The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-07-25
HE LED BOTH PROFESSIONS.
Am Amusing Incident I'm the Polk.Ciay
Presidential Campaign.

Presidential Campaign.
In the celebrated campaign of 1874, be-
tween Henry Clay and James X. Polk, the
feeling among the people in Massachu-
setts was most intense. The old Bay
State was strongly whig, In favor OF pro-
lection, and Clay was its idol.
Residing In Boston at that time, says a
writer In the st. Louis Republic, was Q
DR.. B-,a hanger on to both parties,
but unable to decide which way he should
vote up to the day OF election.
For some cause, whether from the up-
usual good health Of the inhabitants OF
tho city, or from lack of confidence In the
doctors ability-it could not have been
from his lack OF versatility, for he was
equally skilled In allopsthy, homeopathy
or Tompsonianism, and gave his patients
their choice as to which method he should
pursue-he found himself at the opening
OF the campaign in somewhat straight
ened circumstances and made up his
mind, sitter careful deliberation, to
throw physic to the dogs" " and go into
politics.
The first point to be settled was on
which side he should throw his influence,
or, In other words, which side was most
likely to win, for the good doctor didn't
care continental which IL was, only to
be satisfed upon the point.
On reading the Atlas, the leading Whig
paper of the day, he would lay 1t down
with the feeling that, "verily, thou al
most persuadest me-" But the perusnl OF
the Post, tho Democratic organ, would
shake his almost settled convictions and
leave him agnin in doubt. AS election
drew near tho doctors anxiety increased.
The chances appeared so even day In
favor OF Clay, tomorrow of Polk, that he
could arrive at no conclusion.
The country at that time had no tele-
graphic facilities, and but two daily mails
from New York, one reaching Boston in
the morning, the other In the evening.
Then, as usual, the election turned upon
New York. Polk was supposed to be very
strong in the city and Clay in the interior
. of the State.
The morning following the election the
news was received in Boston that Clay
had developed unusual strength in the
city OF New York, cutting down the
Democratic majority to such an extent
that it insured his election.
Then IL was that the doctor showed his
colors, appearing at the Whig headquar-
ters boiling over with enthusiasm for his
lrleuu Oay, hoVochtiuB uuu iusistiuB
that demonstration should be arranged
for the evening.
The city was brilliant with fireworks
and illuminations. A procession was
formed and at its head marched the
happy doctor, fiourishing his gold headed
cane, overfiowing with good humor and
pomposity, taking good care to be seen
by everybody, and to impress upon them
the great interest he felt In the result
SO enthusiastic were the people that the
route was extended to South Boston.
Soon after the procession got under
way the evening mail arrived from New
York, bringing the news that Polk had
developed such strength In the interior
that he had carried the State and was
elected.
When the news was announced from
the Office OF the Post, the crowd present
Immediately formed procession, headed
by band OF music, and followed on after
the Wings. The two professions met in
South Boston, and the result was total
collapse OF the Wings.
The Democrats returned about mid
night, their ranks greatly swelled, and at
their head, 6ourishing gold headed cane
and hoarse with shouting for his friend
Polk, was the genial doctor himself.