Year: 1872

DetWeen Cne rival parties Is more animated. Tne
canvassing and shouting, marching and speeding
going on in the State Is perfectly amazing. Not
only in the large cities and towns, but in cross
road taverns and schoolhouses Is constantly heard
the howl Of the patriot making night hideous with
noise. On one evening is "'Rah for Grant," and
the next "'Rah for Greeeyl' but always bluster
and balderdash Indeed there so much OF this that
the wonder is how the average rural voter stands It,
And the speech-makers declare that this frightful
condition OF affairs must be maintained II the
nation is tn be saved until the last moment. So
the rustics must continue to have Grantism banged
into their heads one night, and Greeleyism on the
next until the 4th OF November, when the awful
war will cease 1t may fairly be expected, then
tnat both parties VIII lose many votes and the
lunatic asylums gain many patients before that
time. have seen In this charming county OF Che
mung four ferociOus orators attack audience of
twenty gaping rustics one evening and give them
''fts" This too, in aroom thirty feet by ten, and
each orator, In his turn, roaring like an angry
bull The audiences stand it wonderfully
well, but go out at intervals into the night
to refresh themselves with silence, and
to intensity the horror of the situation by doses Of
bad whiskey. Imagine the mental condition OF
these unfortunate people after several weeks or
this thing! To one not identified with party 1t Is
very amusing The speeches delivered night after
night by the special peaders of the parties and
the speakers themselves are worth notice. In my
first letter l alluded to the fact that the admins
tration party have in this part OF the State
tensive STAFF OF former officers of the army and many
men with high titles, but who were never officers
These men act as If we were in the midst OF war
and everything depended upon their getting re-
cruits. 1t is noticeable, though, that in their
speeches they are generally ON the defensive, and
or fha
party resort to the


''sHOOT HIM ON THE SPOT


argument and roar eloquently concerning the
glorious flag and the victories OF the war. They
address themselves particularly to the democrats,
twitting them for supporting their lifelong oppo-
nent, "that man" Horace Greeley. The liberal and
democratic speakers on the other hand, who are
mostly civilians, attack the administration OF Cen
eral Grant with great rgor both its foreign and
domestic policy. Aud so they 70, np and tuck, day
In and day out. Defamation OF character and every
low measure is adopted to stimulate the passions of
the multitude and influence voters. The republicans
In this county protest very much tnat they are to
have everything their own way at tins election. am
compelled to say that cannot see it, even to please
the respected Postmaster OF Elmira, who edits
local newspaper and does not like to read an inde-
pendent view of the situation. The democrats had


majority OF nearly four hundred at the last elec-
fion, and, indeed, the county has long been con-
sidered democratic. How Is this majority to be
reduced In party contest in which every vote is
pOlledS The administration men say that for every
republican who will vote the liberal ticket there
will be ten democrats who will vote the
Grant ticket The democrats and liberals
deny this vehementy, and think
they are more nearly right While it Is
claimed that great number of democrats



have met but three in the county SO indiifer-
ent; and these seldom take any part in politics and
rarely vote. No doubt at the beginning OF the
canvass there were many democrats who could
not as the phrase is.


SWALLOW HORACE GREELEY"


but the fight is now intense and bitter, and when
the 9Th OF November comes the number oi boltlng
democrats will be exceedingly small. Men take
sides in fight naturally ducks take to water.
am speaking of politics not only in this county
nut in those near by Whatever hopes the
administration had of splitting the demo-
was manpuvred into being have been dsspatcG by
its failure and not even the result OF the Pcnnsyl-
vania election seems 10 have dampened the spirits
OF the opposition. On the contrary am inclined
10 think that steady reaction is setting in favor
OF Greeley. These southern tier OF counties skirt
Pennsylvania, and, as the State line Is all but
imaginary, people go back and forth every day.
Now the shock the democracy received when the





done no particular damage to the liberal cause.
1t was light earthquake that shook
but did not tumble down the democratic struc
ture. In facs, as often happens in quaky
countries. the people rub their eyes and
laugh at the fears that stirred them for moment.
The arrest OF parties in scranton and elsewhere,
charged with ballot-boy stuiing in the interest oil
Hartranlt and the administration. dscloses to the
ewes of the liberals and democrats the cause OF the
action. IL is claimed that what was done in the
interest OF Cameron In PENNSYLVANIA. will not be
State has secured his reelection to the United
States senate, he will be indifferent as between
Grant and Greeley; or. at least, not very warm in
the cause OF the former


PENNSYLVANIA AND HER INFLUENCE.


Then again, It is explained by parties from over
the border the same amount OF money cannot be
used In the forthcoming election as, IL is claimed,
was used In October. The funds must be used In
the other states also And II is broadly stated that
Pennsylvania will be ''doubtfu State If the
stamps are scarce" However that may be, these
considerations give hope to the liberals and demo-
voritism and only give substance to the foregoing
Impressions after careful and dlligent inquiry Let
vania coup detat did no damage o" TO Che
al Gree,ey @ tho orcss and you wiz perceive
body believes that Pennsylvania can be carried for
Greeley, but many are betting that Grant win not
get half the majority claimed ior him two weeks
since; and II the reaction is so strong In State
carried for Grant In October how will Il be in States
that have not declareds This Is the position oil


TIE DEMOCRATS AND LIBERALS


In this part OF the State, and, reviewing my notes.
hardly think IL unreasonable. In spite OF what Is
said by the Grant republicans the parts OF New
York State that have visited will give majority
for Greeley, and perhaps for Herman. The light will
be on the State ticket principally


Mr. kernan's being Catholic Is, as said In
former letter, great drawback IN the canvass. In
the neighboring county OF Tioga there are hun
dreds OF people OF the Methodist and Presbyterian
persuasi0ns, who regard a Catholic as little better
than u heathen, and these would no more think OF
xotng for Herman than they would OF allowing
fellow sinner OF opposite views going 10 Heaven
with them. II Is their settled belief that Provi-
dcnce never intended that anybody should be al
lowed TO entertain views concerning Christianity
but their own particular sect. This absurd PREM.
dice may however, be neutralized by the action OF
the Irish, who, In the name OF religious liberty,
nave taken up the cudgels, in a rhetorical sense,
Tor herman, and there will be no doubling ThOm-
ases among the Hibernian democracy when tns
religious issue Is fairly presented to them. OF
course agents OF the administration party and the
llberadem0cracy keep


THE RELIGIOUS FIRES


well burning-the former in the different congrega-
tons, covertly but effectively and the latter openly
the platform IL Is fpht. II stauds