Whiston
herself, had been introduced into the Legislature, where it
received three votes. Moreover, we had held meetings in almost
every election precinct in the State, and our Annual Fair (to raise
funds) at Gaston, while the Legislature was in session, was always
very brilliant and successful. So the people were not entirely
unprepared.
Although our State had gone for Fremont in 1856, by a small
majority, the Democrats afterwards elected their Governor; and
both parties, therefore, had hopes of success in 1860. The canvass
began early, and was very animated. Mrs. Whiston had already
inaugurated the custom of attending political meetings, and
occasionally putting a question to the stump orator--no matter of
which party; of sometimes, indeed, taking the stump herself, after
the others had exhausted their wind. She was very witty, as you
know, and her stories were so good and so capitally told, that
neither Democrat nor Republican thought of leaving the ground while
she was upon the stand.
Now, it happened that our Congressional District was one of the
closest.
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