Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-02-10
The BAH /" of ,s4o.

The Pittsburg Post recalls to mind an
old Acquaintance with which we were as
familiar in its day as it was permitted a
Democrat to be. We copy;
Most men of middle age remember the
exciting political campaign of 1910, and
the innumerable campaign songs it gave
rise to- the refrain of one of which was
"We'll keep the ball rolling,
For Tippecsnoe and Tyler too" etc.,
but there are doubtless thousands who
remember the refrain, and who have
seen it repeatedly in print, who are not
aware of the reference to the ball
that was to be kept constantly revolving
for the benefit of "Tippecanoe and
Tyler, too.
The history of the ball is this: During
the campaign of lS40, an eccentric but
worthy gentleman named VIM. johnson,
now deceased, but then q resident of the
village of Dresden, Ohio, gave vent to
his enthusiasm by the construction of a
huge ball or globe thirteen feet in diam
eter, typical of the original thirteen
States of the Union, and its perpetuity.
This immense ball was made of seasoned
poplar boards, which after being steamed
we're bent into proper shape, and the
whole covered with muslin upon which
were mapped the various States OF the
Union, rivers, etc. This was placed in
frame upon axles, and the whole
mounted on large wagon. 1t was only
necessary to touch the ball lightly with
the finger TO set it in motion, when all
the vari-colored States were presented to
view in regular order.
In the early part of the campaign OF
l84e it first made its appearance in pub
lie. and though it was only intended for
local sensation, and for the purpose OF
drawing a crowd to hear the now vener-
able Thomas Ewing deliver Whig
speech, it was destined to achieve ma
tional reputation. Upon the occasion
to which we have referred, 1t was made
to head a procession, and was. drawn by
four black horses, gaily caparisoned. AT
an early hour the ball, followed by an
immense crowd, left Dresden for Lanes-
vile, sixteen miles distant-where Ew-
ing was to speak-amid the hard-cider
songs of the Wings, and the jeers of the
Democrats Crowds of people, attracted
by the novelty of the affair, Joined in the
procession and swelled it TO immense
proportions, to the discontinue of the
Democracy, who were wishing II all sorts
of mishaps. tf
Everything went prOsperously how
ever, until the procession reached the
bridge across the Muskingum river, when
il was found that the ball would not
pass under the root The Wings were
nonplussed, and the Democrats were ju-
bilant. But Mr.. johnson was equal to
the occasion, and extemporizing ferry,
transported the ball and wagon across
the river, from whence it was hauled tc
the place of meeting amid the applause
Of the jubilant Wings.
After the meeting il was presented "a
the Wing County Committee The fame
of il having gone abroad, it was started
on an Eastern tour along the National
Road and was greeted everywhere by
large and enthusiastic crowds. Having
made the circuit Of the Eastern States
il was taken TO Washington, where foI
some weeks Il attracted universal atten
ton. Il was then taken South through
Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, etc, tC
New Orleans, and up the Mississippi
4 river and the Ohio TO the State Of Ken
tucky. from whence il E:Se-ee-es intC
Tennessee, and was lost sight Of in the
vicinity Of Knoxville shortly after the
Presidential election.