The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-31
the pastor win deliver brief address appropri-
ate to the ceremonies of decoration observed
A New Story of that Remarkable Congress
sional Campaign.

A New Story of that Remarkable Congress
sfonal Campaign.
Carp, in Cleveland Leader.
Seeing Dan voorhees, here at the capital re
minds me of a story once heard Major Calkins
tell in regard to one of Voorhees, earlier cam
paiGns for Congress, in which he ran against
ex Congressman Tom Nelson. Nelson and
Voorhees, stumping the district together,
making joint debates at all the leading towns.
They rode from place to place IN the same
carriage, and one morning, just before
arriving at a certain town. Voorhees, pro-
posed that the next debate should
be somewhat denuncatory of each other, with
the previous engagement that neither should
get angry. To this Nelson consented They
arrived at the town and Voorhees, made the first
speech 1t was during Lincolns campaign, and
Voorhees, drew contrast between Lincoln and
Nelson, saying in substance: Tom Nelson and
Abe Lincoln differ as widely as the poles and If
you vote for one you must vote against the
other. Lincoln is plain, honest rail splitter,
who has earned every dollar he has ever made,
and who owes his success to his own efforts. he
is an opponent of slavery, and has nothing to 90
with aristocracy Tom Nelson is pampered
aristocrat and the son of an aristocrat. His
father was niger keeper, and young Tom has
never dressed himself or BACKED his own boots
since the day he was born. Now. as for me,
have always been plain, hard-working man.
Go up to this little town of CovingtoL, in your
own district, where was raised, and the farm
of rails which | myself split with these horny
hands. Vote for me; am one of your kind
What does this pampered son of luxury
care for you or yours2 Elected to Con-
gress, he will receive you with a con-
temptuons upturning of that aristocratic
nose, and will put you aside with disguised
wave of tina soft white hand, which, when not
on the stump, you will find always encased In
kid gloves. | am the man for the people! | am
the rail-splitter! Vote for mel" With this
Voorhees, sat down amid applause and laughter,
and Nelson as he arose, well-dressed and rather
natty looking, was looked upon with evident dis
favor. He was an eloquent talker, however, and
he sooE had the crowd with him. The
speeches were made on a stand under a
big buttonwood tree which at this time was full
of bitter halls of white fuz. Characterizing
Voorhees, speech in regard to himself as mon
nmental lie made out of solid blocks of pure
birthstone falsehood, he called attention to the
button balls, and compared their fuz to Voor-
heess beard, which was then soft and fine as
it is now red and coarse. He spoke of Voorhees,
reputation about Covington, said he had investl-
gated his rail splitting stories, and had found
that the only connection Dan Voorhees, had ever
had with fence-rai about his own town was with
the one rail on which he had been ridden out Of
it, carried by the leading politicians of his own
party. This, though not true. was home
thrust, and the crowd took up and cheered long
and loud, while Voorhees, blushed to his temples,
and looked very uncomfortable. Nelson then
went on and thoroughly pulverized Voorhees,,
who, having no chance to reply, was forced to sit
and listen TO Nelson's stories At last the meet
ing was over, and the two set out for the next
town. For long time Voorhees, was rather
glum, and would say nothing He saw, however,
that it had been a fair case Of diamond cut
diamond, and that he had been beaten. During
the rest of the tour the campaign was fought on
u different principle