The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-08-24
Remarks Of Peter Cartwright.

| From the Carr0lton Gazette.
Rev. Peter Cartwright, the Backwoods
Methodist preacher, being called upon at
the Democratic mass meeting at Corrollton,
August 2, 1860, came forward in the pres
cence of twenty thousand people, and in the
course of a few remarks, used the following
language:
ana an old man, and it would be impos-
sible for me to make my voice heard by this
vast assembly. do not desire to makela
political speech, for it is my sphere to talk
upon another subject. Besides, there are
others here better able to address you than
myself. only wish to explain few facts
that have been circulated in the papers in
regard to conversation which took place
between myself and certain others on the cars,
the substance of which was as follows:
While on a trip to the East, | found my
self in company with some Northern Abo-
litionists and Republicans, and in the
course of our remarks some one asked what
State l was from, and replied, from Illi-
nois "Then," said he, "you must be &C.
quainted with Mr.. Lincoln, our candidate
for President" l told him, 81 ought to be,
for l had lived in the same county with him
for many years." He then asked, "what
kind of a man is he ?"
Smelling rat, as the old saying is, and
wishing to avoid a political discussion,
thought would divert the attention Of the
company from this subject, and said l {:
"He is about six feet four, and if a line were
let fall perpendcularly from the crown of
his head to the sole of his foot, it would cut
him in two about three times"
| also told them | had been twice elected
to the Legislature, and was once candid
date against Old Abe, and beat him, and
thought he not only suffered defeat, but was
the hindmost man of the three candidates
then in the field. l also remarked that l
entered the political arena because there
was an attempt made by some corrupt poll
iticians to change the State Constitution so
as to admit slavery, that | left Kentucky
because did not like to live with the in
stitution of slavery, and naturally desired
Illinois, my adopted State, to remain free
hence upon this issue became candidate
and was elected, a majority of the people
preferriDg free and small minority a
slave State. Abe consequently became a
Wing when there came to be a majority OF
that party in his county. l have always
been Democrat, and if it were not for
what religion l haze got, would slap the
Jaws of some of those Republicans who
accuse Democrats of being proslavery. The
papers say Old Abe beat me for Congress
which is true, but l wish to explain how ii
was. The Wing majority in the district
was thirty-five hundred. was nominated
by the Democrats, but told my friends
could not and would not canvass the dis
trict. l, however, canvassed one county
and in that beat Abe thirteen votes anC
l believe if l had canvassed the whole
district should have been elected to Con
gress.
Abe was elected however by. fifteen hun.
dred majority, having reduced his party
majority two thousand votes, and if this il
getting beat l am willing to be beat any
time. If any do not believe these facts le
them 60 to the records and see for them
selves. had intended if Douglas, whom
assisted in getting the first office in thi
State, and who l hope will be elected, was
not nominated at Baltimore, to declare my
self an independent candidate against ABB
Lincoln, for l am confident l could beat
him, and l know l would make better
President than Old Buck or Abe either
Some say that Abe was only thirteen year;
old when l was elected to the Legislature
and if so, have only to say l beat a big
baby. In my biography there are many
facts hastily thrown together, the time O
their occurrences not being recollected OF
not definitely specified. In my remarks
mean nothing disrespectful to Mr.. Lincoln
have nothing to say against his private
character, but [ think he has some "spots'
as we'll as the rest of us.
1t is needless to say the audience gave
the most strict attention, and that the ven
cradle Elder resumed his seat amid deafening
shouts of applause.