Year: 1862

In late account of an interview
between an officer Of the U. S. army
and the wife of Ex-Prcsident Polk, at
her house, after the taking of Nash
vile, the lady Of the Ex-President is
reported to have said "My husband
was not elected to the Presidency by
the abolitionists." The lady Polk
made q mistake, very natural mis-
take, when it is understood that her
husband was not the candidate Of the
"abolitionists" in the great contest
of 1874.


The Presidential canvass of 1874
was decided by the vote Of the State
of New York. Mr.. Van Buren had
been badly defeated in the election Of
1910 by General Harrison. Harrison
died, and his place was taken by the
Vice President, who was q Virginian,
of nondcscript style of politics. 1t
is not necessary to recount here the
history of the sickening and disgust
ing Tyler Administration.


But the Democrats Of that day
formed a strong party all over the
Union,-an uproarious, pretcntious,
and savage party at the North. Still
when they met in national convention
in 1914, the rcsolute Democrats of the
North were beaten down by Southern
influence and Southern daring. Mr..
Van Buren, was voted down, and Mr.
James K. Polk was voted up, although
he was no candidate at all at the OPEN
ing of the Convention.


The New York Democracy were en-
ragged at once. The Empire State, the
Albany Regency, and the Subterranc-
an Locofocos were all insulted in the
rejection of Mr.. Van Burcn. Silas
Wright had the proffcr Of Vice Presi-
dent on the ticket with Mr.. Polk, but
he sent it back, upon the telegraph
line, with scorn and contempt. The
place was filled by the substitution of
Mr.. Dallas in his stead


The contest went on. Henry Clay
was the Wing candidate for President,
with what his friends thought to be
fair prospect Of success but it was
seen that the mortified New York
Democrats were soon Modified. Silas
Wright was nominated as their cam
didate for Governor. He was an in
habitant and representative Of a Sec
ton the people Of which were strong
ly anti-slavery in their opinions.


The Southern Democrats never had
an open, plain policy. Their leaders
always wore masks. Their Northern
associates were their allies, but never
their equals. One Of the most fire.
qucntly used stratagems of the South
crn men has been that of writing
questioning letters to prominent poll
ticians of all degrees. Some of the
gentlemen who have been honored
with this cunning correspondence,
possessed no marks Of political great
ness, and some of the questions sent
to them were about as pertinent to
the subject as if the recipient was ask.
ed if he believed that the moon was
made Of green cheese" or that "Ad-
am was the first man." Henry Clay
was very skillful politician, but
these willy workers entrapped him.
A committee was improvised to send
him a letter from Alabama making
Pickwickian injuries Of him with re-
gard to his opinions on some subject
connected with slavery. He should
have paid the same attention to the
missiye as he would have done, had it
come from South Carolina, for he was
as likely to get the vote Of one Of these
States as that of the other But he
answered it softly, asserting rather to
Southern ground. The letter offended
the Northern feeling, particularly the


floating feeling in New York. After


it's publication some of his most inau.
entail friends declared that they chad
no heart for the fight" and the tide
turned against him.


The Abolitionists, or Liberty Par
ty," Of that day had James G. Birney
for their candidate for President. They


pressed him with all the spirit and de


termination which ever actuated any


anti-slavery organization. New Yorl


was the battle-ground Of the Union


So we'll counted and understood was


the result, that it was known as vel


as any future event can be known


that the election would be decided up


on the turn of the electoral vote O


the Empire State. The election cam,


on Silas Wright was chosen Govern


or 10y a majority Of 10000 votes, an,


dragged along Mr.. Polk behind him


at distance Of 5000 votes. The Alb