The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1876-09-21
Don't Belong to Our Party.

the editorship Of Louis Gaylord Clark,
was famous twenty or thirty years ago
for its sout.of.tha-way anecdotes Among
them was one concerning party which
existed in one OF the southern states
about the time Of the first election of
Gen, Washington to the presidency,
called the /" John Jones' party"
The said Jones, after whom the party
took its name was man Of talent, Il
plotting shrewd fellow, with good deal
ofa kind of yankee cunning" in short,
possessing all the requisites of success
full politician, except personal popularity.
To overcome this latter deficiency,
of which he was well aware, especially in
contest with popular candidate for
congress, John Jones early avowed him
self az the peculiar and devoted friend
of Cen Washington, and on this safe
ground, as he thought he endeavorcd to
place his rival in opposition. In order to
carry out this object more efectually, he
called a meeting in his county, Of "all
those friendly to the election of Gen.
Washington"
On the day appointed Mr.. John Jones
appeared and was, on the clit-and.dried
motion ofa friendly adherent, msdc chair
man Of the meeting. He opened the
proceedings by high and carefully
studied eulogium upon the life and ser
vice Of Washington, but taking care ONLY
tospeak of himself as his early patron and
most devoted friend. He concluded his
remarks by proposition to form party,
to be called "The True and Only Sons of
the Father Of his Country" and for
that object he submitted to the meet.
ing resolution something like the fol
lowing;
Resolved, That we are the friends of
Gen. George Washington, and will sus-
tain him in the coming election against
all competitors"
Gentlemen" said Mr.. Jones, after
reading the resolution, "the chair is now
about to put the question. The chair
man hopes that every man will de-
clair his sentiment either for or against
the resolution. All those in favor OF the
resolution will poase to say "Ay.'
A laundering "Ay!" shook the |
very walls CT the building. The united
voices were like the sound of many
waters"
Now, gentlemen, for the opposition"
said John Jones. "All those who are
contrary,minded will please to ray " No"
Not a solitary voice was heard The |
dead silence seemed to confuse Mr.. Jones |
very much After some hesitation and |
tidgeting he said
"GentIemen, do vote. The chair cannot |
decide disputed question when nobody |
votes for the other side. We want di-
rect vote, 20 that the country may know !
who are the real true friends Of Gen. |
Washington.
Upon this appeal one of the audience
arose and said:
al perceive the unpleasant dilemma
in which the chair is placed, and in order
to relieve the presiding officer from his
auandary | now propose to amend the
resolution by adding, after the name OF
Gen. Washington-and John Jones tor
congress"
"rhe amendment is in ordcr-I ac-
ccpt the amendment" said the chair
man. speaking very quickly; and the
chair will now put the question as
amended:
"AIl those who are in favor of Gen.
Washington for president and John
Jones for congress will please say 'Ay.''
"Ay-ay!" said John Jones and his
brother with loud voices, which they
had supposed would be drowned in