Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1864-01-16
THE PAPERS OF
ALEXANDER MARION MELHORNE.
ON THE IaatIRs or rup NV
I CLASSICAL RETREAT, Near Cucumber
| City, December, 1868.

City, December, 1868. t
Mr.. President, d Ladies d Gentlemen:
The undersigned has had so many physic-
al pursuits to prosecute, in consequence. Of
tho weather, owing to its being so eminently
cold, such as chOpping wood and feeding she
cattle, so that il is with much difficulty he
now resumes his pen to discuss the issues Of
the day with his usual ability, in reference 10
the majesty OF the ballot box. 9a
The other morning, after breakfast, while
the author Of these papers was taking my ac-
cnstomed smoke, and Elmira was washing the
dnhes, she referred with parental aoliai,ude
to what had intimated relative TO our son
Andrew pedding the ballot-box in distant
lands, and says she, II don't think he wishes
" do SO at present, having stated last night
that he had been dgesting project to inAu.
gnrate Sanitary Fair down at Cucombsr
City, at the earliest practicable moment. He
says that Mr.. Brough having now been elect
ed, through the balIOtbox, over Mr. Vallan.
digham, he is in favor Of quitting the busi-
ness, before the Virtue and intelligence" of
the American people settles on their lungs"
Just at that critical moment, who. should
come in but Andrew, with piece Of paper
on which he had just druwed the likeness of
the American eagle having its back painted
all over green, and string round its log,
with an Africaa holding on 20 the same with
a pair Of ahoulderstraps thereon.
Says he, chats what the matter with that
fowl, and it's no use to ask me to pedde any
bsliot-boxes among the innocent heather
hll see that noble bird quit soaring over the
nigger."
WhereupOn Elmira couldn't contain her
self any longer, and, wringing out her dish.
rag with marked emphasis says ahe, "what
Andrew has just stated is too true. Tho "vir.
tue and intelligence" OF the American people
as portrayed through the bAllot-box, isn't cal
culated to make vory favorable Impression
on the Astonished bsholdsr. II makes them
look little too much like they had been
dragged through sick COW. Virtue aud in
tslligence are pretty useful things, but don't |
think they were over designed BY kind Prov,
denos for the exclusive benefit Of tho noble
Ethiopian s t'n
These able remarks, having kindled mp the
fires Of intellect, and aroused the sIambsrinR
faculties Of the undersigned, he prOcesdod to
discuss tho majesty Of the ballOl.box in trn.
y eminent degree, as follows, to-wh
Says !, ''ElmirA, you and Andrew are en-.
lowed with superior mental sndOwmsnts of q
ligh order, but eandor comPsls nae to state in
his connection, that you can't penetrate the
asues Of the day in q calm and dispassionats,
md at the same time able and comprehensive
manner, equivalent 10 the undersigned.
The Virtue and intelligence" Of the Amsri.
an people, have just been viRdicated in the
most able manner The capacity of the psO.
'le ITO govern thomsslves" ---or perish in the
ttempt-and also 70 elect Mr. Brough, are {
ow self evident pFopOsilIons. The virsae Of !
he psople Illuminated the last campaign in
n eminent degree, such As throwing stones
nd shooting pistols at democratic proces- :
lonS, and naining women aud children 4
wss VirtSOus Indignation that mObbsd bat :
sruut printing Offices and Prowlsd rsund az
Or night burning barns, &c It was virtue h
n the rampage for the Union. In its calm !,
: moments, it covered itself all over with lit- 8
e flags, and erected Uuion peanut stands,
Ic, at 3 cents glass Aud this brings ia
tho Intelligence which was every where oh
I
'rvabls in the public mind Persons who !
ad never been accused Of knowing ahy ythiBs I,
aiore, displayed great ability Iast fall They q
w that there cOuldn't conscisndously Be v
ut zone party that had any sense, when the