Dahlonega [ga.], Octo./20/48.
My Dear Sir: The
great Whig barbecue has come and gone, and some Democrats are left yet to tell
the tale. I will not venture to estimate the numbers. Without much trouble
however I could give the names of all the visitors. The Whigs are no
doubt much mortified. After circulating Hand Bills far and wide, riding, drumming,
coaxing, etc., they succeeded in getting together a crowd altogether smaller
than wd. assemble at 24 [hours] notice that Colquitt wd. speak. The orators
were Berrien, Hull, and our old semper parati Peeples, and Underwood. Gen.
Clinch was the chairman and, it is said, really made a speech! Our
County of Lumpkin, I believe, is entitled to the honor of drawing out the
maiden speech from this veteran of Whiggery.
The Whigs accuse us of keeping back the
"cracked-heel" Democracy from their meeting. The
"sore-eyed" fellows were not there, it is true, but some staunch
Democrats from each of our sixteen election districts were present and we
improved the opportunity of supplying each district with tickets. We have
succeeded in furnishing every point in Lumpkin and Union with a full supply of
Cass and Butler tickets, and we have the assurance that every Democratic voter
will be seen by our committee men between now and the 7th November, and that
all will be at the polls. This Whig powwow has not only facilitated our
organization and equipment, but it will also operate to awaken the
suspicions of our forces. and they will be out to a man.
The 5th and 6th Districts will give a majority of 6,000
votes — can the Whigs ever ride with that “load of poles”?
Never have I seen our Democracy more united and determined.
Every hour since the October election has added new vigor and energy to our
ranks. I could not have believed that one month could work such a change. The
days of '44 are upon us here again, without perhaps as much excitement but with
more organization and sterner determination to do our whole duty.
The vote of Georgia for Cass and Butler is as sure as any
future event unless some untoward events happen to the Democracy of Middle and
Lower Georgia, for I assure you that the estimate of 6,000 majority is based
upon probable and reliable data. . . .
Gilmer will be the banner county. In October she voted only
700 votes and gave 420 majority. She can easily vote 12 or 1,300 and her
majority will be proportional.
SOURCE: Ulrich Bonnell Phillips, Editor, The Annual
Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1911, Volume 2: The
Correspondence of Robert Toombs, Alexander H. Stephens, and Howell Cobb, p.
130-1
