The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-07-03
For the Democratic Advocate.
Recollections of the Campaign of
1928,

NEWPORT, KY, June 2Sth, 1886.
MEssRs. EDITORS One of the recollec-
tons of that campaign is the coffin handbills
posted over the country at public places, in
contempt of the hero of New Orleans, the
Democratic candidate for the Presidency
casting grave reflections and charges of mis-
management of the Seminole War; condemn
ing him for executing the findings Of the Court
Martial on deserters from his army. Children
and ignorant people were Mortified when they
were told that jackson killed a man every
morning before breakfast, and they trembled
at the sight of the coffin handbills. Excite
ment ran high, jackson clubs were formed
and hickory poles were raised, from the tops
of which hoated the stars and stripes The
fife and the drum gave out the music that
nerved the men to action, and filled the child
rem with zeal.
There were many personal encounters, be-
tween opposing partisans, but nobody was
killed, in their rough and tumble fights. Pistols
and bomb shells were not in use in those days;
it was considered cowardly to carry concealed
weapons. Differences were settled, when the
climax was reached, by hard knocks with
brawny fists, and the best man, physically,
won,-the friends of the respective parties
forming ring, demanding fair play" These
words could be heard above the shouts and
din of the battle. Sometimes when stair
play" was not given, the fight became general,
and the mass Of bowling humanity swayed to
and fro in the village street, and ended from
exhaustion, or when one of the belligerents
cried 'enough," or "nuff," or when there
were enough of the conservative element to
part them. Intoxicating drinks, then as now,
had much to do with election troubles. In
the general issue of the campaign the Demo
Gratis were successful in the election of their
candidate. After which the usual quiet. set
tied on our village and country, and jackson
was begun to be thought of as a man, and as
our next President, and many were anxious to
see him.
In the February following his election, the
quiet monotony of our village was broken by
the announcement that on certain day Jack
son would pass through on his way to Wash.
ington to be inaugurated. Daniel Collins and
my father, Richard R. Waters, were two of
the escort that proceeded to Hyattstown, near
the Frederick county line, to receive from the
escort of that county, General Jackson and
party, and accompany them as far as Rock
Vile, where another escort received and con-
Quoted them to Washington.
The Presidential party travelled in their
private conveyances. The village of Clarkes
burg, was on the thoroughfare, between Wash
ington and the West, dirt road, which has
not up to this day assumed the honors of
pike. All the men and boys of the village
turned out with the escort, and accompanied
the party through the one long street to the
east end, on the hill, where stood the best
tavern on the road, kept by Mrs. Scholl.
They halted here for refreshments, when the
citizens were afforded an opportunity to shake
hands with the General, and bid him wei
come, which was done by all without respect
to party.
We, the boys, stood looking on until the
men were through. 1t was my good fortune
to be the first boy on that occasion, presented
to him. The gentle, quiet man, so unlike the
man of the coffin handbills, his eyes beaming
with kindness, extended his right hand, tax
ing mine in his, and placing his left on my
head, bestowed the benedictions of the great
Bishop of the Democratic faith, whose prin-
ciples of equality, justice and truth have en-
deared his memory to us all; and these prin-
ciples are now the sure foundation stones
upon which rests our constitutional liberty.
After lapse of ffty-seven years these
thoughts of my chilhood's days are called up
your by correspondent and his relic of the
campaign of 1910. Respectfully,
W. H. WATERS.