Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1880-11-11
BOW TEEF STOOD FIRM.
West Red Lion Democrat Tells the
story of Tuesday,s Fray.


Editor State Journal Having a few lei
sure moments, have thought that brief
account Of the election in West Red Lion
hundred might be Of some interest to your
readers, beside it may be we'll for this veteran
district to give some account Of her steward
ship. 1t will be remembered that at the
October election, after one of the most deter
mined contests on the part Of each party, the
Democrats came OH victorious, by eectng
DIR. j. s. Vallandigham inspector by a majority
OF seven votes over his competitor MIR. John
Diehl, than whom two more popular, honor
able on better qualified gentlemen for the
position do not exist. That election demon
strated the fact that the then coming contest on
November I'd would be remarkably close. and
each party coniidentially claimed its ability to
carry tine district, and each went to work with
a zeal seldom before known at this place
The Republicans worked hard 10 secure the
solid negro vote, and we have heard of one
case Ill particular where MIR. p--r, q harness
maker whose place of business is III the Odd
Fellows building, Il few days prior to the
election hired his little daughter to kiss u
negro who happened to 90 into his place
But, unlike many other places. the plan of
the torch cape ana drum wts ignored. The
Democrats especially. virtually instituted IL
still hunt and such indeed the sequel proved
IT TO be, for when the I'd of November arrived.
and the polls were opened. the Democratic
challenger took his stand at the window with
book in hand containing the name of every
voter i'll the district, and the name and almost
the genealogy OF every illegal or unqualified
voter who was malshuled for the OCCASION by
the opposition. Negroes were imported from
Pennsylvania negro minors were supplied
with tax receipts and brought to the polls to
persOnatc men Of the same name. whose name
appears ON the assessment rolls but who
have left the State minors were brought
forward to vote TN age, who cOnld give no
account of their age birthplace or family
further than 'twiXt 81 and - 7
When asked what was their birthday, or
birth month, the reply would be, ''Dunno.
sah-'twiXt 81 and 2 sab ! or i'll reply to the
question, "llow many years old are you?
Dunno, sab 'twiXt u and q sab" But
Notwithstanding such Ignorance, il is strange
indeed that there we're gentlemen standing
near, urging the inspector TO permit such
persons to swear to their age. and to receive
their votes, when it was evident that they did
not know anything about it, and also evident
from their personal appearance that they
were not over IL or ~ years old.
But the Democratic challenger was fully
prepared, and as fast as such wildcat Candi-
dates for suffrage put in an appearance they
were summarily disposed Of, much to the
chagrin of gentlemen who, under other en-
cumstances would spurn an imputation of
dishonesty. The election progressed peace
ably throughout the day but with unrelaxed
energy until the close of tho polls, when
survey of the field showed that but one Dem
ocratic voter had failed to vote, and he
arrived at the polls but one half minute too
late, and the Republicans had only fallen
three shortoi their full vote.
When the ballots were counted out the re-
suit showed a ma ority of % votes for T.. j.
Lynch for sheriff and ID for the electoral
ticket, showing that west Red Lion WAS true
to her trust, and stood firm as II Roman SEN
tinel. She has nObly maintained her ground
In 1876 the Democratic majority for the
electoral ticket was II and eight for the
sheriff. On last Tuesday under far more
desperate assault, the Democrats of the dis
trict not only held their ground but increased
their majority from eight in 1876 to Is in
1850 They would very respectfully commend
to our comrades i'll other hundreds this eX.
ample for emulation. We have had some
inctlonal dissentions true. but when the black
knight entered the field our brawny yeomen
forgot their own petty differences and pre-
scented All unbroken front that successfully
resisted every charge and gallantly bore our
banner on to victory, notwithstanding II trick
that was pcrpetruted the evening before the
election number of tickets were circulated
with two Of the Republican candidates torthe
Levy Court substituted for Messrs FArrel and
Morrison and before the defect became known
some five or six of those tickets Were voted
causing a loss OF that number OF votes to
those gentlemen, greatly to the annoyance
and modification OF the party.
The force that We had to contend with was
very nearly equally divided between white
and black Republicans. \ careful canvass of
their voters since the election shows that the
negroes outnumbcrcd their white comrades
by a few votes. Should this proportion hold
good throughout the county it il evident that
"thc colored troops fought bravcy.' aud
that 10y their vote was the Republican party
spared from an ignominions rout. Therefore,
the memhers-eleot Of the Levy Court will GER
tainly recognize 50 potent M ally when they
make up the next jnry for this county and
appoint taN collectors bridge tenders Ne.
The result appears to show TINT from vari-
olls cail-cs We have suffered defeat i'll the
county that notwithstanding the gallant
tight OF our tried and true veterans in this
district their support on either side gave
way and they must stand and witness the
Illuminating spectacle. But disorder or
demorallIion has not entered their ranks
they know that their cause il Just. aud they
have renlisted for the contest uf 1852. and
will again bear our flag to victory. i. j.
Lynch will then rs now he our thst choice fur
shcrii, but be the candidate who lie mag, we
will again Increase Unr ma iOrity.
Mi. DESrElANnIll.