The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1877-06-08
ola Time EYecfioneerjHg.

The announcement of Gov. Kent's de
cease viii, in consequence of bis prominent
connection with the famous Presidential
election of 1910. recall tO tie older citizen
the memories of that noted campaign.-
The Wings had nominated for the PreSi-
dency Gen. Harrison, of Ohio. commander
at the battle OF Tippecanoe. familiarlv
known as The Farmer of North Bend -
while the Democrats were eudeavuUiuc to
re-elect President Van Buren. 1t was a
curious contest. The Wings fought the
battle entirely upon the platform IF hard
times, as a consequence of alleged Demo
cratic extravaganza, and the need of re-
form. The luxury Of the White House
was painted in glarinE colonS. aud the
story .old that the President habitually
stirred his tea with gold spoons. Harrison,
on The other hand, was represented rs a re-
tired statesman and soldier. living in a log
cabin and drinking hard cider out of an
earthen mug. Ihe campaign ran largely
to music; the Wing meetings were Jolly
with song and crowded with eager listeners
that no device Of the DemCcl ats could keep
away.
Edward Kent, then a young lawyer. had
been for four previous years the candidate
of the Wings, and haG been elected ia 1881.
| Then, as now, Maine lei % in the autumn
elections, and ia 1S40 special at1crt was
made by each party TO capture the State.
for its effect upon those to follow. Iattv
feeling never ran higher. The Wings.
adopting the log cabin for their badge and
hand cider 70, their beverage. held mouste
meetings all over thC State. On the fourth
of July special Wbig rally was held at
| Belfast. attended by delegations from all
the towns OF the county, with banners and
devices.
Montviile, then a famous Whig town,
sent a log cabin ON wheels. drawn 10y six
teen elay horses. the cabin containing d
barrel of cider on tap.
The Wings Of this locality enjoyed the
advantage, in a campaign of the kind. Of
having not only excellent singing. but like
wise 4 poet. Albert bingham, cashier Of
the Belfast bank, used to exert his talent
for song writing in ridIculiug the leaders oi
the Democracy, aud an evening amusement
used to be to attend the log cabin aud hear
the singing nf Bingham last.
The result Of all this effort was Wing
victory in the Siate. though 10y = majority
of less than a hundl ed vuies. But it was
enough to fire The hearts of the bard cider
Wings, and 10 make famous The State Of
Maine and Gov. Kent. \ new song was
Immediately pun forth for use all over the
country. which beeah thus
/ ooh, have you heard how old Maine went,
went, went?
She went, hell bent,
For Governor Kent,
For Tipprcau0e,
And Tyler. too,
And with them we'll beat little Van, Van,
Van -
The eSult in the country was 4 sweeping
" hig victory, in which Harrison received
234 electoral votes to 60 for Van Buren.
But the next year Maine didn't 20 81
strongly bent for Governor Kent az
john Fairfield was elected over him 10y H.
600 majority, and at the next Presidential
/ election the Democrats elected James h.
Polk. and regajned an aScUndeucy which
they kept until 1869. with the exception oi
/ General Tdylor's admiuiStratIUn.-Be. .asi
! (Vs.) J0Ury5aL.