The Portland daily press., 1888-03-29
suITINc THE CROWD.
zeb vance's Campaign Beyond the
Mountains.
[Bm Arp in Atlanta constitutional

[Bn Arp in Atlanta constitutional
Whena a man travels abroad and mixes with
strangers and would be treated with civility'
he should not do anything or say anything
that runs against their opinions, their inter
ests, or their prejudices. Zeb Vance said
that one time away back when he was run
ming for Congress against Holden he had 10
20 over a mountain range ana down INTO
valley where he had never been before.
The humble people in that valley were al
most cut off and hid out from the rest OF the
world, and especially from that side OF the
world in which Mr.. Vance lived. lie knew
nothing about their politics or their religion.
North Carolina is curious state, sald
he. sHer religion is speckled and spotted
like 1t had the measles. In one valley you
will find the people all Episcopalians, how
ever poor or primitive. The ancestors or
first settlers came from England and brought
that religion with them, ana, as nobody
kept the faith of their fathers. In another
valley you will find them all Presbyterians,
because the ancestors came from scotland:
In another they will be all Meth0dlsts or all
Baptists, and every one Of These separate
ing in the lead, and he Is looked spon as the
beIl-Wether of the flock. Now, II Is necessary
that politician should know the religious
faith OF those with whom he Is "lectioneer-
ing for votes. If he can't chime In, with II
w
Now" said Vance, when got over into
the valley TO meet my appointment, found
about seventy live Of the humble s0yerelgns
gathered at the cross roads, where tnere was
little store and a wagon shop and a meeting
house. They had on their homemade
clothes and were standing around chawing
tobacco and talking about craps and walt
ing for me to come. / soon got familiar with
them and got them in first rate humor, Dutas
Holden was to come over In day or TWO l
wanted TO fix things In some way so tnat nc
could'ent unfix them. Holden was Metno-
dist and was afraid that those people were.
noticed an old man sitting off on chunk
and marking in the sand with his long walk
ing-stick. He had on big brass spectacles,
and his heavy shaggy eyebrows ana Dig long
nose indicated character. and so L set MIN
down as the bell-wether Of the flock. After
a while 1 got up close to him and was about
to address him when he gave prayerful
grunt and got up and braced himself on MS
stick and looking at me In a solemn voice,
This is Mr.. Vance believe Yes, sir said
/, giving him my hand. And am Emanual
Stenor, said he, and / suppose you have
come over the mounting to talk to my boys
about their votes Yes, sir said that Is
my principal business and = Well Mr..
proceed any further with that business, /
woulk like to ak you a question OF two
Certainly, sir said /; certainly. Wen,
Mr.. Vance, allow me to ak you what churcn
do you belong tOF -.
sfWell, that was sockdologer, and it come
right straight at me, and for moment was
demoralized, but rallied, and as the boys
had all gathered around TO hear the old man
put me through, cleared my throat and
said: That Is fair question, my friend; a
fair question, and will tell you about that.
NV grandfather came from England, and as
over there the Established Church was Epis..
eopalian, of course he was an Episcopallan.
81 paused moment to see the effeet OF
this, but there was none that was favorable:
The old man marked a little more In the sand
and spit his tobacco away off on one SIDE
SO continued: But my grandmother came
from Scotland, and you know that John
Knox left his mark upon that whole nation,
and so, Of course, she grew up PresDyterl-
an paused again, but there was no sign,
no awakening no chord struck, and the old
man marked some more on the sand. But.
my friend, my father was born and grew up
in Methodist community, who were In TINS
country and converted by John Wesley, and,
of course, he became Methodist thought
that now had him sure, but didn't There
was no sign of sympathy from him or the
boys, and so took my last Shot But my
good old mother, sir, was born and raised q
Baptist,a and it's always been my opinion that
a man has got to go under water before he
can get to heaven A Sleam OF satisfaction
spread all over the old mans face as he said /:
Give me your hand, Brother Vance. Boys,
/ told you so /; / told you that he was Q Bap-
tist afore he come. He is the man. You can
all vote for him, but Holden won't do nary
time, for they dc say that he is one OF those
shouten, caVortin' Methodists.'