The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1903-08-15

In the last Chapter of his "Ramhling
RccoleCtionS." the writer referred very
curSorily TO the Odd Log Cabin in the
Hollow, as the headquarters of the
Wings in the days of the forticS. and as
the building from which the first edition
of the Cecil Whig" was issued on the
9TH of August 1911.
The old Tippecanor or Harrison Cam
paign of lS4O. was. physically speaking,
one of embcmS largely. The writer
was too young of course to know what
these cmblemS that distinguished it really
meant. the old Log Cabin by the door
of which stood the traditional barrel of
hard cider. the big tin cannon, which
the Cloud 'boyS" hauled up and down
the streets. hut never fired off, in Harri
son and Tyler professions. the odd
Coon" sitting on his launches. with his
right thumb on his nose, grinnng at the
rooster on his back. the banners. and
emhlemS, of that campaign and the cam
paign of 18Th We're all mixed up and
jumblcd in ineXtricable confusion in his
infantile mind.
They nevertheless impressed him.
They appealed to his eye and his ear,
no matter whether the nfantle intellect
comprchcndcd it all or not
He never at least. forgot the men who
were the actors in those political scenes.
whether at the time he read Alright their
tin signs and symbols. or understood the
meaning of their noisy demonstrations.
To be honest about it, like other boys
of his age. and indeed like most of the
grown men who took part in those de-
monstlutions. it was the show" side or
spectacular phases of those campaigns,
the banners and the hon-fres. the music
and the mirth that pleased him.
There was plenty Of fun in them for
the little boys, and lots more for the
big" boys.
The fun" eliminated on Election Day,
when the Wings rolled up from Little
Elk their barrel of corn whiskey and
placed it on one side of the Court House
yard, while down town from Ryland's
mill came equally promptly the Demo.
cratic barrel.
Ripe corn whiskey in those days, cost
just sixteen cents per gallon when bought
by the barrel. The heads were knocked
out of the two casks. and from each. as
the voters passed. they took their "swig"
from n tin cup that hung on n nail by it's
side
1t was a free ''blow" all day long. as
the great American freemen. passed into,
and then out of the Court House, after
exercising their boasted prrrogativr-thc
elective franchise.
That is. he was free" when he started
in the morning. At what hour in the
day, under the mcllowing influence of
free grog, he surrendered his freedom
and became the slave of John Barley
corn depended altogether upon his all
sorptive or receptive capacity.
But one thing is sure, by night fall
they were all there, packed like sardines
on either side of the Court House yard,
some snoring aloud in their drunken
stupor, others, swccty (G dreaming the
happy election hours away.
The Bari was quite as potential
political factor in those days as now, but
it was nothing like so costly. \ Specula-
tive voter, properly cultivated. in 1903,
will command more for his single ballot
at hotly contested Primary. than the
cost of putting every doubtful voter in
the District on his back in 1911
As the Harrison Campaign of 1910,
was one of blazing banners and endless
professions, the campaign of 1911 was
no less demonstrative in character
1t was pre-eminently campaign of
song and enthusiasm.
1t was noticeable especially in one re-
spect. As many as three popular and
important elections occurred that wear
viz. the election of Congressman on
February l4th, 1914, the election of a
Governor and Legislature in October,
and Presidential Election on November
4th.
1t is not surprising, that it was a year
of continuous and unusual political ex-
citement.
The Wings had won a victory in Mary
land in 1910, electng Harrison by 4776
majority, Cecil County giving him 1874
majority. But in 1871, the next year,
they lost the State, the Democrats elect
ing Francis Thomas, Governor, over the
Whig candidate, William Cost johnson.
The relative strength of the two parties
in the State being so close. the Wings
went into the Congressional Campaign
of that year, with great enthusiasm,
nominating in this District. the Fifth,
DIR. Jacob y. Preston, of Hartford
County. The late Albert Constable when
citizen Of Kent County. had been iden-
titled with the Wing Party of that
county. On the 18th of July, 1924, at IA
patriotic celebration at Chestertown, Mr..
Constable had delivered an eloquent toast
to Henry Clay-'the ardent and patriotic
spirit which he evinced in the debate on
the Tariff will inscrbe for him a name
on the records of Immortality he said.
When Mr. Constable afterwards To-
Gated in Cecil County, recognizing his
eloquence as a speaker and his ability
as a lawyer, the Democrats made over
lures to him, and finally nominated
him for Congress in 1874 against DR.
Preston. Mr.. Constable carried Cecil by
majority of 300. DIR. Preston's majority
in Hartford being 2O4. nip and tuck
contest in the two counties, DR.. Preston