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THE OLD
MEMBERS OF THE CALHOUN AND KALAMAZOO
COUNTY BARS BY A. D. P. VAN BUREN
He delivered a masterly speech, dealing heavy blows to the young political upstart that had dared to cross swords with a foe that had vanquished older and stronger rivals on many a battle field. It seemed that the whig element in the young republican party, inspired by the memory of 1840, had broken out into, song again, for the best singers that could be found in the country were secured, a Fremont glee club was organized and sung at all their meetings during the campaign. Van Arman in his speech turned his wit and ridicule against this nondescript party that instead of arguing its cause before the people was going to sing itself into power. "Ask them, " says he, "for a. declaration of their principles and they will sing—
'The mustang colt has a killing pace,
Du-da-du-da; He's bound to win in the White House race
Du-da-du-da-day.
"Speak to them of the question at issue before the people and they warble forth—
'I'm bound to run all night, I'm bound to fun all day; I'll bet my money on the bob tail nag, Will any body bet on the gray? Du-da-du-da-day.
"Thus, " said he, "I have quoted from this favorite republican campaign song to illustrate the new party's principles and argument, the pith and burden of which is simply Du-da-du-da-day. " His sallies of wit and ridicule in thus taking off the republicans shook the sides of the little giant with laughter.
I remember that one evening during this campaign, after hearing Conrad Eberstein deliver a rousing republican speech to a large gathering in the old Methodist Episcopal church in Battle Creek, I, with a number of republicans, went over to Wakelee's hall to hear John Van Arman, who spoke at a later hour.
Michigan
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