Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-08-10
OLD-TIME POLITICS.
PRESIDENTIAL CANVASS or te4o--
WING CHANGE or TACTICS.
A Barbecue and Discussion Mt Pcwbatan
Courthouse Both Parties Were Con-
tribators--Ef Eloquent Speakers
[wrItten for the pispatch.l

candidates for the presidency II may not
Re inappropriate to review the events con-
nected with the canvass fifty-two years ago.
The Wing party. under the lead of Henry
Clay and Daniel Webster. advocating pro-
lection for our infant industries ard
q recha,ter of the United States Bank.
after many gallant campaigns, had
been beaten by Andrew jackson, whose
popularity was so great that he was
able TO elect his successor, Martin Van
Buren,. after his own full service OF eight
years, over William II. Harrison, the nomi-
nee Of the Wings. At the next election,
in 1910, the Wing party again nominated
Virginia. as Vice-President. The leaders
Of the Wing party, in their struggle for
power and for existence had become wise
by experience and determined upon a
change of tactics. Before that time the
lineal descendants of the Federalists of
Washington's Administration who consti-
tuted the great bulk of the Wing party,
comprised the wealthiest and educated
and influential classes OF the people. This
distinction was so marked that 1t was
almost social distinction. IL was said
that il o stranger saw two story house
with a hall in the middle and four LON,
hardy poplars in the yard in front he would
know that an old-line Wing lived there.
The Wings said that jackson had beaten
them by captivating the masses and they
determined to do likewise, following this
example.
TIPPEcAToE AND TYLER TOO.
This ticket. formed with this design
Harrison and Tyler both born in the little
county OF Charles City IN Virginia, repre-
sented different views-so as to be accept
able 70 ell. although one was a tarif-protec-
ton and United States bank man and the
other States Right Democrat OF the Viz
ginia type and school. The one was
military man and the other civilian.
Harrison lived plain simple life at Great
Bend after his military service had termi-
mated with his victory at Iippecanoe, and
although Van Buren, had beaten him be-
fore by Jackson's popularity, 1t was
expected by change of the manner Of the
canvass TO turn the tables on him. Conse-
Quently he was nominated and herGded
all around as plain farmer. living In log
cabin, clothed in coon skins, drinking
nothing stronger than hard cider. Van
Buren, was represented as a Kinder
hook aristocrat, living in paiatial STYLE
In the White House, exhibiting as proof
the bills of furniture aud for public din
ners, surrounded by band of pensioned
sycophants and fatterers, who were said
to be betting away thousands OF the
peoples money on ndr-Gr-pdr." The feel
ing of the day was contagious. The boys
had medals suspended by a string around
their necks about the size of copper
cent On one side was stamped a log
cabin, with coon skin nailed on the door
and a barrel of cider under tree In the
yard, and on tho other side Harrison on
his horse chasing the flying Indians at
Tippecanoe. Pairs of dogs were named
Tip and Ty.
CAMPAIGN SONGS.
The smart young men from every neigh
borhood met at the court-houses, and
sitting upon benches made of outside
plank sang with spirit from yellow-coyered
song books
The moon was shining silver bright,
And the stars with glory filled the night.
When Undertook fox was chased by
coon,
tune
"Get ont Of the way, you are all unlucky,"
&C.
This succeeded so we'll that in the next
canvass they sang:
The Old Dominion is coming-the North
State too;
And Delaware wheels into lire,
For old Kentuck and the Jersey blue;
For Clay and Freiughuysen, too,
And with them well beat your Polk
And such sorry folk. &c, &C.
And also:
Richmond will do her best
To set these windy nags 20 rest.
OF good Wing votes she'll poll her lot
When led on by John Minor otis
But this luck bad turned and the slogan
cry of Polk, Dallas. and Texas carried
the country.
LEIGH AND JONES,
z !.
to describe BIG barbecue which was had
at Powhatan Courthouse in 1910, when the
writer, a small boy. witnessed discussion
before the people on the presidential ques-
ton by Benjamin Watkins Leigh, who had
been a senator of the United States, and
John Winston Jones, at that time Speaker
of the House of Representatives.
1t was q pleasant day in September
both parties had contributed to the great
barbecue. At the lower end of the public
square, were dug trenches in the ground,
filed with hickory live Goals, over which.
upon green saplings were roasting the
quarters of lamb. saddles of mutton.
halves Of veal, and sirloins of beef while
upon tripods made of three forks in the
ground were suspended the pots of Bruins
wick stew, the scent of which would make
any man hungry. And very large crowd.
kept by the cooks and attendants out of
the square until dinner was ready, thronged
taverns and the porches of the stores.
1t was known that Mr.. Leigh in his car
rage had arrived the night before, had par
taken OF the hospitality of his old friend,
the clerk, William Dance. and was then
the centre of large crowd around him in
the public room of the Grove Tavern, con-
versing in his magnificent style to his adj
miring friends. Doubt was entertained
whether Mr.. Jones would come. 1t was
certainly very late. At last the dust from
an incoming single chaise announced the
fact that somebody was coming up the
Buck and Game road. Mr.. Jones drove
directly to the porch of the lowern tavern
and was taken by his friends out of his We
hicle (for both he and Mr.. Leigh were
brave mem and was escorted to the ros-
trum erected for the purpose Of the public
square.
CONTEST OF GIANTS.
Mr.. Leigh soon joined him, and having
arranged for alienation of debate, the
discussion commenced. Conducted with
courtesy and high moral chiyalry toward
each other, without personalities, without
clap-trap, they discussed the questions of
the day with logical ability, sometimes
rising to heights OF eloquence. 1t was
contest of giants. At the close all the
Wings claimed the victory for Leigh, the
Democrats for Jones.
| can remember but one passage in the
debate. Mr.. Leigh said, with great en-
phasis, II can tell the gentleman that in
arithmetic two and two do not
always make four" | was struck with
great astonishment at this, as contradict
ing what had been Just taught by Pixies
Arithmetic in my recent lesson on simple
addition.
Both these great men were born in the
of Chesterfield. Their native coun-
ty, with several adjoining counties. honor
ed them by electing them as members to
the famous Virginia Constitutional Con-
vention of is29-'30. in which Mr.. Leigh took
so prominent and important part.
II is to be hoped that our present con-
test for the presidency may be conducted
with the spirit and manners of these good
old times. We hope that, owing to the
Improvement and progress of the present
day. the rivalry of Cleveland and Harrison
shall exhibit no less dignity and propriety
than that between Leigh and Jones.
n II