Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-04-27
Ammuruus department.
DON,T REJ0NG TO OUR PARTY.

DON'T BELONG TO OUR PARTY. ~
The old Kniclerbocker Magazine, under the
editorial management of Lewis Gaylord
Clark, was famous, thirty or forty years ago
for its out-of-the-way anecdotes. Among
them was one of the Southern States abou
the time of the first election of Gen. Washing
ton to the Presidency, called the "John Jones
party" .....
The said Jones, after whom the party tool
the name, was man of talent plotting
shrewd fellow, with good deal Of kind O
the requisites of successful politician, ex
cept personal popularity. To overcome thi:
latter deficiency, of which he was well aware
especially in contest with a popular candi
date for Congress, John Jones early avowed
himself as the peculiar and devoted frieno
of Gen. Washington, and on this safe ground
as he thought, he endeavored to place his ri
val in opposition. In order to carry out this
object more efectually, he called meeting
of his county, of "all those friendly to the
election of Gen. Washington"
On the day appointed John Jones appeared
and was, on the cut-and-dried motion of q
friendly adherent, made chairman Of the
meeting. He opened the proceedings by q
high and carefully-studied eulogium upon the
life and services of Washington, but taking
care only to speak of himself as his early pat.
ron and most devoted friend. He concluded
his remarks by proposition to form a party
10 be called "The True and Only Sons Of the
Father of his Country" and for that object
he submitted to the meeting resolution some
thing like the following:
"Resolued, That we are the friends of Gen
George Washington, and will sustain him
in the coming election against all other COM
petitors." ,....s ..-,s. -..,-..g.
"Gentlemen," said Mr.. Jones, after reading
the resolution, "the Chair is now about to put
the question. The Chairman hopes that every
man will declare his sentiment, either for OF
against the resolution. All those in favor Of
the resolution will please to say Aye"
A laundering "Aye" shook the very walls
of the building. The united voices were like
the Sound of many waters"
"Now, gentlemen, for the opposition" said
John Jones. call those who are contrary
minded will please to say MOP"
Not solitary voice was heard. The dead
silence seemed to confuse Mr.. Jones very
much. After some hesitation and fdgeting
he said:
"Gentlemen, do vote. The chair cannot
decide disputed question when nobody votes
on the other side. We want direct vote, sc
that the country may know who are the real
true friends ofGen. Washington"
Upon this appeal, one ofthe audience arose
and said:
II Iperceive the unpleasant dilemma in which
the Chair is placed and in order to relieve
the presiding officer from his quandary,
now propose to amend the resolution by ad.
ding, after the name Of Gen. Washington
and John Jones for Congress"
"The amendment is in order-I accept the
amendment" said the Chairman, speaking
very quickly; "and the Chair will now put
the question a. amended: All those who
are in favor of Gen. Washington for Presi.
dent, and John Jones for Congress, will please
to say 'Ay.'"
"Ay-Ayw said John Jones and his broth
er, with loud voices, which they had supposed
would be drowned in the unanimous thunder
of the affirmative vote.
The "Chair" squirmed and hesitated. "Put
the contrary" said hundred voices at the
same moment.
Call those op-po-posed," said the Chair,
"will please to say NO"
"No-o-ow thundered every voice but
two in the whole assembly, and those were
Jones and his brothers. Then followed a
roar of laughter, as Carlyle says, "like the
neighing of all Tattersall's."
Gentlemen" said Mr.. Jones, "the Chair
perceives that there are people in this meetiI |,
who don't belong to our party; they have
evidently come here to agitate and make mis-
chief. 1, therefore, do now adjourn this meet.
ing" =.
Whereupon he left the chair; and, amid
shouts and huzzas for Washington, and
groans for John Jones, he departed the
nren1isesn