Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1879-07-24

greSS. AT THIS time the QlStrlcC IN
which he lived was conceded to the
Wings by a majority of l,500 to 1000
and of course the nomination was ten
dered to m.simply as compliment,
not with any idea that he could be
elected. He accepted, however, with
the determination TO make close and
thorough personal canvass, and if pos
sible to get the seat. He had to oppose
him boiling Democratic candidate,
brilliant orator, named Murphy, and
Gov. Duncan Macarthur, the Whig can
didate, who had been forced on the
track by his party in view of Aliens
popularity, to save the district
At this time stump-speaking was al
most unknown in Ohio, ,but Allen. be-
coming more and more confident as the
canvass advanced, travelled all over the
district, talking at every cross-road and
blacksmith's shop, soliciting the sup
port Of every man, woman and child he
met, and, in short, doing everything he
could by personal effort to secure votes.
One evening while he was engaged in
this work word came to him that Muir
ply was announced to speak the next
morning at jackson Court house, twen-
ty miles away, and that he had promis-
ed to make personal attack upon
Allen. The young candidate, although
worn out with the work of the day,
without moments hesitation decided
that he would push on to jackson
Court house. A number of his support
ers supplied him with slow going but
sure-f footed horse. Three of them vol
unteered to act as his guides through
the thick woods which lay in his path,
and in their company he set out. The
night was a terrible one; rain fell in
torrents, and there was much danger
from swollen creeks and fallen trees
Still, the brave little company pressed
on, and arrived at the Courthouse in
time fol breakfast. They found half
the county there. The Judges, who
were friendly to Murphy, had agreed
to adjourn court to give him hearing,
and hundreds of leading Wings were
present to listen to the attack which
was to be made on the jackson candi-
date. When the meeting was called to
oider, Allen, who in the meantime had
rested and refreshed himself, took a
modest seat back of the crowd, and qui-
etly awaited disclosures. He had not
long TO wait. Murphy was soon intro
duced and with real eloquence and a
great power of ridicule, ofwhich he was
an acknowledged master, held his OPP
ponent up to the laughter of the audi
ence He referred to him as youth
who had left school too soon, an over
grown boy, who had more presumption
than sense. Then he accurately, and
with much humor, described the boys
personal appearance, commenting free
ly upon his beardless face, long yellow
hair. and lank, ungainly form. Turn
ing from time to time to the old and in
fuential men in the company he would
address them by name and ask, SIS
this the kind of thing you want to
representyou in Congress?" And again
as this the proper sort of person tc
make our laws? The speech was s
most effective one of its kind The au
dience was evidently captured by it
and many of the jackson men, believ
ing that Allen was hurt beyond recov.
cry, begged him not TO attempt any re
ply. He refused to listen to them, ant
saying, of am worthy to be your can
di6ate, l will show it now; if am not
/ will withdraw from the canvass" ht
rose and walked through the crow6
down toward the platform to answer
Murphy. AS he went, and carrying
out program which he had detcrmin
ed upon while his critic was speaking
he did his best to increase the greer
and awkward appearance attributed tt
him, and as those in the audience wht
knew him began to whisper, "Ther'
goes Allen" the accuracy of Murphy's
description was at once apparent, and
the entire company broke into shoI
Of derisive laughter which could not b.
controlled. But Allen went on quiet
ly, not in the least disconnected, ant
reaching the platform, calmly faced th'
people, and looking straight forward
stood for fully three minutes withou
uttering a word. At first the laughte
was even more boisterous than before
then, wondering what in the world th'
fgreat, tall thin boy meant by standing
there staring at them, the men in tn,
front became quiet. Their surprise a
the turn things were taking communi
Gated itself to their neighbors, and a
Hast the silence was almost painful
Then William Allen spoke-spoke il
that great, deep, full tone which wa
afteIward heard and became famous al
over the nation. Surprised, delighted
almost electrified, that Ohio crowd lis
tened to him. For more than two hour
he riveted their attention. Murph,
and his petty attack was never once al
luded to. The young speaker confinet
himself entirely to the great public
questions, which were then agitatin.
the popular mind and displayed so keel
an appreciation of the necessities of tn
situation, such a grasp of his subject
and such familiarity with all its details
that when he had finished, the old mel
who had been appealed to by Murphy
were the first to press forward, offe
their congratulations. and pledge thei
support. His triumph was complete
The fame of his performance spread al
over the district, and at the election hell
a few days afterward, he was elected t.
Congress by just one majority in to
tai poll of nearly 10000 votes. Muir
ply received only fifty-four votes in tn
entire district, and in Chillicothe
where he lived, only one-his own.
There was great rejoicing among tn
Democrats, but it was short lived a
the Wings proposed to contest the sea
and gave notice to Allen. His compel
itor was rich and powerful and in s,
large a district it was easy to upset
majority Of one The Wings traverset
! tho III of 70 L L,,A A IL,