Washington [D. C.], Oct.
29th, 1848.
Dear Col., I
thank you for the several letters which you have been kind enough to write me
in reference to the prospect in Georgia. I hope the 7th of November may find
her on the side of democracy and the country. I should have no doubt of it were
it not for the military glory of old Taylor which I somewhat fear may dazzle a
sufficient number of soft customers to carry the day.
If we are to lose the State of Pennsylvania it will simply
be because we have not democrats enough in the State to prevent it. I think I
may safely say that I now know our friends are at work in good earnest
in the good old commonwealth. The defaulting Democrats at the last election,
with all others who are lukewarm, are being visited by Committees appointed for
that purpose to the end that all may be brought to the polls. The idea is an
admirable one and if properly executed must tell powerfully in our favor.
In reference to Wilmot's dist. and other infected portions
of the state, I had hoped to be specially advised before this time. Perhaps I
may receive a letter tomorrow or next day. If so I will send it to you. In the
meantime you would doubtless like to have such information as we have from that
dist. Birdsall and Dickinson are both at this time in that part of the state,
the first of whom as I understand has written to Washington that Wilmot makes
no active opposition to Cass, and that if he does anything against him it is
done very quietly. He thinks he will permit his people to vote as they please,
and expresses the opinion that the dist. will give an increased majority in
November on Longstreth. I do not know Mr. B., but learn that he is quite a politician
and a shrewd calculator.
It is said moreover that Judge Thompson writes from the Erie
district that Cass will carry the State by 10,000. Job Mann writes that we
shall carry the state if we are active, and adds that we are active.
In short, sir, every democrat hereabouts feels and believes
that the State will be ours as sure as the 7th of November rolls around and if
it goes against us all be wretchedly disappointed a second time.
I wrote to Holden the other day, of N. C. Standard, to know
the prospects in the old North State, and reed. in reply a most unexpectedly
encouraging letter. He says the free-soil movement there will greatly distract
the Whig party, which taken in connexion with the great activity of the
democratic party affords a well grounded hope for carrying the State for Cass
and Butler.
In reference to Ohio, it is generally conceded that Cass
must carry it against any and all combinations.
N. Jersey we hope and believe will go with us. At all events
the Whigs there are dreadfully scared and the democrats are in fine spirits.
Tennessee it is said is sure for Cass and Butler. I know this
is the opinion of old Cave Johnson and I hear also that the President thinks
with him.
Louisiana, — La Sere writes Wm. I. Brown very recently that
Cass and Butler will carry that state without any sort of difficulty. He speaks
of it as not at all doubtful. So you see we hear comfortable news on all sides.
I pray the result may not show that our friends were to sanguine. In reference
to myself, I think I should be entirely confident if I could be quite sure the
people wouldn't turn fools on account of old Leatherhead's military fame.
_______________
* A member of the clerical staff of the United States House
of Representatives, a devoted friend of Howell Cobb.
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.
132-3
