The Portland daily press., 1868-03-09
A New 71ampsh;xe Canvass.

A correspondent of the New York Post
draws a most happy picture of the animated
political contest now going on in New Hamp-
shire, and of the special characteristics OF
New Hampshire campaign;
The canvass which is made from year to year
by the general committees OF the TWO parties
is also an interesting feature of New Hamp-
shire politics A more complete and perfect
party organization than that OF both Republic
cans and Democrats throughout the State can
not be found in the most closely.coutecsted
county or township IN the country. There are
two cIubsl III each school district repre seutino
the opposing factions, who carefully canvass
their immediate localities, record the name
and party OF every voter, and forward the
list 10 the Headquarters at Concord. Here the
hauies are transferred to the books of the COM
inittee, and the general estimates are placed
Des'ue the results OF preceding years. When
the returns are in from all sections the can
VaSs is carefully revised by clubs; and the sec
ond estimate, which rarely varies a dozen
votes to county from the first, is forwarded
and recorded. Doubtful men are carefully
watched by both parties, aud on the express
ion OF any decided opinions their names are
sent in as later acquisitions. SO accurate is
this annual canvass that it IS possible to esti-
mate the majority within few hundred votes
at least four or five weeks before election.
Tue absence Of anything like a Transient Or
floating population, the small size of the town.
and The deep interest taken by everybody in
the results of such elections, render such an
organization possibility in New Hampshire;
whereas, in any of the more thckly populated
states along the coast, or those in which
large cities give majorities that decide the
State elections, it would be found wholly inn
possible. 5A uaH Fo@17T
A sketch of the characteristic features of a
political canvass in New Hampshire, in which
no mention was made of the women and the
mart thew take in IL world hn os nj 10
as version of Hamlet in which that philo-
sOphical prince was omitted The interest
felt by the voting population in the success of
party and the triumph of principle, is scarce
ly greater than that evinced by their wives
and daughters whose part in the contest is re-
stricted to the exertion of silent but power
full influence. In conversation ON general
topics, the Now Hampshire women show much
Intelligence, and more accurate information
than is often found among the representatives
| of sex that Is elsewhere accused OF jumping
atconclusions," rather than of arriving at them
| by the usual inductive process. Their polit-
| ical principles are as sacred to them as their
| religious creed, and most of them are fully
able to defend themselves and their position
| against the logic or the sophistry OF those
who differ with them. 81 10 -7-ss..--t t.ri,,.,.- .
At the mass meetings liberal portion Of
the hall is exclusively devoted TO them, and
on occasions of ordinary interest they attend
IN strong force, listening attentiveIy and APP
piauding warmly. 1t is possible that much of
the order and decorum characterizing these
gatherings is attribut bile to the res raining in
nuence Of their piese c.; and cer5ain it is that
what IL SO full y recognized and countenanced
by the ladies must ever be free from much
that makes political associations so corrupting
and demoraIzing in their tendency i'll many
parts of The counry. If the iong-sought tram
chIse is ever gwen to the women OF America,
it will he satisfaction to know that, in one
State at least, they will vote as intelligently
and luQIclOuslV who claim the hal lOf
| as one of their fixed and inalienable rights.