemen far more distinguished for talents,
than for personal pulchritude. One OF these
representatives, gentleman OF enirent
parts, was 80 hard-fsvored, that he was ex-
tremely sensitive upon that subject. HAP
pepipg to be in small social party one even
ing, at Washington, where there were sever
al gentlem en- from different States; the COM
parative merits of the two systems OF elee-
tiop-ballot and riro Uoce. came under dis
cussion. The gentleman in question express
ed q decided preference for the Virginia Gus.
tom, and entered 80 warmly into its merits,
that be forgot himself, and engrossed the
whole conversation. This rendered little
Frenchman, who was present, and whofound
himself unable to edge in word, exceedingly
nervous. Oar Nirginian "spread himself
1--WE do nothing" said he. "In the dark. We
take our seats on bench, in full view OF the
voters. Every man who comes in, looks US iu.l
in the face. Tits vain to bang down your head
II you attempt it, you are Immediately reused
by the cry "hold up your head and let ne
look at YOU" The Frencbman could stand
it no longer. lie Immediately broke in with,
"Ah! | now perceive. Zlt is re cause Wy re
Virgiuie repres entatif all re time SO oeaun-
full" The Congressman halted as though
he bad been shot-the Frenchman rubbed his
hands with glee-and the company, looking
at one another for u moment. 10 spite OF every
effort to restrain their risible faculties, buls:
into roar of laughter. There was no more
lecturing that night.
Having the power in their own bands, for
that dav at least, the soveregns used it with
no sparing hand. The Roman Saturnslia,
when the servant took the opportunity to lee.
ture his master npon ell the shortcomings OF
the year, afforded but a faint picture OF the
unbounded license of an election day. 1t be-
booyed a candidate to keep himself very pure
or be was sure to hear Of it. Sometimes, the
caprice of voter exacted impossibilitles OF
the unhappy would-be representative. On
one occasion, in an adjoining county, tbirs'
ty sovereign declared he would not vote tor
particular candidate, unless he would treat
to a bowl of toddy mile deep! Any remark
rejecting upon the free and enlightened"
was bitterly resented. There was, many
years ago, and possibly may be now, IN a
county not thousand miles from Richmond,
a body of free-holders which was strong
enough to control the elections on oil occa'
sions. From their numbers, and their Jeal-
Gus esprit de corps, (the whole force acting
ALWAYS together) they we're called the ~ ell,
low Jackets" On one occasion they had
promised to vote Tor certain candidate, and
he. considering his election secured thereby,
in the ioy of his heart, boasted OF his strength.
When the election day came, there was
snow on the ground, and the vote being very
thin, he was beaten. One OF the opposing
candidates asking him, IN Jocular tone,
why his friends the "Yellow Jackets hao
not come to vote for him, be answered very
bitterly 'tbcre is snow on the ground, ana
thew have no shoes" This sarcasm TOOK
wind, and furiously excited the portion OF the
sovereign People-against whom IL was ol-
rected. The joker was candinate again
next wear! Every Yellow jacket came up
and voted against him, each exclaimiuga as ne
gave bis vote We've got shoes to-day! VI
course he was beaten out of sight.
Before our day, an institution, which
generally chose election days for its exhi-
Billions, but which. also, Showed OF" on
othe. court days. had become obsolete
We mean the fraternity-a most discordant
one-of bullies. They Aourished in all
their glory, soon after the revolutionary
war. They first fought for supremacy IN
their own counties. The man who came
off victor, then travelled, like the knight
Grants of old, in quest of adventure. They
have been frequently known to &c. more
than a hundred miles from home, Tor no
other purpose than to fight celebrated
bully in those parts. On election days, 1t
was their custom to strip to the buff, and
taking their stand in avenues leading to the
cour, green, to challenge all who might be
disposed to try their strength. A distin,
guished gentleman, long since dead, toid
rs that he recollected overbearlng the solil-
sc o,o ubo was nuttpg on bis gar